In August of this year, it was surprising to finally see that Embracer Group officially acquired Metro studio, 4A Games. While the purchase of the Ukrainian developer was inevitable, it was stifling for the moment to materialize. In the press release for the acquisition of 4A Games, Embracer Group spoke briefly on the matters of future projects from the Metro game studio.
Among that, there were mentions of the developer partnering with Saber Interactive (NBA Playgrounds, World War Z) to collaborate in creating a multiplayer experience for the Metro franchise. However, details on the project were light as the plans most likely came to fruition as a byproduct of the firm’s purchase this summer.
But now in a new blog post from 4A Games, the studio elaborates further on the title. While the team does still not provide much context on to the title, the studio does disclose that it is actively exploring how the game will implement the feature coming the release of the new title.
We’re not looking at multiplayer as a box-ticking exercise, or to jump on some trend or bandwagon. As creators, we want to explore a multiplayer experience that makes complete sense in the Metro universe.
We’re also committed to ensuring that whatever we do, it’s not to the detriment of our single-player ambitions. We’ll need a dedicated team focused solely on the online component, and this is what our new partnership with Saber can bring; years of expertise, technology, and know-how to help us realise our ambitions.
4A Games continues by pressing that with the game still in very early stages of development, the decision is not definite if the project will ship part-multiplayer part-single player or as an entirely online-focused experience. The team tells that with Saber Interactive involved, more windows open for opportunity. The studio’s involvement does find standing as being a Embracer Group subsidiary, which 4A Games is still being transitioned to be as well.
The Ukrainian game studio also presses lightly on a potential new IP that is residing next to the Metro series. “while we expect to be working on Metro for many years to come, we want to stretch ourselves by exploring new projects and new IP. In 2017 we released Arktika.1, a sci-fi FPS for the Oculus Rift, and our first steps towards a goal of being a multi-project studio. We now want to grow this ambition to another new AAA experience that can sit alongside the Metro series.”
In other news related to Embracer Group, the firm announced to be acquiring just over a dozen new game studios. Those team including Spongebob Squarepants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated’s Purple Lamp Studios and Goat Simulator team subsidiary Coffee Stain North. You can read the full report by heading here.
Do you see a future for multiplayer in Metro?
Source: 4A Games
