In a bit of a surprise, Rocksteady, known for its work on the Batman: Arkham series, has pivoted from providing support to its live-service Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League game to helping with the director’s cut of Hogwarts Legacy.
This move has left fans of the studio with mixed feelings, as they wonder what’s next for the developer and if it will be relegated to being a support studio.
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League Became a Commercial Flop
Suicide Squad was supposed to be the studio’s big return after its success with the Batman games. Fans were super excited to see how it’d handle a game where you play as the villains in the form of the beloved Task Force X, especially since it’s set in the same universe as the Arkham games. However, development issues and delays plagued the project, raising concerns even before the full release.
The game was released earlier this year to mixed and negative reviews and a dwindling player base. WB announced that the game had severely failed to meet expectations, resulting in around a $200 million loss.
Amid these troubles, news broke that the studio is now lending its expertise to a different project entirely. According to a report by Bloomberg about what went on during the development of the game, it’s been revealed that the developer is assisting with a director’s cut of Hogwarts Legacy, last year’s hit game set in the Harry Potter universe. This shift has left many wondering if Kill the Justice League is finally dead.
Fan Reactions and Speculations to the Reveal
Fans have had strong reactions to this news. Many are disappointed and frustrated, feeling like the studio is abandoning the DC game after so much hype and almost nine years in development. On social media and forums, some are expressing their anger, saying that this change feels like a betrayal and that the studio should continue building upon and supporting the game in order to revive it.
What’s the point in buying games day one these days when they release broken and your not getting the full experience as a year or 2 down the line they’re actually finished, patched and get all the content 🤦🏼
— Captain Chats (@CaptainChats) June 6, 2024
Other fans are hopeful that the studio can return to its roots with a new great single-player experience. The report also mentioned that the studio leaders are getting ready to pitch a new game.
On the flip side, fans of Legacy are thrilled. The game was a huge success, but some felt it could use more content and polish.
That's weird. Why not…. make the sequel?
— FErgersonn THE GREAT (@awsomeboy360) June 6, 2024
The studio’s involvement in the director’s cut could be seen as a promise of quality and exciting new additions.
As of now, Legacy has no plans for big expansions, but the director’s cut could bring new life to the game. This enhanced version might include new features, QoL changes, fresh gear and outfits, and maybe even new quests. It might also possibly include some of the cut content that fans have been curious about.
Meanwhile, the future of Kill the Justice League remains uncertain. There is likely a very small team working on the next few seasons, but there’s no guarantee that it will come to fruition.
Are you hopeful that Rocksteady can return to its roots and make a great single-player game again? Let us know in the comments below.
