The long-anticipated Crash Bandicoot 5 has reportedly been canceled after three years in development, leaving fans heartbroken. News of the cancellation was confirmed by Oliver Darko on Twitter, who stated that Microsoft pulled the plug on the project being developed by Toys For Bob.
This news has left many fans heartbroken, as the series has faced numerous ups and downs over the past few years, especially following Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
There Isn’t Going to Be a Crash Bandicoot 5 After All
The confirmation of Crash Bandicoot 5‘s cancellation came from Nicholas Kole, a character designer and illustrator who worked on the previous Crash Bandicoot game. Kole shared that a version of the game was in development but was ultimately shelved.
Damn i tought microsoft will throw a lot of money and "save" Activision and give us high quality crash and spyro. Microsoft didnt saved anything, in fact they made everything even worst.
— MrHeeHee (@MrHeeHee3) July 14, 2024
The project, referred to as “Project Dragon,” had been in the works for three years before the plug was pulled, signaling another setback for the Crash series.
The excitement for Microsoft‘s acquisition of Activision Blizzard initially gave fans hope for the revival of classic franchises like Crash Bandicoot and Spyro the Dragon. But instead of new titles, fans have watched Toys For Bob transition into an independent studio.
And while the studio has an upcoming game deal with its parent company, the prospects for Crash and Spyro have not been promising since the acquisition.
The news of the cancellation has led to confusion and anger within the gaming community. Some fans have mistakenly blamed Microsoft for the decision, despite Toys For Bob’s independence.
Crash Bandicoot 5 was canceled confirms a Toys for Bob dev
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Others speculate that the game’s development was cut short due to the complexities arising from the Xbox merger and Toys For Bob’s shift to independence, casting a shadow over the franchise’s future.
Is There Any Hope for the Franchise in the Future?
Fans have shared their disappointment and speculated about the reasons behind the cancellation. Some believe the project never progressed beyond the concept stage, while others think it might have been rejected before any significant development happened.
Despite the news, some fans remain hopeful that the next Crash Bandicoot title might still see the light of day in some form. The cancellation of this particular version does not necessarily mean the end of the franchise.
Fans are calling for Sony to reclaim the rights to the Crash Bandicoot IP believing that the franchise would thrive better under the company. As it stands the future of the game appears to be in a state of limbo.
Would you have wanted to get another entry in the Crash franchise? Let us know in the comments below!
