The fall of the Cliffhanger games leaves the promising title Marvel without a future
No, it’s not a nightmare or a bad taste joke. Electronic Arts has decided to cancel the video game of Black panther which was developed by Cliffhanger games, A study founded in 2023 with great ambitions and even greater expectations by fans. The reason: The definitive closure of the study.
This news is a harsh setback for those who hoped to see T’Challa (or some successor) shine in a solo adventure. And let’s not talk about any project. The game would have had a team of veterans in the sectorIncluded former head of powerful titles such as God of war, Halo Infinite y call of Duty. One’s Kevin Stephensformer monolith productions and key piece in Middle-Earth: Shadow of MordorHe led the team. But all that has remained in the past.
The roar that never came
Announced in 2023 as a new AAA Blockbusterthe game of Black panther He promised to explore Wakanda in depth, with a narrative approach that mixed action, diplomacy and inheritance. It was, according to his creators, a title that would allow us to feel the weight to transport the cloak of the black panther. But neither trailer, nor gameplay, nor conceptual art: The production did not show public content before its last brusque.
The news comes as part of A New wave of cuts of eaThe third so far from 2025, which hit hundreds of employees. Studies like Respawn Entertainmentresponsible for Legende Apice y Star Wars Jedi: SurvivorThey were also beaten by these mass layoffs. Laura Miele itself, director of EA’s operations, admitted that “these decisions are difficult” and that they are trying to respect the staff interested in the company. But the damage is already done.
Furthermore, according to internal sources, The cancellation of Black panther drag another project in development: the game of Wonder Woman. Although there was no official confirmation, everything indicates that they shared resources and part of the same creative team.
A comfort between the ruins, Marvel 1943
Fortunately, Marvel fans will have at least A playable alternative with the arrival of Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydrathat this Christmas will be launched. In this proposal developed by Skydance New MediaWe will take control of four characters: Steve Rogers (Captain America), Azzuri (the black panther of the Second World War), Nanali (leader of the Wakandian spy network) and Gabriel Jonesone of the legendary Commandos howl. Although the game does not replace what Black panther promised, at least keep you in life Representation of Wakanda in the world of video games.
The fun thing is that Rise by Hydra It offers what many expected from the canceled game: An intense story, focused on duty, leadership and sacrifice. Azzuri, grandfather of T’Challa, has already appeared in the comics as a wise and relentless warrior leader, therefore his jump to the video game can be the spark that calms, even a little, the anger of the fans.
Black panther in video games, the story of a mistreated icon
It is not the first time that the character It is halfway in the digital field. Even if he appeared as a playable character in Marvel AvengersHis bow was short and limited by the restrictions of the game. For years, players claim a title centered in Wakanda, who explores their internal culture, technology and dilemmas as well as pure action.
And that’s The universe of Black Panther is a narrative cliff. Internal policies, conflicts with the outside world, ancestral rituals, espionage … Wakanda gives much more than cameo or DLC. Therefore, the initial announcement of the game caused so much agitation so much: finally it seemed that justice would be made to King Guerrero.
What about electronic arts and narrative games?
The cancellation of this title is added to a growing list of Projects abandoned by EAthat reopens the debate on the company’s commitment to the solo narrative experiences. After the successes of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order y Remake of dead spaceMany expected that and bet more on these formulas. But reality seems to be another.
The case of Cliffhanger’s games are particularly sadBecause it shows that even a talent and clear vision study can disappear if the support is not stopped from above. And with it, Players lose a unique opportunity to explore a universe that deserves much more space in the interactive environment.
If something is clear for us it is that The roar of the black panther was silenced earlyand although Marvel 1943 He will try to occupy that space, the void left by this canceled project will be difficult to fill. Wakanda forever … but not in EA.