Breaking News: Black Panther Video Game Axed by Electronic Arts as Cliffhanger Games Closes Its Doors

Electronic Arts (EA) has canceled plans for a video game based on Disney and Marvel’s “Black Panther.” This decision comes alongside the closure of Cliffhanger Games, the studio tasked with the project.

As part of this shift, EA has laid off several employees from Cliffhanger and other teams. While the number is less than the 300 people laid off last month when the “Titanfall” game was also canceled, it still reflects a significant change within the company. EA aims to reassign some of these staff members to other roles within the organization.

Laura Miele, the president of EA Entertainment, shared in an email that these changes were necessary to focus on the company’s most promising growth areas.

Currently, EA’s priority lies with its major franchises, such as “EA Sports,” “The Sims,” “Battlefield,” and “Apex Legends.” Andrew Wilson, the company’s chief, has made it clear that the focus will be on these titles rather than new licensed games.

"When making tough decisions like this, it’s hard on everyone involved," Miele noted. EA has committed to supporting those affected by the layoffs.

These job cuts mark the third round of layoffs for EA this year. In April, the company laid off over 300 employees, mainly from the development teams working on “Apex Legends” and “Star Wars Jedi.”

According to a recent survey by the International Game Developers Association, about 48% of game developers say that job security is a major concern in the industry. This points to a larger trend of uncertainty among game developers today.

In response to recent layoffs, discussions have surged on social media, with users sharing mixed reactions ranging from disappointment over canceled projects to concern for the employees affected.

These changes highlight a notable shift in the gaming industry. As companies like EA streamline their focus, the future of game development may lean heavily toward established franchises, leaving licensed games on the back burner. For more insights on this topic, you can read more about the layoffs and game cancellations here.

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Black Panther,Cliffhanger Games,Electronic Arts