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WB Games closes three studios, cancels Wonder Woman game

By

Jackson Luken

·

on WB Games closes three studios, cancels Wonder Woman game
Wonder Woman - Game - Announcement - Featured - 01

According to an email sent to employees by Warner Bros. Discovery CEO and president of streaming and games JB Perrette, three game development studios will be shuttered. These include Monolith Productions (Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor), Player First Games (MultiVersus), and WB Games San Diego which had been developing a "AAA, free-to-play, cross-platform game". As part of these closings, the Wonder Woman game long in development by Monolith Productions is also cancelled.

According to the email, Perrette attributes the decision to a “disappointing 2024” after a series of commercial failures such as Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League and MultiVersus. Instead, WB Games plans to "repurpose" their talent into four reliable franchises: Harry Potter, Mortal Kombat, Game of Thrones, and "primarily Batman" with more DC Comics properties to be included as the DCU evolves. There will also be a greater focus on mobile games over big budget projects.

The email acknowledges the disappointment from both fans and investors over the recent video game titles. It's with that in mind that the hope is these changes will course correct for the studio as a whole. Perrette closes by promising both higher quality games and a greater financial return "one fiscal quarter at a time".

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This is an archive of Batman-News.com from 2010 to 2025. For the latest news, check out BatmanNews.com

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  1. Jobs248 Avatar
    Jobs248

    Shocked Pikachu face

  2. Robin MB Avatar
    Robin MB

    I knew that WW game was canned. WB Games are a mess right now https://uploads.disquscdn.c...

    1. Mr Smith1466 Avatar
      Mr Smith1466

      The game was struggling due to development issues.

  3. Kaingerc Avatar
    Kaingerc

    At least they patented the Nemesis system... that's an "accomplishment", right?!

    1. Jobs248 Avatar
      Jobs248

      😭😭 thats such a waste, such a great system...to be locked down after use in one game.

    2. Mr Smith1466 Avatar
      Mr Smith1466

      The system doesn't translate. It's literally tied to mordor mythology.

      1. Kaingerc Avatar
        Kaingerc

        no it isn't,
        it just means that there is a bunch of enemies whose future reactions or state respond to previous interactions with you (you maimed them, ran away from them, etc...)

        The problem was is that I think they tried to force it into some kind of 'Friendship' system between Wonder Woman and her enemies in the game they were designing (something that I doubt anyone could make into a compelling action game)

        1. Mr Smith1466 Avatar
          Mr Smith1466

          The nemesis system is built around two things: the failure of the players not being the narrative end, and the concept of an enemy faction organising themselves into a hierarchy based purely around who got the last killing blow.

          So how do you translate that to something like wonder woman?

          The point of the nemesis system was to not just make it a cheap gimmick. A cheap gimmick like "they remember you if you hit them and then ran away" but to heavily tie an entire organisational structure that you the player can be a part of or manipulate to your own ends.

          A major aspect of the nemesis system was the ability to enslave an underling and control their ascent up the chain, until you activate them as a sleeper agent. I would really love to see how you would justify Wonder woman deciding to enslave a being to her own ends.

          While you're at it, name for me an organisational structured wonder woman faction comparable to orcs that would narrative support this system.

          The friendship system was an intriguing use of the nemesis system. Because it was actually tied to the character. Though it's no surprise why that version of the game collapsed.

          1. Kaingerc Avatar
            Kaingercreplying to Mr Smith1466

            my point was that it wasn't necessarily something you could ONLY do with a "mordor" game (or even just Lord of the Rings in general), like you said.
            but it would really stretch the imagination how you could apply it to a Wonder Woman game

          2. Mr Smith1466 Avatar
            Mr Smith1466replying to Kaingerc

            The nemesis system exists at all because monolith looked at the LOTR IP and dreamed up a unique gameplay element that slots into the pre-existing narratives.

            They didn't come up with the system, and then try to jam it into a game.

            This is the critical reason you haven't seen the nemesis system since. You should never start with a gameplay element and then retrofit the work around it. You should create gameplay that naturally lends itself to the narrative.

            Wonder woman doesn't remotely make sense for the nemesis system. Or a version of it. But people like you expected it, purely because monolith was involved, so they wasted years and insane money trying to satisfy people like you, and then the project died off and took the studio with it. Congratulations.

            Look at the IP you have and then dream up gameplay around it that makes consistent sense.

          3. Kaingerc Avatar
            Kaingercreplying to Mr Smith1466

            "But people like you expected it"
            Where have I said that?!

            I said that I've heard that THEY tried to unsuccessfuly build the Wonder Woman game around it (and failed)
            Obviously you shouldn't just try to force a somewhat popular game mechanic into a game if it doesn't fit.

          4. Mr Smith1466 Avatar
            Mr Smith1466replying to Kaingerc

            They should have never tried at all with nemesis. Because like I said at the start, it's a system designed for one specific type of narrative and that's LOTR.

            More than just "you shouldn't try to force a mechanic" it's "you as a person should understand that the system doesn't work in other games, and take on board why that is".

  4. Sara Avatar
    Sara

    "Primarily Batman" could be DC's corporate motto.

    Have they ever tried releasing a Mario Kart knock-off with DC character? That's almost the only kind of game I actually like (as opposed to things I'll play on my phone to kill time while waiting for a phone call). I'd also play a stupid fighting game. Just let me play as Red Hood. If it's the usual main seven main JL members, plus Joker, Harley, and Lex, then I don't care.

    1. Jackson Luken Avatar
      Jackson Luken

      If all you want is Red Hood in a dumb fighting game, then Injustice 2 should get you what you need.

      1. Sara Avatar
        Sara

        Well, I was thinking of mobile games. I should've been clearer about that. I can't afford a new PC and have no real use for a console.

        I just want a low-effort distraction when I'm stuck in a waiting room or something.

        1. Jackson Luken Avatar
          Jackson Luken

          They actually released a mobile version if you're willing to tolerate some free-to-play features and monetization.

          1. Sara Avatar
            Sarareplying to Jackson Luken

            I did not know about that. That's actually kind of tempting. My phone is a piece of crap, but it might be worth a try. Thanks for the heads up!

    2. Robin MB Avatar
      Robin MB

      I'm now imagining Red Hood driving on a go-kart throwing shells

      1. Sara Avatar
        Sara

        It is commonly forgotten that when Jason first appeared as Red Hood, his helmets exploded like the Headless Horseman's jack-o'-lanterns. (Which seems like a terrible design choice to me, but sort of appropriate for Jason's headspace at the time.) So that's what I want. A Red Hood in a go-kart throwing exploding helmets.

  5. Kerk Lastnameless Avatar
    Kerk Lastnameless

    I'm just waiting on the sidelines for the inevitable bankruptcy of WB, or whatever the company is called now. Gunn won't save this sinking ship.

  6. Papa Grande ( formerly deevo) Avatar
    Papa Grande ( formerly deevo)

    Man, I thought Harley and the Suicide Squad would have turned it all around.

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This is an archive of Batman-News.com from 2010 to 2025. For the latest news, check out BatmanNews.com