11 Bit Studios, the Polish studio behind the breakout hit Frostpunk and its sequel, Frostpunk 2, has announced that its first console-specific video game has been canceled. Additionally, as a result of the cancelation, layoffs will follow.
Frostpunk 2 turns its focus to the big picture and tells a bigger story. We sit down with Łukasz Juszczyk to talk about the ambitious project.
As first spotted by GameSpot, a statement from president Przemysław Marszał was shared on the official 11 Bit Studios website, where the head discussed the news, as well as some of the surrounding circumstances at hand.
Per the statement, the planned title was codenamed Project 8, and it involved as many as 37 developers as late as September this year. Its development began in 2018, with its budget stretching to 48.4 million PLN, or the equivalent of nearly 11.8 million USD.
"Our vision for Project 8, which was intended to be our first title designed specifically for console gamers, was bold and exciting. However, it was conceived under very different market conditions, when narrative-driven, story-rich games held stronger appeal,” Marszał said.
Beyond alleged shifts in the market, Marszał also discussed the implications of the...