Quantic Dream, the studio famous for its story-centric games like “Detroit: Become Human,” has opted to halt the development of “Spellcasters Chronicles,” a free-to-play multiplayer fantasy MOBA that was released on Steam earlier this year. The French developer revealed that the game failed to garner a sufficient player base, leading them to shift their focus toward other initiatives, particularly the highly awaited “Star Wars Eclipse.”
In a statement shared on the social media platform X, Quantic Dream reflected on their goals for “Spellcasters Chronicles.” They sought to venture into innovative creative avenues and offer a distinct multiplayer experience. The studio commended the development team for their skill, creativity, and commitment, emphasizing the ambitious nature of the project. Nevertheless, Quantic Dream recognized the prevailing challenges within the gaming industry, which prevented “Spellcasters Chronicles” from attracting the audience necessary for its viability.
The choice to terminate “Spellcasters Chronicles” is accompanied by a planned “reorganization” within the studio, which could result in layoffs. Quantic Dream reassured fans that this restructuring would not impact the ongoing development of “Star Wars Eclipse.” First teased several years back, “Star Wars Eclipse” is anticipated to be a major release, potentially targeting the next generation of consoles.
David Cage, the studio’s director, previously mentioned when unveiling “Spellcasters Chronicles” that the new title might surprise fans due to its deviation from their traditional style. He highlighted the risks of pioneering a new genre for the studio and the critical role of player input and encouragement in building trust and developing something genuinely unique.
The game had its Early Access launch in February but attracted limited engagement and received mixed feedback from the community. Players pointed out issues like bugs, with some observing that older titles offered better visuals and gameplay mechanics. On the other hand, a few users valued the idea of merging real-time strategy and MOBA elements within a deck-building framework, expressing optimism for the game’s future development.
As the servers for “Spellcasters Chronicles” are scheduled to close on June 19, all players will be issued full refunds for their purchases. This closure represents a difficult period for Quantic Dream, as the studio reassesses its strategy and hones in on upcoming projects.
