The Avatar: The Last Airbender AAA RPG introduced in 2024 is lifeless, IGN can affirm.
In October 2024, IGN revealed plans for the primary Avatar: The Last Airbender AAA RPG, which was set for improvement at Warhammer 40,000: Area Marine 2 maker Saber Interactive with a 2027/2028 launch window. Particulars have been skinny on the bottom, however we have been advised the Avatar RPG was going to be “the most important online game in franchise historical past,” and it could inform a brand new story within the universe developed in “shut collaboration” with Avatar Studios.
With a working title of Ice Wars, the brand new Avatar RPG would have put gamers within the function of an “all-new, never-before-seen Avatar,” with a narrative happening 1000’s of years previously. On the time, Avatar proprietor Paramount and Saber stated gamers “can count on to be immersed in a vibrant world, grasp all 4 components, have interaction in dynamic fight alongside companions, and expertise the challenges and choices that include being the keeper of stability on the earth.”
“Saber Interactive has a confirmed monitor report in bringing IP-based video games to life, and we’re excited to co-fund this AAA title alongside them and let followers expertise this world first-hand,” Paramount stated on the time.
Sadly, we didn’t hear something extra of the mission. And now, two years later, we now have affirmation it’s fallen by the wayside. Shawn Kittelsen, senior vice chairman, head of artistic and manufacturing at Paramount Video games Studio, advised IGN that the Avatar RPG wasn’t in manufacturing when Paramount Video games Studio, which unifies all Paramount and Skydance gaming studios together with Skydance Interactive and Skydance New Media, was arrange final fall after the Paramount Skydance merger.
It’s the same state of affairs to Embracer-owned studio Black Forest Video games’ Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin, which ceased improvement sooner or later earlier than Skydance merged with Paramount. However the massive distinction right here is Paramount Video games determined to proceed improvement of TMNT, opting to go together with PlatinumGames. For the Avatar RPG, Paramount Video games determined in opposition to persevering with the mission. It’s, nevertheless, publishing the not too long ago delayed Avatar Legends: The Preventing Sport.
“That is a mission that wasn’t in manufacturing once we got here in,” Kittelsen advised IGN of the Avatar RPG. “We did not begin this iteration of Paramount Video games till final fall, after the Paramount Skydance merger. In order that recreation was not in manufacturing.”
“There have been loads of aspirations beforehand at Paramount, however there wasn’t essentially the conviction or the assist, and it wasn’t a separate division,” Kittelsen continued. “Video games was a sub-department inside shopper merchandise. Now we’re a enterprise unit and we’re accountable for driving income and constructing video games, and we now have a bigger staff and extra assist behind us together with the truth that Skydance got here with two recreation studios able to play.
“So we’re taking a unique method to video games and eager to see issues by and guarantee that something that we announce we’re ready to launch. Even with one thing like The Last Ronin that is earlier on, there’s a deeper conviction and a bigger funding being made in that title that we’re going to make sure that we drive to launch. We’re absolutely publishing that recreation and management all facets of it alongside Platinum, and we have made certain that Platinum’s as dedicated as we’re to creating it a actuality.
“So does not imply you will not get a AAA Avatar recreation sooner or later, but it surely may are available in a unique iteration.”
Wesley is Director, Information at IGN. Discover him on Twitter at @wyp100. You’ll be able to attain Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.