The Bordeaux-based developer, Asobo Studio, known for their work on Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and A Plague Tale: Innocence, is teaming up once again with Plague Tale publisher, Focus Entertainment. According to a recent release portfolio update sent to investors, the collaboration aims to bring something “new” and “major” to the gaming community.
While details about the project remain scarce, the update does mention that it will be an extension of the successful collaboration between Asobo Studio and Focus Entertainment, which resulted in the A Plague Tale franchise. Their previous release, A Plague Tale Requiem, garnered three million players worldwide. With this in mind, speculation arises that the upcoming project might be a continuation of the A Plague Tale series, potentially titled A Plague Tale 3 – A Plague Tale: Revengeance or A Plague Tale: 40,000. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that Asobo Studio is known for their versatility, having developed Microsoft Flight Simulator. So, surprises are not entirely out of the question.
Job Listings and Speculations
Back in July, LinkedIn job listings for various positions on Asobo’s “Plague Team” appeared, further fueling rumors about a new installment in the Plague Tale franchise. While it’s logical to assume that these positions are related to the series, some playful speculation suggests the existence of a clandestine bioweapons division within the studio. Of course, this remains purely speculative and unlikely.
For those unfamiliar with the Plague Tale series, the first game introduced players to a narrative-led stealth-puzzle experience set in medieval France. Players assumed the roles of two noble children trying to escape from a countryside overrun by carnivorous rat swarms and English soldiers. The game garnered praise for its portrayal of a young-older sibling relationship and its engaging stealth-puzzling gameplay. However, certain boss battles received mixed feedback from players.
The sequel, A Plague Tale: Requiem, offered a grander and darker experience with exceptional art direction. However, it fell short in terms of storytelling, disappointing some players. With a potential new Plague Tale game on the horizon, there is hope that the developers will analyze and address the fundamental aspects that hindered the second installment’s success.
Focus Entertainment’s New Partnership
In addition to the collaboration with Asobo Studio, the investor update also revealed a new partnership between Focus Entertainment and San Francisco-based Afterburner Studios. Together, they aim to create a new intellectual property co-ownership, although the exact details of this partnership and its implications remain unclear. Afterburner Studios, known for their previous title Dreamscaper, which has been described as a combination of Hades and Life is Strange, has garnered positive attention in the past. Fans can only hope that their collaboration with Focus Entertainment will result in an equally compelling gaming experience.
Asobo Studio’s collaboration with Focus Entertainment on a new and major project has sparked excitement within the gaming community. While the specifics of the project are shrouded in secrecy, the successful partnership that led to the A Plague Tale franchise’s success provides a solid foundation for speculation. Fans eagerly await more information and hope that any future Plague Tale installments will learn from past experiences. Additionally, Focus Entertainment’s collaboration with Afterburner Studios promises fresh and innovative gaming experiences in the future.
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