The highly anticipated "Black Panther" game, developed by EA's Cliffhanger Games, has reportedly been canceled, leading to the leak of previously unrevealed plot details and concept art.
According to leaks shared by X (formerly Twitter) user @notfunEman, the game's protagonist was not the familiar T’Challa, but rather his son, Azari. The game was reportedly featured in an EA survey, which indicated that players would embark on an adventure as Azari.
The story was set to open with Azari engaging in a traditional ritual combat with his father. However, the ceremony would be abruptly interrupted by an invasion of Wakanda by the alien Skrulls, who would then abduct T’Challa. This pivotal event would shift the narrative into a journey combining a national crisis with a personal quest of familial choice.
▼Azari, the son of T’Challa and Storm in Marvel Comics, first appeared in the animated film "Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow". He inherited both his parents' lineage, possessing not only the combat skills and agility of a Wakandan warrior but also the mutant ability to control electricity. This combination symbolized the legacy of the Black Panther and the emergence of a new era of power. 
@notfunEman also released several pieces of concept art, showcasing Wakandan landscapes and character designs, though EA has not officially commented on these leaks.
The "Black Panther" project had been in development for several years at Cliffhanger Games, a studio led by Kevin Stephens, who previously worked on "Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor" and "Middle-earth: Shadow of War". Stephens had stated that the team was dedicated to creating a game where players could "experience the value of being Black Panther in a unique, story-driven way," emphasizing the development team's creative freedom and world-building.
However, EA officially announced the closure of Cliffhanger Games this week, effectively terminating the "Black Panther" project. According to IGN, EA is attempting to assist affected employees in transferring to other departments within the company.
Furthermore, EA plans another round of layoffs impacting its mobile and central operations teams. This follows a separate wave of layoffs last month, which affected 300 to 400 employees, including approximately 100 staff members at "Apex Legends" developer Respawn Entertainment.
While EA has yet to officially disclose details about the game's content, the cancellation means fans will miss out on a distinctive "Black Panther" story, and the concept of playing as Azari against the Skrulls may now remain a hidden chapter in development history.
via： VGC