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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.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Warner Bros Discovery slashes gaming business, closing three studios
Warner Bros Discovery made sweeping cuts to its games division today, closing three studios and ending development on its planned Wonder Woman project. Monolith Productions, Player First Games and WB Games San Diego will be shuttered due to a 'disappointing 2024' for WB's gaming business, according to an internal memo from JB Perrette, the company's CEO and president of global streaming and games. Bloomberg broke the news of the restructuring. Monolith Productions made two well-regarded Lord of the Rings games, Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor and Shadow of War. The studio was going to apply its popular Nemesis system from those titles to a Wonder Woman game, which was announced back in 2021. WB acquired Player First Games last year. The team was responsible for MultiVersus, a platform fighting game that reached 20 million players in its early days before dwindling to a planned shutdown of the online services when its fifth season ends this May. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. WB Games San Diego was working on AAA free-to-play gaming. In December, Warner Bros Games also announced that it would lay off employees at WB Games Montreal as well as pulling back on the studio's game Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. According to the internal email from Perrette, WB's gaming efforts will be focused on four of its properties: Harry Potter (including Hogwarts Legacy), Mortal Kombat, the DC universe and Game of Thrones. "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," Perette said.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- 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
Reuters
25-02-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Warner Bros Discovery shuts three videogame studios, spokesperson says
Feb 25 (Reuters) - Warner Bros Discovery (WBD.O), opens new tab 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 (6758.T), opens new tab 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.
