Splash Damage Scraps Transformers: Reactivate After Lengthy Development
After a prolonged and difficult development, Splash Damage has officially canceled its Transformers: Reactivate project. Announced at The Game Awards 2022, the 1-4 player online game promised a unique collaboration between Autobots and Decepticons against a new Earth-based alien threat. While the developer, known for its multiplayer expertise in games like Gears 5 and Batman: Arkham Origins, generated some excitement, subsequent information remained scarce, limited to leaks and early toy releases. These leaks suggested a Generation 1 roster including Ironhide, Hot Rod, Starscream, and Soundwave, with Optimus Prime and Bumblebee also rumored, and even hints of Beast Wars characters.
However, in a recent announcement on Splash Damage's Twitter, the studio confirmed the cancellation. The decision, described as difficult, may unfortunately lead to staff redundancies as the studio redirects its focus. The team expressed gratitude to its staff for their dedication and to Hasbro for their support.
Fan reaction has been varied, with disappointment from some and others anticipating the cancellation due to the prolonged silence since the initial 2022 trailer.
The studio's shift in resources will now concentrate on "Project Astrid," a AAA open-world survival game built using Unreal Engine 5, a project announced in March 2023 in collaboration with streamers Shroud and Sacriel. While "Project Astrid" offers a new direction, the cancellation of Transformers: Reactivate unfortunately results in job losses within Splash Damage. The Transformers fanbase, meanwhile, continues its wait for a new high-quality game featuring Hasbro's iconic robots.
Summary
- Transformers: Reactivate development halted.
- Potential job losses at Splash Damage.
- Studio now focusing on Unreal Engine 5 open-world survival game ("Project Astrid").
Produced By Hasbro and Takara Tomy
