Cybertronian Conflict Cancelled Again

Transformers: Reactivate Officially Cancelled by Splash Damage

After a prolonged and challenging development cycle, Splash Damage has announced the cancellation of its highly anticipated title, Transformers: Reactivate. This news follows a cryptic trailer reveal at The Game Awards 2022, which generated significant excitement among Transformers fans. The game, envisioned as a 1-4 player online experience featuring Autobots and Decepticons uniting against a new alien threat, ultimately failed to materialize.

Limited information surfaced regarding Transformers: Reactivate in the intervening years, primarily through leaks and early toy releases. These leaks suggested a Generation 1 roster of playable characters, including fan favorites like Ironhide, Hot Rod, Starscream, and Soundwave, with potential appearances from Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, and even Beast Wars characters. However, these prospects are now defunct.

Splash Damage's official statement on Twitter expressed the difficult decision to cease development, acknowledging potential staff redundancies as the studio redirects its focus. The developer expressed gratitude to the dedicated team and Hasbro for their support. Fan reaction has been mixed, with some expressing disappointment, while others anticipated the cancellation given the prolonged silence following the initial trailer.

The studio's shift in resources will concentrate on "Project Astrid," a AAA open-world survival game developed in Unreal Engine 5, in collaboration with streamers Shroud and Sacriel. While "Project Astrid" represents a new direction, the cancellation of Transformers: Reactivate will unfortunately result in layoffs. The Transformers fanbase, meanwhile, remains without a new AAA entry in the franchise.

Summary:

• Cancellation: Transformers: Reactivate cancelled after a troubled development.
• Layoffs: Potential staff reductions at Splash Damage.
• New Focus: Studio now concentrating on the Unreal Engine 5 open-world survival game, "Project Astrid."
• Producers: Hasbro and Takara Tomy.