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الوسم: shuts down

  • EA Cancels Black Panther Game and Closes Developer Studio

    EA Cancels Black Panther Game and Closes Developer Studio

    In an internal communication disclosed to IGN, Electronic Arts announced the cancellation of the forthcoming Black Panther game and the closure of its development studio, Cliffhanger Games. EA Entertainment president Laura Miele conveyed this information to employees along with news of additional layoffs, though the company did not specify how many positions would be affected.

    This marks the third round of layoffs this year, following a previous instance last month that resulted in approximately 300 job losses from Respawn and EA’s Fan Care teams. “These decisions are tough,” Miele stated in her email (as reported by IGN). “They impact individuals we’ve collaborated with, learned from, and created meaningful experiences with. We are committed to supporting them, including helping them find new opportunities within EA, where we have successfully placed individuals in different roles.”

    EA aims to assist employees who are affected by these layoffs by transferring as many as possible to different departments within the organization. Miele’s message indicated that EA is narrowing its focus to a select few franchises—likely its most lucrative properties—which include titles like Battlefield, The Sims, Skate, and Apex Legends. The company, like many others in the gaming sector, has faced challenges due to the recent economic instability and shifting industry trends.

    T'Challa overlooks the capital city of Wakanda in Marvel's Avengers.
    Crystal Dynamics

    Despite the cancellation of the Black Panther game, Miele confirmed that the Iron Man game is still under development at Motive Studios. She also reiterated that a sequel to Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is in the works, and Bioware is actively developing the next entry in the Mass Effect series.

    Details on what the Black Panther game would have entailed remain vague, though EA initially envisioned it as an open-world single-player experience. It was part of a three-game agreement that also included Iron Man and another title that has yet to be disclosed. There is currently no information on whether that undisclosed game will be affected by this decision.

    The gaming industry has seen substantial layoffs throughout 2025, with many of the preceding years showing similar trends. In response to these challenges, employees have come together to form the United Videogame Workers union, aiming to safeguard worker rights and improve overall working conditions.

  • What Happens To TikTok If It Shuts Down This Sunday

    What Happens To TikTok If It Shuts Down This Sunday

    TikTok has encountered numerous controversies over the years, but its ongoing legal issues in the U.S. Supreme Court may significantly impact its availability in America.

    Initially, a ban on TikTok would have prohibited new downloads of the app, while current users could still access videos and upload content for some time. However, recent reports indicate that the app might completely shut down this Sunday, potentially leaving users stranded.

    If the shutdown occurs, all TikTok users in the U.S. will receive a notification upon logging in, directing them to a website detailing the closure. Users will have the option to download their personal data and information, as reported by The Information.

    As the deadline approaches, uncertainty looms about what will transpire. Some speculate that TikTok may receive an extension, while others have claimed that Tesla CEO Elon Musk is negotiating with the app’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, though this rumor has been largely dismissed. Recent discussions have surfaced regarding the “Extend the TikTok Deadline Act,” which could grant TikTok a reprieve of 270 days.

    TikTok app on phone next to cameras.
    Bryan M. Wolfe / Digital Trends

    For many, TikTok represents more than just entertainment; content creators have established thriving careers on the platform. Critics of the ban argue that disabling access not only violates First Amendment rights but also jeopardizes countless virtual businesses.

    The U.S. government’s long-standing discussions about banning TikTok hinged on various “national security” concerns. Recently, a bipartisan bill was passed, granting ByteDance until January 19 to sell TikTok to an American company.

    If the ban is enforced, users might resort to VPNs to access TikTok. However, many have already chosen to transition to other platforms like Lemon8, Pixelfed, and RedNote as a contingency.

  • Concord Studio Closes as Sony Ends Troubled Shooter Project

    Concord Studio Closes as Sony Ends Troubled Shooter Project

    Two characters face off in Concord.
    Firewalk Studios

    Sony has officially announced the discontinuation of Concord and the closure of Firewalk Studios, following a troubled launch that saw the game taken offline after just two weeks of service.

    Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE), which took over Firewalk in 2023, communicated in an email to its staff that it would be shutting down the studio along with mobile developer Neon Koi. The decision aims to “enhance SIE’s Studio Business,” leading to the closure of two studios acquired by Sony within the last two years.

    While CEO Hermen Hulst acknowledged that Concord had several appealing features, he admitted that it failed to meet expectations in the increasingly competitive PvP first-person shooter sector, dominated by titles like Overwatch 2. Hulst emphasized that Sony intends to derive lessons from Concord for future projects, stating, “We have spent considerable time these past few months exploring all our options. After much contemplation, we concluded that the best course of action is to permanently discontinue the game and close the studio. I extend my gratitude to everyone at Firewalk for their craftsmanship, creative spirit, and commitment.”

    Firewalk Studios provided an overview of its achievements via a statement on its social media account, stating that Concord entered full production in 2022, following several years as a burgeoning startup. The studio characterized the game as a “great FPS experience” despite its narrow release in a market already dominated by established competitors.

    “We embraced some risks during development, merging elements of card battlers and fighting games with traditional first-person shooting mechanics,” the studio reflected. “Although some of these elements did not resonate as we anticipated, introducing innovative ideas is essential for the advancement of the medium.”

    Concerning Neon Koi (formerly known as Savage Game Studios), which was reportedly developing a “AAA mobile live-service action game” but had not publicly announced any projects, Hulst noted that the studio’s focus should align with the established standards of PlayStation Studios and aim to reach a broader audience. He confirmed that while Neon Koi was engaged in the development of a mobile action title, it would no longer proceed with that project.

    Hulst assured that SIE would seek to find new opportunities within the company for affected team members. “I recognize that this news is particularly difficult for those who will be saying goodbye to colleagues and friends. Both decisions were made after careful consideration, and we believe they are necessary steps to strengthen our organization,” he stated.

    Concord had a notoriously turbulent launch on PlayStation 5 and PC in August, reaching a peak of only 697 concurrent players on its debut day, as reported by SteamDB. The game’s underwhelming reception and low player count compelled Sony to take it offline just two weeks after its release. Initially, Firewalk Studios’ game director Ryan Ellis planned to investigate potential pathways for the game’s future. However, reports surfaced last month indicating that Ellis had stepped down from his position, with staff members looking into new project proposals thereafter.