Eidos-Montréal’s Lost Visions: From Legacy of Kain to Lord of the Rings and Beyond
Eidos-Montréal, the studio behind acclaimed titles like the recent Tomb Raider games, is currently navigating a challenging period. Following its acquisition by Embracer Group, the studio has experienced layoffs and a wave of project cancellations, signaling a shift from independent development towards support work for other studios.
The Scrapped Legacy of Kain Reboot
Among the casualties was a “soft-reboot” of the beloved Legacy of Kain franchise. Development, codenamed P16, lasted approximately one year before Embracer pulled the plug, transferring the IP back to Crystal Dynamics. Sources indicate the project was progressing well, with “barebones gameplay” already established, showcasing a promising vision for a modern take on the gothic vampire world.
A Glimpse into a Cancelled Lord of the Rings Game
Beyond Legacy of Kain, Eidos-Montréal was also working on a Lord of the Rings game. This project, described as a “Dark Fantasy ARPG,” featured a top-down perspective and incorporated card-based mechanics with a narrative style reminiscent of Telltale Games. Concept art reveals detailed environments, including the port city of Umbar and the iconic Prancing Pony inn.
Umbar and the Corsair Threat
The concept art focuses heavily on Umbar, a pirate stronghold in Tolkien’s world. Images depict the city before and after a potential battle, showcasing its destruction. Early gameplay tests included red silhouettes identified as “Corsairs,” suggesting a focus on the pirates of Umbar as antagonists.
The Fate of the Tolkien Project
Like the Legacy of Kain reboot, the Lord of the Rings game was cancelled following the Embracer acquisition. The extent of development remains unclear, but the available concept art offers a tantalizing glimpse into what could have been.
Shifting Focus: From Original IPs to Support Roles
The cancellations have forced Eidos-Montréal into a support role, assisting other studios on projects like Fable and Grounded 2. The studio was even approached to contribute to Hideo Kojima’s Overdose, but reportedly declined due to staffing requirements.
P11: A New Hope?
Despite the setbacks, Eidos-Montréal is currently developing a new internal project, codenamed P11. This is described as a third-person, open-world action-adventure IP built on Unreal Engine 5.
The Broader Implications for Game Development
The situation at Eidos-Montréal highlights a growing trend within the gaming industry: the increasing consolidation of studios and the impact of acquisitions on creative projects. The cancellation of promising titles like the Legacy of Kain reboot and the Lord of the Rings game underscores the risks associated with relying on large corporations to fund and support ambitious game development.
Did you know?
Eidos-Montréal has cancelled as many as 7-8 projects in recent years, indicating a significant shift in the studio’s direction.
FAQ
Q: What happened to the Legacy of Kain reboot?
A: It was cancelled by Embracer Group after approximately one year of development and the IP was returned to Crystal Dynamics.
Q: What kind of game was the Lord of the Rings project?
A: It was a “Dark Fantasy ARPG” with a top-down perspective and card-based mechanics.
Q: What is Eidos-Montréal working on now?
A: The studio is currently developing a new internal project, codenamed P11, a third-person, open-world action-adventure game.
Q: Why were these projects cancelled?
A: The cancellations occurred following Embracer Group’s acquisition of Eidos-Montréal, as the company restructured its priorities.
Explore more about the gaming industry’s evolving landscape and the challenges faced by developers on our news page. Share your thoughts on these cancelled projects in the comments below!
