As it turns out, Ubisoft does comment on rumors and speculation.
Not long after VGC broke the news that Ubisoft had canceled work on the unannounced Immortals Fenyx Rising sequel, a spokesperson reached out to tell VGC that the company is “redirecting and reallocating some creative teams and resources within the Quebec studio to other unannounced projects.”
This strategic move is in line with Ubisoft’s intensified focus on its larger and more proven franchises, specifically Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry, potentially leaving the now-canceled sequel to Immortals Fenyx Rising to dissolve into the realm of nothingness.
While Ubisoft refrained from confirming outright that the sequel is no longer happening or if it’s being temporarily put on the backburner, the fact remains that it refused to talk about it. Thus, it’s safe to say that Ubisoft’s priorities lie elsewhere, which means that the “large game” that’s coming out by next April isn’t a follow-up to Immortals Fenyx Rising.
Given that Ubisoft never publicly announced a sequel to its Zelda-inspired title, it’s understandable why the company is hesitating to declare the cancelation. Historically, Ubisoft has opted to divulge the cancellation of unannounced projects in shareholder disclosures, rather than media inquiry responses, as was the case with the three unannounced games scrapped in January.
The uncertainty surrounding the future of Immortals Fenyx Rising 2 is a testament to the volatile nature of the video game industry. Project cancellations aren’t an anomaly for the France-based gaming titan. In fact, Ubisoft has put a stop to over half a dozen games since last year and with the company’s ongoing strategic pivot towards its most significant franchises, additional cancellations might be on the horizon.
Ubisoft’s vague statement suggests the sequel might have been abandoned due to the underwhelming long-term sales of the original game. The rechanneling of resources within the Quebec studio could indicate Ubisoft’s pursuit of more profitable ventures.
Despite its demise, Immortals Fenyx Rising had its moment in the sun, gaining recognition for its striking resemblance to an all-time classic, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, while also establishing its own identity. However, its sales figures seemingly failed to make a significant enough impact to convince Ubisoft of its sequel’s potential profitability.
The company’s apparent decision to forgo Immortals Fenyx Rising 2 in favor of working on unannounced projects based on major brands marks an unfortunate turning point in its strategy. In the coming years, fans can expect a more concentrated focus on the company’s big-ticket franchises. And, while this is good news for Ubisoft’s longest fans, this doesn’t bode well for innovation. Without new properties, Ubisoft might find itself falling into a creative rut, which is a worse issue, all things considered.
It remains to be seen if Ubisoft will revisit Immortals Fenyx Rising again in the future. Who knows? It might end up being a cult classic, similar to Beyond Good and Evil, which, as per Ubisoft, is still getting a sequel despite having little to show for the in-development follow-up in years.
