Rocksteady Suffers Further Layoffs Following Suicide Squad's Underperformance
Rocksteady Studios, renowned for the acclaimed Batman: Arkham series, has experienced another wave of layoffs, following the disappointing performance of its latest title, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. The game's mixed reception and underperforming sales have reportedly resulted in significant staff reductions.
Initial layoffs in September targeted the QA department, cutting its workforce by approximately 50%. This latest round of job cuts, reported by Eurogamer, extends to the programming and art teams, occurring just before the release of the game's final update in January. Several anonymous employees confirmed their termination to Eurogamer, highlighting the impact on various departments. Warner Bros. has yet to publicly address these recent layoffs, mirroring their silence on the September reductions.
The financial implications of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League's underperformance are substantial for both Rocksteady and its parent company, WB Games. Warner Bros. previously acknowledged the game's failure to meet sales expectations. The subsequent layoffs underscore the game's negative impact on the studio's workforce.
Ripple Effect Across WB Games
The fallout from Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League's poor reception isn't limited to Rocksteady. WB Games Montreal, the studio behind Batman: Arkham Origins and Gotham Knights, also announced layoffs in December, reportedly affecting QA staff who contributed to Suicide Squad's post-launch content. The final DLC, released on December 10th, introduced Deathstroke as a playable character.
With the final update for Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League imminent, the future of Rocksteady remains uncertain. The game's underperformance casts a shadow on the studio's otherwise impressive track record, leaving a significant impact on its employees and its future projects.
