EA's Black Panther Game Canceled; Studio Shuts Down Amid Layoffs

EA has canceled its highly anticipated Black Panther game, leading to the closure of Cliffhanger Games and resultant layoffs. EA Entertainment president Laura Miele conveyed in an email that this cancellation aligns with EA's strategy to focus on fewer significant franchises, including Battlefield and The Sims. The decision follows EA's previous statement about moving away from licensed IPs, including a recent cancellation of a Titanfall project. While layoffs might affect various divisions, details on the number of employees impacted have not been disclosed. Despite this setback, EA plans to continue supporting its remaining projects, such as Motive's Iron Man game.

The cancellation signifies that EA is reevaluating its approach to licensed IPs, potentially leading to a focus on original franchises and existing partnerships, while Marvel titles may be handled by other developers with greater alignment to creative visions or proven success.

The Black Panther game was first announced in 2023 as a collaboration between EA and Marvel Games, aiming to provide a third-person adventure set in an expansive Wakandan environment. While its vision hinted at an open-world experience, it remained in the early development stages with minimal details shared prior to its cancellation. Fans of the Marvel Universe may have to look elsewhere for Black Panther in gaming, as another title titled Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra, being developed by Skydance Games, has also faced delays.