Electronic Arts cancels ‘Black Panther' video game, shutters Cliffhanger Studios in latest cuts
Electronic Arts has canceled development of its anticipated 'Black Panther' video game and closed Seattle-based Cliffhanger Games, the studio behind the project, in its latest move to streamline operations and refocus on core franchises.
The decision, first reported by IGN and confirmed by EA, follows a wave of layoffs that have rocked the Bay Area video game publisher in recent weeks.
In April, EA dismissed between 300 and 400 employees and scrapped a new game in the 'Titanfall' universe. Fewer employees were affected in this latest round, though EA declined to specify the number.
'These decisions are hard,' Laura Miele, president of EA Entertainment, wrote in an email to staff on Wednesday. 'They affect people we've worked with, learned from, and shared real moments with. We're doing everything we can to support them — including finding opportunities within EA.'
The 'Black Panther' title, developed in collaboration with Marvel and Disney, was announced in July 2023 as the first in a planned three-game partnership.
Cliffhanger Games was led by industry veteran Kevin Stephens, who had previously overseen Monolith Productions. At the time, Stephens promised a 'definitive and authentic Black Panther experience' that would let players explore the fictional African nation of Wakanda.
The move reflects a broader shift at EA to double down on its biggest properties. In the company's fourth quarter earnings report, CEO Andrew Wilson pointed to the 'incredible success' of its revived college football title and 'the enduring strength' of its soccer franchise, noting a record year for EA Sports.
Looking ahead, Wilson teased a summer reveal for the next installment in the 'Battlefield' franchise.
The closure of Cliffhanger and the game's cancellation mark EA's third major restructuring effort in 2025, highlighting the publisher's retreat from licensed IPs in favor of internally owned brands like 'Apex Legends,' 'The Sims' and 'Battlefield.'
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