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

Ready at Dawn's co-founder, Andrea Pessino, recently revealed that Sony rejected a sequel to their PlayStation 4 title, The Order: 1886, citing the original game's lukewarm critical reception. Despite this, Pessino claims Ready at Dawn pitched a compelling sequel, even stating they would have accepted unfavorable terms to deliver it to fans.

In an interview with MinnMax, Pessino described the proposed sequel as "incredible," emphasizing their dedication to the project. He explained that the original game's development was fraught with challenges, including a strained relationship with Sony and significant content cuts to meet deadlines. The Order: 1886, released in 2015, was visually stunning but received mixed reviews, criticized for its limited gameplay despite its cinematic presentation.

The initial high-fidelity visuals of the game's early presentations set unrealistic expectations for consistent graphical quality throughout development, according to Pessino. This led to payment disputes when Ready at Dawn prioritized other aspects of development, temporarily compromising the graphical benchmarks. Although Pessino acknowledged this as a common practice among third-party publishers, it created friction between the developer and Sony.

Despite this difficult past, Pessino confirmed Ready at Dawn pitched a sequel to Sony regardless. He stated they were willing to accept a significantly reduced budget and limited creative control, prioritizing the opportunity to redeem the franchise in the eyes of fans. The original game ended on a cliffhanger, leaving players yearning for a continuation.

Unfortunately, those hopes were ultimately dashed. Ready at Dawn, acquired by Meta, was subsequently shut down in 2024, effectively ending any chance of a sequel. IGN's review of The Order: 1886 (6/10) highlighted the game's stylistic strengths but criticized its restrictive gameplay. Pessino's comments paint a picture of a passionate team thwarted by circumstances beyond their control.