Dynasty Warriors 10 Was Canceled

Summary

• The 10th mainline installment in the Dynasty Warriors franchise was canceled due to technological advancements.
• The cancellation of Dynasty Warriors 10 led to the incorporation of its elements into Dynasty Warriors: Origins, enhancing the game with more modern and strategic gameplay features.
• Dynasty Warriors: Origins is set to release on January 17, 2025, and will feature the series' signature hack-and-slash combat set in the Three Kingdoms Era.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins emerged from the shadow of a canceled project, its developers have disclosed. Initially, the team was working on what would have been the 10th mainline entry in the series, but decided to shift focus to create this new game. Deluxe Edition players have already experienced the fast-paced combat of Dynasty Warriors: Origins, but the game's development was propelled by significant technological advancements over the last four years.

For those who haven't opted for early access, Dynasty Warriors: Origins will be available on January 17, 2025. The game retains the beloved free-roaming hack-and-slash combat style that has defined the series since its second installment in 2000. Players will step into the shoes of a mysterious, amnesiac protagonist, navigating through the historical backdrop of China's Three Kingdoms Era.

While some fans have already delved into the world of Dynasty Warriors: Origins, members of the Omega Force development team recently shared insights into the project's origins. In an interview with the Japanese site 4Gamer, translated to English by SiliconEra, development producer Masamichi Oba discussed a "phantom number title" under the Dynasty Warriors brand that was canceled before Origins began development. This unreleased game, which would have resembled 2011's Dynasty Warriors 7 in its stage-clearing format, was ultimately abandoned in favor of a different approach that resulted in the game fans are enjoying today.

Dynasty Warriors 10 Was Canceled to Make the Best Dynasty Warriors Possible

The decision to cancel Dynasty Warriors 10, as explained by producer Tomohiko Sho in the same interview, was influenced by the capabilities of the PlayStation 5 and other current-generation consoles. Witnessing the potential of these advanced systems, the team chose to pivot their strategy for the next game, although they integrated some of the most promising elements from previous Dynasty Warriors titles into Origins.

According to Oba, despite the difficulty of abandoning the previous project, the team managed to incorporate some of its features into Dynasty Warriors: Origins. This includes the implementation of a free-roaming map, which Oba had envisioned for the canceled title, as well as a more in-depth exploration of the Three Kingdoms Era's narrative.