EA Cancels Black Panther Game and Closes Cliffhanger Games, New Report Shows

EA Cancels Black Panther Game and Shuts Down Cliffhanger Games

Nearly two years ago, EA and Cliffhanger Games ignited excitement in the gaming community by confirming that a new Black Panther game was in development. This single-player, third-person action title promised to feature the iconic Marvel superhero as its protagonist. However, recent developments have taken a disappointing turn.

According to a report from IGN, EA has officially canceled the Black Panther project and has disbanded Cliffhanger Games. This move comes amidst a wave of layoffs at Electronic Arts, which recently let go of between 300 and 400 developers last month while also canceling an incubation project at Respawn. The company additionally announced a shift back to in-office work, phasing out its remote work policies.

Sources indicate that the layoffs affected various teams, including those within mobile and central divisions, although EA has not disclosed the precise number of employees impacted. Laura Miele, President of EA Entertainment, described these decisions in an internal email as “hard”choices that are necessary to “sharpen our focus and channel our creative energy towards the most significant growth opportunities.”

Miele reassured stakeholders that EA is committed to supporting affected employees, providing assistance in finding new roles within the organization. The company also intends to prioritize its Entertainment division on established franchises such as The Sims, Skate, Battlefield, and Apex Legends.

Despite the troubling news surrounding the Black Panther game, Respawn Entertainment remains focused on delivering the next installment in the Star Wars Jedi series. Additionally, the Iron Man game being developed by Motive Studio is still moving forward. However, skepticism surrounds EA’s commitments following CEO Andrew Wilson’s previous remarks about the company’s plans to scale back on titles based on licensed intellectual properties.

As the industry evolves, this latest cancellation and studio closure highlight the unpredictable nature of game development and the challenges faced by gaming companies in today’s market.

Source & Images