Rocksteady Studios, the developer behind the Batman: Arkham series, has reportedly undergone significant layoffs following the disappointing performance of Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League. According to sources, multiple departments within the studio were affected, with the QA (Quality Assurance) team being hit the hardest—its numbers reportedly reduced from 33 to just 15 members.
These layoffs appear to be a direct consequence of Suicide Squad’s poor reception and sales, which failed to meet expectations upon its release in February 2024. The game was criticized for its live service elements and lackluster gameplay, which contributed to its underperformance. This failure came as a sharp contrast to the previous year’s success of Hogwarts Legacy, which also launched under Warner Bros. and set a high benchmark.
The restructuring at Rocksteady reflects broader financial challenges within Warner Bros.’s Studios division, which reported a $200 million loss in Q1 2024, with Suicide Squad cited as a significant contributing factor. The decline in games revenue by 41% in the following quarter further highlighted the impact of the game’s struggles.
In addition to the layoffs, reports have surfaced about development issues during Suicide Squad’s production, including frequent changes in the game’s vision, perfectionist leadership, and Rocksteady’s inexperience with multiplayer and live service models. These challenges compounded the game’s difficulties, ultimately leading to the current situation at the studio.
The situation remains fluid, and while Rocksteady and its parent company Warner Bros. have yet to comment on the layoffs, the news underscores the significant impact that a single title’s performance can have on a development studio’s future.
