In a surprising move, SEGA recently declared that they’re stopping development on several games they had previously announced. One of the most prominent among them is the multiplayer extraction shooter, Hyenas, developed by UK-based Creative Assembly. The news emerges as Sega confronts financial challenges, particularly within their European segment.
SEGA’s recent declaration arrived on the heels of an investor warning, where they made it known that they anticipate a fiscal year loss. This decision stemmed from a notable decrease in profitability from their European establishments. To cope with these financial headwinds, Sega has decided to conduct “structural reforms,” focusing on elevating efficiency levels. As a result, it not only decided to cancel Hyenas but also chose to discontinue certain other games that had yet to be announced.
For many industry insiders and followers, the cancellation of Hyenas came as a significant shock. Only recently, it had concluded its closed beta test, and it appeared at GamesCom, where the public had the opportunity to test it out. In addition to this, its development cycle seemed to be progressing positively, given the various promotional activities and play tests that surrounded it.
Following an internal announcement to our employees, please see the below statement: pic.twitter.com/b6LPonVagV
— Creative Assembly (@CAGames) September 28, 2023
However, the game’s future had been a topic of speculation for some time. Previously, Sega had referred to Hyenas as a “challenging” title, indicating potential difficulties in its development or market positioning. Interestingly, even though Creative Assembly showcased it as a paid title, certain statements from Sega hinted at potential changes in its business model, which could have steered it towards a free-to-play structure.
The cancellation wasn’t just a setback for the game but also represented a potential threat to jobs at Creative Assembly. The entire studio, known for its popular Total War series, might face significant downsizing, following Sega’s decision. Some reports suggest that the staff at Creative Assembly were made aware of this unfortunate news simultaneously to the public.
The aftermath of this announcement brought forward another important revelation. SEGA highlights the need to pull back and reduce various fixed expenditures, with a strong emphasis on cuts at Creative Assembly. The implications of these decisions on the broader European gaming community, especially concerning job retention, remain to be seen.
However, it’s not just all gloom for Creative Assembly. The studio remains on track to release Total War: Pharoah, which is set for October. Furthermore, they have expressed a commitment to delivering exciting game experiences in the future, ensuring they remain a notable player in the gaming world.
Sega’s strategy to cancel Hyenas and other games highlights the intricate balance gaming companies must maintain in between innovative development and financial prudence. It underscores the unpredictable nature of the gaming industry, where even games that seem to be on the brink of release can face abrupt cancellations.
