Development veteran Matt Shell has reportedly passed away.

The news was announced by The Game Awards' Geoff Keighley, who posted on Twitter that the LucasArts alum had died following a heart attack. Shell spent the majority of his 27-year career working for LucasFilm – firstly in a 14-year tenure working in the company's marketing department, before moving to be director brand marketing over at Disney. In that role he oversaw licensing of the Star Wars games to other studios. Shell departed the House of Mouse in 2022, but continued to work on games as a self-employed consultant.

"If you've played a Star Wars game over the past 2 decades, Matt Shell was a key part of bringing it to life at LucasArts," Keighley wrote.

"Shockingly, Matt passed away this week from a heart attack.

"Matt was an incredible person with a huge heart -- kind, loyal, hard working and always funny. He brought a smile to every meeting.

"RIP to Matt Shell, one of the truly great people in the gaming industry."

Global PR lead for EA Sports Ray Almeda also took to Twitter to pay his respects.

"Devastated to hear the news about the tragic passing of our friend Matt Shell," he wrote. "I knew Matt for about a decade as we worked together to bring Star Wars games to everyone as we traveled the world. He had been doing it with LucasArts for 20 years. We will miss his jokes, love for Sticky Toffee Pudding, BBQ expertise, celebrating Warriors championships the night of, and of course his profound fandom for his SF Giants. Rest in Paradise my friend and May the Force be with you, always."