EA cancels Black Panther game

EA has canceled its Black Panther game, which was being developed by Cliffhanger Games.
The cancellation comes after a three-game partnership deal between EA and Marvel Games in 2022, which also included an Iron Man title and an unannounced action game.
The news of the cancellation is accompanied by layoffs in other sectors of EA’s business, including a recent round that impacted around 300-400 employees.
Despite the cancellation, there is still hope for a Black Panther-led title, with Skydance New Media working on Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra, which features Captain America and Black Panther as playable characters.
The cancellation marks another setback for EA’s gaming ambitions, following recent layoffs and an RTO mandate requiring employees to work at least three days a week.

Key art from Cliffhanger Games’ Black Panther game featuring a circular medallion with a panther face carved in with two glowing purple eyes

EA’s Black Panther game has been canceled. According to reporting from IGN, EA announced the news via an email to employees. IGN also reports that as a result of the cancellation, Cliffhanger Games has been shut down.

Cliffhanger Games was a new game studio created to develop Black Panther and run by Kevin Stephens, who was the studio head for the now shuttered Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor developer Monolith Productions. Beyond an initial announcement in 2023, all that was known of Black Panther was that it was a single-player game with an original narrative and developed in collaboration with Marvel Games. EA and Marvel announced a three-game partnership deal in 2022. In addition to Black Panther, the other two games in the deal were an Iron Man title currently in production at Motive Studio and an unannounced action game.

According to IGN, the cancellation comes with layoffs in other sectors of EA’s business. The publisher recently announced an RTO mandate requiring employees come in at least three days a week, and a round of layoffs occurred earlier this year, impacting between 300 and 400 employees. The Verge has reached out to EA for comment.

The game’s cancellation does not spell the end for the hope of a Black Panther-led title. Over at Skydance New Media, Amy Hennig and team are working on Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra, which features Captain America and Black Panther as playable characters.

Correction, May 28th: An earlier version of this story misstated the names of the developers involved. It has been corrected.

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Q. What was announced by EA regarding their Black Panther game?

A. The cancellation of the Black Panther game.

Q. Why did Cliffhanger Games get shut down?

A. As a result of the cancellation of the Black Panther game.

Q. Who was the studio head for Cliffhanger Games?

A. Kevin Stephens, who previously worked at Monolith Productions.

Q. What was known about the Black Panther game before its cancellation?

A. It was a single-player game with an original narrative and developed in collaboration with Marvel Games.

Q. How many games were part of EA’s partnership deal with Marvel in 2022?

A. Three, including Black Panther, an Iron Man title, and an unannounced action game.

Q. What is the current status of the Iron Man title?

A. It is currently in production at Motive Studio.

Q. Who is working on a new Marvel game that features Captain America and Black Panther as playable characters?

A. Amy Hennig and her team at Skydance New Media are working on Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra.

Q. How many employees were impacted by layoffs earlier this year at EA?

A. Between 300 and 400 employees.

Q. What is the new requirement for EA employees regarding workdays?

A. Employees must come in at least three days a week, as part of an RTO mandate.

Q. Who was previously involved with Monolith Productions before joining Cliffhanger Games?

A. Kevin Stephens, who later became the studio head for Cliffhanger Games.

Q. What is the source that reported on the cancellation of the Black Panther game?

A. IGN.