Electronic Arts (EA) recently announced its foray into the superhero gaming market with the new Black Panther game. This venture comes amidst a wave of superhero games in an industry that has been historically challenging to crack.
While Hollywood has seen immense success with superhero movies, translating that success to the gaming realm has proven to be more difficult, despite Sony’s success with Spider-Man games. Therefore, it’s quite an important responsibility for the developer of the new Black Panther game to come up with a decent world.
Who will develop the new Black Panther game?
EA’s new Black Panther game is being developed by Cliffhanger Games, a new studio based in Seattle. Led by industry veterans from Warner Bros.-owned Monolith Productions, the team aims to create a third-person, single-player adventure set in an expansive and reactive world. Although the project has been in development for over a year, few details have been revealed, including the platforms and release timeframe.
EA’s commitment to the superhero genre extends beyond Black Panther, as the company has signed deals to develop two other Marvel games, including a single-player Iron Man adventure. Additionally, Monolith Productions, the former studio of Cliffhanger’s leaders, announced a Wonder Woman game in 2021. The highly anticipated Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 from Sony-owned Insomniac Games and an upcoming Wolverine game further demonstrate the industry’s interest in superhero titles.
However, recent history has shown that creating successful superhero games is no easy task. Rocksteady Studios, known for its critically acclaimed Batman games, has faced challenges in developing a game based on DC’s Suicide Squad, experiencing delays and significant staff turnover. In addition, Marvel announced it canceled an open-world Iron Man game last August, depicting the difficulty of superhero video games.
In the announcement, Kevin Stephens from Monolith Productions states:
“We want our game to enable players to feel what it’s like to be worthy of the Black Panther mantle in unique, story-driven ways, and we want Cliffhanger Games to empower everyone on our team as we collaborate to bring this amazing world to life.”
Crystal Dynamics’ Marvel’s Avengers, following the popular loot-driven gameplay model, received mixed reviews and fell short of commercial expectations. Even the well-received Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy from Eidos Montreal failed to meet publisher expectations. These struggles underscore the difficulties of replicating success in the superhero game genre.
Which comics could the new Black Panther game be inspired from?
There are several different comics that the new Black Panther game could be inspired from, each of which could change the landscape of the game drastically. You might be familiar with a few of them if you are a dedicated Marvel fan, and you can check them out right below.
Who Is the Black Panther?
“Who Is the Black Panther?” is a graphic novel written by Reginald Hudlin and illustrated by John Romita Jr. It serves as a notable starting point for readers interested in Marvel’s Black Panther comics and could potentially influence EA’s Black Panther game. The story revolves around the conflict between Wakanda and various Marvel villains who seek to exploit Wakanda’s valuable resource, vibranium.
Black Panther, also known as T’Challa, emerges as the defender of his homeland and faces off against formidable adversaries such as Rhino, Black Knight, Radioactive Man, and his arch-nemesis, Ulysses Klaw. This storyline could provide the game with opportunities for epic boss battles and showcases the heroism of T’Challa while protecting Wakanda. Additionally, “Who Is the Black Panther?” introduces T’Challa’s younger sister, Shuri, who has become an integral part of the Black Panther franchise.
Panther’s Rage
Considered a prototypical Black Panther story, “Panther’s Rage” holds significant importance in the character’s history. It is a Marvel Comics storyline that showcases T’Challa’s first major solo adventure and sets the foundation for many elements that define the Black Panther franchise. The narrative is structured as a true graphic novel, with individual chapters contributing to an overarching story.
In “Panther’s Rage,” T’Challa faces off against Killmonger, one of his greatest adversaries. This storyline explores the conflicts and challenges T’Challa encounters as he attempts to unify the tribes of Wakanda. As EA’s Black Panther game appears to revolve around T’Challa’s mission to rally his kingdom, “Panther’s Rage” provides a rich source of inspiration for its plot.
Marvel Knights: Black Panther
“Marvel Knights: Black Panther” is a comic book series that had a significant impact on shaping T’Challa’s character. Written by Christopher Priest, the series spans approximately 60 issues and modernizes the Black Panther mythos. It portrays T’Challa as a monarch first and a hero second, often at odds with the Avengers and the superhero community. “Marvel Knights: Black Panther” introduces important elements such as the Dora Milaje (T’Challa’s fanatical bodyguards) and notable villains like Achebe and Malice.
The series also features Everett K. Ross, an American bureaucrat who provides a grounded perspective in a story about a larger-than-life king. The game developers could draw inspiration from this series to explore the complexities of T’Challa’s role as a ruler and a hero, as well as incorporate supporting characters and themes of political conflict.
See Wakanda and Die
“See Wakanda and Die” is a well-loved storyline that connects to the larger Secret Invasion crossover event from 2008. In this story, as the Skrulls attempt to conquer Earth, they target the seemingly insignificant nation of Wakanda. However, they quickly discover why Wakanda has never been successfully invaded throughout history.
While the Skrulls might not necessarily serve as the main villains in the game, this storyline provides inspiration for the game’s overall tone and action-oriented approach. The narrative showcases the resilience of Wakanda and the imposing and mysterious nature of Black Panther as he defends his homeland against formidable foes. The incorporation of the Skrulls or similar threats would add high stakes and intense battles to the game.
Doomwar
“Doomwar” centers around one of the most iconic Marvel villains, Doctor Doom. This crossover event, in which the X-Men and Fantastic Four assist in defending Wakanda, highlights the potential for high stakes and conflict. The story revolves around Doctor Doom’s attempt to seize Wakanda’s invaluable vibranium supply, posing a significant threat to the nation.
With Doom’s army of Doombots and his complicated relationship with T’Challa, the game could explore a thrilling battle against one of Marvel’s most notorious antagonists. Additionally, “Doomwar” features both T’Challa and his sister Shuri as Black Panthers, allowing the game developers the opportunity to incorporate a similar dynamic, allowing players to control both characters.
A Nation Under Our Feet
“A Nation Under Our Feet” is a storyline that revitalized the Black Panther franchise when author Ta-Nehisi Coates took the helm in 2016. This dramatic narrative explores Wakanda’s struggle with revolution and internal unrest, fueled by the terrorist group known as The People and dissent within T’Challa’s own Dora Milaje. The story delves into themes of democracy, independence, and the burden of leadership. As the Black Panther game aims to unite the tribes of Wakanda, “A Nation Under Our Feet” provides a compelling source of inspiration.
The storyline’s sweeping scope and focus on T’Challa’s quest to lead his people while grappling with the idea of one person representing an entire nation could influence the game’s narrative direction. Furthermore, the transformation of Shuri’s character and her expanded role in the storyline offers an opportunity for the game developers to incorporate her as a significant character in the game.
Although there aren’t many details about the future aspects of the game, it is still quite enough to be excited about it. The new Black Panther game will have to meet the building hype or face a significant backlash when it comes out, as it currently seems.
Featured Image: Image via EA
