Latest news with #CliffhangerGames
San Francisco Chronicle
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
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.'
Geek Tyrant
2 days ago
- Business
- Geek Tyrant
EA Cancels BLACK PANTHER Game as It Shuts Down Cliffhanger Games — GeekTyrant
Well, that's it. EA's single-player Black Panther game is officially canceled, and with it, the end of Cliffhanger Games before the studio ever shipped a title. The news comes in the wake of EA's latest wave of layoffs, which continues to reshape the publisher's priorities and studio lineup. IGN confirmed that the open-world, third-person action-adventure set in Wakanda is no longer happening. Cliffhanger Games, the Seattle-based team working on the title, has also been shut down. Originally announced in 2023, the Black Panther game was one of those rare superhero projects that generated excitement based on potential alone. We never got a trailer, no gameplay footage, just the promise of exploring Wakanda in a rich, story-driven experience. Marvel fans seemed pretty hyped. The game was being helmed by a team of seasoned developers, including Kevin Stephens, formerly of Monolith Productions (the Middle-earth games), and other veterans from Halo , God of War , and Call of Duty . It had pedigree, ambition, and one of Marvel's most beloved heroes at the center. But big ambition alone doesn't pay the bills. While EA hasn't issued a public-facing press release, an internal email circulated to staff framed the decision as part of a broader corporate strategy: to "sharpen our focus and put our creative energy behind the most significant growth opportunities." These cuts are part of a sweeping restructure. EA's President of Entertainment & Technology, Laura Miele, addressed the emotional toll of the layoffs: "These decisions are hard," Miele wrote. "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, where we've had success helping people land in new roles." Just a month ago, EA laid off 300–400 people—including roughly 100 at Respawn, resulting in the cancellation of a Titanfall game that hadn't even been officially announced yet. It's part of a downsizing effort impacting around 5% of EA's workforce. CEO Andrew Wilson had previously said: "We are also sunsetting games and moving away from development of future licensed IP that we do not believe will be successful in our changing industry. 'This greater focus allows us to drive creativity, accelerate innovation, and double down on our biggest opportunities — including our owned IP, sports, and massive online communities — to deliver the entertainment players want today and tomorrow." There is still hope on another front. Skydance New Media is deep in development on Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra , a narrative-driven action-adventure that teams up Captain America and Azzuri (T'Challa's grandfather, the Black Panther of WWII) in occupied France. That game, led by Amy Hennig ( Uncharted ), is still very much alive. As for EA, they're doubling down on their known moneymakers, Battlefield , The Sims , Skate , and Apex Legends . Meanwhile, projects like Motive's Iron Man and the next Jedi and Mass Effect games appear safe... for now. But for those hoping to run through Wakanda as Black Panther in a focused, cinematic solo experience? That dream just got snapped.
Black America Web
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
EA Cancels ‘Black Panther' Game, Shutters Cliffhanger Games Studio, Gamers React
Source: EA/ Cliffhanger Games / Black Panther That Black Panther standalone we were all excited for is no longer happening. IGN broke the news that EA has taken away Cliffhanger Games' heart-shaped herb and has cancelled one of the games Marvel fans have been eagerly anticipating since it was first announced back in July 2023. According to the website, EA Entertainment President Laura Miele stated in an email that the recent changes, cancellations, and other moves were aimed at 'sharpening our focus and putting our creative energy behind the most significant growth opportunities.' The bad news for the gaming industry doesn't stop there, EA is also laying off an unspecified number of workers on both mobile and central teams. IGN reports that EA declined to comment on the specific number but believes, while not confirming that the number is less than the roughly 300 employees let go last month across Respawn and EA's Fan Care teams. 'These decisions are hard,' said Miele. '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, where we've had success helping people land in new roles.' Gamers Are Sad About Black Panther's Cancellation & Layoffs At EA As you can imagine, the gaming community isn't taking this news very well. 