Electronic Arts has officially pulled the plug on its in-development Black Panther game and closed Cliffhanger Games, the Seattle-based studio that was building it. The decision comes as part of a broader internal restructuring at EA, which has already seen significant layoffs and strategic pivots over the past year.
Cliffhanger Games was formed in 2023 specifically to work on this ambitious project. The studio was led by Kevin Stephens, the former head of Monolith Productions—the same studio behind Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor. It brought together a veteran team with experience on major titles like God of War, Halo, and Shadow of the Tomb Raider. The goal was to deliver a third-person, story-driven Black Panther adventure set in the heart of Wakanda.
That vision, however, will never see the light of day.
Strategic Shift at Electronic Arts
The news was delivered to employees through an internal email from Laura Miele, president of EA Entertainment. In the message, Miele explained that the company is realigning its focus to concentrate on high-impact, proven franchises. While she acknowledged the team’s creativity and passion, the decision ultimately came down to prioritizing resources toward titles with broader commercial potential.
This is just the latest development in what’s becoming a year of major restructuring for Electronic Arts. Earlier in 2025, the publisher laid off hundreds of employees and implemented a return-to-office policy that reportedly caused friction among staff. With Cliffhanger now shuttered, it’s clear EA is tightening its scope even further.
A Game That Never Got a Fair Shot
What makes the cancellation sting more is the potential the Black Panther game seemed to have. While very little was shown publicly—no gameplay footage or trailers had been released—early reports described it as an open-world, single-player experience centered around stepping into the mantle of Black Panther. For fans who have longed to explore Wakanda in a game setting, the project held enormous promise.
Unfortunately, the game hadn’t progressed far enough in development to generate public momentum or showcase its unique take on the Marvel universe. That lack of visible progress may have contributed to EA’s decision to cut losses early.
Refocusing on Core Franchises
As part of its refocused strategy, Electronic Arts is turning its attention to franchises with consistent performance records. These include Battlefield, The Sims, Skate, Apex Legends, and ongoing titles like EA Sports FC. Meanwhile, the company continues to support major single-player titles such as Star Wars Jedi: Survivor and is investing in upcoming projects like the Iron Man game by Motive Studio and the next Mass Effect installment by BioWare.
In contrast to those long-standing and established IPs, Cliffhanger’s Black Panther game was a risky new venture—albeit one with a popular license behind it.
What’s Next for Black Panther in Gaming?
While Electronic Arts Black Panther project has been shelved, fans of the iconic Marvel hero still have something to look forward to. Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra, developed by Skydance New Media, is currently in development and scheduled for release in 2026. The game will feature both Captain America and Black Panther as central playable characters and is led by legendary writer and director Amy Hennig, best known for her work on the Uncharted series.
This upcoming title promises a unique narrative set during World War II, offering a different kind of experience than what Electronic Arts open-world Wakanda concept might have delivered—but it’s still something to hold onto for fans eager to see the hero in interactive form.
Fallout and Industry Impact
The closure of Cliffhanger Games is another reminder of how unstable the games industry can be, even for studios working on high-profile IPs. It underscores the increasing pressure developers face as publishers shift strategies, chase safe bets, and tighten budgets. For the talented developers who joined Cliffhanger Games with hopes of crafting something bold and new, this outcome is a tough blow.
That said, given the team’s impressive backgrounds and experience, it’s likely many of them will land on their feet. Several other major studios are hiring, and the demand for skilled developers continues to grow—especially as next-gen development picks up pace.
Final Thoughts
Electronic Arts decision to cancel its Black Panther game and close Cliffhanger Games is disappointing on multiple levels—for fans who wanted a deeper look into Wakanda, for developers who poured effort into the project, and for an industry in need of fresh, original single-player experiences. While it’s easy to understand the business rationale, it’s harder to ignore the creative opportunity that was lost.
As the industry continues to evolve, moves like this remind us how fragile game development can be, even when the ingredients for success seem to be in place.
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