Breaking News
In a significant shake-up, Electronic Arts (EA) has cancelled its much-anticipated Black Panther game and shut down Cliffhanger Games, the Seattle-based studio specifically formed in 2023 to lead the game’s development. The decision, first reported by IGN, is part of EA's broader strategic realignment, which includes studio closures, project cancellations, and workforce reductions.
The now-cancelled Black Panther game was intended to be a single-player, story-driven title developed in collaboration with Marvel. Despite early excitement around the announcement, details about the game remained sparse, and its development progress had largely been kept under wraps. Cliffhanger Games, which housed industry veterans and was expected to deliver a blockbuster Marvel title, has now been officially shut down by EA.
In an internal email, Laura Miele, President of EA Entertainment, said the move aligns with the company’s “new strategy focused on building high-growth opportunities,” indicating a pivot away from risk-heavy, narrative-focused titles. Miele acknowledged the creative ambition behind the project but emphasized the need to prioritize games that offer greater potential for long-term engagement and scalability.
The EA game studio closure marks another chapter in a turbulent period for the gaming industry, which has seen increasing consolidation and a wave of layoffs across major publishers. While the Cliffhanger Games shutdown is a blow to EA’s Marvel portfolio, the company confirmed that its collaboration with Marvel will continue through Motive Studios, which is currently developing an Iron Man game.
The cancellation underscores the precarious nature of AAA game development, especially for IP-based titles that carry high expectations but also immense financial risk. For fans eagerly awaiting the Black Panther game, the news is a major disappointment, and for the gaming industry, it highlights the shifting priorities of major publishers in an increasingly competitive market.
With the EA Black Panther project cancelled, questions remain about how EA will handle other Marvel partnerships going forward and whether single-player, narrative-rich experiences will continue to find a place in its evolving portfolio.
The now-cancelled Black Panther game was intended to be a single-player, story-driven title developed in collaboration with Marvel. Despite early excitement around the announcement, details about the game remained sparse, and its development progress had largely been kept under wraps. Cliffhanger Games, which housed industry veterans and was expected to deliver a blockbuster Marvel title, has now been officially shut down by EA.
In an internal email, Laura Miele, President of EA Entertainment, said the move aligns with the company’s “new strategy focused on building high-growth opportunities,” indicating a pivot away from risk-heavy, narrative-focused titles. Miele acknowledged the creative ambition behind the project but emphasized the need to prioritize games that offer greater potential for long-term engagement and scalability.
The EA game studio closure marks another chapter in a turbulent period for the gaming industry, which has seen increasing consolidation and a wave of layoffs across major publishers. While the Cliffhanger Games shutdown is a blow to EA’s Marvel portfolio, the company confirmed that its collaboration with Marvel will continue through Motive Studios, which is currently developing an Iron Man game.
The cancellation underscores the precarious nature of AAA game development, especially for IP-based titles that carry high expectations but also immense financial risk. For fans eagerly awaiting the Black Panther game, the news is a major disappointment, and for the gaming industry, it highlights the shifting priorities of major publishers in an increasingly competitive market.
With the EA Black Panther project cancelled, questions remain about how EA will handle other Marvel partnerships going forward and whether single-player, narrative-rich experiences will continue to find a place in its evolving portfolio.
See What’s Next in Tech With the Fast Forward Newsletter
Tweets From @varindiamag
Nothing to see here - yet
When they Tweet, their Tweets will show up here.
