Ubisoft, the French video game publisher, has reportedly put an end to its plans for a sequel to the 2020 action-adventure title, Immortals Fenyx Rising. This decision, the news of which circulated earlier this month, has raised quite a few eyebrows in the gaming industry.
The sequel, internally known as codename “Oxygen,” was in the early stages of development at Ubisoft Quebec, the same studio responsible for the creation of the original game.
According to a report by Video Games Chronicle, Ubisoft’s leadership pulled the plug on the unannounced sequel due to a series of “perceived challenges around establishing the IP.” Sources told VGC that this news was communicated to employees via an internal email two weeks ago.
Reports show that Immortals Fenyx Rising received positive reviews, and a moderate amount of copies were sold. However, a significant chunk of these sales came about as a result of substantial discounting during various sales events. Notably, the game’s European sales were about 70% lower than those of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla over a similar period. That may have played a part in the decision to cancel the sequel.
As for codename “Oxygen,” footage obtained under the strict condition of non-public distribution suggested the sequel was poised to take players on a journey through Polynesian mythology. Characters were designed with the ability to shape-shift into different mythical creatures, each offering unique abilities such as flying, swimming, and manipulating the classical elements of fire, air, earth, and water.
Insider Gaming’s sources, who had internally playtested the game, were left “surprised and confused” by the cancellation as they felt the game was progressing well. The project was reportedly about 18 months from its potential release, with development having started in 2021, a few months after the release of the original game.
This cancellation speaks to a broader shift in Ubisoft’s strategy after successive years of disappointing sales. In January, the company announced that it canceled three other unannounced games. The company has been refocusing its resources on strengthening its most prominent titles like Assassin’s Creed series. Ubisoft is currently developing at least six games under the Assassin’s Creed brand, including the highly-anticipated Assassin’s Creed Mirage, scheduled to launch later this year.
The move to prioritize flagship franchises may be a practical one, considering the business performance of Immortals Fenyx Rising. Despite its “generally favorable” reviews, according to review aggregator Metacritic, and the warm reception from fans, the game failed to achieve the sales numbers of its brethren, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla.
For Ubisoft, this recent shift might also be an attempt to maintain relevance in a rapidly evolving gaming landscape. Yet, for many in the gaming community, this move is met with a sigh of disappointment. Fans have expressed frustration over the company’s seeming inclination towards prioritizing Free-to-Play, mobile, and live-service games at the expense of original titles and well-loved franchises.
Indeed, the cancelation of Immortals Fenyx Rising’s sequel, a game that many saw as a derivative but welcome take on the open-world adventure genre, is disappointing. After all, it often takes a sequel for a game’s potential to truly shine.
Ubisoft’s decision can be seen as a missed opportunity to diversify its portfolio and foster new narratives. It raises questions about the future of the gaming industry and whether the focus will shift entirely to large, proven franchises, leaving little room for new, innovative IPs.
While it’s business as usual for Ubisoft, with several major games still lined up for release for the current fiscal year alone, a discontinuation like that of the Immortals Fenyx Rising sequel may be a precursor for what’s to come in an industry where established IP and guaranteed returns often seem to rule the roost.
