エーエイ、ブラックパンサー開発プロジェクトを終了、クライフアンガー・スタジオを閉鎖

Summary and Analysis: EA Closes Cliffhanger Games, Cancels Black Panther Game

Electronic Arts (EA) has officially canceled its upcoming Black Panther game and shut down Cliffhanger Games, the studio established in 2023 to develop it. This marks another major shift in EA’s evolving strategy, driven by internal restructuring, leadership decisions, and a broader industry-wide pivot away from licensed intellectual property (IP) that may not align with long-term growth goals.

Key Points:

• Studio Closure: Cliffhanger Games, led by veteran developer Kevin Stephens (formerly of Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor), has been dissolved. The studio was created specifically to build the Black Panther title under a three-game licensing deal with Marvel.

• Game Canceled: The Black Panther game—described as a single-player, action-adventure, open-world experience—will not move forward. Little gameplay or narrative detail was ever released, and development had reportedly been in early to mid-stages.

• Reasons for Cancellation: In an internal email, EA Entertainment President Laura Miele stated that the decision was part of a larger effort to "focus our efforts and channel creative energy into the most promising growth areas." This follows a series of major layoffs and project cancellations across EA in 2024–2025.

• Downsizing Across Units: In addition to the closure of Cliffhanger, EA is reducing teams in mobile, central operations, and previously impacted divisions like Respawn and BioWare. While EA declined to give exact numbers, sources indicate the current round affects fewer than the ~300 roles cut last month.

• Reassignment Efforts: EA continues its practice of reassigning displaced employees to other teams within the company—despite frequent reductions. As of March 2025, EA’s headcount had grown by 800 employees compared to the same period in 2024, suggesting internal reallocation is possible, though not guaranteed.

• Franchise Prioritization: EA will now concentrate on a core set of franchises:

  • Battlefield
  • The Sims
  • Skate
  • Apex Legends
  • Iron Man (Motive Studios)
  • Star Wars: Jedi (third title)
  • Mass Effect (new project from BioWare)

• No Impact on EA Sports: The sports division remains untouched, as Miele oversees only EA Entertainment, not EA Sports.

• Industry Context: This move reflects a broader shift in EA’s philosophy, as previously signaled by CEO Andrew Wilson in 2024. He stated that EA would exit future development of licensed IP unless they had strong potential for success—especially in a competitive market where consumer attention and retention are increasingly difficult to maintain.

• Historical Pattern: These cuts are not isolated. Since 2023, EA has undergone multiple rounds of layoffs and restructuring:

  • 2023: 50 jobs cut at BioWare
  • 2024: 670 layoffs company-wide, including at Respawn and Codemasters
  • 2025: ~300 roles cut (including 100 at Respawn), cancellation of Titanfall project and another early-stage title

• Return-to-Office Policy: EA recently enforced a mandatory return-to-office policy, sparking internal concerns—especially among remote workers who fear instability in their roles.

• Marvel’s Response Unconfirmed: Marvel Studios has not publicly commented on the cancellation of the Black Panther game.

What This Means Moving Forward:

• End of a Marvel Era at EA? With the Black Panther cancellation, and no new details on the third Marvel title in the three-game deal, it’s unclear if EA will continue its relationship with Marvel. The company appears to be pulling back from licensed superhero IPs, even if they are high-profile.

• Focus on Core IPs: EA is doubling down on franchises it controls or has deep creative investment in—like Apex Legends, Battlefield, and The Sims—to ensure long-term sustainability and brand loyalty.

• Opportunities for Talent: Former Cliffhanger and Respawn staff may be offered roles elsewhere in EA, particularly in areas like Apex Legends or Motive’s Iron Man. However, competition for these roles will be high.

• Uncertainty Remains: Despite reassurances, the repeated cycle of layoffs, cancellations, and restructuring raises concerns about job security and creative stability at EA.

Final Takeaway:

The cancellation of Black Panther and closure of Cliffhanger Games signal a strategic retreat from ambitious, licensed game projects—even those backed by major franchises. EA is betting on long-term sustainability, internal control, and proven success over chasing high-profile licenses. While this may lead to stronger, more stable franchises in the future, it comes at a cost: talent loss, morale issues, and a painful end for a project that, despite limited visibility, had built anticipation.

As the gaming industry continues to evolve, EA’s pivot may be a necessary step—though not without controversy.

🔔 Stay tuned: With BioWare, Motive, and EA Sports all under pressure to deliver, the next 12–18 months will be critical in determining whether EA’s new focus will pay off—or further fracture its creative workforce.