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 their latest title, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. The game's mixed reception and underwhelming sales have significantly impacted the studio.

The initial wave of layoffs in September targeted the QA team, reducing its size by approximately half. This latest round of job cuts, however, extends to Rocksteady's programming and art departments, occurring just before the release of the game's final update. Several affected employees, speaking anonymously to Eurogamer, confirmed the recent dismissals. Warner Bros. remains silent on the matter, mirroring their response to the earlier cuts.

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League's financial underperformance, reported by Warner Bros. in February, has clearly had lasting consequences. The game's costly development and subsequent poor sales have resulted in these significant staff reductions.

The ripple effect extends beyond Rocksteady. WB Games Montreal, the studio behind Gotham Knights, also experienced layoffs in December, primarily affecting QA personnel who supported Suicide Squad's post-launch content. The final DLC, featuring Deathstroke, launched December 10th. With one final update planned for later this month, Rocksteady's future projects remain uncertain.

The underperformance of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League casts a shadow over Rocksteady's impressive track record. The substantial layoffs serve as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by even established studios in the competitive video game landscape.