Ready at Dawn, the developer behind the PlayStation 4 title The Order: 1886, revealed that Sony rejected a proposed sequel. Andrea Pessino, co-founder of Ready at Dawn, shared with MinnMax that despite the original game's mixed critical reception, the team pitched an "incredible" sequel, even willing to accept unfavorable terms to deliver it to fans.
Pessino explained that the development of the first game was fraught with challenges, including a strained relationship with Sony. Meeting the high graphical expectations set by early demos proved difficult, leading to payment delays when Ready at Dawn prioritized other aspects of development to meet deadlines. This, coupled with the need to cut content, resulted in The Order: 1886 launching before it was fully realized. Despite these difficulties, the team was so committed to the franchise that they were prepared to accept a significantly smaller budget and limited creative control for the sequel.
The original game, released in 2015, depicted werewolves in Victorian London and, while visually stunning, received middling reviews, primarily criticizing its limited gameplay. This, Pessino suggests, is why Sony ultimately declined the sequel pitch. The game also ended on a significant cliffhanger, leaving fans yearning for a continuation. Ready at Dawn's closure by Meta in 2024 further dashed any remaining hopes for a sequel. IGN's review summarized the game's strengths and weaknesses, stating, "Though a stylish adventure, The Order: 1886 emphasizes its cinematic polish at the crippling cost of gameplay freedom."
