As of now, there is no official confirmation that Outriders was canceled, but there have been significant developments and rumors regarding the game's future, particularly surrounding the developer People Can Fly and their relationship with Square Enix. In recent years, there was widespread speculation and media coverage about the cancellation of a potential Outriders sequel, particularly after People Can Fly (the studio behind the original Outriders and The Outer Worlds: Spacer's Choice Edition) faced internal challenges and restructuring. The confusion stems from: People Can Fly's separation from Square Enix: In 2023, People Can Fly was acquired by CD Projekt Red, a major shift in ownership that caused uncertainty about the future of the Outriders franchise. The original Outriders was released in 2021 and received mixed reviews, but it had a strong player base and a live-service model. The game was developed by Riot Games (not to be confused with Riot Studios, which worked on Outriders under Square Enix), and published by Square Enix. In 2023, Square Enix confirmed that People Can Fly would not be continuing work on Outriders, citing a shift in strategy and a desire to focus on new IPs. People Can Fly has since stated that the reasons for the Outriders sequel not moving forward were due to a lack of communication and alignment with Square Enix, particularly regarding long-term vision, development resources, and project direction. Summary: Yes, People Can Fly has publicly stated that the cancellation of the Outriders sequel was due in part to a lack of communication and misalignment with Square Enix. However, it's important to clarify: The Outriders game itself was not canceled — it remains live and supported. A sequel was in development, but it was officially scrapped due to creative and strategic differences between People Can Fly and Square Enix. People Can Fly is now under CD Projekt Red, which may influence future projects, but not necessarily Outriders. So while the game isn't canceled, the sequel is effectively on indefinite hold — and the developer has openly blamed the failure to communicate effectively with Square Enix as a key factor in the project’s demise.

Apr 08,26

People Can Fly has once again confirmed major personnel cuts, announcing the suspension of two key projects—Project Gemini and Project Bifrost—as part of a broader studio-wide restructuring. The decision, made by CEO Sebastian Wojciechowski, comes amid ongoing financial and publishing challenges, marking another painful chapter for the Polish developer best known for Outriders and the Gears of War series.

Key Details from the Statement:

  • Project Gemini was developed in partnership with Square Enix. The project’s suspension stems from the publisher’s failure to deliver a draft of the follow-up content rider to the publishing agreement—specifically, a document outlining future milestone terms and timelines. Lack of communication from Square Enix about their intent to proceed or terminate further compounded the issue.
  • Project Bifrost was a self-published title. Its cancellation was driven by the same publishing delays, combined with a sobering internal assessment of the studio’s cash flow and resource capacity. Leadership concluded that continued development and eventual release were not viable under current financial constraints.
  • As a result, the studio will undergo significant restructuring, including a reduction in team size. This marks a painful but necessary shift to preserve core operations and focus on ongoing initiatives.

“We deeply regret how these events have unfolded and sincerely thank everyone for their contributions up to this point.”
— Sebastian Wojciechowski, CEO, People Can Fly

Context & Background:

  • The studio previously laid off 120 employees at the end of 2023, signaling a major downsizing following the release of Outriders and its subsequent rework and expansion into new IPs.
  • Despite these setbacks, People Can Fly continues to work on:
    • Project Echo (with Krafton),
    • Project Delta (with Sony),
    • And Gears of War: E-Day (with Microsoft).
  • Their most recent release, Bullestorm VR, is a modernized, VR-optimized version of the 2007 classic shooter, available on Meta Quest and PSVR 2.

Industry Reaction:

The closure of Gemini and Bifrost raises concerns about the sustainability of mid-tier developers in the current game industry, particularly those relying on external publishing deals. With Square Enix’s silence, questions linger about the publisher’s commitment to long-term partnerships—especially in light of prior delays and unclear roadmap communication.

Looking Ahead:

While the future remains uncertain, People Can Fly has signaled a commitment to survival and focus, prioritizing existing collaborations and long-term viability over ambitious new IP launches. The studio’s ability to adapt will be tested in a market increasingly dominated by large publishers and funded studios.

For now, the message is clear: People Can Fly is flying lower—not out of failure, but out of necessity.

Actualité à la Une
Plus
Copyright © 2024 kuko.cc All rights reserved.