Maxi-Geek

View Original

Missing In Action - The 2024 Update

Luke Henderson

So last year, once the madness of the Not-E3 shows were done, we complied a list of games that were missing in action, titles that hadn’t been seen since their original announcement. Thankfully some of those games have since been shown again, one has been cancelled, but we got movement at least.

As that same June madness has ended, we thought it would be good to see what games still have yet to be seen and what games may have now been added to the list. First up, this is the list of games that have been removed from the list. For reference sake, we will use the names we had at the time of publishing in 2023.

DRAGON AGE: DREADWOLF

DRAGON QUEST III HD REMAKE

INDIANA JONES GAME

METROID PRIME 4

PERFECT DARK

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: HEART OF CHORNOBYL

STAR WARS: HUNTERS

STATE OF DECAY 3

Both Timesplitters 4 and the Star Wars FPS game were cancelled in the past 12 months, so they are off the list.

Here now are the games that have been missing in action, we have added a new status field, to indicate if it is a new addition to the list, or a returning entry.

BEYOND GOOD AND EVIL 2

Revealed: June 2017 | Status: Returning | Developer: Ubisoft Montpellier | Publisher: Ubisoft

Perhaps the granddaddy of missing in action, Beyond Good and Evil 2 was first announced way back in 2008 and then it went radio silent for 9 years, before appearing in 2017 at the E3 Ubisoft Showcase and then again a year later. Since the 2018 trailer, which is below, there has been nothing revealed about the game, outside of Ubisoft confirming that the game is still happening. With the recent Ubisoft Forward more around the games out this year, this was not expected to show up, however at this point, anything would be welcome.

HOLLOW KNIGHT: SILKSONG

Revealed: Feb 2019 | Status: Returning | Developer: Team Cherry | Publisher: Team Cherry

Originally announced as a stretch goal for the original games Kickstarter, the DLC was spun out to its own game in February 2019. Later that year it was playable at PAX Australia, I still have the pin to commemorate it but it would then be 2.5 years until we saw the game again. That was June 2022 and in the past 2 years, there has been nothing, now the game has been rated in some regions and many were hoping for a release during June, but the game continues to remain silent.

STAR WARS KNIGHTS OF THE OLD REPUBLIC REMAKE

Revealed: Sep 2021 | Status: Returning | Developer: Sabre Interactive | Publisher: Sabre Interactive

First announced in a State of Play, the news that the beloved RPG was getting a remake and exclusively for the PlayStation 5 was met with much cheer, this would also mark the series debut on PlayStation. A little under 12 months later we learnt that development had shifted from Aspyr to Sabre Interactive and with Sabre now its own company again, we have no idea where the game lies. Embracer were the ones leading this charge, but as they sold the studio making it off, who knows what the status is, given that almost 3 years have passed without any significant update, it is likely development restarted with the developer change and that might mean we go a while before we see it again.

WONDER WOMAN GAME

Revealed: Dec 2021 | Status: Returning | Developer: Monolith Productions | Publisher: WB Games

More than 2 years ago, Monolith Productions revealed they were creating an all-new Wonder Woman game. This was big news for two reasons, the first is that this would be the characters first solo title and second was that the developer Monolith created the excellent Middle-earth series of games. In the time since its announcement, the studio has been radio silent, but reports have come through that the Montreal division of WB Games, whose last title was Gotham Knights, were assisting. Given the studio were looking to fill a number of roles at the start of the year, development was likely slow going, but with those roles filled, there is no telling where we are in the development cycle, with any luck DC will bring back their Fandome event this year and we might see the game there.

The Elder Scrolls VI

Revealed: June 2018 | Status: New | Developer: Bethesda Game Studios | Publisher: Bethesda Softworks

It might not be fair to include this game in the list as we know it only went into full production in 2023, but the rule is that if its publicly announced, it is eligible for the list. Revealed via a generic trailer, seen below, back in June 2018, the game went through 5 years of radio silence and it was in August 2023 when we got our first big update, the game was now in active development. In the years between the two, there likely were a number of folks doing tests for whatever the next game might be, but all of the studios efforts were focused on Starfield, so they were backburner tests at best. In March 2024 we got word that development builds are playable, the state of them was not revealed, so there is stuff to enjoy, but it has now been six years since we saw anything ourselves and that is unlikely to change for a few more years.

