IGN reports Electronic Arts has shut down the Black Panther video game that was in development at subsidiary Cliffhanger Games, and closed the studio, effectively laying off all of its staff. In an email sent to staff, EA Entertainment president Laura Miele said the decision was made to “sharpen our focus and put our creative energy behind the most significant growth opportunities,” and promised to support those laid off, “including finding opportunities within EA, where we’ve had success helping people land in new roles.”
The Seattle-based Cliffhanger Studios was founded in 2021 by several former Monolith Productions developers, and the Black Panther project was announced two years later. The game would’ve marked the second in a new, three-title deal between EA and Marvel Games, which will kick off with the Iron Man project in the works at Motive Studio. EA said in a statement, “Our partnership with Marvel remains strong, and our multi-title, long-term collaboration continues,” and IGN understands Motive is now expected to lead development on the subsequent Marvel games.
Cliffhanger and Black Panther‘s fate eerily echoes that of Monolith itself, and the Wonder Woman game they announced in 2021, which were both shut down by owner Warner Bros. Games in February. While all the more unfortunate of a coincidence, given both games would’ve featured protagonists who aren’t white men, disappointed fans should remember the Azzuri incarnation of Black Panther will co-star in Skydance New Media‘s Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra (due out in early 2026), and that at the time of writing, Spider-Man 3 (co-starring Miles Morales), and Blade are respectively in development at Insomniac Games, and Arkane Studios.
However, that will come as little consolation to the Cliffhanger developers now facing an uncertain future, and the game’s cancellation remains an especially ironic decision, given the Black Panther films rank among the most successful solo Marvel films, grossing an average of $1.1 billion between them. The three Iron Man films, by comparison, only grossed an average of $808.4 million.
I
I don’t want to make this about Race; and it’s probably not. Here is my question: Where are the Black entrepreneurs/millionaires when these decisions appear to disenfranchise a large part of the society? There are many Black entrepreneurs/millionaires who can step up, and ensure that such franchises like Black Panther are not dependent upon large conglomerates to be maintained.