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The struggles faced by Rocksteady are emblematic of a broader trend in the gaming industry. Many high-profile, big-budget titles have flopped in recent years, often due to misjudged audience expectations, unpopular creative choices, or excessive focus on identity politics. Critics point out that some character portrayals in Suicide Squad, including the depiction of Mrs. Freeze as a "fat, ugly lesbian," alienated core fans and contributed to the game's lukewarm reception.
These missteps resulted in a massive financial loss—reportedly amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars—and cast doubt over the future of Rocksteady’s development pipeline. Stocks of confidence in the studio have taken a hit, and industry insiders predict that layoffs and budget cuts are unlikely to end soon.