When it comes to gaming, Marvel seems to have a stronghold over DC, at least for now. The superhero franchise has numerous upcoming games in the pipeline, some of which remain shrouded in mystery, including the highly anticipated Black Panther game by Cliffhanger Games.
Cliffhanger Games, a new studio under EA, made headlines when it was announced that they were working on a Black Panther game. Similar to EA Motive’s Iron Man game, Cliffhanger only offered a glimpse of the game through a promotional image and hinted that it would be a 'single-player action-adventure' game. While the prospect of a standalone Black Panther game is exciting, the fact that the studio is new leaves much to the imagination.
What Makes EA Cliffhanger's Black Panther Game Unpredictable
Marvel’s Blade, Iron Man’s Developers Give Them Reasonable Presumptions
Other Marvel games, such as Skydance's untitled WW2 game, EA Motive's Iron Man game, and Arkane’s Marvel’s Blade, share a common thread—their developers have previous works that may offer clues about the upcoming games. While it's more challenging to predict Skydance's direction as a relatively new studio, the teaser for their game suggests a realistic period piece, possibly influenced by the expertise of the renowned game director, Amy Hennig.
Similarly, the success of Motive's Dead Space remake hints at the potential direction of their Iron Man game, whereas Arkane has already showcased unique artistic styling in their concept art for Marvel’s Blade, setting it apart with a distinctive feel.
The Unknown Path of EA Cliffhanger’s Black Panther
Cliffhanger Games, being a completely unknown entity, faces the challenge of standing out amongst multiple recent iterations of the Black Panther character. With competition from Skydance's ensemble game featuring Black Panther and Wakanda, creating a unique and authentic experience becomes even more crucial.
While Cliffhanger may not need to compete within the same era as Skydance, it remains a considerable task to stay true to its own original story and iconography and establish a fresh artistic style. As the studio's approach to game design remains a mystery, the anticipation for the unveiling, be it through concept art or a trailer, continues to grow. The absence of a game portfolio may currently be both the studio's strength and weakness, as it leaves their potential and the game's outcome open to speculation.