Warner Bros. Closes Studios, Cancels Wonder Woman Game
In a significant restructuring move, Warner Bros. is shutting down three of its video game studios and has canceled the development of the much-anticipated Wonder Woman title. This decision comes after the company’s gaming division reported a staggering $300 million loss in 2024. The media giant aims to refocus its efforts on its most successful franchises, including Harry Potter and Batman, following a series of disappointing releases and leadership changes.
Warner Bros. Shuts 3 Studios
Warner Bros. Games announced the closure of Monolith Productions, Player First Games, and Warner Bros. Games San Diego, as reported by Bloomberg. This strategic shift is intended to streamline the company’s gaming portfolio and concentrate on its marquee franchises. JB Perrette, the head of Warner Bros. games and streaming, acknowledged in an internal memo that the quality of recent releases has not met expectations. He emphasized the need for substantial changes to ensure that resources are allocated effectively to support a “fewer but bigger franchises” strategy.
In a statement to Kotaku, Warner Bros. confirmed the studio closures and the cancellation of the Wonder Woman game, clarifying that these decisions do not reflect the capabilities of the affected teams. The company expressed its commitment to restructuring its development studios to focus on creating high-quality games centered around key franchises like Harry Potter, Mortal Kombat, and Game of Thrones. Warner Bros. acknowledged the challenges faced by the teams and thanked them for their contributions, reiterating its goal of returning to profitability and growth by 2025.
Wonder Woman Game Cancelled
The cancellation of the Wonder Woman game follows years of development challenges. Warner Bros. had invested over $100 million into the project, which was being developed by Monolith Productions. Despite the studio’s impressive track record with titles like Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor, the game struggled to gain traction and was ultimately rebooted earlier this year. The decision to halt its development reflects a broader shift in Warner Bros.’ strategic priorities.
Player First Games, known for the free-to-play fighting game MultiVersus, also faced setbacks, contributing to $100 million in losses for Warner Bros. Games in 2024. The company announced last month that it would cease development on MultiVersus, with the game’s fifth season marking its conclusion. The game is set to go offline on May 30, further highlighting the challenges Warner Bros. faces in maintaining a stable gaming portfolio.
Financial Struggles and Future Prospects
Warner Bros.’ financial difficulties in 2024 were exacerbated by the underperformance of Rocksteady Studios’ highly anticipated title, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. The game failed to attract a significant player base and has since halted content updates. Rocksteady is now reportedly shifting its focus back to single-player experiences, potentially developing a new Batman game.
Looking ahead, Warner Bros. faces a sparse release calendar, with several projects canceled and live service titles failing to generate consistent revenue. Major upcoming projects, including a sequel to Hogwarts Legacy and new DC games, are still years away from release. DC Studios head James Gunn recently indicated that a video game set in the DC Universe is at least a couple of years off, leaving fans eager for new content in a waiting game
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