A new Metro game is in development from longtime franchise developer 4A Games, and that’s not all. The Ukrainian developer has been acquired by Embracer Group and is also working on a mysterious new multiplayer game.
4A Games has been in operation since 2005 and most of the studio’s work has been focused on Dmitry Glukhovsky’s Metro 2033 series of post-apocalyptic novels. Now, the announcement of the 4A Games’ acquisition by Embracer Group — formerly THQ Nordic — states that this relationship is set to continue with a new Metro 2033 game. It certainly understandable — last year’s Metro Exodus was the company’s biggest launch in history.
“The acquisition marks an important milestone in the longstanding relationship between 4A Games and Deep Silver/Koch Media, who will continue to explore the Metro franchise together with Dmitry Glukhovsky going forward,” states a press release. “Embracer will see development and royalty cost savings from released Metro titles and future games as well as development margin savings between Deep Silver and 4A Games.”
“Together we will continue to build on the Metro franchise and will focus on bringing a multiplayer experience to our fanbase,” said 4A Games’ CEO Dan Sharpe in the same press release. “We look forward to building a new and even more ambitious AAA IP in the near future.”
Going forward, 4A Games is going to operate as an independent studio under Saber Interactive. Dmitry Glukhovsky had already signaled his intention to continue working with 4A Games last year, so we know that the new Metro 2033 game is in good hands.
The same press release reinforces the fact that 4A Games has already begun development on a brand new AAA IP. So is this a Metro multiplayer game or not? Games industry tweeter DarkDetective Nathan provides a little more context. According to him, 4A Games is working on two projects concurrently; one is a new Metro 2033 game at a AAA level of production and the other is a AAA multiplayer title using a completely new IP.
Interestingly, this new multiplayer game is said to be entirely original; it won’t be based on the license of any existing book, television show, or film. 4A games has 15 years of working on great first–person shooters under their belt, so it’s sure to be an interesting experience.
4A Games is working two projects.
-The first is a AAA title (trust me, it's Metro).
-The other is a AAA multiplayer title, using a new IP. They explicitly said it's not using a license (from a book or a film). pic.twitter.com/Fh4gLkyiD8— DarkDetective (@DarkDetectiveNL) August 13, 2020