'You've got to be fucking kidding me. First Wonder Woman (a female led game) gets cancelled and now Black Panther (a poc led game) gets cancelled, and neither of them ever had a video game before. This really is Trvmp's America…' one post on X, formerly Twitter, read. ' more layoffs as the Black Panther game cancelled and the studio closed it keeps getting worse :(,' Kinda Funny and GamerTag Radio's Parris Lilly said. While we are not getting the Black Panther game, EA says it is still committed to bringing us that Iron Man game currently being developed by Motive, and will focus on Battlefield , The Sims , Skate , and Apex Legends . What a sad time to be a gamer and Marvel fan, just saying. The video game streets are still talking; you can see those reactions below. EA Cancels 'Black Panther' Game, Shutters Cliffhanger Games Studio, Gamers React was originally published on Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Major Marvel game cancelled as jobs lost in shock closure of studio with upset fans slamming ‘disappointing shambles'
The company is best known to mainstream audiences for its FIFA sports games HERO TO ZERO Major Marvel game cancelled as jobs lost in shock closure of studio with upset fans slamming 'disappointing shambles' A MAJOR Marvel game has been cancelled and jobs lost in a shock closure of its studio. Fans have been left feeling upset and have slammed the decision as a "disappointing shambles." 2 A major Marvel game has been cancelled with jobs lost in a shock closure of its studio Credit: Getty 2 Electronic Arts plans to close its subsidiary Cliffhanger Games and has cancelled development on its debut project Credit: Marvel Electronic Arts plans to close its subsidiary Cliffhanger Games and has cancelled development on its debut project. EA's Marvel's Black Panther. game, which was formally announced less than two years ago will therefore never see the light of day. The information came from an email sent by EA Entertainment president Laura Miele. Laura shared that this change alongside others was to put their focus where they thought there was the opportunity for the most growth. Beyond Cliffhanger Games, and other recent cancellations like with Respawn and an untitled Titanfall project, people have been laid off on its mobile, and central teams. While this is believed to be less than was laid off last month's 300 people, it is still a significant amount reports GeekWire. According to Laura, EA will be helping people find opportunities within EA. However, Laura states that the Iron Man game in work at Motive Studios will continue, as will the third Star Wars: Jedi game, and Bioware's work on the next Mass Effect game. This comes also after they announced the pausing of various racing games that had been in the works earlier this month. Cliffhanger debuted in 2023 under the leadership of former Monolith Productions studio head Kevin Stephens, after a two-year incubation period. Florence Pugh stars in Marvel Studios' Thunderbolts It had yet to divulge any real details about its Black Panther project. But earlier reports indicated that BP would've been an open-world action-adventure in the same spirit as Monolith's award-winning Shadow of Mordor. Electronic Arts, headquartered in Redwood City, Calif, is one of the largest independent video game companies left in the modern industry. It's arguably best known to mainstream audiences for its Madden and FIFA sports games, but has also produced big hits like Battlefield, Dead Space, Mass Effect, and Apex Legends. All the latest PS5 reviews from The Sun Get the lowdown on more of the latest PS5 releases from our expert reviewers. Stellar Blade Eiyuden Chronicle Final Fantasy XVI: The Rising Tide Berserk Boy South Park: Snow Day Alone in the Dark Expeditions: A MudRunner Game Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Skull and Bones Helldivers 2 For Xbox Series X and Nintendo Switch, check out our full game reviews section. Its recent layoffs have been attributed to a process of reorganization and refocus that was first announced in 2024 by CEO Andrew Wilson. He said he was: 'leading through an accelerated industry transformation.' Cliffhanger's closure is the latest in a series of shutdowns and layoffs that have plagued the international video game industry for over two years. In the Pacific Northwest, impacted companies include Phoenix Labs, Monolith Productions, Rec Room, and Wizards of the Coast's Project Sigil team. Fans on Reddit have posted about their disappointment and one said: "Wow. Created on 2023, closed in 2025 before releasing your first game. "Never become a game developer friends." Another added: "EA did the exact same thing with Ridgeline Games last year. Created in 2022 to create the next Battlefield campaign, closed in 2024 without releasing anything." "This is disappointing. Really hoping the Iron Man gets a release and is good. Hell at this rate, I'm hoping that the Wolverine gets released" said another user. One user commentated: "From the outside, EA is such a bizarre company to observe. It's almost like they have absolutely no idea what they want long term." "Another one bites the dust. The industry is in complete shambles at this point" exclaimed another fan. And another added: "What a disappointing shambles. Was really looking forward to this."
