According to statements from the co-founder of Ready at Dawn, Sony reportedly declined a sequel to the PlayStation 4 title The Order: 1886, largely due to its lackluster critical reception.

In an interview with MinnMax, Andrea Pessino revealed that Ready at Dawn had developed an “incredible” concept for a sequel and was fully committed to its creation, emphasizing their dedication to the gaming community. Released in 2015, The Order: 1886 is an action-adventure game set against the backdrop of a Victorian London plagued by werewolves. Despite its impressive graphics, it garnered mixed reviews from critics.

Pessino asserted, “I can confirm it would have been an amazing sequel.” However, he acknowledged the limitations in discussing the project, as the franchise rights do not belong to him. “We went ahead and pitched the sequel to Sony regardless of the previous feedback, and perhaps it’s for the best that they turned it down. If we felt the pressure before, it would have intensified immensely with this sequel; we could have really been in a tough spot,” Pessino elaborated.

During the development of the original title, Pessino noted that the relationship between Ready at Dawn and Sony was challenging. The team faced multiple hurdles, including the need to cut numerous features to meet tight deadlines, ultimately leading to a premature release of The Order: 1886.

He explained that the initial high-quality graphics showcased in early presentations set unrealistic expectations for subsequent development milestones. Unfortunately, when Ready at Dawn was forced to prioritize other aspects of the game, they struggled to maintain those same visual standards, resulting in payment delays from Sony.

Although Pessino acknowledged that such practices are commonplace among third-party publishers, they contributed to a frustrating dynamic between Ready at Dawn and Sony. Regardless of the struggles, the team was still eager to pursue a sequel to The Order: 1886.

Pessino shared, “We were determined to create it simply for the players, but we would have been left in a precarious position. The budget would have been minimal, giving us no power in negotiations, and essentially leaving us subject to their decisions. Despite this, our desire to redeem the franchise was strong. We laid a solid foundation, and I can assure you there was a wealth of potential to build upon.”

The conclusion of The Order: 1886 left fans on a significant cliffhanger, intensifying their anticipation for a sequel. Unfortunately, a decade later, those hopes have been extinguished, particularly following the news of Ready at Dawn’s closure by Meta in 2024.

IGN’s review gave the game a score of 6/10, stating, “While The Order: 1886 is an aesthetically pleasing adventure, its emphasis on cinematic quality comes at a significant cost to gameplay freedom.”

Ryan Dinsdale is a freelance reporter for IGN and has a penchant for discussing The Witcher series.