EA, the renowned game publisher, has officially confirmed its collaboration with Marvel to develop a single-player game centered around the Black Panther. In a tweet, EA revealed that their newly established Seattle-based studio, Cliffhanger Games, is working on an original story-driven game that explores the world of Wakanda. The project is being led by Kevin Stephens, known for his role as the studio head at Monolith Productions during the development of Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor. The game, initially known as ‘Project Rainier,’ is part of EA’s partnership with Marvel, aiming to produce at least three new games. While the Black Panther game is still in the early stages of development, no release window has been provided.
Kevin Stephens expressed his dedication to delivering an immersive Black Panther experience in a blog post, emphasizing player agency and control over the narrative. The goal is to create an epic world for players to explore, granting them a deep connection with Black Panther and the captivating universe of Wakanda. Though the announcement does not mention the term ‘open-world,’ the description of the game as a “sandbox” suggests a focus on exploration and freedom, similar to the Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order game. Cliffhanger Games is currently assembling its team and has posted job listings on its official website for interested candidates.
While no specific details have been revealed, games journalist Jeff Grubb previously speculated that the game’s premise would be set after the death of the Black Panther, with players undertaking trials and challenges to become the next incarnation and ruler of Wakanda. However, it is important to note that the timeline and story direction remain unknown. In the comics, Wakanda was ruled by King T’Chaka before his son T’Challa assumed the mantle of the Black Panther. Therefore, the game could potentially explore an origin story for the character. However, this is purely speculative at this stage.
The Black Panther game is the second of three projects being developed by EA in collaboration with Marvel. One game is yet to be announced, while the other is an Iron Man title being created by EA Motive, the Montreal-based studio known for their work on the Dead Space remake. Marvel has been actively expanding its presence in the gaming industry, with partnerships involving prominent studios such as Insomniac Games, who developed Spider-Man and the upcoming Wolverine title. Additionally, Amy Hennig’s studio, SkyDance Media, is leading the development of an untitled World War II game featuring Captain America and Black Panther.
While the release date for the Black Panther game has not been disclosed, it is expected to be available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series S/X. Fans eagerly anticipate the opportunity to explore the world of Wakanda and experience a definitive Black Panther gaming experience.
