Recent insights from Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier shed light on EA’s recently scrapped Black Panther project, outlining the hurdles faced during its four-year production cycle and planned gameplay elements. The report highlights internal struggles that ultimately led to the title’s termination and studio closure.

Per sources cited by Schreier, Electronic Arts’ leadership grew increasingly concerned with development timelines, deeming the project insufficiently advanced despite recent strides. Although the game had entered a more active phase, corporate decision-makers reportedly concluded progress remained too delayed to justify continuation.

Multiple factors contributed to the sluggish pace. The 2021-established Cliffhanger Studios faced logistical challenges while ramping up staffing for an ambitious AAA endeavor. Additionally, technical complexities emerged from implementing a dynamic rivalry mechanic inspired by popular procedural narrative systems, complicating prototyping and executive presentations.

The title’s design reportedly included rotating playable protagonists like T’Challa, Killmonger, and Shuri vying to claim the Black Panther mantle. Marvel’s shape-shifting Skrulls were integrated as unexpected partners, with certain characters harboring hidden agendas influenced by players’ prior decisions—a nod to emergent storytelling frameworks.

Faced with relentless delays and leadership skepticism regarding final execution, EA terminated development despite conceptual promise. This move marks the publisher’s third major workforce reduction in 2025.

While the Black Panther project won’t proceed, EA and Marvel reaffirm their ongoing partnership through three confirmed collaborations, beginning with Motive Studio’s in-development Iron Man adaptation.