In a significant move, Warner Bros. has announced the cancellation of its highly anticipated Wonder Woman game and the closure of three of its development studios: Monolith Productions, Player First Games, and Warner Bros. Games San Diego. The news, first reported by Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier, marks a turning point for the company as it refocuses its gaming strategy.
The shuttering of these studios is indicative of Warner Bros.’s strategic realignment towards optimizing key franchises such as Harry Potter, Mortal Kombat, DC, and Game of Thrones. Spokespeople for the company have indicated that these difficult decisions were made with the intent of ensuring future game development aligns with the company’s core priorities.
Monolith Productions, renowned for its Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor and Shadow of War, was deep into the development of the Wonder Woman game. Its closure signifies a setback for DC universe game enthusiasts. Despite the promise of high-quality gaming experiences, the shifting focus within Warner Bros. has rendered the advancement of this project untenable for the time being.
Player First Games, known for the successfully launched MultiVersus, and Warner Bros. Games San Diego, a studio focused on mobile, free-to-play games, have also been affected by this corporate restructuring. Both studios, though relatively recent additions to the Warner Bros. family, had made impactful contributions to the company’s gaming portfolio.
This move also reflects ongoing trends within the gaming industry, characterized by increasing frequency in project cancellations and workforce reductions. Reports estimate over 10,000 layoffs in 2023, surging to over 14,000 in 2024. Although 2025 continues to witness closures, precise figures remain elusive due to incomplete reporting.
David Haddad’s recent departure from the helm of WB Games has fueled rumors of potential sell-offs, amplifying speculations about further industry-wide ramifications. Meanwhile, James Gunn and Peter Safran have indicated a hiatus in DC universe video games, pointing to a couple of years before the release of new titles.
As Warner Bros. recalibrates, the gaming community, including developers and fans, is left grappling with the implications of these closures. The legacy of Monolith, Player First, and WB San Diego remains, with their contributions being fondly remembered. In this period of transition, the industry is poised to watch Warner Bros.’s next moves as it aims for profitability and growth in its gaming ventures by 2025 and beyond.