Electronic Arts (EA) has officially canceled its upcoming Black Panther game and closed the developer studio Cliffhanger Games, according to an internal communication from EA Entertainment president Laura Miele. This announcement marks the third round of layoffs and project cancellations at EA this year, reflecting a strategic shift to concentrate resources on key growth areas.
Miele explained that these decisions are part of an effort to refine the company’s focus and channel creative efforts toward franchises with the greatest potential for expansion. Alongside the closure of Cliffhanger and the Black Panther cancellation, EA is also reducing staff within its mobile and central teams. While the exact number of layoffs remains undisclosed, it is understood that this wave affects fewer employees than the roughly 300 roles cut in the previous month across Respawn and EA’s Fan Care teams.
Supporting Affected Employees Amid Restructuring
Miele emphasized the difficulty of these choices, acknowledging the impact on colleagues and the shared experiences within the company. EA is committed to assisting those affected by exploring opportunities for internal transfers, a program that has been employed consistently during recent layoffs. Despite ongoing reductions in some areas, EA has simultaneously expanded its workforce in others, reportedly increasing total headcount by 800 employees since March 2024.
EA’s Future Focus: Core Franchises and Ongoing Projects
Looking ahead, EA plans to prioritize a select group of franchises, including Battlefield, The Sims, Skate, and Apex Legends. The company will continue investing in the Iron Man game developed by Motive Studios, the upcoming third installment in the Star Wars: Jedi series, and maintain its mobile gaming division despite current cuts. Additionally, BioWare remains focused on the next Mass Effect title. This strategic direction aligns with CEO Andrew Wilson’s earlier statement about moving away from developing licensed IPs that do not fit the evolving industry landscape.
It is important to note that these changes affect EA Entertainment and not the separate EA Sports division, which remains unaffected for the time being.
Marvel Partnership Remains Intact Despite Black Panther Cancellation
The canceled Black Panther game was part of a three-title agreement between EA and Marvel, which also includes Iron Man and a third, yet-to-be-announced project. EA confirmed that the partnership with Marvel continues strongly, with Motive Studios leading future Marvel game development. Black Panther was intended to be a single-player, open-world action-adventure game developed by Cliffhanger Games, a studio formed in 2023 with talent from Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, led by Kevin Stephens.
Ongoing Industry Challenges and EA’s Recent History
This latest round of layoffs and project cancellations follows a series of similar moves at EA over the past few years. In recent months, EA has cut hundreds of jobs, including significant layoffs at Respawn and BioWare, alongside the cancellation of other in-development titles such as a new Titanfall game. The company also recently implemented a mandatory return-to-office policy, which has caused concern among employees currently working remotely.
When asked for further details about the layoffs or future plans, EA referred back to Miele’s statement. Marvel has not provided a comment on the situation.
Even more interesting news.