Sniper Elite Battle Royale Game Reportedly Canceled

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Sniper Elite Battle Royale Game Reportedly Canceled

Key Takeaways

  • Rebellion’s Sniper Elite battle royale game, “Project Archipelago,” has reportedly been canceled due to loss of funding from Tencent.
  • The cancellation was not due to development issues but reportedly stemmed from Tencent’s decision after the failure of another project.
  • The cancellation did not impact Rebellion’s staff, as they continue to work on other titles, including Sniper Elite: Resistance.

As a long-time fan of the Sniper Elite series, I was genuinely excited about the prospect of a battle royale game set in this gritty, sniping-focused universe. The announcement of Project Archipelago (or Sniper Island as it was also known) had me eagerly anticipating another immersive and adrenaline-pumping experience from Rebellion Developments.

It appears that a multiplayer, battle royale game set within the Sniper Elite series by Rebellion Developments has been called off. This game was initially unveiled in August 2024 as a spin-off from the popular Sniper Elite titles.

Initially dismissed as a budget imitation of World War II video games, Sniper Elite was initially released in 2005, offering a fictional account of an American sniper operating covertly among the Nazis. Over time, the Sniper Elite series expanded to other war zones and introduced new gameplay elements, earning critical and popular praise and securing its position among the top stealth shooter games. The series is also renowned for its emphasis on sniping, featuring gory “X-ray” kills that depict bullets penetrating various parts of enemies’ bodies based on where the player aims. The franchise even branched out into horror with its Zombie Army spin-offs, in which skilled marksmen confront swarms of the undead.

It seems that the plan by Rebellion to launch a multiplayer version of their series, under the name “Project Archipelago” or “Sniper Island,” has been halted. This news comes from Insider Gaming, who reported this decision despite the game’s announcement being relatively recent – only about four months old. The game was designed to be a Battle Royale style multiplayer experience within the Sniper Elite universe.

Developer Rebellion Reportedly Cancels Sniper Elite Battle Royale Game

According to the report, Project Archipelago’s cancellation wasn’t due to development issues but a lack of funding from Tencent, who were financing the project. During discussions, Rebellion team members hinted that the outcome of Concord, a multiplayer hero shooter published by Sony and developed by Firewalk Studios, may have played a role in Tencent’s decision to withdraw funding for Project Archipelago. Concord was a significant venture for PlayStation Studios, but it faced criticism almost immediately after its release. The game was terminated just over two weeks post-launch, and Firewalk Studios closed down at the end of October 2024.

As a dedicated fan, I must admit it’s disappointing to hear about Project Archipelago’s apparent cancellation. However, it’s reassuring to know that the talented team at Rebellion Developments continues to thrive and innovate. One of their exciting upcoming projects is the next mainline single-player title in the Sniper Elite series – Sniper Elite: Resistance. This thrilling addition is set to launch in January 2025, gracing Xbox and PlayStation consoles as well as PCs. The game promises to transport us back to World War 2, this time in France, where we’ll join forces with the French Resistance against the Nazi occupation. A new protagonist will lead our resistance efforts, making this an adventure not to be missed!

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2024-11-23 07:13