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Wonder Woman game axed as Warner Bros cuts three studios | Wonder Woman game axed as Warner Bros cuts three studios |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Warner Bros Games says it will focus on other franchises including Harry Potter and Mortal Kombat | Warner Bros Games says it will focus on other franchises including Harry Potter and Mortal Kombat |
Warner Bros Discovery has confirmed plans to shut three of its gaming development studios. | Warner Bros Discovery has confirmed plans to shut three of its gaming development studios. |
The decision means the anticipated Wonder Woman game, which has been in production for three years at one of the affected studios, Monolith, will not be released. | The decision means the anticipated Wonder Woman game, which has been in production for three years at one of the affected studios, Monolith, will not be released. |
Player First Games, which made MultiVersus, and Warner Bros. Games San Diego will also be shuttered. | Player First Games, which made MultiVersus, and Warner Bros. Games San Diego will also be shuttered. |
The announcement comes after a difficult time in the industry, with widespread job losses since a boom during the Covid pandemic. | |
A spokesperson from Warner Bros told BBC Newsbeat the "difficult decision" was aimed at boosting profitability. | |
On Wonder Woman, they said: "Our hope was to give players and fans the highest quality experience possible for the iconic character, and unfortunately this is no longer possible within our strategic priorities." | On Wonder Woman, they said: "Our hope was to give players and fans the highest quality experience possible for the iconic character, and unfortunately this is no longer possible within our strategic priorities." |
Last month, MultiVersus said there would be no more updates for the game, which would have to be played offline "for the foreseeable future". | Last month, MultiVersus said there would be no more updates for the game, which would have to be played offline "for the foreseeable future". |
Warner Bros said it will instead focus on developing its core franchises including Harry Potter, Mortal Kombat, DC and Game of Thrones. | Warner Bros said it will instead focus on developing its core franchises including Harry Potter, Mortal Kombat, DC and Game of Thrones. |
"As difficult as today is, we remain focused on and excited about getting back to producing high-quality games for our passionate fans and developed by our world class studios and getting our games business back to profitability and growth in 2025 and beyond," the spokesperson said. | |
Last year was a challenging one for the games sector, seeing games delayed, studios closed around the world and thousands of layoffs including at Microsoft's Xbox and Sony's PlayStation . | Last year was a challenging one for the games sector, seeing games delayed, studios closed around the world and thousands of layoffs including at Microsoft's Xbox and Sony's PlayStation . |
Warner Bros Games had big expectations for Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League but the game was panned by fans and critics. | Warner Bros Games had big expectations for Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League but the game was panned by fans and critics. |
Updates for the game ended in January after weak sales and poor reviews. | Updates for the game ended in January after weak sales and poor reviews. |
And last month, the company announced the departure of David Haddad, the chief of the gaming unit, after 12 years. | And last month, the company announced the departure of David Haddad, the chief of the gaming unit, after 12 years. |
Wider trends in the industry have seen sales struggle as gamers spend less on new games, choosing instead to stick with long-running online games like Fortnite or yearly franchises such as Call of Duty and EA Sports FC. | Wider trends in the industry have seen sales struggle as gamers spend less on new games, choosing instead to stick with long-running online games like Fortnite or yearly franchises such as Call of Duty and EA Sports FC. |
As well as people spending less on new games since the pandemic, the cost of making blockbuster releases has increased and investors are putting less money into the industry. | |
Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here. | Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here. |
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