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 stated that Ready at Dawn pitched a compelling sequel, even expressing their willingness to accept unfavorable terms to create it for the fans.

In an interview with MinnMax, Pessino described the proposed sequel as "incredible," highlighting the team's dedication. He acknowledged the limitations imposed by not owning the franchise rights, preventing him from divulging specifics. He emphasized that the pitch was made irrespective of the original game's mixed reviews, stating that the potential sequel would have been a significant improvement. He even went so far as to say they'd have "signed [their] life away" to make it.

The development of the first Order: 1886 was fraught with challenges, according to Pessino. The team faced a strained relationship with Sony, resulting in significant content cuts to meet deadlines. The game's release, he admitted, was premature. The initial high-fidelity visuals, showcased in early presentations, created unrealistic expectations regarding development milestones. Sony's withholding of payments due to Ready at Dawn prioritizing other aspects of development and temporarily compromising graphical fidelity, while standard practice for third-party publishers, further exacerbated the tension.

Despite this difficult experience, Pessino confirmed Ready at Dawn was willing to endure even worse conditions to produce a sequel. They were prepared to accept a meager budget and limited creative control, lacking the leverage to negotiate a fair contract. Their motivation stemmed from a desire to redeem the franchise and build upon the strong foundation laid by the original game.

The original Order: 1886, which concluded on a significant cliffhanger, left fans yearning for a continuation. However, with Ready at Dawn's closure by parent company Meta in 2024, those hopes have been extinguished. IGN's review of the original game, scoring it a 6/10, summarized the issue succinctly: "Though a stylish adventure, The Order: 1886 emphasizes its cinematic polish at the crippling cost of gameplay freedom."