# The Conclusion of an Era: Rocksteady’s *Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League* to Wrap Up with Season 4
Rocksteady Studios, the renowned developer behind the *Batman: Arkham* franchise, is set to close down its ambitious multiplayer action-adventure project, *Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League*. The game, which debuted amid high hopes but failed to establish a steady player community, will end its live-service updates with the rollout of Season 4 in January 2025. This signifies the conclusion of Rocksteady’s exploration into the multiplayer domain, as the studio shifts to an offline mode to maintain the game’s legacy.
## **Season 4: The Ultimate Finale**
The news, shared on the game’s official site, revealed that the fourth and final season will add Deathstroke as a playable character and lead to a dramatic confrontation with Brainiac. Although the live-service framework will terminate following this update, players will still have access to online co-op functionalities for the foreseeable future. Furthermore, Rocksteady has rolled out an offline mode, enabling players to engage with the main story campaign and seasonal offerings without needing an internet connection.
To switch to offline mode, players can either begin a new game or transfer their current online profiles. Comprehensive guidance on how to transition is provided in the official FAQ from Warner Bros. Games.
## **A Rough Launch and a Sharp Decline**
Upon its release, *Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League* received a tepid response from critics and players alike. In spite of Rocksteady Studios’ reputation and the allure of the DC Comics franchise, the game faced difficulties in establishing itself. On Steam, it reached a peak of only 13,000 concurrent players—a far cry from the numbers required to maintain a live-service game. As time progressed, player engagement plummeted to merely a few hundred, indicating a lack of enduring interest.
The game’s reception was further tainted by backlash over its live-service features, such as its need for always-online play, battle passes, and microtransactions. Numerous fans of Rocksteady’s earlier single-player titles felt estranged by the shift towards multiplayer elements that overshadowed the studio’s signature storytelling depth and character focus.
## **What Went Astray?**
The shortcomings of *Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League* can be linked to several key issues:
1. **Divergent Expectations**: Fans of Rocksteady’s *Arkham* series were looking for a narrative-rich, single-player adventure. The shift to a multiplayer, live-service approach left many feeling let down.
2. **Gameplay Feedback**: The game’s fundamental mechanics, including its dependence on repetitive tasks and loot-driven progression, were criticized for being unoriginal and not fully harnessing the unique qualities of the *Suicide Squad* characters.
3. **Market Overcrowding**: The live-service scene is notoriously fierce, with established titles like *Destiny 2*, *Fortnite*, and *Apex Legends* leading the pack. *Suicide Squad* found it challenging to define its place in this saturated landscape.
4. **Technical and Design Flaws**: From its debut, the game confronted technical issues and design choices that alienated its audience, including the always-online requirement for solo play—which was later amended with the introduction of offline capabilities.
## **The Consequences for Rocksteady and Warner Bros. Games**
The underwhelming performance of *Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League* carries significant ramifications for both Rocksteady Studios and Warner Bros. Games. For Rocksteady, the game’s failure represents an unusual stumbling block for a studio that had previously thrived with the *Arkham* series. It also raises critical questions regarding the studio’s future trajectory and whether it will revert to its foundational focus on single-player narratives.
For Warner Bros. Games, the shortcoming of *Suicide Squad* serves as a cautionary narrative about the dangers of pursuing live-service trends. The publisher has encountered similar challenges with other titles like *Gotham Knights*, which also fell short of expectations. Moving ahead, Warner Bros. might need to reevaluate its strategy for capitalizing on its DC Comics licenses in the gaming sector.
## **The Bright Side: Offline Mode and Legacy Preservation**
Although the cessation of live-service support may be disheartening for fans who relished the game’s multiplayer elements, the addition of offline mode guarantees that *Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League* will remain open to players for years to come. This decision enables Rocksteady to maintain the game’s narrative and character-centric content, which garnered specific acclaim.
For gamers who dedicated time and resources to the title, the chance to continue exploring the universe of *Suicide Squad* offline offers a degree of solace. It also creates an opening for new players to engage with the game without the pressures associated with live-service gameplay.
## **Insights Gained**
The narrative of *Suicide Squad