Warner Bros. closing Monolith Productions is the end of an era – so what comes next?

Monolith Productions; Wonder Woman
(Image credit: WB Games)

I grew up playing Monolith Productions' games, so news that this 30 year old developer is being closed for a "strategic change in direction" is another kick in the teeth to anyone who loves creative, technical games and design.

Monolith joins other studio closures since Covid, and it's why many devs opted for Unreal Engine 5 and launching smaller, niche game studios. And why many artists are picking up the best game development software and making smaller, interesting games. So what's going on?

Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Editor, Digital Arts & 3D

Ian Dean is Editor, Digital Arts & 3D at Creative Bloq, and the former editor of many leading magazines. These titles included ImagineFX, 3D World and video game titles Play and Official PlayStation Magazine. Ian launched Xbox magazine X360 and edited PlayStation World. For Creative Bloq, Ian combines his experiences to bring the latest news on digital art, VFX and video games and tech, and in his spare time he doodles in Procreate, ArtRage, and Rebelle while finding time to play Xbox and PS5.

Read more
Making Eternal Strands;
How Eternal Strands' complex chaos was made possible
Lion King CGI: Simba
Technicolor's closure takes down MPC, The Mill and Mikros Animation – but is AI the answer?
Will Follow The Light interview; how this indie game is being made using Unreal Engine 5
"It gives you almost everything": How Unreal Engine 5 empowered the indie team behind WILL: Follow the Light
Clair Obscur Expedition 33; fantasy characters float in a dark sky, a god-like creature is seen in the distance amidst lighting and flames
Using Unreal Engine 5 “can be a trap”, says the dev behind Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Image from Football Manager 24
Should game devs be worried about the cancellation of FM25?
Outsourcing game art; concept art for Halo
Game art careers: how outsourcing studios are helping to make games from Halo to Borderlands
Latest in Video Game Design
Best Nintendo Switch games
Link's iconic horse was almost a moose, and other Zelda secrets revealed in unearthed Miyomoto interview
Monolith Productions; Wonder Woman
Warner Bros. closing Monolith Productions is the end of an era – so what comes next?
Sonic the Hedgehog
Someone remade Sonic the Hedgehog's Green Hill Zone for Game Boy, and I want to play it right now
Prologue: Go Wayback!; computer generated scenes from a video game showing mountains, forests and woodlands
PUBG creator's next game might be too brutal – and that's exactly the point
Muse AI; a head breathes fire
Microsoft's Muse AI wants to change how games are made - but can it work?
Imagery from Elder Scrolls
You could design a character for Elder Scrolls 6 in unique charity auction
Latest in News
Ford logo in two versions
The Ford logo is suddenly causing major confusion online
Still from new Shrek 5 teaser
The new Shrek 5 character design proves DreamWorks has lost its edge
Peppa Pig
3 creative questions Peppa Pig animators face after bombshell pregnancy announcement
James Bond gunbarrel
As a James Bond fan, I'm thrilled Amazon is taking over
The text, 'lowest price' sits next to a press shot of the Samsung Frame TV, all on a yellow background.
This 42% saving on the Samsung Frame TV is staggering
Monster Hunter Wilds; a bearded man eats meat
Monster Hunter Wilds is 'easy' – but why is that a bad thing?