Sony Rejects The Order: 1886 Sequel Over Criticism, Developer Reveals

In a recent interview with MinnMax, Andrea Pessino, co-founder of Ready at Dawn, revealed that Sony declined a sequel to the PlayStation 4 game, *The Order: 1886*, due to its lukewarm critical reception. Despite the game's stunning visuals, which were among the best of its generation, *The Order: 1886* launched in 2015 to mixed reviews. Pessino emphasized the potential of a sequel, stating, "It would have been an incredible sequel, I can tell you that for a fact," though he was limited in what he could share due to not owning the franchise rights.

Ready at Dawn pitched the sequel to Sony despite the first game's reception, and Pessino expressed a willingness to take on the project under challenging conditions, saying, "We would have signed our life away" to deliver it to the players. However, Sony's decision to pass may have been a blessing in disguise, as Pessino noted the sequel would have come with a "terrible budget" and left the studio with little leverage in negotiations.

The development of the original game was fraught with challenges. Pessino disclosed that Ready at Dawn had a strained relationship with Sony, primarily due to unrealistic expectations about graphical fidelity at various development milestones. When the studio couldn't meet these expectations, Sony withheld payments, leading to significant cuts and the game being released before it was fully ready.

Despite these hurdles, Pessino remains proud of the groundwork laid for *The Order: 1886*. He believes there was substantial potential to build upon, especially given the game's cliffhanger ending that left fans eager for more. Unfortunately, hopes for a sequel were dashed with Ready at Dawn's closure by its owner, Meta, in 2024.

IGN's review of *The Order: 1886* scored it a 6/10, noting, "Though a stylish adventure, The Order: 1886 emphasizes its cinematic polish at the crippling cost of gameplay freedom."