Electronic Arts (EA) has officially cancelled its highly anticipated Black Panther video game, a project developed by Cliffhanger Studios, which has now been shuttered as a result. This decision follows EA’s strategy to concentrate on its most promising franchises, including Battlefield, Skate, The Sims, and the ongoing Iron Man game.
Marvel has been heavily invested in expanding its presence in the gaming industry in recent years, riding on the success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Notable successes from Marvel games include Marvel’s Spider-Man, which has set a high bar for superhero titles. Other attempts at expanding the superhero gaming landscape have been made with Marvel’s Avengers and Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, with future projects planned for characters like Wolverine and Iron Man.
Although details about EA’s Black Panther game were limited, some leaks suggested players would have the option to choose different versions of Black Panther, including T’Challa. It was also rumored to be an open-world game, promising a large scale befitting the character’s immense popularity. However, EA may have felt the game was not progressing to a satisfactory level, leading to the cancellation before it was ever released.
Fortunately, there is still hope for fans of the Black Panther franchise. Developer Skydance is currently working on a Captain America x Black Panther game titled Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra, which is slated for release in 2026. This game will tell a story set during World War II, featuring characters such as Steve Rogers alongside Azzuri, a historical Black Panther. With former Uncharted writer Amy Hennig at the helm, this project holds promise for delivering an engaging narrative.
While the cancellation of EA’s Black Panther game is disappointing, the development of other Marvel games offers a silver lining, ensuring that fans will still have opportunities to experience the beloved character in the gaming world in the future.