Back in 2022, it was reported that a Black Panther game was in development. In 2023, EA made things official and revealed that a new studio, Cliffhanger Games, would be working on a third-person, single-player, action-adventure, open-world Black Panther game. The game would have followed the player character’s journey into becoming Wakanda’s protector, the Black Panther, in an expansive and reactive world. The keyword being would have. IGN is reporting that EA has canceled the title and is closing down Cliffhanger Games.

BREAKING: Electronic Arts is canceling its planned Black Panther game and shutting down developer Cliffhanger Studios. https://t.co/5HKI4pgh4k pic.twitter.com/ZnT4RhyAEy

— IGN (@IGN) May 28, 2025

EA Entertainment President Laura Miele said that these changes, as well as other cancellations and layoffs are being done to “sharpen our focus and put our creative energy behind the most significant growth opportunities” in an email to staff.

“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.”

EA is also laying off some on both its mobile and central teams in addition to the closure of Cliffhanger Games and the cancellation of Black Panther. IGN reports that the total number of developers impacted at this time is less than the roughly 300 roles that EA cut last month where it was also revealed that a new Titanfall game was canceled too. This marks the third round of layoffs that EA had in recent years. The first was back in February last year when EA laid off 5% of its staff which was around 670 employees.

Following the news, former developers who were working on the project took to social media to share their reaction and talk about the game.

I was a part of this incredible crew. We were working on such an amazing and stunning game. Detailed, rich, beautiful. It breaks my heart the world wont see it.

It also breaks my heart to say goodbye to the team. What an honor to work with you all. What a sad day. 💔
www.gamespot.com/articles/ea-…

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— Karla Ortiz (@kortizart.bsky.social) May 28, 2025 at 12:20 PM

Concept Artist Karla Ortiz added “every dev there wanted so badly to release the game. It was beautiful and such great care was given.” “We were so excited to show the world! It was truly special.” Then: “All I can say is that we had something phenomenal.”

Senior Environment Architect II, Freddie Lee said:

Welp this happened today. It has to be said that during my short time there, I’ve had the honor and pleasure to work with people like Karla who’s art inspired myself and the team, and also instilling confidence and growth into my professional artwork. This team was, and is GOAT 🐐🙌💔

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— Freddie (@stringerseven.bsky.social) May 28, 2025 at 3:27 PM

Lee added: “took us by complete surprise.”

Game Designer Sophie Mallinson said: “This is a ✧˖° dream team °˖✧ and you should snap up anyone who was working on this project. So sad that we might not ever get to see a black panther ARPG developed by the creators of the Nemesis System!!”

Rayme Vinson, an ex-Respawn developer, talked about the news:

When they shut down the Star Wars FPS, we got to see this game up close and talk to their dev team, because they could take on some of our folks. What they were building was ambitious and special and I was legitimately excited to play it someday, even if they’d only done 1/4 of what they planned.

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— Rayme (@rayme.bsky.social) May 28, 2025 at 12:14 PM

Patrick Wren, Senior Encounter Design on Star Wars Jedi: Survivor wrote:

Morale has been at an all-time low. I can say that much.

— Patrick Wren (@witdarkstar.bsky.social) May 28, 2025 at 11:47 AM

Despite the cancellation and the shutdown of Cliffhanger Games, EA is still partnering with Marvel on three titles. “Our partnership with Marvel remains strong and our multi-title, long-term collaboration continues,” reads a statement sent to IGN by EA attributed to EA Entertainment president Laura Miele.

A Marvel Spokesperson also released a statement on the matter: “The multi-title, long-term relationship between Marvel Games and EA, a creative collaboration focused on original storytelling with various, beloved Marvel characters, remains strong. Development of our console and PC titles, beginning with Marvel’s Iron Man, is led by Motive Studios.”