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EXCLUSIVE: Beyond Good & Evil 2 Survives Ubisoft's Project Purge

Insider Gaming has learned that one of Ubisoft's longest in-development projects has survived the latest round of project cancellations.

insider-gaming.com

Insider Gaming has learned that one of Ubisoft's longest in-development projects, Beyond Good & Evil 2 has survived Ubisoft's latest round of project cancellations.

Beyond Good & Evil 2 continues to make headlines as the longest-in-development title ever, having been in development since its reveal on May 30, 2008, with a total of 6445 days at the time of writing, or, for those who hate math, 17 years, 7 months, and 22 days.

However, the current version of the game has been in development since around 2017, which still means a good 8-9 years of development.

Regardless of records and long-ass development timelines, though, Ubisoft still thinks that Beyond Good & Evil 2 has something to give. Despite the recent restructuring that has seen six games cancelled, including the Prince of Persia: Sands of Time Remake, sources tell Insider Gaming that Beyond Good & Evil 2 is still in active development, at least for the time being.

In 2023, Beyond Good & Evil 2 saw significant changes with Ubisoft Montpellier being under investigation "over an unprecedented number of developers experiencing burnout and going on sick leave."

According to sources, constant changes, pushbacks, and the lengthy development time have likely cost Ubisoft $500+ million in development costs. But, at least for the time being, Ubisoft feels like it's a cost that is justified.

As for when Beyond Good & Evil 2 will release, it's anyone's guess, but it's possible the game still won't be seen for a number of years.

 

[WoJ]

This game has zero chance of being good if if ever even releases.

 

[crazyriddler]

After all these years, the game must have been restarted countless times, and I have no faith that today's Ubisoft is capable of developing a game that does justice to the franchise and isn't just another formulaic Ubisoft title.

 

[Ristifer]

How in the fuck has it survived?

 

[A.Romero]

Wow, this is really surprising if true.

Does the IP really have big sales potential?

 

[Buggy Loop]

In active development*

*So far

 

[PauloRoberto]

Wow, this is really surprising if true.

Does the IP really have big sales potential?

No, and it never had.

I really do not know why some users created a CULT around this game...

 

[A.Romero]

No, and it never had.

I really do not know why some users created a CULT around this game...

I guess it's a Guillemont's family favorite or something. Such a weird decision

 

[Johnny Concrete]

I always imagine there are 3 dudes in a Ubisoft office basement working on this. 2 of them are different developers every other week and the third is there from the beginning.
His name is Jean-Claude, programmer and almost retired.

 

[kiphalfton]

Classic case of sunk cost fallacy.

I guess it makes sense when Ubisoft is going down like the Titanic.

 

[Traxtech]

Is the original team even still making it? Who knows at this point lol

 

[rm082e]

This is some sort of tax write off scheme. We will N-E-V-E-R see this game release for sale.

 

[kiphalfton]

This is some sort of tax write off scheme. We will N-E-V-E-R see this game release for sale.

Maybe money laundering

 

[falconhoof]

This game must have a lot of A's right now, maybe AAAAA or even AAAAAAA. Gonna be amazing.

 

[Jesb]

Why is this game getting this much financial backing? The first game was good but I figured it's just one of those good hidden gems you see in a generation.

 

[Heimdall_Xtreme]

​

EXCLUSIVE: Beyond Good & Evil 2 Survives Ubisoft's Project Purge

Insider Gaming has learned that one of Ubisoft's longest in-development projects has survived the latest round of project cancellations.

insider-gaming.com

It is in development until eternity.

 

[KeplerL2]

How in the fuck has it survived?

Sunk cost fallacy

 

[Magic Carpet]

I bought the 20th anniversary edition, maybe they got enough buyers of that to say, "Eh, what the hell keep going."

 

[Arsic]

This will release same year as Agent.

 

[StereoVsn]

So they just cut 6 games, closing down some studios, shrinking down and reducing cost and freaking BG&E 2 is still around? How!?

 

[AzekZero]

How in the fuck has it survived?

To collect money from the government, probably.

