Electronic Arts has officially canceled its in-development Black Panther video game and simultaneously shut down its developer, Cliffhanger Games, marking yet another wave of industry-shaking decisions from the gaming giant.
Cliffhanger Games was a relatively new studio, formed in 2023 and led by Kevin Stephens, with a team composed of veterans from Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor. The Black Panther project was envisioned as a single-player, open-world action-adventure title that would explore the legacy of Wakanda’s protector. Fans had high hopes, but the game had yet to reveal anything publicly beyond early hiring announcements.
In an internal email sent to EA staff, EA Entertainment president Laura Miele explained that the cancellation and closure were part of a broader effort to streamline the company’s creative focus. “These changes are about sharpening our focus and putting our creative energy behind the most significant growth opportunities,” Miele stated. Unfortunately, that focus no longer includes Black Panther or the Cliffhanger Games team.
This is part of an ongoing pattern. Over the past two years, EA has made repeated cuts across various studios, including Respawn, BioWare, and EA’s mobile divisions. These reductions have come despite EA’s headcount growing overall — reportedly by 800 employees since March 2024. The apparent contradiction highlights the company’s shifting priorities, growing certain teams while downsizing others deemed nonessential.
In Miele’s email, she reaffirmed EA’s commitment to several key franchises going forward: Battlefield, The Sims, Skate, and Apex Legends. EA will also continue to invest in high-profile projects like Motive’s Iron Man game and the next installment of the Star Wars: Jedi series. The long-awaited next Mass Effect from BioWare is also still in development.
Although the Black Panther title is dead, EA’s partnership with Marvel remains intact. The original three-game deal included Iron Man, Black Panther, and one unannounced title. While Cliffhanger is now gone, Motive Studios remains at the helm for Iron Man, and the third Marvel game may still see the light of day under a different team.
These moves are also occurring under the shadow of EA’s newly implemented return-to-office policy, which has raised concerns among remote workers. Many are uncertain about their job security in the wake of changing requirements and a company culture in flux.
For fans of Marvel games and Wakanda’s king, this cancellation is a major disappointment. While EA continues to bet on a handful of blockbuster franchises, the loss of a promising single-player superhero experience is a notable blow in a gaming landscape increasingly dominated by sequels and live-service models.
As for Cliffhanger Games, their brief moment in the industry spotlight now ends not with a bang, but a corporate email.
Sources:
IGN, Game File, EA internal memo reported by IGN
https://www.ign.com/articles/ea-cancels-black-panther-game-closes-cliffhanger-games
https://www.axios.com/newsletters/gamefile
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