Electronic Arts has closed Cliffhanger Games, the studio that had been developing a Black Panther Game in collaboration with Marvel. The cancellation of the project comes as part of a broader restructuring effort that has led to layoffs across multiple EA studios throughout the Spring.
According to a report from IGN, an internal email from EA Entertainment president Laura Miele confirmed the closure of Cliffhanger Games and job cuts affecting other teams, including those in mobile and central departments. In the message, Miele stated that the company is narrowing its focus to fewer projects with stronger growth potential.
“These decisions are hard,” the email reportedly said. “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.”
Cliffhanger Games was established in 2023 with a focus on creating a third-person, single-player Black Panther title. The game had been officially announced as a collaboration with Marvel and was intended to be a large-scale narrative experience. The studio’s closure effectively ends development on the project.
The move aligns with EA’s stated goal of concentrating more on its core franchises. Miele’s internal message pointed to The Sims, Skate, Battlefield, and Apex Legends as the company’s key priorities moving forward. In recent months, EA executives have discussed reducing investment in licensed properties in favor of original and in-house IP.
Industry insider eXtas1s, known for accurate leaks, has reported that further changes are coming. According to the source, around 400 additional job cuts may be on the way, including the closure of Codemasters’ headquarters. Staff from Codemasters are expected to be reassigned to EA Sports to continue work on the Formula One series. A new Need for Speed title is also said to be in development.
Earlier this year, EA confirmed layoffs at Codemasters and announced the studio would no longer handle the WRC franchise. The FIA World Rally Championship license has since been taken over by French publisher NACON.
Also this month, two early-stage projects at Respawn Entertainment were canceled. While the company did not officially name the titles, reports suggest that one may have been related to the Titanfall series. Respawn’s head, Vince Zampella, is currently leading the development of the next Battlefield game, which now involves multiple EA teams.
These developments mark a period of significant change for EA, with the company restructuring its internal teams and shifting focus to long-term, high-priority franchises. The cancellation of the Black Panther game and other projects reflects a company-wide effort to streamline operations and reduce risk.
Sources: IGN News, Eurogamer, eXtas1stv Tweet, Wccftech #1, Wccftech #2
