Suicide Squad Devs Felt Drained, Considered Quitting Games After Flop

The dream of bringing a beloved comic book property to life can quickly turn into a nightmare, as evidenced by the experiences of former Rocksteady Studios developers. Following the critical and commercial disappointment of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, two key figures from the development team have spoken out about the profound disillusionment they felt, with one admitting he considered leaving the gaming industry entirely.

Johnny Armstrong, a designer on the project, explained that the initial excitement of moving on from the acclaimed Arkham series to a new DC property quickly soured. The shift towards a live-service model, a stark departure from Rocksteady's previous work, created unforeseen challenges. As the game's development stretched over seven years, the pressure to recoup Warner Bros.' investment intensified. Axel Rydby, who stepped into the director role in 2022, described the growing disconnect from genuine game development.

“That’s when I started feeling like I wasn’t making games anymore. 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.” — Axel Rydby

Armstrong echoed these sentiments, detailing a sense of creative depletion. The prolonged development cycle and the shift in focus left him feeling utterly exhausted.

“I felt everything drained from me. 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.” — Johnny Armstrong

Both developers have since departed Rocksteady, seeking new avenues to reignite their passion for game creation. They have launched a Kickstarter campaign for their new RPG deckbuilder, Secret of Circadia, aiming to bring a more creatively fulfilling project to life.

The Fallout for Rocksteady and Fans

The impact of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League has been significant, not only for the developers but also for the studio and its community. Rocksteady officially ended support for the game in January 2025, less than a year after its release. This abrupt conclusion to development, coupled with earlier reports of layoffs at the studio, paints a somber picture of the aftermath. For fans who had eagerly anticipated a return to form from the creators of the Arkham series, the game's failure and subsequent shelving represent a major disappointment, leaving many questioning the future direction of Rocksteady and its beloved franchises.

What Comes After the Squad?

With development on Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League officially concluded, the focus now shifts to what lies ahead for Rocksteady Studios and its former employees. While Rydby and Armstrong are channeling their energies into their independent project, Secret of Circadia, the broader implications for Rocksteady remain uncertain. The studio's next steps and whether it can recapture the magic of its past successes are questions that will undoubtedly be on the minds of gamers worldwide.