Electronic Arts (EA) first announced the development of a Black Panther game adaptation back in mid-2023. However, since then, information about the project has been scarce. A recent job listing on the EA website sheds some light on what fans can expect from the upcoming adventure.
The job listing is for a Principal Sandbox Designer to work with Cliffhanger Games on the project. Cliffhanger Games is described as the studio “pioneering next-generation emergent storytelling beginning with Marvel’s Black Panther.” The listing states that the ideal candidate should have the skills to design, prototype, and implement AI systems, encounters, and gameplay mechanics that contribute to a rich sandbox environment. Specifically, they should work closely with the AI engineering team to create sophisticated AI behaviors that enhance the open-world experience, from urban crowds to wildlife ecosystems.
Interestingly, this job listing is the first instance of EA’s Black Panther game being referred to as an open-world experience. Previously, it was only described as an “original, single-player action-adventure game exploring the world of Wakanda.” Kevin Stephens, the game lead, expressed that the goal is to deliver fans a definitive and authentic Black Panther experience, providing them with more agency and control over their narrative than ever before in a story-driven video game. He emphasized that Wakanda is a rich Super Hero sandbox, and the team’s mission is to develop an epic world for players who love Black Panther and want to explore the world of Wakanda.
Given Wakanda’s rich setting and Black Panther’s deep ties to the country in Marvel Comics source material, it makes sense for the upcoming game adaptation to be set in an open world. Wakanda has rarely been showcased in this manner in previous adaptations, so this game presents an exciting opportunity for players to explore a novel, multi-layered land that holds significant importance in the Marvel mythos. With the promise of a sophisticated AI system and a focus on emergent storytelling, the game has the potential to offer a truly immersive and dynamic experience for fans of the Black Panther franchise.
The new details revealed through the job listing hint at an ambitious and groundbreaking approach to the Black Panther game adaptation. Fans can look forward to a game that not only explores the world of Wakanda in depth but also offers them unprecedented agency and control over the narrative. As development progresses, it will be interesting to see how EA and Cliffhanger Games bring this vision to life and deliver an unforgettable gaming experience for Black Panther enthusiasts.
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