Ubisoft has once again wielded the corporate axe, announcing a sweeping reshuffle of its publishing business that has left a trail of cancelled and delayed projects in its wake. This isn't just a mild restructuring; it's a full-on corporate reset, yet in a move that blindsided many, the elusive Beyond Good and Evil 2 has somehow survived the culling. Our analysis suggests this signals a perilous path forward for the publisher, despite its renewed focus on open-world adventures.

We've seen this play out before in the industry, and Ubisoft is no stranger to it. A "major company reset" typically means tightening the belt, streamlining pipelines, and, unfortunately, sacrificing projects that don't align with a new, often rigid, strategic vision. This time, the casualties include the highly anticipated Prince of Persia Remake, alongside five other unnamed titles. While painful for fans and developers alike, these cancellations make a grim sort of sense given Ubisoft's stated pivot towards "Open World Adventures." However, the true enigma remains the zombie-like existence of Beyond Good and Evil 2.

The Ghost in the Machine: Beyond Good and Evil 2

For nearly two decades, Beyond Good and Evil 2 has been the industry's poster child for development hell. First announced in May 2008, the game has been in the works for an astonishing 18 years. We remember the genuine excitement—and subsequent disappointment—when it reappeared at E3 2017 with a visually stunning CG trailer. Yet, beyond these rare, fleeting glimpses, the project has largely been a no-show. Frankly, we feel no closer to playing it now than we did a decade ago. It’s the definition of vapourware until proven otherwise.

Despite this long and troubled history, Ubisoft has confirmed that Beyond Good and Evil 2 remains in production. A company spokesperson stated it "remains a priority for us in the context of our strategy centred around Open World Adventures." This sounds like corporate boilerplate, especially when coupled with the assertion that the "fantasy genre is underserved" within the open-world space, and that BG&E2 is a "unique proposition."

Our Take: Strategic Masterstroke or Sunk-Cost Fallacy?

While we appreciate the ambition behind a truly unique open-world fantasy, Ubisoft’s rationale feels flimsy at best. The market is saturated with "unique propositions," and the fantasy genre, far from being underserved, is thriving across various gaming ecosystems. Is BG&E2 truly a strategic keystone, or has it become a monumental sunk cost that Ubisoft simply can't bring itself to walk away from? The persistent lack of concrete gameplay, coupled with its consistent survival amidst budget cuts and project cancellations, raises serious red flags.

Keeping a project like this alive, especially when other more tangible games are getting the axe, suggests either an unshakeable belief in its potential or a deep-seated reluctance to admit defeat on such a high-profile, long-gestating title. Our gut tells us it’s more of the latter. Until we see a playable build, a solid release window, and actual gameplay that justifies its nearly two-decade journey through development limbo, our trust in its eventual delivery remains critically low.

Beyond Good and Evil 2: Development Snapshot

  • Initial Announcement: May 2008
  • Total Development Time: Nearly 18 years
  • Notable Re-reveal: E3 2017 (CG trailer)
  • Current Status: Still in production, considered a "priority" by Ubisoft.
  • Ubisoft's Justification: "Unique proposition" in an "underserved fantasy genre" within open-world adventures.