Supermassive Games, the acclaimed studio responsible for popular horror adventures such as Until Dawn, The Quarry, and the Dark Pictures Anthology, has reportedly halted development on an undisclosed Blade Runner title. According to Insider Gaming, the studio was working on a highly anticipated "character-focused, cinematic action-adventure" game set in 2065, titled Blade Runner: Time to Live.

The narrative would have centered around a vintage Nexus-6 replicant named So-Lange, tasked with eliminating the leader of an underground replicant network. However, things take a dramatic turn when So-Lange is betrayed and left for dead in a harsh environment. Gameplay was said to blend stealth, combat, exploration, investigation, and deeply engaging character interactions.

Insider Gaming revealed that the project had a substantial budget of approximately $45 million, with $9 million allocated specifically for external performance capture and top-tier acting talent. The game was envisioned as a 10-12 hour single-player experience, commencing pre-production in September 2024 and slated for a September 2027 release across PC and next-gen consoles.

Unfortunately, the project reportedly encountered challenges with Alcon Entertainment, which holds the rights to the Blade Runner franchise, ultimately leading to its cancellation late last year.

In related news, publisher Annapurna Interactive announced in mid-2023 that it would be creating its first in-house game based on the Blade Runner universe, titled Blade Runner 2033: Labyrinth. Dubbed as the first Blade Runner game in 25 years, the project has remained largely silent since its announcement.

Currently, Supermassive Games is navigating multiple ongoing projects, including the next installment in the Dark Pictures series, Directive 8020, and Little Nightmares 3. Last year, the studio underwent layoffs, affecting approximately 90 employees, as reported by Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier, following a period of internal consultation.

On a brighter note, fans of Supermassive’s Until Dawn can look forward to its big-screen adaptation, hitting theaters this weekend. For insights into David F. Sandberg’s take on the classic game, check out our review here.