Suicide Squad: Mass Layoffs Hit Game Studio

Rocksteady Faces Further Layoffs Following Suicide Squad's Underwhelming Performance

Rocksteady Studios, renowned for the critically acclaimed Batman: Arkham series, has announced additional layoffs following the disappointing sales of their latest title, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. This follows earlier cuts to the QA team in September, attributed to the game's underperformance.

The latest round of job losses impacts Rocksteady's programming and art departments, occurring just before the release of the game's final update. The game's mixed reception and divisive post-launch content contributed to its failure to meet sales expectations, as reported by Warner Bros. in February. The initial September layoffs halved the QA department's size, reducing staff from 33 to 15.

According to Eurogamer, several employees from various departments, including additional QA staff, programmers, and artists, have been affected by the recent cuts. While the affected employees chose to remain anonymous, their accounts highlight the significant impact of the game's commercial failure on the studio. Warner Bros. has yet to officially comment on these latest layoffs, mirroring their silence following the September reductions.

Ripple Effect Across WB Games

The consequences of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League's poor performance extend beyond Rocksteady. WB Games Montreal, the studio behind Batman: Arkham Origins and Gotham Knights, also experienced layoffs in December, largely affecting quality assurance personnel who supported Rocksteady's post-launch DLC development.

The final DLC, released December 10th, introduced Deathstroke as the fourth playable character. While a final update is planned for later this month, the studio's future remains uncertain. The game's underperformance casts a shadow on Rocksteady's impressive track record, highlighting the risks associated with live service titles.