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Major Marvel game cancelled as jobs lost in shock closure of studio with upset fans slamming ‘disappointing shambles'
A MAJOR Marvel game has been cancelled and jobs lost in a shock closure of its studio. Fans have been left feeling upset and have slammed the decision as a "disappointing shambles." 2 A major Marvel game has been cancelled with jobs lost in a shock closure of its studio Credit: Getty 2 Electronic Arts plans to close its subsidiary Cliffhanger Games and has cancelled development on its debut project Credit: Marvel Electronic Arts plans to close its subsidiary Cliffhanger Games and has cancelled development on its debut project. EA's Marvel's The information came from an email sent by EA Entertainment president Laura Miele. Laura shared that this change alongside others was to put their focus where they thought there was the opportunity for the most growth. Marvel News Beyond Cliffhanger Games, and other recent cancellations like with Respawn and an untitled Titanfall project, people have been laid off on its mobile, and central teams. While this is believed to be less than was laid off last month's 300 people, it is still a significant amount reports According to Laura, EA will be helping people find opportunities within EA. However, Laura states that the Iron Man game in work at Motive Studios will continue, as will the third Star Wars: Jedi game, and Bioware's work on the next Mass Effect game. Most read in Gaming This comes also after they announced the pausing of various racing games that had been in the works earlier this month. Cliffhanger debuted in 2023 under the leadership of former Monolith Productions studio head Kevin Stephens, after a two-year incubation period. Florence Pugh stars in Marvel Studios' Thunderbolts It had yet to divulge any real details about its Black Panther project. But earlier reports indicated that BP would've been an open-world action-adventure in the same spirit as Monolith's award-winning Shadow of Mordor. Electronic Arts, headquartered in Redwood City, Calif, is one of the largest independent video game companies left in the modern industry. It's arguably best known to mainstream audiences for its Madden and FIFA sports games, but has also produced big hits like Battlefield, Dead Space, Mass Effect, and Apex Legends. All the latest PS5 reviews from The Sun Get the lowdown on more of the latest PS5 releases from our expert reviewers. Stellar Blade Eiyuden Chronicle Final Fantasy XVI: The Rising Tide Berserk Boy South Park: Snow Day Alone in the Dark Expeditions: A MudRunner Game Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Skull and Bones Helldivers 2 For Xbox Series X and Nintendo Switch, check out our full game reviews section . Its recent layoffs have been attributed to a process of reorganization and refocus that was first announced in 2024 by CEO Andrew Wilson. He said he was: 'leading through an accelerated industry transformation.' Cliffhanger's closure is the latest in a series of shutdowns and layoffs that have plagued the international video game industry for over two years. In the Pacific Northwest, impacted companies include Phoenix Labs, Monolith Productions, Rec Room, and Wizards of the Coast's Project Sigil team. Fans on Reddit have posted about their disappointment and one said: "Wow. Created on 2023, closed in 2025 before releasing your first game. "Never become a game developer friends." Another added: "EA did the exact same thing with Ridgeline Games last year. Created in 2022 to create the next Battlefield campaign, closed in 2024 without releasing anything." "This is disappointing. Really hoping the Iron Man gets a release and is good. Hell at this rate, I'm hoping that the Wolverine gets released" said another user. One user commentated: "From the outside, EA is such a bizarre company to observe. It's almost like they have absolutely no idea what they want long term." "Another one bites the dust. The industry is in complete shambles at this point" exclaimed another fan. And another added: "What a disappointing shambles. Was really looking forward to this."