WOLVERINE GAME

Revealed: Sep 2021 | Status: Returning | Developer: Insomniac Games | Publisher: PlayStation Studios

Revealed back in 2021 alongside Spider-Man 2, there has been no official news on the game since then. Of course, the developer Insomniac Games did spend time in 2023 dealing with a hack, which leaked some potential game details, but there is no telling how old or relevant those files were. The studio tends to have two teams, with the Ratchet and Clank team being done with their last game for a while, we could see this one soon, likely in early 2025 it just depends on who is doing the bulk of the work.

Untitled STAR WARS GAME

Revealed: April 2022 | Status: Returning | Developer: Skydance New Media | Publisher: Lucasfilm Games

There is very little we know about this one, we know that Amy Hennig is leading the team, she was the writer and director of the first three Uncharted games. The other detail we know is that the game will be a narrative-driven, action-adventure game that features an original story. Given the team is also working on Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra, there is little chance we are going to see this one anytime soon. It is also one of a few games on this list, where we have seen nothing on the game since its announcement.

SteamWorld: Headhunter

Revealed: November 2021 | Status: New | Developer: Image & Form | Publisher: Thunderful Development

After the successful and delightful SteamWorld Dig 2, many wondered where the series would go next SteamWorld Quest was not what people were thinking. But in November 2021, the studio threw fans for another loop when the 3rd person action game SteamWorld Headhunter was announced, however that announcement is all we got. Then when the studio teased more news, we got SteamWorld Build and once that was done the next tease was for SteamWorld Heist II. Reports came out in February 2024 that the game may be cancelled, but there has been no official word from the developer, so for now we are just waiting to hear about this one.

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

Revealed: September 2020 | Status: New | Developer: Ubisoft Montreal | Publisher: Ubisoft

I did um and ah about including this release, as they did technically show something about the game at the recent Ubisoft Forward. The problem is that the trailer, which you can watch below, doesn’t actually show anything off about the game, just that it’s now coming in 2026. The game being on the list is a sad story as the game was revealed in September 2020 and dated for January 2021. Then just a week before release, it was delayed til March 2021, then delayed a year and then in May 2022 the development was taken over by the Montreal studio, who were not involved previously. After Ubisoft Forward, a tweet was sent out that confirmed the game has NOW gone into full production.

Assassin's Creed Codename Hexe

Revealed: September 2022 | Status: New | Developer: Ubisoft | Publisher: Ubisoft

This entry is one of four games from Ubisoft in this list, as the studio loves to reveal things early, given if they don’t they almost always leak. Hexe we knew was never going to release soon after its reveal as the developer had Mirage coming out first and what was then Red planned after that. With Assassin’s Creed Shadows coming out in 2024, it is possible that in 2025 we will see what Hexe is, however with recent comments from Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot, we might see a smaller scale title release first, only time will tell.

Transformers: Reactivate

Revealed: December 2022 | Status: New | Developer: Splash Damage | Publisher: Splash Damage

At the 2022 Game Awards, the trailer for this game, which is below, didn’t indicate anything was Transformers until the very end. That also highlights how the game has been handled since then, as there has been nothing revealed further. The game has apparently changed engines, but that was not confirmed and with a toy line meant to release as well, there is clearly more for the game that meets the eye. The problem is that the game was meant to release in 2024, with a beta test taking place this year as well, but there has been nothing on it since. What is perhaps the most telling element around its status, the games official reveal trailer has been taken offline.

