Rocksteady Studios, renowned for its acclaimed Batman: Arkham series, has reportedly undergone layoffs following the disappointing reception of its latest title, ‘Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League’. According to Eurogamer, the studio’s quality assurance (QA) team has been significantly impacted, with 18 out of 33 members losing their positions.
This staff reduction is directly linked to the underwhelming sales of ‘Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League,’ which has reportedly cost Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. a substantial $200 million in lost revenue. Sources within Rocksteady have revealed that the layoffs have affected both junior and senior team members, including some who had dedicated over five years to the studio.
Rocksteady management has acknowledged that the layoffs will inevitably impact the quality of future projects. The remaining QA staff are now burdened with upholding the same high standards previously maintained by a team twice its size.
‘Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League’ was launched in January 2024 as a live-service game, featuring popular DC characters like Harley Quinn and Deadshot. However, the game encountered numerous challenges from the start. Early access players, who paid extra for early gameplay, were abruptly kicked out within an hour due to a bug, generating widespread frustration.
This was only the beginning of the game’s struggles. Despite an engaging storyline, ‘Suicide Squad’ faced widespread criticism for its repetitive gameplay and lackluster overall experience. The negative reception and disappointing sales led Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav to label the game a significant disappointment.
As of now, Warner Bros. Discovery has not commented on the layoffs or provided any official statement regarding the future of Rocksteady Studios. This news marks a significant setback for the studio known for its high-quality productions, raising concerns about its future trajectory.
