Wakanda Forever…Canceled EA Pulls Plug on Black Panther Game!

EA Shuts Down Cliffhanger Games, Cancels Black Panther Title in Strategic Shift

In a move that has sent ripples through the gaming industry, Electronic Arts (EA) has announced the cancellation of its highly anticipated Black Panther game, along with the closure of the development studio behind it, Cliffhanger Games. The news, confirmed by IGN, comes as part of a broader restructuring effort within EA Entertainment.

Strategic Realignment: Focusing on Key Franchises

According to an internal email penned by EA Entertainment president Laura Miele, the decision is aimed at "sharpening our focus and putting our creative energy behind the most significant growth opportunities." This strategic realignment will see EA concentrating its resources on a select few blockbuster franchises:

• Battlefield
• The Sims
• Skate
• Apex Legends

Miele's email reassures that investments will continue in the Iron Man game at Motive Studios, the next Star Wars Jedi title, and their mobile gaming ventures. BioWare is also said to be continuing their work on the next Mass Effect.

Impact on Staff: Layoffs and Internal Opportunities

Alongside the studio closure, EA is also implementing layoffs across its mobile and central teams. While the exact number of affected employees remains undisclosed, IGN understands that it is less than the approximately 300 roles eliminated last month within Respawn and EA's Fan Care teams.

EA is attempting to place affected individuals into different roles within the company wherever possible. This strategy has been used in previous rounds of layoffs. Interestingly, Game File's reporting indicates that EA employed 800 more people in March 2025 than they did in March 2024, suggesting that some teams are simultaneously experiencing significant growth.

A Difficult Decision: Supporting Affected Employees

"These decisions are hard," Miele acknowledged in her email. "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."

The Black Panther Project: A Promising Vision Cut Short

The Black Panther game, announced in 2023, was envisioned as a single-player, action-adventure, open-world experience. Cliffhanger Games, formed in 2023 and led by Kevin Stephens (formerly of Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor), was specifically created to bring this vision to life. The studio's closure marks a premature end to a project that held considerable promise for fans of the Marvel superhero.

EA's Shifting Strategy: A Broader Trend

This cancellation and closure are the latest in a series of restructurings and layoffs at EA. Recent cuts include:

• Last Month: Roughly 300 individuals laid off, including around 100 at Respawn, with the cancellation of a Titanfall game in development.
• Earlier This Year: Restructuring at BioWare, with developers moved to other projects and some layoffs.
• 2024: A massive restructuring resulting in 670 workers laid off company-wide.
• 2023: 50 jobs cut at BioWare and an unknown number at Codemasters.

Marvel Partnership Continues, Future Titles Led by Motive Studios

Notably, EA's agreement with Marvel for Black Panther was part of a three-game deal that included Iron Man and a third, unannounced title. IGN understands that this partnership will continue, with Motive Studios taking the lead on future Marvel projects.

Looking Ahead: Navigating a Changing Landscape

EA's decision to cancel the Black Panther game and close Cliffhanger Games reflects the ever-evolving dynamics of the gaming industry. By streamlining its focus and investing in established franchises, EA aims to position itself for sustained growth and success. While the news is undoubtedly disappointing for fans anticipating the Black Panther title, the continuation of the Marvel partnership and the commitment to other key projects offer a glimpse of what's to come from EA.

Source: https://www.ign.com/articles/ea-cancels-black-panther-game-closes-cliffhanger-games