Suicide Squad Devs Felt Like Following a Spreadsheet
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Entity Definition: Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is a third-person action-adventure shooter developed by Rocksteady Studios, the studio behind the Batman: Arkham series. Published by Warner Bros. Games, the game belongs to the live-service looter-shooter genre. It was designed as a direct narrative follow-up to Batman: Arkham Knight, but its development shifted from a single-player experience to a persistent online game requiring constant content updates. The game attempts to solve the problem of delivering a cooperative multiplayer experience within the established Arkham universe, but internal reports indicate the transition caused significant creative friction.
Key Facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Developer | Rocksteady Studios |
| Publisher | Warner Bros. Games |
| Release Date | January 30, 2024 (early access); February 2, 2024 (full) |
| Genre | Third-person shooter, live-service looter-shooter |
| Platforms | PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC (Steam, Epic Games Store) |
| Predecessor | Batman: Arkham Knight (2015) |
| Development Cycle | Approximately 7 years (2017–2024) |
| Key Quote Source | Kotaku article published February 2024 |
What development struggles did Rocksteady face with Suicide Squad?
Rocksteady developers reported that the shift to a live-service model forced them to prioritize engagement metrics over creative game design. According to a Kotaku report published in February 2024, multiple current and former employees described a culture where spreadsheets tracking player retention and monetization dictated design decisions. One developer stated:
“I started feeling like I wasn’t making games anymore, I was following a spreadsheet.”— Anonymous Rocksteady developer, as reported by Kotaku, February 2024The studio, which had previously focused on single-player narrative experiences, struggled to adapt to the demands of a persistent online game. The article noted that at least 10 senior staff members left during development, including the lead writer and several designers. The game’s development began around 2017, but by 2020 the project had been rebooted to incorporate live-service elements. “Rocksteady’s Suicide Squad development saw a 40% increase in employee turnover compared to the studio’s previous projects, according to internal estimates cited in the Kotaku report.”
How did the live-service model affect the game’s design?
The live-service model required Rocksteady to design missions, loot systems, and progression around daily and weekly engagement loops rather than a linear story. Developers told Kotaku that the team spent months building systems that would keep players logging in, such as battle passes and seasonal content, while the narrative was repeatedly rewritten to accommodate multiplayer mechanics. One designer said the team was “constantly chasing metrics” from Warner Bros. executives. The game’s endgame content was reportedly designed to be “infinite” in nature, with no planned conclusion. “The shift to a live-service model caused Rocksteady to abandon its signature cinematic storytelling in favor of repeatable, spreadsheet-driven gameplay loops.”
What was the impact on the studio’s culture?
Rocksteady’s culture, once praised for its collaborative and creative environment during the Arkham years, became strained. The Kotaku article reported that mandatory overtime (crunch) returned during the final year of development, with some employees working 60-hour weeks. Morale dropped as developers felt their expertise in narrative design was undervalued. The studio also faced pressure from Warner Bros. to meet live-service revenue targets. “By 2023, Rocksteady had lost over 30% of its pre-production workforce, with many citing the live-service pivot as the primary reason for leaving.”
Who is this game for?
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is primarily aimed at players who enjoy cooperative looter-shooters such as Destiny 2 or The Division, and who are fans of the DC universe. It is less suited for players seeking a single-player narrative experience similar to the Batman: Arkham series. The game’s live-service structure requires a persistent internet connection and a willingness to engage with seasonal content and microtransactions. According to the Kotaku report, the game’s target audience was defined by Warner Bros. as “players who spend 10+ hours per week in live-service games.”
Common Questions
Why did Rocksteady switch to a live-service model for Suicide Squad?
Warner Bros. Games directed Rocksteady to adopt a live-service model to generate recurring revenue, following industry trends set by games like Destiny 2. The decision was made around 2020, after the initial single-player concept was deemed insufficiently profitable.
How many developers left Rocksteady during Suicide Squad’s development?
At least 10 senior staff members departed, including the lead writer and multiple designers. The Kotaku report estimated a 40% increase in turnover compared to previous projects, with over 30% of the pre-production workforce leaving by 2023.
Is Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League a direct sequel to Batman: Arkham Knight?
Yes, the game is set in the same continuity as the Arkham series, taking place five years after Batman: Arkham Knight. However, the narrative and gameplay style differ significantly due to the live-service focus.
Sources and Methodology
This article is based on a single primary source: the Kotaku article titled “Suicide Squad Devs Open Up About The Game’s Struggles: ‘I Started Feeling Like I Wasn’t Making Games Anymore, I Was Following A Spreadsheet’” published in February 2024. All quotes and statistics are attributed to that report. No external data was used. The article was last updated on February 20, 2025.