Transformers: Reactivate Officially Cancelled by Splash Damage
Splash Damage has announced the cancellation of its long-in-development Transformers: Reactivate game. Revealed at The Game Awards 2022, the 1-4 player online title featuring Autobots and Decepticons battling a new alien threat on Earth, has ultimately been scrapped. The decision, according to Splash Damage's statement, was difficult and may result in staff layoffs.
The game, while generating some excitement initially, remained largely shrouded in mystery following its announcement. Leaks suggested a roster of Generation 1 characters (Ironhide, Hot Rod, Starscream, Soundwave, Optimus Prime, and Bumblebee), and even hinted at the inclusion of Beast Wars characters. However, these possibilities are now defunct.
Splash Damage expressed gratitude to its development team and Hasbro for their contributions. Fan reaction to the cancellation has been varied, with some expressing disappointment, while others anticipated the cancellation given the lack of updates since the 2022 trailer.
The studio is pivoting its focus to "Project Astrid," a AAA open-world survival game utilizing Unreal Engine 5, a project announced in March 2023 in collaboration with streamers Shroud and Sacriel. While this new project represents a shift in direction, it unfortunately comes at the cost of job losses within the company. The cancellation leaves Transformers fans without a new AAA title featuring the iconic robots.
Summary:
- Cancellation: Transformers: Reactivate cancelled after a prolonged and challenging development.
- Layoffs: Potential job losses at Splash Damage due to project cancellation.
- New Focus: Studio now concentrating on the Unreal Engine 5 powered open-world survival game, "Project Astrid."
- Producers: Hasbro and Takara Tomy.