 

[March Climber]

The sadder news here (aside from this game being in infinite limbo) is the fact that the worldbuilding tech they were using for that last tech demo seemed quite impressive in terms of scale.

Makes me wonder if they were ever going to use it in any future title. I mean at this point I'd rather have this be a Deep Down/RE Engine situation where the game is sacrificed for a cool new game engine.

 

[Paasei]

 

[Moses85]

 

[neo raider]

As much as I hate ubisoft (wish them nothing but the worst) the game looks decent and i really like that they are letting fans of the franchise do artwork and voice acting and get paid for it, which will make the game feel unique

Its been 5+ years since the last update on the game and im not sure i want it anymore

 

[GamesDontSuck]

 

[Mayar]

Beyond Good and Evil 2 Still in Active Development

No, it's not true, they're just trolling.
At this point, such statements, without providing any solid evidence in the form of game footage or trailers, are just empty words to bolster the studio's PR and image.

 

[FinalBossWithTheMostPower]

 

[Matt_Fox]

Xbox 360 and PlayStation 2 game of the year incoming!!!!

 

[IbizaPocholo]

Ubisoft's long-in-the-works Beyond Good and Evil 2 "a unique proposition" in the open world adventure market, studio says

Ubisoft has confirmed Beyond Good and Evil 2 remains a priority for the studio and "fits with [its] strategy of focusing on Open World Adventures".

www.eurogamer.net

In a statement shared with Eurogamer, a Ubisoft spokesperson has said:

"Beyond Good and Evil 2 remains part of our portfolio and our roadmap and fits with our strategy of focusing on Open World Adventures."

The studio's spokesperson added that within this market, "the fantasy genre is underserved". Therefore, Ubisoft has a "unique proposition" with its Beyond Good and Evil sequel.

 

[Humdinger]

That's good news for anyone still hoping for the game. I gave up waiting many years ago, personally. But this is a sign that there is enough substance there to continue the project, even in the face of Ubisoft's massive problems and cutbacks. You could see this as a good sign. Maybe the project is far enough along that they figured it would only take X amount of dollars to get it to the finish line.

 

[VGA-Games]

Who cares at this Point.

 

[yurinka]

How in the fuck has it survived?

So they just cut 6 games, closing down some studios, shrinking down and reducing cost and freaking BG&E 2 is still around? How!?

Why do you think they should have cancelled it? Have you played it or seen what they have developed until now?

Is the original team even still making it? Who knows at this point lol

Obviously across that many years some people changed, but the studios are the same. Pretty likely over 90% of the people are the same.

Why is this game getting this much financial backing? The first game was good but I figured it's just one of those good hidden gems you see in a generation.

Why do you complain about its budget size? Do you know how big is it? Are you paying it?

 

[Jesb]

I don't believe it actually is. And I don't care either way.

 

[Angry_Megalodon]

"Unique proposition", here comes your batch of tough space lesbians, now with gorillas too.

 

[Ribi]

Let it be ambitious and good. It's not my money, let's see it Ubisoft. All these bitch ass gamers who cry about long development times are just impatient. The fuck does this do to any gamer around? It's don't when it done should be the standard for non annual games

 

[Roni]

How in the fuck has it survived?

Someone who's sleeping with someone really important must be responsible for it. Boggles the mind if it's anything else...

 

[Ristifer]

Why do you think they should have cancelled it? Have you played it or seen what they have developed until now?


Obviously across that many years some people changed, but the studios are the same. Pretty likely over 90% of the people are the same.


Why do you complain about its budget size? Do you know how big is it? Are you paying it?

You give Ubisoft way too much credit. It's been in development for over 15 years. And no, I haven't seen it yet. That's the entire problem. It's more myth than game.

 

[Ishma3L]

Beyond Good and Evil 2 somehow survives the bloodbath at Ubisoft: creative director says he's 'saddened' by the layoffs and cancellations, but the 19-year project is 'unaffected'

"We remain committed and focused on delivering a remarkable game for our players to enjoy."

www.pcgamer.com