Splash Damage Cancels Transformers: Reactivate

Summary

• Transformers: Reactivate has been canceled after a lengthy and troubled development period.
• Some staff members at Splash Damage may be let go as a result.
• The studio is now working on an open-world survival game being built with Unreal Engine 5.

Transformers: Reactivate, a highly anticipated 1-4 player online game featuring Autobots and Decepticons teaming up against a new alien threat on Earth, has been officially canceled by Splash Damage. The game was first teased at The Game Awards 2022, sparking excitement among Transformers fans eager to see what the studio behind the multiplayer components of Gears 5 and Batman: Arkham Origins would bring to the iconic franchise.

Despite the initial buzz, little was revealed about Transformers: Reactivate in the subsequent years. Leaks and premature action figure releases hinted at a Generation 1 lineup of playable characters, including Ironhide, Hot Rod, Starscream, and Soundwave, with early looks at Optimus Prime and Bumblebee. There were also rumors of Beast Wars characters being included, but these plans will not materialize as the game has been canceled.

Splash Damage announced the cancellation of Transformers: Reactivate after nearly three years of development. In a statement on their Twitter page, the developer expressed that the decision to halt the project was difficult and acknowledged that it could lead to staff redundancies as they shift focus to other projects. The studio extended gratitude to the team that worked on Transformers: Reactivate and to Hasbro for their support throughout the development process.

Reactions to the cancellation have been mixed, with some fans expressing disappointment while others had anticipated the game's demise due to the lack of updates following the initial trailer at The Game Awards 2022.

In March 2023, Splash Damage revealed they were collaborating with streamers Shroud and Sacriel on "Project Astrid," a triple-A open-world survival game developed using Unreal Engine 5. With the cancellation of Transformers: Reactivate, Splash Damage is redirecting its resources to "Project Astrid," though this shift will unfortunately result in layoffs among the staff previously working on the Transformers game. Meanwhile, Transformers enthusiasts continue to await a new high-quality gaming experience featuring Hasbro's beloved Robots in Disguise.

Summary

Produced By Hasbro and Takara Tomy