Electronic Arts shelves plans for Black Panther game

EA has allegedly canceled its single-player Black Panther. The firm has also closed Cliffhanger Games, which was developing Black Panther, leading to layoffs. The EA Entertainment president, Laura Miele, said that the cancellation and recent layoffs were being implemented to sharpen EA’s focus. Miele stated that the changes made in the firm were meant to put more creative energy into the most important growth opportunities. Besides canceling Black Panther and shutting down its developer, the firm is reportedly laying off staff from both its mobile and central teams. The president added that the decisions to cancel ongoing projects and effect layoffs were hard. Miele stated that these changes affected the individuals they have worked with and learned from. The president said the company is making efforts to support the people impacted by the layoffs. Miele highlighted how the firm is trying to help the affected employees, including helping them find opportunities within the company. The president explained that they have been successful in assisting laid-off employees to find new roles within EA. EA President reveals reasons behind cancellations and layoffs Miele said the company would focus on a few franchises henceforth. The president clarified that EA would focus on Apex Legends, Skate, The Sims, and Battlefield. The EA executive confirmed that the company would continue to invest in its ongoing Iron Man game at Motive. The EA executive said the firm’s partnership with Marvel remained unchanged, and their long-term collaboration would continue. The EA president also reassured that the firm would still support the development of its third Star Wars: Jedi Game. Miele said the company would still maintain its mobile business in spite of the recent layoffs. CEO Andrew Wilson said that EA would be moving away from creating future licensed IPs last year. The CEO said they would not invest in future licensed IP projects that may be unsuccessful in the ever-dynamic games realm. Black Panther was under development at Cliffhanger, which was set up in 2023. The company announced the game the same year the studio was founded. EA confirmed during the announcement of Black Panther that it would be handled by Cliffhanger Games in partnership with Marvel. Black Panther was described as a third-person game set in a reactive and expensive version of Wakanda. Cliffhanger Games had employed the former developers of Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor and was under the leadership of Kevin Stephens. A job listing allegedly revealed the game was an action-adventure and an open-world title. Electronic Arts experiences a series of layoffs EA has conducted a series of layoffs and game cancellations over the last few years. The publisher also laid off about 300 employees last month, including around 100 at Respawn. The firm also canceled the development of the Titanfall game and an incubation project following the layoffs. EA restructured BioWare earlier this year by sending some developers to other ongoing projects. The company also laid off some workers from BioWare as part of its restructuring move. The firm laid off over 670 employees during a massive restructuring conducted in 2024. The massive layoffs affected about two dozen employees at Respawn. The company also laid off 50 workers at BioWare. EA also reduced the headcount at Codemasters in 2023. The publisher recently effected a compulsory return-to-office for all its employees, including remote workers. EA recently announced the end of its licensing partnership with the World Rally Championship. The firm also stated that it is halting the development of all future rally games. EA’s decision to end its partnership with the World Rally Championship reportedly led to additional layoffs. Your crypto news deserves attention – KEY Difference Wire puts you on 250+ top sites

Source: Cryptopolitan