Released in October 2024, Unknown 9: Awakening was to be the entry point to an expansive transmedia universe including books, podcasts and comics. Unfortunately, the poor performance of the game, launched with total indifference, got the better of the projects surrounding the license.
Projects around Unknown 9 fall through
In a message posted on Linkedin, Hervé Hoerdt, director of Reflector Entertainment, indicates that he has made the decision “not to give the green light to continue work on a future project which was in the conceptualization phase and thus to put an end to this line of development”.
He explains that the game, played by actress Anya Chalotra (Yennefer in the TV series The Witcher), “did not meet the company's expectations and did not justify further exploring this universe”.
The studio also canceled a second project linked to Unknown 9, still in the conceptualization phase. Reflector Entertainment, which had already made layoffs in November 2024, is planning a new wave of job cuts following this restructuring while the company will refocus on a single project, based on an existing license from Bandai Namco which is “progressing GOOD “.
Continuing this project would not have been viable for the future of the studio. Unfortunately, this also means that there will be layoffs as a result of this decision.
This decision is directly linked to the failure of the studio's first ambitious and courageous project, a new intellectual property with a rich transmedia universe.
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It also indicates that support measures, such as compensation, mental health support and support for professional reorientation, will be put in place for affected employees, while Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe will continue to produce content intended to Western audiences.
Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe will continue to invest in creating Western content for global audiences, in line with the Group's vision.
As always, we obviously wish good luck to those affected by this restructuring, hoping that they can bounce back quickly.
Unknown 9: Awakening was released on Xbox Series If you've played the game, let us know what you thought of it and whether, at a reduced price, it's worth giving it a chance.
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