Sega recently announced the cancellation of its highly anticipated live-service shooter game, Hyenas, before its scheduled release. The decision was communicated through a press release, citing “the lower profitability of the European region” as the primary reason behind the cancellation. In addition to Hyenas, the company also mentioned the cancellation of several other undisclosed projects that were in the development phase.
Hyenas was initially promoted as a live-service extraction shooter, drawing comparisons to the popular Payday game series. However, instead of traditional bank heists, players would engage in stealing high-value collectibles, some of which were inspired by various video game properties. Examples included a Sonic the Hedgehog doll or an Atari 2600 item.
While the cancellation news may come as a disappointment to fans eagerly awaiting the game’s release, behind-the-scenes issues within Sega appear to have contributed to the decision. During an earnings call held in August, company executives discussed the challenges faced during Hyenas’ development and stated that they were in the process of finalizing the game’s business model. This suggests that Sega encountered difficulties that may have jeopardized the project’s viability.
Unfortunately, the cancellation of Hyenas has also resulted in other consequences. Sega has decided to implement layoffs at Creative Assembly, the developer working on the game. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Creative Assembly announced the sad news, stating that they had reached the difficult decision to begin a redundancy consultation process for certain departments within their UK operations. The end of Hyenas’ development is expected to have an impact on job security, potentially leading to layoffs.
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Creative Assembly, established in 1987, has made a name for itself by porting Amiga games and developing the critically acclaimed Total War strategy game series. The studio’s portfolio also includes the highly regarded Alien: Isolation. The layoffs and cancellation of Hyenas mark a challenging period for the company, but they remain hopeful for the future. Their statement expressed anticipation about sharing their plans moving forward, assuring fans that there is more to come despite the current setbacks.
The gaming community, naturally disappointed by the cancellation, is hoping for a positive resolution for both Sega and Creative Assembly. Many fans were eagerly looking forward to Hyenas and its unique take on the live-service shooter genre. The news has led to discussions among players about the challenges of game development and the risks associated with ambitious projects. Adapting to the constantly evolving gaming industry is often a complex endeavor, with factors such as regional profitability playing a crucial role in determining a project’s fate.
As Sega and Creative Assembly navigate through this difficult period, fans patiently await further updates and announcements regarding the future direction of the companies. The gaming industry is known for its resilience and ability to bounce back from setbacks, so there is hope that Sega and Creative Assembly will emerge stronger and continue to deliver captivating experiences for players worldwide.
