Media: EA closed the studio behind the Black Panther game and conducted new layoffs
Electronic Arts (EA) continues to downsize its staff, reports IGN, referencing an internal letter from the president of EA Entertainment, Laura Miele. The company has now closed Cliffhanger Games.
Cliffhanger Games had a relatively short run. Officially, its launch was announced in summer 2023, although rumors about the team circulated since 2021. The main task of Cliffhanger Games was to develop a third-person AAA action game about Black Panther — with the studio’s closure, the game was canceled.
In the letter, Miele explained that the reason for this was EA’s desire to focus on key franchises, including Battlefield, The Sims, Skate, and Apex Legends. Nevertheless, the company will continue to work on the Iron Man game. They are also not discontinuing work on the third installment of Star Wars Jedi and the next Mass Effect.
Miele also wrote that alongside the closure of Cliffhanger Games, there were layoffs in EA's central and mobile divisions. The extent of these layoffs was not disclosed. IGN speculates that this time the company has let go of fewer specialists than at the end of April, when the media reported 300-400 employees being let go. EA has offered affected employees the opportunity to apply for other positions within the company, though it is unclear how many will successfully transition.
Representatives of EA declined to comment to IGN about the information in Miele's letter.