Electronic Arts Cancels Black Panther Video Game, Lays Off Multiple Employees
In a move to "sharpen its focus" and prioritise its biggest franchises, publisher Electronic Arts has cancelled a video game based on Disney and Marvel’s "Black Panther" and laid off multiple employees at its Cliffhanger Games studio and across its mobile and central teams.
According to a report from Variety, the cancellation of the "Black Panther" game is part of the closure of Cliffhanger Games, with multiple employees being let go as a result. The number of staffers cut is reportedly less than the 300 that EA laid off last month when it cancelled its next planned "Titanfall" game.
In an email sent to staff, EA Entertainment president Laura Miele stated that the company is making these moves to "sharpen our focus and put our creative energy behind the most significant growth opportunities." Variety reports that EA chief Andrew Wilson has made it clear that the company’s priority is its biggest franchises, including EA Sports, "The Sims," "Battlefield," and "Apex Legends," as well as its upcoming game "Skate," rather than making licensed games.
The layoffs come as part of a broader restructuring effort at EA, with the company looking to focus on its core franchises. According to Variety, Miele acknowledged that the decisions are difficult and affect people that EA has worked with and learned from. The company is reportedly doing everything it can to support those affected, including finding opportunities within EA.
This marks the third round of layoffs EA has made this year, with over 300 employees being let go in April. The layoffs mainly affected teams working on games "Apex Legends" and "Star Wars Jedi." Variety reports that IGN was the first to report the news of the new EA layoffs and "Black Panther" game cancellation.
The cancellation of the "Black Panther" game and the layoffs at EA are a significant blow to the gaming industry, with many employees likely to be affected by the decision. As the company continues to focus on its core franchises, it remains to be seen how this will impact its future game development plans. Representatives for EA declined to comment on the matter.
The gaming industry has seen a number of significant layoffs and cancellations in recent months, with many companies looking to restructure and focus on their core franchises. EA’s decision to cancel the "Black Panther" game and lay off multiple employees is just the latest example of this trend. As the industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how companies like EA adapt to changing market conditions.
According to Variety, the source of this article, the layoffs and game cancellation are a significant development in the gaming industry, and we will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available.
In related news, EA’s decision to focus on its core franchises is likely to have significant implications for the gaming industry as a whole. As the company continues to prioritise its biggest franchises, it will be interesting to see how this impacts the development of new games and the gaming industry as a whole.
The news of the "Black Panther" game cancellation and layoffs at EA has sent shockwaves through the gaming industry, with many employees and fans of the company likely to be affected by the decision. As the company continues to evolve and adapt to changing market conditions, it remains to be seen how this will impact its future game development plans.
Sources: Variety reported that EA Entertainment president Laura Miele stated that the company is making these moves to "sharpen our focus and put our creative energy behind the most significant growth opportunities."
As reported by Variety, EA chief Andrew Wilson has made it clear that the company’s priority is its biggest franchises.
Variety also reported that IGN was the first to report the news of the new EA layoffs and "Black Panther" game cancellation.
Variety confirmed that this marks the third round of layoffs EA has made this year.
The original article from Variety quotes EA Entertainment president Laura Miele who said: "These decisions are hard. 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."
