EA Cancels BLACK PANTHER Game as It Shuts Down Cliffhanger Games

Well, that’s it. EA’s single-player Black Panther game is officially canceled, and with it, the end of Cliffhanger Games before the studio ever shipped a title.The news comes in the wake of EA’s latest wave of layoffs, which continues to reshape the publisher’s priorities and studio lineup. IGN confirmed that the open-world, third-person action-adventure set in Wakanda is no longer happening. Cliffhanger Games, the Seattle-based team working on the title, has also been shut down.Originally announced in 2023, the Black Panther game was one of those rare superhero projects that generated excitement based on potential alone. We never got a trailer, no gameplay footage, just the promise of exploring Wakanda in a rich, story-driven experience. Marvel fans seemed pretty hyped.The game was being helmed by a team of seasoned developers, including Kevin Stephens, formerly of Monolith Productions (the Middle-earth games), and other veterans from Halo, God of War, and Call of Duty. It had pedigree, ambition, and one of Marvel’s most beloved heroes at the center.But big ambition alone doesn’t pay the bills.While EA hasn’t issued a public-facing press release, an internal email circulated to staff framed the decision as part of a broader corporate strategy: to "sharpen our focus and put our creative energy behind the most significant growth opportunities."These cuts are part of a sweeping restructure. EA’s President of Entertainment & Technology, Laura Miele, addressed the emotional toll of the layoffs:"These decisions are hard," Miele wrote. "They affect people we’ve worked with, learned from, and shared real moments with. We’re doing everything we can to support them — including finding opportunities within EA, where we’ve had success helping people land in new roles."Just a month ago, EA laid off 300–400 people—including roughly 100 at Respawn, resulting in the cancellation of a Titanfall game that hadn’t even been officially announced yet. It’s part of a downsizing effort impacting around 5% of EA’s workforce. CEO Andrew Wilson had previously said:"We are also sunsetting games and moving away from development of future licensed IP that we do not believe will be successful in our changing industry. “This greater focus allows us to drive creativity, accelerate innovation, and double down on our biggest opportunities — including our owned IP, sports, and massive online communities — to deliver the entertainment players want today and tomorrow."There is still hope on another front. Skydance New Media is deep in development on Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra, a narrative-driven action-adventure that teams up Captain America and Azzuri (T’Challa’s grandfather, the Black Panther of WWII) in occupied France. That game, led by Amy Hennig (Uncharted), is still very much alive.As for EA, they’re doubling down on their known moneymakers, Battlefield, The Sims, Skate, and Apex Legends. Meanwhile, projects like Motive’s Iron Man and the next Jedi and Mass Effect games appear safe... for now.But for those hoping to run through Wakanda as Black Panther in a focused, cinematic solo experience? That dream just got snapped.

May 29, 2025 - 19:40

EA Cancels BLACK PANTHER Game as It Shuts Down Cliffhanger Games

Well, that’s it. EA’s single-player Black Panther game is officially canceled, and with it, the end of Cliffhanger Games before the studio ever shipped a title.

The news comes in the wake of EA’s latest wave of layoffs, which continues to reshape the publisher’s priorities and studio lineup. IGN confirmed that the open-world, third-person action-adventure set in Wakanda is no longer happening. Cliffhanger Games, the Seattle-based team working on the title, has also been shut down.

Originally announced in 2023, the Black Panther game was one of those rare superhero projects that generated excitement based on potential alone. We never got a trailer, no gameplay footage, just the promise of exploring Wakanda in a rich, story-driven experience. Marvel fans seemed pretty hyped.

The game was being helmed by a team of seasoned developers, including Kevin Stephens, formerly of Monolith Productions (the Middle-earth games), and other veterans from Halo, God of War, and Call of Duty. It had pedigree, ambition, and one of Marvel’s most beloved heroes at the center.

But big ambition alone doesn’t pay the bills.

While EA hasn’t issued a public-facing press release, an internal email circulated to staff framed the decision as part of a broader corporate strategy: to "sharpen our focus and put our creative energy behind the most significant growth opportunities."

These cuts are part of a sweeping restructure. EA’s President of Entertainment & Technology, Laura Miele, addressed the emotional toll of the layoffs:

"These decisions are hard," Miele wrote. "They affect people we’ve worked with, learned from, and shared real moments with. We’re doing everything we can to support them — including finding opportunities within EA, where we’ve had success helping people land in new roles."

Just a month ago, EA laid off 300–400 people—including roughly 100 at Respawn, resulting in the cancellation of a Titanfall game that hadn’t even been officially announced yet. It’s part of a downsizing effort impacting around 5% of EA’s workforce. CEO Andrew Wilson had previously said:

"We are also sunsetting games and moving away from development of future licensed IP that we do not believe will be successful in our changing industry.

“This greater focus allows us to drive creativity, accelerate innovation, and double down on our biggest opportunities — including our owned IP, sports, and massive online communities — to deliver the entertainment players want today and tomorrow."

There is still hope on another front. Skydance New Media is deep in development on Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra, a narrative-driven action-adventure that teams up Captain America and Azzuri (T’Challa’s grandfather, the Black Panther of WWII) in occupied France. That game, led by Amy Hennig (Uncharted), is still very much alive.

As for EA, they’re doubling down on their known moneymakers, Battlefield, The Sims, Skate, and Apex Legends. Meanwhile, projects like Motive’s Iron Man and the next Jedi and Mass Effect games appear safe... for now.

But for those hoping to run through Wakanda as Black Panther in a focused, cinematic solo experience? That dream just got snapped.