Recently, EA made headlines by announcing the closure of Cliffhanger Games and the cancellation of its Black Panther project. This decision raised concerns about the future of EA’s collaboration with Marvel, especially since Black Panther was one of the highly anticipated titles in their lineup.
Partnership Between EA and Marvel Remains Strong
Despite the setback, both EA and Marvel have emphasized that their partnership is not affected. The two companies remain committed to developing at least three games together. This collaboration was first established in 2023, when Marvel and EA signed a deal for three titles. The first of these is the Iron Man game, currently in development at Motive Studio. Black Panther was set to be the second, while details about the third game are still under wraps.
Motive Studio Takes the Lead
Following the cancellation of Black Panther, Motive Studio is now expected to lead the development efforts for the Marvel projects. EA’s Entertainment president, Laura Miele, highlighted that the partnership with Marvel is strong and the multi-title, long-term collaboration will continue as planned. A Marvel representative echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the creative partnership is focused on original storytelling featuring beloved Marvel characters. Motive Studio will spearhead the development of console and PC titles, kicking off with Iron Man.
Three Marvel Games Still in the Pipeline
Questions arose regarding the total number of games still in development after Black Panther’s cancellation. A Marvel spokesperson confirmed that the original three-game agreement remains intact, ensuring fans can look forward to more Marvel adventures from EA.
EA’s Approach to Licensed IPs
Interestingly, this ongoing collaboration comes amid comments from EA president Andrew Wilson, who expressed a desire for the company to move away from developing licensed IPs that may not be successful in the evolving industry landscape. However, the continuation of the Marvel partnership signals that EA still sees strong potential in Marvel’s universe.
Industry Context and EA’s Recent Changes
The cancellation of Black Panther marks the third major project EA has shelved this year, following the termination of two other incubation projects. The company has also implemented significant workforce changes, cutting hundreds of jobs over the past two years, even as it ramps up hiring for teams working on franchises like Battlefield. Additionally, EA introduced a mandatory return-to-office policy earlier this year.
Marvel Games Continue to Expand
EA’s Marvel projects are part of a broader wave of Marvel games in development across the industry. Titles such as Skydance’s Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra, Insomniac’s Wolverine, and Arkane Lyon’s Blade are all in the works, ensuring that Marvel fans will have plenty to look forward to in the coming years.
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