Crytek originally planned Ryse: Son of Rome as a historical franchise similar to Assassin’s Creed, with planned expansions into feudal Japan and Viking-era Iceland. According to former employees cited by IGN, the project was intended to be a saga before financial instability and a rights dispute between Crytek and Microsoft halted all future development.
The Ambition to Build a Historical Universe
Ryse: Son of Rome launched in late 2013 as an Xbox One title. While praised for its visuals, the game’s limited scope left a gap that Crytek intended to fill with a multi-era roadmap. Former developers confirmed to IGN that the studio wanted to move beyond the Roman Empire, treating the IP as a vehicle to explore various global conflicts.
The vision mirrored the strategy used by Ubisoft for its Assassin’s Creed series, which has sold over 250 million copies by jumping between historical settings. Crytek aimed to replicate this longevity by diversifying the geography and time periods of subsequent entries.
Did you know? One of the primary proposed settings was feudal Japan. The team specifically wanted to explore the Mongol invasions, a thematic territory that reminds one of Ghost of Tsushima.
Cancelled Settings: From Iceland to Medieval England
Internal plans included a dedicated project set in Viking-age Iceland. These concepts aimed to solve the “lack of variety” and short duration that critics cited as the primary weaknesses of the first game. By shifting environments, Crytek hoped to expand the gameplay loop beyond the first title.
Rumors also circulated regarding a spin-off titled Ryse: Knights of England. This project would have moved the action into the Middle Ages, further distancing the franchise from its Roman roots.
Why Ryse Failed to Become a Franchise
Despite the creative ambition, the franchise collapsed due to a combination of market performance and corporate friction. According to reports from 2014, neither Crytek nor Microsoft expressed a genuine interest in producing a direct sequel after the initial game failed to meet sales expectations.
The death of the series was finalized by two critical factors:
- Financial Instability: The German studio faced monetary struggles during this period.
- IP Rights Dispute: A dispute between Crytek and Microsoft over who owned the rights to the IP ensured that no new projects could move forward.
Pro Tip: When analyzing “failed” AAA titles, look at the IP ownership. Often, a game isn’t cancelled because of bad reviews, but because the developer and publisher cannot agree on who owns the copyright.
Comparing the “Historical Action” Model
| Feature | Ryse (Planned) | Assassin’s Creed |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Linear/Action-focused | Open World/Exploration |
| Settings | Rome, Japan, Iceland | Global/Multi-century |
| Outcome | Single Title (Cancelled) | Multi-decade Franchise |
Frequently Asked Questions
Was Ryse: Son of Rome a failure?
While visually impressive, it was considered a “correct” but short experience. It failed to generate the sales necessary to sustain a franchise.
Which settings were planned for future Ryse games?
Crytek planned entries set in feudal Japan (specifically the Mongol invasion) and Viking-era Iceland.
Who owns the rights to Ryse?
The IP became a point of contention between Crytek and Microsoft, which contributed to the cancellation of any future sequels.
What do you think? Could a Japanese-setting Ryse game have saved the franchise, or was the combat too simple to sustain a series? Let us know in the comments or join the discussion on our Discord channel.
Related reading
