Sony Rejects The Order: 1886 Sequel Over Criticism, Developer Reveals

Sony reportedly declined a sequel to the PlayStation 4 game *The Order: 1886* due to its lukewarm reception from critics, according to Andrea Pessino, co-founder of the game's developer, Ready at Dawn. Pessino shared in an interview with MinnMax that despite the original game's mixed reviews, they pitched an "incredible" sequel. He emphasized that the team was willing to "sign their life away" to create it, driven solely by their desire to deliver for the fans. *The Order: 1886*, released in 2015, was an action game set in Victorian London, featuring werewolves and renowned for its stunning graphics. However, it was critiqued for its gameplay.

"It would have been an incredible sequel, I can tell you that for a fact," Pessino stated, although he couldn't elaborate much due to not owning the franchise rights. He revealed that the pitch to Sony was made despite the critical reception of the original game. Pessino admitted that it might have been better that Sony passed, considering the challenging conditions they would have faced with the sequel. "We would have signed our life away," he remarked, highlighting the dire situation they were willing to accept to continue the series.

During the development of *The Order: 1886*, Ready at Dawn had a tumultuous relationship with Sony. The studio was forced to cut numerous elements to meet deadlines, resulting in a game that was released prematurely. Pessino explained that the high graphical standards set during early pitches and reveals led Sony to expect the same quality throughout development. When Ready at Dawn couldn't maintain these standards due to other priorities, Sony withheld payments, which is standard practice for third-party publishers but strained their relationship.

Despite these challenges, Pessino said the team was prepared to accept even worse conditions to develop a sequel. "We were going to do it just because we wanted to deliver it to the players," he said, acknowledging the dire budget and lack of leverage they would have faced. "We were not in a position to negotiate a reasonable contract; they could have done whatever. But we would've taken it because we wanted a chance to redeem the franchise." He emphasized that the groundwork laid in the original game was strong and deserved to be built upon.

*The Order: 1886* ended on a cliffhanger, leaving fans eager for a sequel. However, with Ready at Dawn being shut down by its owner, Meta, in 2024, those hopes have been extinguished. In IGN's 6/10 review, the game was described as "a stylish adventure" that prioritized cinematic polish over gameplay freedom, reflecting the critical consensus that influenced Sony's decision against a sequel.