EA’s upcoming Black Panther game will be an “open world experience,” according to a new job listing from the company.
The job post calls to fill a Senior Sandbox Designer II role for the recently-established Cliffhanger Games. Most details about its mysterious Black Panther project have been kept secret since its announcement last year. However, the listing teases that applicants should expect to be “instrumental in designing and populating encounters, systems, and gameplay within a dynamic and evolving open world” should they land the position.
It’s a role that will help Cliffhanger, which includes talent from Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, expand on the Marvel hero by creating an open-world experience. The listing says that successful applicants will help create sandbox elements that mix with the narrative and gameplay objectives without compromising immersion. Additional details promise potential features like "urban crowds" and "wildlife" in what is described as “a living, breathing game world.”
One bullet point teases how Cliffhanger will implement linear missions within the open world: “Partner with the design team to integrate sandbox dynamics into the mission design, facilitating seamless transitions between structured missions and open-world exploration.”
EA declined to comment.
Cliffhanger revealed its superhero game just last year but has still been busy behind the scenes. While job listings seek to help the game grow, the studio will be overseen by former PlayStation executive Connie Booth. She’s joining EA as its Group General Manager, meaning her portfolio includes Black Panther as well as EA Motive’s Iron Man game. Both titles are part of a deal between EA and Marvel that will see the former developing three action-adventure projects. The third game remains a mystery.
EA’s Black Panther promises a new perspective on Wakanda’s protector, but it’s not the only game based on the hero in the works. Amy Hennig’s Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra, which we got a close look at last month, features both the Black Panther as well as comic books’ star-spangled hero, Captain America. That project is set to arrive sometime in 2025, but it’s unclear when we can expect to see EA’s game hit store shelves.
Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He started writing in the industry in 2017 and is best known for his work at outlets such as The Pitch, The Escapist, OnlySP, and Gameranx.
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