Splash Damage Cancels Transformers: Reactivate

Summary

• Transformers: Reactivate has been canceled after a lengthy and troubled development period.
• Some staff members at Splash Damage may be let go as a result.
• The studio is now working on an open-world survival game being built with Unreal Engine 5.

Transformers: Reactivate, a highly anticipated 1-4 player online game, has been officially canceled by developer Splash Damage. The game was teased at The Game Awards 2022 with a mysterious trailer, showcasing Autobots and Decepticons teaming up to combat an alien threat on Earth. Splash Damage, renowned for their work on multiplayer aspects of games like Gears 5 and Batman: Arkham Origins, had fans excited about their take on the Transformers universe.

However, since its announcement, details about Transformers: Reactivate remained sparse, with only leaks and early action figure releases providing glimpses into what could have been. These leaks suggested a roster featuring Generation 1 characters such as Ironhide, Hot Rod, Starscream, and Soundwave, with action figures also showcasing Optimus Prime and Bumblebee. Rumors even hinted at the inclusion of Beast Wars characters, but all these plans have now been abandoned.

Splash Damage Cancels Transformers: Reactivate After Nearly Three Years

Splash Damage announced the cancellation of Transformers: Reactivate on their Twitter page, acknowledging the difficulty of the decision. The cancellation may lead to redundancies, impacting some staff members as the studio shifts focus to other projects. The developer expressed gratitude to the team and Hasbro for their dedication and support throughout the development process.

Reactions to the cancellation have been mixed. While some fans are disappointed, others had anticipated this outcome due to the lack of updates following the initial trailer at The Game Awards 2022.

In March 2023, Splash Damage revealed they were collaborating with streamers Shroud and Sacriel on "Project Astrid," a triple-A open-world survival game developed using Unreal Engine 5. With Transformers: Reactivate now discontinued, Splash Damage is redirecting its resources to "Project Astrid," though this shift will result in layoffs. Meanwhile, Transformers fans continue to await a new high-quality game featuring Hasbro's iconic Robots in Disguise.