DC is currently facing some significant challenges, possibly more substantial than any they’ve encountered before. Recent efforts, like Gotham Knights and Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, didn’t hit the mark commercially. Making matters worse, Monolith’s much-anticipated Wonder Woman game has been scrapped. DC seems to be at a crossroads, searching for a path forward. Fortunately, it appears the new leadership team, James Gunn and Peter Safran, are open to exploring fresh possibilities.
They’ve been rumored to be in talks with NetherRealm and Rocksteady about the potential for new DC video games. Gunn and Safran even suggested they’d consider the concept of a DC version of Marvel Rivals. This could offer a way out of their current predicament. Another promising direction might be inspired by a future Marvel project.
In July 2023, EA introduced a newly minted AAA studio, Cliffhanger Games, with an ambitious first assignment: a Black Panther game. While the game is set to be a third-person, narrative-driven adventure, detailed specifics are scant. However, since the announcement, a number of leaks have trickled out. Recently, on Twitter, a leaker known as TheGhostOfHope spilled some beans regarding the Black Panther game. The rumors suggest players will have the liberty to select who inherits the Black Panther mantle, with options like T’Challa, M’Baku, Shuri, Killmonger, and more, each equipped with distinct weapons, armor, and gadgets.
Moreover, these leaks hinted at an over-the-shoulder view and a branching storyline reacting to player decisions with unique missions. There’s also speculation about Cliffhanger’s dedication to authentically integrating African martial arts with superpowers and advanced technology.
The potential of such a narrative choice isn’t common in video games despite being seen often in comic books. Typically, when hero mantles change hands, these decisions aren’t left to players. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, for instance, concludes with Miles Morales stepping into the main superhero role while Peter Parker takes a hiatus, a narrative choice set in stone by the developers.
If Cliffhanger’s Black Panther allows players to choose who dons the suit, it could usher in a paradigm shift in superhero games. DC could certainly embrace this model with its own iconic characters. Imagine a Green Lantern game where players decide between Hal Jordan, Guy Gardner, Kyle Rayner, or John Stewart. Or picture a Flash game with a choice between Wally West, Barry Allen, and Jay Garrick. Such gameplay could offer a deep dive into DC’s rich history unlike anything before.
Each hero can bring their own distinct abilities, ways of moving through the game, and dynamic relationships, providing a refreshing and potentially revolutionary experience. While developing unique, fleshed-out characters demands a significant effort, this bold approach might just be what DC needs to rejuvenate its presence in the gaming world.