ARK 2

Revealed: December 2020 | Status: Returning | Developer: Studio Wildcard | Publisher: Studio Wildcard

Ah ARK 2, a game that has so little to show of it, each time we saw the game, it was only ever the same trailer. The game sadly has been riddle with delays, it was due to launch in 2023, but was then delayed to late 2024 and the release changed to an Early Access program. The co-developer of the game is Grove Street Games, they are the folks that completely messed up the Grand Theft Auto Trilogy, but then released the very well done ARK for Switch. So there is no telling how things will go for this one, given the developer is a little unbalanced in its quality. With the first game closing down last-gen console support, you would hope that the game is closer to release, but there is nothing from anyone to confirm that.

DRAGON QUEST 12

Revealed: May 2021 | Status: Returning | Developer: Square Enix | Publisher: Square Enix

This game was announced on the exact same day as the Dragon Quest 3 remake and while we now have details for that one, see the top of the page, this one has been silent. Development of the game has likely been rocky since the death of the series composer Koichi Sugiyama and the recent passing of the character artist Akira Toriyama, but again there is nothing to confirm that. Given the changes Square Enix are making with their games going forward, it is possible this is being reworked to fit, or it could just be plodding along in the background, we just have no idea which it might be.

SPLINTER CELL REMAKE

Revealed: Dec 2021 | Status: Returning | Developer: Ubisoft Toronto | Publisher: Ubisoft

Give it to me now Ubisoft, I have been patient. There was a reason that I streamed all six games in the series, I adore them, so announcement of a remake of the first game was welcome news. However since it was announced, we haven’t had any good news on the game. In 2022 Ubisoft cancelled the VR Splinter Cell game, then just a few months later the director of the remake left the company. With Ubisoft keen on remaking Assassin’s Creed games, you would think that one of their earliest remake projects would now be moving ahead, but for now it seems in the shadows is where this game is going to live.

STAR WARS STRATEGY GAME

Revealed: Jan 2022 | Status: Returning | Developer: BitReactor/Respawn Entertainment | Publisher: Electronic Arts

The second Star Wars game that we know is coming, but we know nothing about. Announced at the same time as the now cancelled Star Wars FPS and Star Wars Jedi Survivor, there has been no news on this game in the past 18 months. Wait, I stand corrected, when the FPS game was cancelled, the developers tweeted that this game was still in development. Given the studio officially revealed itself the day before the game was announced, I suspect this was one of those, we have this in the works, but work hadn’t started. The studio is looking to fill a number of roles, so for now the strategy we need to employe is one of waiting.

BIOSHOCK 4

Revealed: Dec 2019 | Status: Returning | Developer: Cloud Chamber | Publisher: 2K

This game was announced at the same time that the developer was started up and while Cloud Chamber now have two locations, there is nothing more on whatever their Bioshock related game is. When the game was announced, reports came out say the studio were kicking around ideas, so if you give them a year to get their idea and gameplay systems sorted, that brings us to 2.5 years ago, so I think now is the perfect time to reveal whatever this is.

Wreckreation

Revealed: August 2022 | Status: New | Developer: Three Fields Entertainment | Publisher: THQ Nordic

Out of all the games on this list, this is the game I didn’t want to see, as the studio was founded by the creators of the Burnout series. What started as Dangerous Driving 2, Wreckreation is taking the concept of Burnout Paradise, but making the world one of player customisation. While we did get a trailer last year, it really didn’t show off the gameplay, so now we are waiting on that. With the August THQ Nordic Showcase coming up, that would be the perfect time to see more.

KINGDOM HEARTS IV

Revealed: Apr 2022 | Status: Returning | Developer: Square Enix | Publisher: Square Enix

It has been 2 years now since the game was announced and outside of that debut trailer, which is below, we have heard nothing more on the game. We know that Tetsuya Nomura is in charge of the project, but he is also responsible for the Final Fantasy 7 Remake Trilogy, so his time being split is likely why we have not heard anything on this one and likely won’t for sometime.

