Electronic Arts has delivered a significant blow to Marvel gaming fans, confirming the cancellation of its anticipated Black Panther action game. Alongside this decision, the publisher announced the closure of Cliffhanger Games, the studio responsible for its development, which was notably formed by ex-Monolith Productions leadership.
The news, first reported by IGN, came via an internal email from EA Entertainment president Laura Miele. She stated the cuts were part of a broader strategy to “sharpen our focus and put our creative energy behind the most significant growth opportunities.”
The Black Panther game was officially revealed to be in development at Cliffhanger back in 2023, though details about its gameplay mechanics or a potential release window were scarce. However, newly shared concept art from the now-defunct project suggests an intriguing premise: the game might have focused on T’Challa’s son and other playable characters battling a Skrull invasion in Wakanda.
Cliffhanger Games was established by Kevin Stephens, former head of Monolith Productions (the acclaimed studio behind Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor), alongside other veterans from Monolith. This team had previously seen their new IP, codenamed “Legacy,” cancelled by Warner Bros. Games leadership in 2021. Monolith Productions itself, after moving on to develop a Wonder Woman game, was also reportedly shut down earlier this year, marking a difficult period for the talented developers associated with these studios.
Last year, Stephens had expressed grand ambitions for the Black Panther title, saying, “We’re dedicated to delivering fans a definitive and authentic Black Panther experience, giving them more agency and control over their narrative than they have ever experienced in a story-driven video game. Wakanda is a rich Super Hero sandbox, and our mission is to develop an epic world for players who love Black Panther and want to explore the world of Wakanda as much as we do.”
These new layoffs and project cancellations at EA are part of a larger trend. The publisher has recently made significant cuts at Respawn Entertainment and other divisions as it pivots to concentrate on its core, highly profitable franchises like The Sims and EA Sports FC. This strategic shift has also seen the end of other new projects and spin-offs, including a Titanfall game that was reportedly in very early development. EA has, however, promised investors a “2.0-level refresh” for Apex Legends and confirmed that Battlefield 6 is slated for release before the end of March 2026.
Despite the Black Panther cancellation, EA still has other Marvel projects in the pipeline. An Iron Man game is currently in development at EA Motive. In her email, Miele reportedly reassured staff that the company remains committed to this project, as well as the third installment in the popular Star Wars Jedi trilogy.
EA originally had a deal with Disney to produce three games based on Marvel characters. With the Black Panther game now off the table, EA told IGN that the three-game plan remains, meaning they are still on the hook to deliver two more Marvel titles after the Iron Man game, which itself does not yet have a firm release date. The cancellation of the Wakanda-set adventure will undoubtedly be a disappointment for many, leaving a void in the upcoming slate of superhero games.
