Beyond Good & Evil 2 Survives Ubisoft’s Bloodbath: A 17-Year Development Hell Saga Continues

In a shocking turn of events that has sent shockwaves through the gaming industry, Ubisoft has announced a massive internal restructuring that includes widespread layoffs, studio closures, and the cancellation of at least six in-development projects. The French gaming giant, known for franchises like Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry, is facing its darkest hour as it grapples with financial struggles and a plummeting stock price.

The Fallout: Layoffs, Cancellations, and a Crashing Stock

The announcement sent Ubisoft’s shares tumbling to their lowest price in over 14 years. The restructuring plan, which the company euphemistically calls a “major internal reorganization,” has resulted in the axing of several promising projects. Among the casualties is the highly anticipated remake of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, a decision that has left fans of the classic franchise reeling.

But the cancellations don’t stop there. Sources close to the company report that at least five other projects have been shelved, though Ubisoft has yet to release an official list. The gaming community is abuzz with speculation about which beloved titles might have met their untimely demise in this corporate bloodbath.

The Call for Revolution: Staff Demand Action

As news of the layoffs spread, a call for a “massive international strike” began circulating among Ubisoft employees. The message, which has been shared widely on social media and gaming forums, paints a picture of a company that treats its workers like “children who need to be supervised” while management “gets away with lies and breaking the law.”

The strike call has gained significant traction, with many industry insiders and gaming enthusiasts voicing their support for the beleaguered Ubisoft staff. The hashtag #UbisoftStrike has been trending on Twitter, with thousands of users expressing solidarity with the company’s employees.

Beyond Good & Evil 2: The Miracle That Won’t Die

Amidst this chaos, one project has emerged as a beacon of hope for fans of the franchise: Beyond Good & Evil 2. The long-awaited sequel to the cult classic action-adventure game has been in development hell for nearly two decades, facing numerous setbacks and cancellations rumors.

However, in a surprising turn of events, creative director Fawzi Mesmar took to LinkedIn to confirm that Beyond Good & Evil 2 is still alive and kicking. “Myself, my team and our project Beyond Good and Evil 2 are unaffected by the recent changes,” Mesmar wrote. “We remain committed and focused on delivering a remarkable game for our players to enjoy.”

A Journey Through Development Hell

The saga of Beyond Good & Evil 2 is a tale of perseverance in the face of adversity. Development began in 2007 under the watchful eye of series creator Michel Ancel, best known for his work on the Rayman franchise. The original game’s team was reassembled, sparking hope among fans that the sequel would finally see the light of day.

However, the project soon fell into obscurity, with Ubisoft claiming that Ancel’s team was focused on other projects. The game seemed destined to become vaporware, a mere footnote in gaming history.

The Rollercoaster Continues

In 2017, Beyond Good & Evil 2 was re-announced with a concept trailer that looked too good to be true. The gaming community was abuzz with excitement, but skepticism remained high. Ubisoft attempted to quell doubts by showcasing 25 minutes of gameplay footage in 2018, but the project once again vanished from the public eye.

The game’s troubled development took another hit when Michel Ancel left Ubisoft in 2020 to pursue his passion for animal welfare. Ancel’s departure was followed by allegations of fostering a “toxic” work environment, which he vehemently denied. The project suffered another devastating blow with the death of creative lead Emil Morel in 2023.

A Glimmer of Hope

Despite these setbacks, Ubisoft has continued to tease information about Beyond Good & Evil 2. The company included nods to the game in the original’s 20th-anniversary edition, keeping the flame of hope alive for fans.

Now, with the recent restructuring, Beyond Good & Evil 2 has found itself in a unique position. It’s been placed in Ubisoft’s new “Creative House 4,” a division dedicated to “immersive fantasy worlds and narrative-driven universes.” This grouping also includes other beloved franchises like Might & Magic, Rayman, and Prince of Persia.

The Road Ahead

As Beyond Good & Evil 2 continues its journey through development hell, it faces an uphill battle. The game still lacks a release date, and after nearly two decades in development, it has serious questions to answer. Can it live up to the sky-high expectations set by its prolonged development cycle? Will it be able to recapture the magic of the original game?

Only time will tell if Beyond Good & Evil 2 will finally emerge from the shadows and become the game fans have been waiting for. But for now, its survival amidst Ubisoft’s corporate turmoil is nothing short of miraculous.

As the gaming industry watches with bated breath, one thing is certain: the story of Beyond Good & Evil 2 is far from over. Whether it will end in triumph or tragedy remains to be seen, but its journey has already become the stuff of gaming legend.

Tags

Ubisoft #BeyondGoodAndEvil2 #GamingIndustry #Layoffs #StudioClosures #PrinceOfPersia #GameDevelopment #CorporateRestructuring #GamingNews #IndustryDrama #DevelopmentHell #GamingCommunity #Strike #EmployeeRights #StockMarket #FrenchMultinational #CreativeHouse4 #MichelAncel #EmilMorel #Rayman #MightAndMagic #ActionAdventure #CultClassic #Vaporware #GameplayFootage #AnniversaryEdition #Expectations #GamingLegend

ViralSentences

“Ubisoft’s bloodbath claims six projects, but somehow Beyond Good & Evil 2 survives!”
“17 years in development hell: The miraculous story of Beyond Good & Evil 2”
“Ubisoft employees call for international strike: ‘We’re treated like children'”
“Prince of Persia remake cancelled as Ubisoft shares plummet to 14-year low”
“Beyond Good & Evil 2: The game that refuses to die”
“Michel Ancel leaves gaming for animal sanctuary, but his legacy lives on”
“Ubisoft’s Creative House 4: Where dreams go to either flourish or wither”
“The rollercoaster ride of Beyond Good & Evil 2 development”
“Emil Morel’s tragic death: Another blow to Beyond Good & Evil 2”
“Ubisoft’s restructuring: A blessing in disguise for Beyond Good & Evil 2?”
“Beyond Good & Evil 2 gameplay footage: Too good to be true?”
“The curse of long development cycles: Lessons from Beyond Good & Evil 2”
“Ubisoft’s stock crash: A wake-up call for the gaming industry?”
“Beyond Good & Evil 2: The ultimate test of fan patience and loyalty”
“From concept to cult classic: The evolution of Beyond Good & Evil 2”

,