Electronic Arts (EA) confirmed the cancellation of its Black Panther video game and the closure of its Seattle-based developer, Cliffhanger Games. Cliffhanger Games was established in 2023 specifically to develop this Marvel title. The game had not reached advanced stages of development when EA shut it down.
Following the announcement, both EA and Marvel provided clear statements confirming that their partnership is still ongoing. The agreement originally included three Marvel games: the first is the Iron Man title currently in development by Motive Studio; the second was Black Panther, which has now been canceled; and the third remains unannounced.
Key Takeaways
- EA canceled the in-development Black Panther game and shut down Cliffhanger Games, the Seattle-based studio formed in 2023 to develop it.
- Despite the cancellation, EA confirmed its original three-game deal with Marvel is still active, with Motive Studio's Iron Man as the first confirmed title.
- The third Marvel game under the deal remains unannounced, and EA has not stated whether a new project will replace the canceled Black Panther title.
EA Cancels Black Panther and Closes Cliffhanger Games
Cliffhanger Games was formed by EA in 2023 to lead development on Black Panther. The project was still in early development when EA decided to cancel it. Alongside this decision, the entire Cliffhanger studio was shut down.
This move followed other changes at EA. In 2025, EA canceled two additional incubation projects, laid off hundreds of employees, and implemented a return-to-office mandate. EA has said it is refocusing resources on established franchises, including Battlefield, The Sims, Apex Legends, and Skate.
In an internal email obtained by IGN, EA Entertainment president Laura Miele said the cancellation was necessary to “sharpen EA’s focus and put our creative energy behind the most significant growth opportunities.”
Although the Black Panther game has not yet reached a public release phase, concept art from the project has reportedly been leaked online. These images give some insight into what the setting and characters might have looked like, but EA has not officially commented on or confirmed these leaks.
EA and Marvel Confirm Iron Man Is Still in Development
Despite the shutdown of one of the games in the agreement, EA has stated clearly that its partnership with Marvel Games is not over. In a statement sent to IGN and attributed to EA Entertainment president Laura Miele, the company said:
“Our partnership with Marvel remains strong and our multi-title, long-term collaboration continues.”
A Marvel spokesperson also released a statement through IGN, saying:
“The multi-title, long-term relationship between Marvel Games and EA, a creative collaboration focused on original storytelling with various, beloved Marvel characters, remains strong. Development of our console and PC titles, beginning with Marvel’s Iron Man, is led by Motive Studios.”
When asked by IGN, a Marvel spokesperson confirmed that three Marvel games are still part of the EA deal.
Iron Man, the first title in the agreement, is being developed by Motive Studio, based in Montreal. The game was announced in 2022 and entered full production in February 2023. Motive previously developed Star Wars: Squadrons and the 2023 Dead Space remake.
The Iron Man game is a single-player, third-person action-adventure. EA stated that it will include an original narrative and focus on the complexity, charisma, and creative genius of Tony Stark. Olivier Proulx, who previously worked on Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, is the executive producer. EA has not confirmed a release date or platforms.
EA has not provided updates on the third game in the Marvel agreement; no details about the title, character, developer, or development status have been made public.
Other Marvel Games Remain in Development by Other Studios
Several other Marvel titles are in development across the industry.
Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra, developed by Skydance New Media, features Captain America and the Azzuri incarnation of Black Panther. It takes place in Nazi-occupied Paris during World War II. The game was officially titled and revealed during the March 2024 State of Unreal showcase. It is scheduled for release in 2026 on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X.
Marvel’s Wolverine, developed by Insomniac Games, is a PlayStation 5 exclusive. No release date has been announced.
Marvel’s Blade, developed by Arkane Lyon, will be a third-person, single-player game set in a quarantined Paris during a vampire outbreak. Arkane has not announced a release date or platforms.
Marvel Cosmic Invasion, developed by Tribute Games Inc., is scheduled for release in 2025. The game was announced during the March 2025 Nintendo Direct. It features pixel art and retro-style gameplay. Players can choose from 15 characters and switch between two during each level. The game will be available on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch.
