Summary
Over seven years after the release of Arkane Austin’s sci-fi rebootPrey, one eager fan has finally given up hope for a sequel. The shocking announcement that Xbox is closing theDishonoredandRedfalldeveloper has made a return to thePreyuniverse an even more distant prospect than ever.
Following the breakaway success of 2012’sDishonored, developer Arkane Studios split into two separate teams. Arkane Lyon remained in France to work onDishonored 2,later followed byDishonored: Death of the OutsiderandDeathloop, while Texas-based Arkane Austin went on to produce 2017’s critically commended but commercially lacklusterPreyand last year’s catastrophicRedfall. AlthoughMicrosoft has just pulled the plug onRedfall,Prey’s innovative sci-fi gameplay and atmospheric psychological horror earned it a cult following, with many gamers still hoping for a sequel.
One avid fan has been loyally keeping the world informed of any news of aPreysequel. Twitter user Prey2Countdown has been counting the days since the originalPreywas released, hoping for Arkane, Bethesda, or Microsoft to give any updates regarding a potentialPrey2. While the Twitter account has only been running for a year, their nearly daily updates echo a sentiment shared with many gamers who believe thatnow would have been an ideal time for aPreysequel to help the developer find redemption afterRedfall’s disappointing release. Unfortunately for allPreyfans, no follow-up game was ever announced, and after waiting over seven years, the shocking news that Microsoft is shutting down Arkane Austin for good has caused Prey2Countdown to finally give up hope, commenting only, “It’s over.”
Microsoft’s Closure of Arkane Austin Kills Hope for a Prey Sequel
The heartbreaking news that Xbox is closing four Bethesda-owned studios faced a backlash from the industry, includingcriticism from Arkane Lyon director Dinga Bakaba. Alongside Arkane Austin, mobile game maker Alpha Dog Games,Hi-Fi Rushdeveloper Tango Gameworks, and Roundhouse Studios – formerly Human Head Studios, the creators of the originalPreyfrom 2006 – are also facing closure. While some staff members will reportedly be amalgamated into other Bethesda developers, such as ZeniMax Online Studios, the team behindThe Elder Scrolls Online, the possibility of aPreysequel now seems even more distant than ever before.
There is one faint glimmer of hope forPreyfans. Arkane Lyon is not facing the same fate as its sister studio, meaning it could potentially pick up thePreyIP in the future. However, this is unlikely to happen any time soon asArkane Lyon currently has its hands full working onMarvel’s Blade, a third-person action-adventure game featuring Marvel Comics' half-vampire vampire hunter. For now, at least, fans will have to make do with the rare gem of a game that isPrey, along with its roguelike expansionMooncrash, and hope for the best.
Prey
WHERE TO PLAY
In Prey, you awaken aboard Talos I, a space station orbiting the moon in the year 2032. You are the key subject of an experiment meant to alter humanity forever – but things have gone terribly wrong. The space station has been overrun by hostile aliens and you are now being hunted. As you dig into the dark secrets of Talos I and your own past, you must survive using the tools found on the station – your wits, weapons, and mind-bending abilities. The fate of the Talos I and everyone aboard is in your hands.
