In a surprising turn of events, a recent report from Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier reveals that Warner Bros. is making significant cuts to its gaming division.
The publisher is reportedly closing several high-profile studios, including Monolith Productions, Player First Games, and WB San Diego, which is set to impact several ongoing projects, including Shadow of Mordor, MultiVersus, and a highly anticipated Wonder Woman game.
Studio Closures and Project Cancellations
Monolith Productions, known for its work on Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor and Shadow of War, as well as the development of F.E.A.R., is reportedly shutting down. The studio’s recent projects, especially the Shadow of Mordor series, were both critically acclaimed and commercially successful.
Monolith’s Wonder Woman game, a title that had already faced difficulties during development, has also been confirmed to be cancelled as part of the downsizing. This cancellation of the Wonder Woman game is particularly surprising, as the studio had previously shown strong potential with its single-player titles.
Player First Games, the studio behind MultiVersus, is also reportedly being shut down after the platform fighter’s decline. The closure of Player First Games marks the end of MultiVersus, which will officially shut down its services in May.
While the closure might not come as a complete surprise due to the game’s waning popularity, it still represents a significant loss for Warner Bros.’s portfolio. Finally, WB San Diego, another studio under Warner Bros., is also part of this round of closures, adding to the sense of upheaval in the company’s gaming operations.
Impact on Warner Bros. Gaming and the Industry
According to Schreier’s report, these studio closures and project cancellations are being driven by Warner Bros.’s efforts to “boost profitability.” For the gaming community, this signals a troubling trend of studio cutbacks in favor of more cost-effective measures, with the risk of losing more jobs in the industry.
This move follows other signs of distress within Warner Bros. Games, including the disappointing performance of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, which reportedly cost the publisher hundreds of millions of dollars.
The closure of Monolith and the cancellation of the Wonder Woman game is perhaps the most shocking, considering the success of their past titles and their potential to drive WB Games forward with a solid single-player experience in contrast to its struggles with live-service games.
The Future of Warner Bros. Games
As Warner Bros. continues to make major cuts, the fate of its remaining properties and studios remains uncertain. These changes raise concerns about the company’s long-term commitment to developing high-quality, story-driven single-player experiences, which have long been a hallmark of successful gaming franchises like Shadow of Mordor.
The closure of Player First Games and the shutdown of MultiVersus also leaves a void in the competitive multiplayer space for WB.
In the coming months, we may see more developments on how Warner Bros. will shift its gaming strategy in response to these closures and cancellations. The company’s future plans will likely focus on improving profitability, but the impact on the gaming industry, as well as the developers affected, cannot be understated.
Conclusion
The recent closure of several high-profile Warner Bros. studios and the cancellation of major projects, including Wonder Woman and MultiVersus, marks a significant shift in the company’s gaming strategy. While these decisions are said to be in the name of profitability, the consequences for the gaming community are far-reaching.
Fans of Middle-earth, MultiVersus, and other WB Games titles are left wondering what the future holds for these beloved franchises. The industry may need to brace itself for more closures, layoffs, and further changes as major publishers like Warner Bros. reassess their approach to game development.
As the gaming world watches closely, it’s clear that the landscape is evolving, and Warner Bros.’s next steps will shape the future of its gaming division.