Latest news with #DavidHaddad
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Wonder Woman game axed as Warner Bros cuts three studios
Warner Bros Discovery has confirmed plans to shut three of its gaming development studios. The decision means the anticipated Wonder Woman game, which has been in production for three years at one of the affected studios, Monolith, will not be released. Player First Games, which made MultiVersus, and Warner Bros. Games San Diego will also be shuttered. The announcement comes after a difficult time in the industry, with widespread job losses as it deals with a slump in sales since the Covid pandemic. A spokesperson from Warner Bros told the Reuters news agency the decision was aimed at boosting profitability. On Wonder Woman, they said: "Our hope was to give players and fans the highest quality experience possible for the iconic character, and unfortunately this is no longer possible within our strategic priorities." Last month, MultiVersus said there would be no more updates for the game, which would have to be played offline "for the foreseeable future". Warner Bros said it will instead focus on developing its core franchises including Harry Potter, Mortal Kombat, DC and Game of Thrones. Why so many games are failing right now - and why others are breakout hits GTA 6, Nintendo's new console and what else to watch out for in 2025 gaming Too many video games, too little time - but could that be changing? Last year was a challenging one for the games sector, seeing games delayed, studios closed around the world and thousands of layoffs including at Microsoft's Xbox and Sony's PlayStation . Warner Bros Games had big expectations for Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League but the game was panned by fans and critics. Updates for the game ended in January after weak sales and poor reviews. And last month, the company announced the departure of David Haddad, the chief of the gaming unit, after 12 years. Wider trends in the industry have seen sales struggle as gamers spend less on new games, choosing instead to stick with long-running online games like Fortnite or yearly franchises such as Call of Duty and EA Sports FC. As well as people spending less on games since the pandemic, major video game makers including Warner Bros have been affected by a rumbling row over the use of artificial intelligence in production. BBC Newsbeat has contacted Warner Bros Games for comment. Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Wonder Woman' Video Game Scrapped, Three Studios Shut Down In Latest 'Strategic Change' For Warner Bros Games
In what it called 'a strategic change of direction,' Warner Bros Games is scrapping a planned Wonder Woman game and also closing three development studios. The Warner Bros Discovery division confirmed the moves to Deadline in a statement Tuesday. More from Deadline Warner Bros Discovery Names Jose Maria Caro As Scripted Originals Chief At Max Spain 'South Park' Streaming Brawl: Trial Looms As Paramount Loses Motion To Dismiss Unjust-Enrichment Claim - Update Why Warner Bros Shook Up Its Feature Exec Ranks As It Braces For An Auteur-Driven 2025 Slate 'We have had to make some very difficult decisions to structure our development studios and investments around building the best games possible with our key franchises – Harry Potter, Mortal Kombat, DC and Game of Thrones,' the statement said. 'After careful consideration, we are closing three of our development studios – Monolith Productions, Player First Games and Warner Bros Games San Diego.' Monolith had been developing the Wonder Woman game, which will no longer move forward. The division described the collection of moves as 'a strategic change in direction and not a reflection of these teams or the talent that consists within them.' For Wonder Woman, the goal had been to 'give players and fans the highest quality experience possible for the iconic character, and unfortunately this is no longer possible within our strategic priorities.' Given Monolith's 'storied history,' the shutdown is 'another tough decision,' as we recognize Monolith's storied history of delivering epic fan experiences through amazing games,' the statement continued. 'We greatly admire the passion of the three teams and thank every employee for their contributions. As difficult as today is, we remain focused on and excited about getting back to producing high-quality games for our passionate fans and developed by our world class studios and getting our Games business back to profitability and growth in 2025 and beyond.' The gaming unit has hit a particularly rocky period after releasing top-selling title Hogwarts Legacy in 2023. Last month, the company said David Haddad was stepping down from his post as president after a 12-year run. Developing properties in-house, as Netflix and other newer gaming entrants have discovered, is often an expensive and time-consuming process. Many media companies have opted to license their franchises to third-party gaming specialists. In its quarterly earnings report last November, the company announced it was taking a $100 million impairment charge for underperforming releases like MultiVersus. The division needs to 'deliver more consistency,' CEO David Zaslav said during an earnings call with Wall Street analysts. Zaslav also said last year that there has been 'a lot of interest among others in coming to take advantage of' the company's IP, 'which we're looking at.' WBD is set to report fourth-quarter earnings Thursday. Bloomberg had the first report of the game studio closures. Best of Deadline How Jon Gries' Return To 'The White Lotus' Could Shape Season 3 Which Colleen Hoover Books Are Becoming Movies? 'Verity,' 'Reminders Of Him' & 'Regretting You' Will Join 'It Ends With Us' 'The White Lotus' Season 3 Release Schedule: When Do New Episodes Arrive On Max? Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Warner Bros Discovery shuts three videogame studios, spokesperson says
