Suicide Squad Dev Rocksteady Reportedly Hit With Layoffs

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Suicide Squad Dev Rocksteady Reportedly Hit With Layoffs

Key Takeaways

  • Rocksteady is facing layoffs after the poor critical and commercial response to Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League.
  • The studio’s QA department has been cut in half over the last month, shrinking from 33 team members to just 15.
  • Previous reports put losses from Suicide Squad somewhere in the $200 million range.

As a seasoned gamer with years of experience under my belt, I must confess that the recent news about Rocksteady Studios and their game Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League has left me a bit disheartened. The studio behind some of the most iconic comic book video games like Batman: Arkham Asylum and Batman: Arkham City is now facing layoffs due to the poor sales and reception of this latest title.

According to recent reports, game developer Rocksteady, known for creating “Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League,” is reportedly undergoing layoffs following the game’s controversial release earlier this year. The game has had difficulty retaining players due to its live-service model, gameplay issues, and lack of an engaging storyline. These challenges have led to disappointing sales for the title, prompting Rocksteady to restructure their operations.

The upcoming video game titled “Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League” is the latest creation from acclaimed game developer Rocksteady, known for hit comic book video games like “Batman: Arkham Asylum” and “Batman: Arkham City.” Unlike their previous games that focused on the Dark Knight, this time around, players will step into the roles of infamous DC villains such as Harley Quinn and King Shark. The game is grand in scale but has faced a mix of critical disappointment, technical issues, and backlash towards its live-service model. Reports suggest that Rocksteady may be facing significant staff reductions due to these challenges.

As stated by Rocksteady Studios to Eurogamer, there have been layoffs at the company. Over the past month, the Quality Assurance (QA) department has been significantly downsized, with the team shrinking from 33 members to only 15. Although several factors might have played a role in this move, the underwhelming sales of ‘Suicide Squad’ are said to be a primary cause for this restructuring. This staff reduction, according to senior management at Rocksteady, could potentially lead to a decrease in product quality, which may jeopardize the future of ‘Suicide Squad’.

Rocksteady Hit with Layoffs After Poor Suicide Squad Sales

Not just entry-level workers, but also long-time employees at Rocksteady are affected by the recent layoffs. In August, Warner Bros.’ gaming division saw a significant 41% drop in revenue, mainly due to the underperformance of “Suicide Squad.” Initial estimates suggested that this game cost the company around $200 million. Although there are future projects for “Suicide Squad” on the horizon, it remains unclear if all of Rocksteady’s planned updates will be released after the studio announced its restructuring.

Launched in January 2024, the video game titled “Suicide Squad” faced immediate criticism upon release, with many commenting on its storyline, cast of characters, graphics, and plans for future content. Although the game showcases elements of Rocksteady’s talent and skill, particularly in its combat system, “Suicide Squad” failed to impress in several aspects, especially when put side by side with the studio’s earlier Arkham games. The mid-season 2 update for “Suicide Squad” was released on August 27, introducing players to a few new gadgets and other enhancements.

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2024-09-02 21:05