EA cancels Black Panther game, closes Cliffhanger Studios

Electronic Arts has pulled the plug on its highly anticipated Black Panther project and is closing developer Cliffhanger Games, according to an IGN exclusive report. The bombshell decision comes amid wider restructuring at the gaming giant.

Tough Choices Across EA Entertainment

EA Entertainment president Laura Miele broke the news to employees in an internal email, explaining these difficult moves aim to concentrate resources on "areas with the strongest growth potential." Alongside the studio closure, EA is trimming staff across its mobile and centralized teams.

While EA didn't provide specific numbers, sources indicate these layoffs affect fewer employees than last month's cuts of approximately 300 positions spanning Respawn and Fan Care divisions.

"These choices weigh heavily on all of us," Miele wrote. "We're talking about talented colleagues we've shared meaningful moments with. Our priority now is helping them transition, whether within EA or elsewhere."

Consistent with past reductions, EA maintains an internal placement program to redeploy affected staff wherever possible. Surprisingly, despite recurring workforce reductions, EA's total employment reportedly increased by 800 positions year-over-year as of March.

Strategic Focus Moving Forward

The email outlines EA's refined portfolio strategy going forward:

• Doubling down on core franchises: Battlefield, The Sims, Skate, and Apex Legends
• Continued investment in Motive's Iron Man and the next Star Wars: Jedi title
• Sustaining mobile operations despite current cuts
• BioWare progressing on Mass Effect development

The message notably avoids mentioning EA Sports, which operates independently and remains unaffected by these Entertainment division changes.

The Black Panther Legacy

Marvel's Black Panther represented one title in EA's three-game Marvel partnership that includes Iron Man and one unannounced project. Since its unveiling last year, details remained scarce though job postings suggested an open-world action-adventure experience.

The ill-fated project was being developed by Cliffhanger Games, a studio formed just last year by veterans from Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor under Kevin Stephens' leadership.

Ongoing EA Restructuring Trend

This development continues EA's pattern of consolidation:

• Last month's cuts axed 300 roles and canceled Titanfall and incubation projects
• Early 2024 saw BioWare restructuring with some layoffs
• The company-wide 2023 reorganization eliminated 670 positions

The cuts coincide with EA's controversial return-to-office mandate, leaving remote employees anxious about their future with the company.

When pressed for specifics about the cuts' scope or rationale, EA pointed back to Miele's original statement. Marvel representatives didn't respond to IGN's inquiries by publication time.