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 expressing a willingness to accept unfavorable terms to deliver it to fans.
In an interview with MinnMax, Pessino described the proposed sequel as "incredible," stating they would have "signed [their] life away" for the opportunity. The Order: 1886, released in 2015, boasted stunning visuals but received mixed reviews, criticized for its restrictive gameplay despite its impressive graphics.
Pessino elaborated on the strained relationship between Ready at Dawn and Sony during the original game's development. Meeting Sony's high graphical expectations, set by early demos, proved challenging, leading to payment delays when Ready at Dawn prioritized other aspects of development. While acknowledging this as common practice for third-party publishers, Pessino highlighted the frustrating nature of this dynamic.
Despite this challenging experience, the desire to deliver a sequel and redeem the franchise was paramount for the team. Pessino admitted they would have accepted a significantly less favorable contract, even one with a "terrible budget" and limited negotiation power, to make the sequel. He emphasized the strong foundation laid in the first game, believing it possessed immense potential for expansion.
The original game ended on a significant cliffhanger, leaving 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 Order: 1886, scoring it a 6/10, summarized the game as "a stylish adventure...crippled by a lack of gameplay freedom." The rejection of the sequel, therefore, leaves a significant narrative void and a missed opportunity for fans.
