Two former developers at Rocksteady Studios have shared their experiences working on Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, describing a development process that left them feeling disillusioned with the industry.
According to an interview with Bloomberg, designers Johnny Armstrong and Axel Rydby spoke candidly about the challenges faced during the game's seven-year production. The studio, which had previously focused on the Batman Arkham series, shifted towards a live-service model for Suicide Squad. This change proved to be a significant departure from their previous work and contributed to growing pressure on the development team.
Rydby, who became the game's director in 2022, noted that the extended development time amplified the focus on the live-service aspects. He stated that Warner Bros. sought to recoup its investment, leading to increased demands for replayability and player engagement. "That’s when I started feeling like I wasn’t making games anymore," Rydby recounted. "I was following a spreadsheet, some elusive marketing-analysis spreadsheet that no one could present clearly. I kind of felt like this isn’t the gaming industry I wanted to work in."
Armstrong echoed these sentiments, expressing that the experience left him feeling drained and questioning his future in game development. "I felt everything drained from me," he said. "I said, ‘I can’t do this again. I don’t know if I’m done with the industry, but I’m done.’ I could feel myself coming apart at the seams."
Both developers have since left Rocksteady and have moved on to new projects. They have launched a Kickstarter campaign for their new RPG deckbuilder, Secret of Circadia, aiming to raise funds to bring the game to fruition. This move signifies a desire to return to creative endeavors that reignite their passion for game development.
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League faced a challenging reception, marking a departure from the success Rocksteady found with its Arkham series. While the studio still possesses significant talent, the departure of key creatives involved in the Arkham games suggests its future projects may differ in scope and execution, even as rumors suggest a return to the Batman IP.