Game Studio Experiences Downsizing as 'Suicide Squad' Struggles

Rocksteady Faces Further Layoffs Following Suicide Squad's Underperformance

Rocksteady Studios, renowned for the acclaimed Batman: Arkham series, has announced another round 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 led to significant staff reductions.

The studio's struggles began earlier in 2024, when Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, a Batman Arkham spin-off, received a less-than-stellar reception. The game's post-launch content further fueled criticism, ultimately leading Rocksteady to halt further development and announce a final update in January.

Warner Bros. confirmed in February that Suicide Squad's sales fell short of expectations. This news preceded substantial layoffs within Rocksteady's QA department in September, reducing its workforce by approximately half.

Unfortunately, these cuts weren't isolated. Recent reports from Eurogamer indicate further layoffs impacting Rocksteady's programming and art teams at the end of 2024. Several anonymous employees confirmed their dismissals, highlighting the ongoing impact of the game's commercial failure. Warner Bros. remains silent on these recent developments, mirroring their response to the earlier layoffs.

Ripple Effect Across WB Games

The fallout from Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League's underperformance extends beyond Rocksteady. WB Games Montreal, the studio behind Batman: Arkham Origins and Gotham Knights, also experienced layoffs in December, primarily affecting QA staff who supported Suicide Squad's post-launch DLC.

The final DLC, released on December 10th, introduced Deathstroke as a playable character. While Rocksteady plans one last update for Suicide Squad later this month, the studio's future remains uncertain. The game's poor performance casts a shadow over Rocksteady's impressive track record, underscoring the significant financial and personnel consequences of the live-service title's failure.