Sony Turned Down The Order: 1886 Sequel Due to Critical Reception, Dev Says

Sony reportedly declined a sequel to the PlayStation 4 game *The Order: 1886* due to its lukewarm critical reception, according to Andrea Pessino, co-founder of the game's developer, Ready at Dawn. Pessino shared in an interview with MinnMax that despite the game's initial poor reviews, Ready at Dawn was eager to create what he described as an "incredible" sequel. Released in 2015, *The Order: 1886* was set in Victorian London and featured a narrative centered around werewolves. Although it was lauded for its stunning visuals, the game's reception was mixed, with many critics pointing out its shortcomings in gameplay.

Pessino expressed strong belief in the potential of the sequel, saying, "It would have been an incredible sequel, I can tell you that for a fact." However, he noted that he couldn't elaborate further due to not owning the franchise rights. Despite the first game's reception, Ready at Dawn pitched the sequel to Sony, but the proposal was turned down. Pessino suggested that it might have been for the best, given the challenging circumstances they faced during the development of the original game.

The development of *The Order: 1886* was fraught with difficulties, as Pessino explained. Ready at Dawn had a strained relationship with Sony, which led to compromises and cuts to meet deadlines. Sony's expectations were set high by the game's early visual showcases, and when Ready at Dawn couldn't maintain those graphical standards due to other priorities, payments were withheld. This situation, while common in the industry with third-party publishers, created a tense dynamic between the developer and Sony.

Despite these challenges, Pessino revealed that Ready at Dawn was willing to take on even tougher conditions to develop the sequel. "We were going to do it just because we wanted to deliver it to the players," he said, acknowledging that the budget would be tight and they would have little negotiating power. The team's motivation was driven by a desire to redeem the franchise, which they believed had a solid foundation.

*The Order: 1886* ended on a cliffhanger, leaving fans hopeful for a follow-up. Unfortunately, those hopes were crushed a decade later when Ready at Dawn was shut down by its owner, Meta, in 2024. IGN's review of the game, which scored it a 6/10, criticized its focus on cinematic quality at the expense of gameplay freedom, reflecting the broader critical sentiment.