(Reuters) - Warner Bros Discovery is shutting down three of its videogame development studios in a move aimed at boosting profitability for its gaming division amid a sluggish recovery in the market, a spokesperson for the company's games unit said on Tuesday. The studios to be closed are Player First Games, Warner Bros. Games San Diego and Monolith Productions. Development on Monolith's "Wonder Woman" game will also halt, following the shuttering. "Our hope was to give players and fans the highest quality experience possible for the iconic character, and unfortunately this is no longer possible within our strategic priorities," the spokesperson said. The decision to close the studios reflects wider challenges in the videogame industry, as gamers cut back on new purchases and instead opt for proven titles amid high inflationary pressures squeezing discretionary spending budgets. Last month, the company announced the departure of David Haddad, the chief of the gaming unit, after a 12-year tenure. Warner Bros joins the ranks of other major players such as Microsoft's Xbox and Sony that closed offices last year in a bid to reduce costs. The media giant will structure its development studios and investments to focus on core franchises such as Harry Potter, Mortal Kombat, DC and Game of Thrones, mirroring CEO David Zaslav's comments in November about focusing on four "really powerful" games. The company's big bet on "Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League" last year fell short of expectations, with weak sales and poor reviews leading to the end of game updates in January. Sign in to access your portfolio
The Guardian
25-02-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Warner Bros cancels Wonder Woman video game and closes three studios
Warner Bros Discovery is shutting down three of its video game development studios in a move aimed at boosting profitability for its gaming division amid a sluggish recovery in the market, a spokesperson for the company's games unit said on Tuesday. The studios to be closed are Player First Games, WB Games San Diego and Monolith Productions. Development on Monolith's Wonder Woman game will also halt, following the shuttering. 'Our hope was to give players and fans the highest quality experience possible for the iconic character, and unfortunately this is no longer possible within our strategic priorities,' the spokesperson said. The decision to close the studios reflects wider challenges in the video game industry as gamers cut back on new purchases and instead opt for proven titles amid inflation squeezing discretionary spending budgets. Last month the company announced the departure of David Haddad, the former chief of the interactive entertainment unit, after a 12-year tenure. Warner Bros joins the ranks of other major players such as Microsoft's Xbox and Sony that closed offices last year in a bid to reduce costs. The media giant will structure its development studios and investments to focus on core franchises such as Harry Potter, Mortal Kombat, DC and Game of Thrones, mirroring CEO David Zaslav's comments in November about focusing on four 'really powerful' games. Sign up to TechScape A weekly dive in to how technology is shaping our lives after newsletter promotion The company's big bet on Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League last year fell short of expectations, with weak sales and poor reviews leading to the end of game updates in January.
Los Angeles Times
25-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Warner Bros. shuts down three game studios, cancels Wonder Woman title
Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. is closing three video game studios and halting work on a highly anticipated Wonder Woman title in a bid to boost the profitability of its interactive entertainment business. Monolith Productions, Player First Games and Warner Bros. Games San Diego are being shuttered, according to a memo to staff viewed by Bloomberg News. The cuts reflect a refocusing of the games division on major franchises such as Harry Potter, 'Mortal Kombat,' 'Game of Thrones' and DC Comics, primarily Batman. 'The quality of too many of our new releases has really missed the mark,' JB Perrette, head of games and streaming for Warner Bros., wrote in the memo. 'We need to make some substantial changes to our portfolio/team structure if we are to commit the necessary resources to get back to a 'fewer but bigger franchises' strategy.' In a statement to Bloomberg, a spokesperson for Warner Bros. Games said the shutdowns were 'not a reflection of these teams or the talent that consists within them.' In January, Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. revealed that David Haddad, head of the struggling video game division, would be stepping down. To some who worked closely with the veteran executive, the news didn't come as a surprise. Their only question was why it had taken so long. Warner Bros. Games had just suffered through a dismal year, marked by a $200-million write-down in May on a painful flop, 'Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League,' followed a few months later by a $100-million write-down due to the failures of 'Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions' and the fighting game 'MultiVersus.' Warner Bros. Chief Executive David Zaslav told investors in November that the company's video game business was 'substantially underperforming its potential.' With access to a bounty of popular entertainment franchises such as Batman, 'The Lord of the Rings' and 'Game of Thrones,' Warner Bros.' video game division should be able to compete with industry titans such as Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. and Electronic Arts Inc. But Haddad's tenure has left major gaps in its portfolio that will probably persist for the next year or two, according to people familiar with the business. The company had been counting on 'Suicide Squad' and 'MultiVersus' to generate revenue throughout this year, but instead has ended support for both games. In the wake of this miscalculation, Warner Bros. now has little to release in the stretch ahead, beyond a refreshed version of the 2023 hit 'Hogwarts Legacy,' a Lego title and a few mobile games. The Wonder Woman game, one of the company's biggest bets in development, struggled to coalesce, according to people familiar with the project. Early last year, it was rebooted and switched directors. The game had already cost more than $100 million, said the people who asked not to be identified discussing nonpublic information, and was still years away from release. Monolith, based in Kirkland, Wash., had been making video games since 1994 including cult classics such as 'The Operative: No One Lives Forever' and 'F.E.A.R.' In 2014, it received critical acclaim for 'Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor,' an action game set in the 'Lord of the Rings' universe. Player First Games was purchased by Warner Bros. last July, just before the release of its sole game, 'MultiVersus.' Last month, Warner Bros. said it was shutting down that title after poor performance. Schreier writes for Bloomberg.
