The landscape of comic book video games has faced further setbacks in 2025 with the cancellation of Electronic Arts’ (EA) Black Panther project and the subsequent closure of Cliffhanger Games, the studio established to develop it. This news follows a similar incident in late February when Warner Bros. halted production on its Wonder Woman action game and shut down Monolith Productions, the studio behind that title.
The cancellation of the Black Panther game and the disbandment of Cliffhanger Games, founded in 2023, was first reported by IGN, who obtained an internal letter from Laura Mealy, President of EA Entertainment. Representatives from the publisher later confirmed the news.
In her letter, Mealy attributed the decision to a strategic realignment, stating the company’s “desire to focus on key tasks and invest creative energy in those that can ensure growth.” Adding a layer of irony, Cliffhanger Games was notably founded by individuals with ties to the now-shuttered Monolith Productions. Production of the Black Panther game was being led by Kevin Stevens, a key developer on the critically acclaimed Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor.
This closure marks the third round of layoffs for Electronic Arts in recent months, indicating a broader restructuring within the company. In April, Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier reported that EA had already reduced its workforce by approximately 300 employees. The cancellation of a highly anticipated project like the Black Panther game and the closure of an entire studio underscore the volatile nature of game development and the strategic shifts that major publishers sometimes undertake. The news will likely be disappointing for fans eager to experience a dedicated Black Panther game from a major studio.