Warner Bros. Games doubles down on live-service titles, with a new AAA game in development at WB Games Montréal – even after Suicide Squad market failure.
This is confirmed by WB Games Montréal’s recruitment of a new executive producer. It is known that the responsibilities will include tasks “from concept to post-launch live operations“. That’s not all, as the new head producer must have a perfect understanding of “full game development lifecycle, including live services.” Thanks to this, we are sure that the devs already have something planned; however, no title has been mentioned yet.
The job listing is another clear sign that Warner Bros. Games is not retreating from the live-service genre – despite its recent misfires. The company appears to be restructuring and focusing more heavily on experienced leadership to guide these types of projects. Their commitment to long-term support and player engagement shows they still believe in the potential of the model.
Is the DC Universe Game Next?
Warner Bros live-service game will most likely step into the same waters again after the Suicide Squad flop. Despite great interest in productions such as Game of Thrones, Harry Potter, or Mortal Kombat, the DC Universe will be the main theme of the next game, which will be “based on one of the iconic IPs from the vast Warner Bros. and DC Comics catalogue”. Already at the beginning of this year, NetherRealm and Rocksteady (known from theirs amazing Batman Game Series) joined the production of James Gunn DC games, so maybe we’ll soon see the fruits of their work. Nothing is known about the actions of WB Games Montréal in the context of DC games.
Still, the timing of their new project raises some eyebrows – especially after the failure of previous DC live-service titles. The lack of transparency about the game’s concept might suggest that Warner Bros. is carefully preparing its announcement strategy, possibly waiting for more favorable conditions or fan reception. Let’s hope it won’t be another failure, like Rocksteady’s Suicide Squad, that led to a 41% revenue drop and mass layoffs. Gotham Knights, a DC game not belonging to “living” productions, also wasn’t the best move – almost 100 devs had to say goodbye to their jobs. And that must have triggered some changes in the company’s approach.
New Strategy: Wonder Woman Cancelled
Earlier this year, Warner Bros. cancelled Monolith’s Wonder Woman game, citing a “strategic change in direction.” As part of this shift, Monolith Productions, Player First Games, and Warner Bros. Games San Diego were all shut down. The cancellation shocked fans who had been eagerly waiting for a single-player experience set in the DC universe. This move highlights just how seriously the company is shifting toward GaaS and recurring monetization opportunities.
They’re Not Done Yet
Even with some major flops behind them, Warner Bros. probably isn’t ready to give up on live-service games just yet. There’s still big money to be made if a game manages to hook players for the long haul — with regular updates, events, and stuff to buy in-game. It’s a risky model, but when it works, it really works. Even with high-budget AAA development, a well-executed title can bring steady revenue long after release.
Examples like Fortnite, Destiny 2, or Apex Legends prove that live-service games can thrive if managed properly. Warner Bros. seems to be hoping they can capture some of that same magic, leveraging their strong IPs and fanbases. The success of their future titles will likely depend on how well they balance compelling gameplay and fair treatment of their communities. It remains to be seen whether the gaming audience is ready to embrace another live-service DC game, but the studio is determined to try.