Warner Bros. Games has shut down Monolith Productions, Player First Games, and WB Games San Diego. The news, first reported by Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier, confirms the cancellation of Monolith’s highly anticipated Wonder Woman game, which was first announced at The Game Awards in 2021.
Monolith Productions, known for the F.E.A.R. series and the acclaimed Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor and Shadow of War, had been working on Wonder Woman using its proprietary Nemesis System.
This innovative mechanic, which made encounters with enemies unique and personal, was a standout feature in the studio’s Middle-earth games. However, with Monolith’s closure, the fate of this technology within Warner Bros.’ portfolio remains uncertain.
In a statement, Warner Bros. Games said the decision is a “strategic change,” emphasizing that the layoffs were not a reflection of the teams’ efforts:
“We want to acknowledge and express our sincere appreciation for the talented teams who have been impacted and their contributions to our games.”
Unfortunately, Monolith wasn’t the only casualty. Player First Games, the studio behind MultiVersus, also shut down despite Warner Bros. previously stating that the game would relaunch in 2024 after an extended hiatus. WB Games San Diego, a support team within the company, was also disbanded.
Looking ahead, Warner Bros. Games claims it will focus more on its core franchises, including DC, Game of Thrones, Harry Potter, and Mortal Kombat. While these IPs are undoubtedly profitable, the closure of Monolith and the loss of a unique Wonder Woman gaming experience is sure to raise concerns about the publisher’s commitment to risk-taking and innovation in gaming.
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