Los Angeles, California – Warner Bros Games has announced a significant shift in its strategic direction by canceling the development of a planned Wonder Woman game and closing down three development studios. The decision was confirmed by the Warner Bros Discovery division in a statement released on Tuesday.
The company cited the need to focus its resources on building the best gaming experiences for key franchises such as Harry Potter, Mortal Kombat, DC, and Game of Thrones as the reason behind the changes. Among the three studios being closed are Monolith Productions, Player First Games, and Warner Bros Games San Diego.
Monolith Productions, which was working on the Wonder Woman game, will no longer be moving forward with the project. The division explained that the decision was part of a strategic change in direction and not a reflection on the talent within the affected teams.
Acknowledging the contributions of the affected employees, the statement highlighted the challenges faced in the decision-making process. The company expressed its commitment to producing high-quality games for dedicated fans through its world-class studios.
Following the successful release of Hogwarts Legacy in 2023, Warner Bros Games has faced difficulties in the gaming space. The company recently announced the departure of David Haddad, who served as president for 12 years, adding to the challenges the division has been experiencing.
With an eye on profitability and growth, CEO David Zaslav emphasized the need for more consistent performance during an earnings call with analysts last year. The company acknowledged the importance of its intellectual property and expressed openness to potential partnerships in the gaming industry.
As Warner Bros Discovery gears up to report its fourth-quarter earnings, the closures of several game studios mark a significant shift in the company’s gaming strategy. The decision to focus on key franchises reflects a broader trend in the industry where companies are reassessing their development approaches to navigate the competitive gaming landscape.