
Splash Damage officially cancels Transformers: Reactivate after a prolonged and difficult development. The 1-4 player online game, unveiled at The Game Awards 2022, was to feature Autobots and Decepticons uniting against a new alien threat. While leaks suggested a Generation 1 roster (Ironhide, Hot Rod, Starscream, Soundwave, Optimus Prime, Bumblebee) and potentially Beast Wars characters, the project has been scrapped.
This decision, announced via Splash Damage's Twitter, unfortunately may lead to staff layoffs. The studio expressed gratitude to the development team and Hasbro for their contributions. Fan reactions are varied, with some expressing disappointment, while others anticipated the cancellation due to the lack of updates since the 2022 trailer.
The studio's focus now shifts to "Project Astrid," a AAA open-world survival game using Unreal Engine 5, a project announced in March 2023 and developed in collaboration with streamers Shroud and Sacriel. While "Project Astrid" will absorb resources, the cancellation of Transformers: Reactivate will result in job losses at Splash Damage. The Transformers franchise, meanwhile, continues its search for a new high-profile video game adaptation.
Summary
- Cancellation: Transformers: Reactivate, a Hasbro and Takara Tomy produced game, is canceled.
- Layoffs: Potential staff reductions at Splash Damage due to the cancellation.
- New Focus: Splash Damage prioritizes "Project Astrid," a AAA open-world survival game.