Techland, the studio behind the popular Dying Light franchise, has announced the cancellation of two in-development games while clarifying that no staff reductions have occurred. The firm reported a significant loss of 135 million zl (£27.4 million) for 2024 and emphasized the need for fresh approaches in game development. Although the titles have not been officially named, speculation suggests that one could be the new fantasy RPG hinted at in May 2022. The studio has reassured fans that its primary focus remains on the upcoming Dying Light: The Beast, set to release on August 22, 2025, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. Techland aims to leverage the experience gained over the years to deliver an innovative next-gen experience with this latest installment, while also hinting at future projects in the Dying Light universe, including board games and a webcomic.
What happened to Techland's announced fantasy RPG?Techland has not provided specific details about the cancellation of its fantasy RPG, which was announced some time ago, but they indicated that adjustments to their game development strategy were necessary following recent financial losses. This suggests the studio is prioritizing its existing successful franchises over new titles.
Dying Light: The Beast is a standalone game that promises an expansive experience set in a post-apocalyptic world, continuing the successful formula established in its predecessors. The original Dying Light was released in 2015 and became a massive hit, selling over 20 million copies by 2022. It combined parkour mechanics with a horror survival atmosphere, creating an engaging gameplay experience that resonated with gamers worldwide. Dying Light 2, released in 2022, followed up with an impressive but more modest sales figure of 5 million copies in just two months. As Techland shifts focus back to this franchise, players eagerly anticipate what innovations Dying Light: The Beast will bring to the series.
Comments
Tough call canceling those projects, but focusing on Dying Light’s next chapter makes sense—especially if it means avoiding crunch and keeping the team together.
Kinda curious what that fantasy RPG could’ve been, though—maybe we’ll see those ideas resurface in a future title down the line.
Bummer about the fantasy RPG getting axed, but at least Techland’s keeping the team intact and doubling down on Dying Light—here’s hoping The Beast brings some fresh chaos to the franchise.
Financial hits sting, but shifting focus to what works could mean a tighter, more polished experience for fans in the long run.