Warner Bros. Discovery Inc WBD incurred a substantial $200 million loss following the debut of “Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League” in February, shedding light on the game’s underlying issues.
A recent Bloomberg report delved into the challenges faced by the studio, highlighting its lack of experience in the multiplayer genre and a fluctuating creative direction.
See Also: Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League Fails To Meet Warner Bros.’ ‘Expectations’
“Behind the scenes, according to interviews with nearly two dozen people who requested anonymity because they weren't authorized to speak to the press, the development of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League was a tumultuous affair, plagued by countless delays,” the Bloomberg report says.
And adds: “The game failed for a number of reasons, said the people, including a constantly shifting vision, a culture of rigid perfectionism and a genre pivot that was ill-suited for the studio.”
Inside Rocksteady’s Struggles With “Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League”
Rocksteady, the UK-based studio under Warner Bros. Discovery, embarked on the development of “Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League” in 2016. However, many new Rocksteady hires were unaware that the project was a multiplayer game, causing a significant exodus from the studio.
Throughout development, Rocksteady’s leadership reportedly altered the game’s concept multiple times, shifting from melee combat to heavy gunplay. The studio struggled to address the repetitive nature of battles, levels, and bosses, crucial issues in live-service titles.
The departure of Rocksteady’s co-founders, Sefton Hill and Jamie Walker, in 2022 further complicated matters, delaying the game’s release.
During Warner Bros. Discovery’s earnings call in May, CEO David Zaslav acknowledged the game’s disappointing performance, revealing the substantial financial loss incurred.
The gaming industry faces mounting financial pressures, with layoffs affecting thousands. While some studios turn to live-service games for consistent revenue streams, this strategy proved detrimental for Warner Bros. Discovery.
In response to the setback, Rocksteady has shifted focus to a director’s cut of “Hogwarts Legacy” and potentially another single-player title, pivoting away from the troubled multiplayer venture.
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