MASS EFFECT 5

Revealed: Dec 2020 | Status: Returning | Developer: Bioware | Publisher: Electronic Arts

We are now over 3 years since the reveal that a new Mass Effect game was coming, which people are just calling Mass Effect 5 for convenience. We have been getting yearly teases, but they are always short, though last years tease, again below, does have potential. It shows off a character, which was confirmed to be in the game, along with a message that talks about Andromeda, Epislon (that is the fifth letter of the Greek alphabet) and the Alliance. Given BioWare shifted development on The Old Republic MMO to another company, that gives them a studios worth of developers, who will ideally be able to give this game a boost.

THE OUTER WORLDS 2

Revealed: June 2021 | Status: Returning | Developer: Obsidian Entertainment | Publisher: Xbox Game Studios

I feel a little bad about this one, the studio has shipped two games since this was announced, Pentiment and Grounded and we know Avowed is coming out in 2024. The problem with this game is that they announced it, just to announce it, as they had nothing done. You can watch the trailer below and enjoy their mocking of that very fact. However as the team working on this are different from the other teams from the games above, you might think 3 years is enough time to get some sort of update out. Given the Xbox method of not having developers make things to any sort of timeline, there is no telling when we shall see this game again, but I hope its soon.

EVERWILD

Revealed: Nov 2019 | Status: Returning | Developer: Rare | Publisher: Xbox Game Studios

While development was ongoing for a number of years, the game was only announced in November 2019 and since then, we have gotten one trailer, which is below. Since the games reveal, development has apparently been troublesome and with the departure of the games director, it apparently rebooted. Given the last rumours had the developers at Rare aiming for a 2024 release, they would need to do some serious marketing to get people hyped for it this year, however I suspect this game is going to be silent for a few more years, which makes it another game that Microsoft are content to keep working on without an end in sight.

PROJECT 007

Revealed: Nov 2020 | Status: Returning | Developer: IO Interactive | Publisher: IO Interactive

It has now been 3.5 years since this was announced to be happening and in that time, there has been nothing on the game. Since the reveal, the developer has released more and more content for HITMAN and announced a new fantasy game, but there is nothing on their Bond game. We do know that developer IO Interactive actually had to convince the Bond owners to allow them to make a game and they were successful. So it is clear that there is some passion behind the game, I just wish that passion would translate into some information.

Project Bloom

Revealed: May 2023 | Status: New | Developer: Game Freak | Publisher: Private Division

Perhaps one of the least known games on the list, all we got when this was announced was that it was a new game from the makers of Pokémon, it was likely releasing in 2026 and there was a piece of art. Beyond those details, we don’t know platforms, gameplay or even genre. Given the developers ability to keep things quiet until they reveal things, see Pokémon, it is unlikely we will hear anything about this until the end of next year, at the earliest.

Silent Hill f

Revealed: October 2022 | Status: New | Developer: NeoBards Entertainment | Publisher: Konami

After having years of no Silent Hill games, Konami went and dropped news of a few all at once and the last one to release will be Silent Hill f. Now the trailer below does point out some potential for it, but the details are very scarce. The game is set in the 1960s and in rural Japan, not the American town of Silent Hill. With the Silent Hill 2 remake coming in 2024, the odds of news about this particular title are slim, ensuring that it will remain silent.

STAR WARS: ECLIPSE

Revealed: Dec 2021 | Status: Returning | Developer: Quantic Dream | Publisher: Quantic Dream

What a surprise, another Star Wars game, first revealed back in December 2021 via the trailer below, Star Wars Eclipse wowed many gamers. Given the developers history around games that allow you to make a lot of choices, it is no surprise that this game will do the same. Sadly after 3.5 years, that is all we know about this game, though it will be the first game, if they ever get it out, to be set within the era of the High Republic, which could be fun.

So there we go, a selection of games that haven’t been seen in quite a while. While some of the games are barely 2 years since their reveal, there are countless titles that are now over 3 years and counting and some are around 10 years of age, if not older.

What games from this list are you still waiting on or is there a game that we didn’t include that has a spot on your gaming radar?