Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) has announced the closure of three of its game development studios: Monolith Productions, Player First Games, and Warner Bros. Games San Diego. This decision also includes the cancellation of the highly anticipated ‘Wonder Woman’ game, which was under development by Monolith Productions.

Strategic Restructuring Amid Financial Challenges

The closures come as part of WBD’s strategic restructuring aimed at enhancing profitability. The company has faced substantial financial losses, including a $335 million impairment charge in its gaming division due to underperforming titles. Notably, recent releases such as ‘Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League’ did not meet sales expectations, contributing to the financial strain.

In an official statement, WBD emphasized that the decision to close these studios and cancel the ‘Wonder Woman’ project was strategic and not a reflection of the talent within the teams. The company plans to focus its resources on core franchises, including Harry Potter, Mortal Kombat, DC (with a primary focus on Batman), and Game of Thrones.

Impact on the Gaming Community

Monolith Productions, renowned for titles like ‘Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor’ and ‘Shadow of War,’ was developing the ‘Wonder Woman’ game announced in 2021. The cancellation of this project has disappointed fans eagerly awaiting its release. Player First Games, the developer behind ‘MultiVersus,’ and Warner Bros. Games San Diego are also affected by the closures.

Despite these setbacks, WBD experienced success with ‘Hogwarts Legacy’ in 2023, which has led to the development of a definitive version with additional content. This indicates the company’s intent to concentrate on its most successful franchises moving forward.