Fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Black Panther are in for a treat, as Electronic Arts has unveiled new details about its highly anticipated video game adaptation of the iconic superhero. According to a recent job listing, the upcoming Black Panther title will feature an open-world structure, marking a departure from the more linear superhero experiences of the past.
The listing, posted by EA’s newly formed Cliffhanger Games studio, seeks a Principal Sandbox Designer who will be “instrumental in designing and populating encounters, systems, and gameplay within a dynamic and evolving open world.” This suggests the game will offer players a vast, immersive playground to explore as the Black Panther, with the potential for the world to change and evolve over the course of the adventure.
Cliffhanger Games is being led by Kevin Stephens, who previously served as the boss of Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment’s Monolith Productions during the development of the acclaimed Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor and Shadow of War titles. Stephens has assembled a veteran team of developers with experience across franchises such as Halo, God of War, and Call of Duty.
“We want our game to enable players to feel what it’s like to be worthy of the Black Panther mantle in unique, story-driven ways, and we want Cliffhanger Games to empower everyone on our team as we collaborate to bring this amazing world to life,” Stephens said in a statement.
The emphasis on creating an “immersive sandbox experience” aligns with EA and Marvel’s vision for the project, which they hope will allow players to fully inhabit the role of the iconic Wakandan hero. By tapping into the open-world design expertise of the Middle-earth games’ developers, the Black Panther title aims to deliver a dynamic, evolving world that captures the essence of the character and his technologically advanced home nation.
While details about the game’s specific storyline and features remain sparse, the job listing suggests that the development team is taking a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to bring the Black Panther universe to life. With a strong pedigree behind the project and the promise of an expansive, ever-changing open world, fans of the superhero can look forward to an immersive and ambitious adventure when the game eventually launches.
