Report: Just Cause 5 Was in Development at Sumo Digital, But Got Cancelled
A considerable amount of time has passed since we last saw a new installment in the Just Cause series, with the last entry being released in 2018. While that title received a mixed reception from both critics and audiences, it was still enough to leave fans eager for more.
Unfortunately for these fans, Square Enix has remained largely quiet regarding the franchise’s future, only quietly confirming the development of a new game during a 2022 financial results briefing. A mobile game was also announced in 2020, though it was eventually cancelled in 2023.
To make matters worse, we have now discovered evidence indicating that this new title was cancelled, and quite a while ago.
Just Cause 5: A Short-lived Project
The information comes from the profile of a former Sumo Digital employee, who worked as the Vehicles Feature Team Lead on the project from 2021 to 2023, before it was ultimately canceled.
The mention of Sumo Digital is particularly intriguing, as Avalanche Studios has traditionally been the primary developer for all main games in the series to date. This could suggest that Square Enix, being the owner of the IP, opted to outsource development to Sumo Digital. Alternatively, it could just indicate that Sumo Digital was collaborating with Avalanche or another studio on the project. However, given that Avalanche has been focused on developing the co-op title Contraband since 2021, their involvement in this new entry of the series seems unlikely, although this is purely speculative.
It’s worth noting that this information aligns perfectly with job listings posted by Sumo Digital in early 2021, where they were reportedly seeking staff for two projects, one particularly described as part of an “established AAA open-world action franchise.” Given this, it would be sensible to conclude that the project was indeed Just Cause.
It’s challenging to pinpoint the exact reasons for its potential cancellation, but if we speculate further, we might consider that Tencent’s acquisition of Sumo Group in 2022 could have impacted this development, as is often the case with other acquisitions affecting various projects.
On a positive note, at least we know Square Enix still considers the IP relevant. Just a few months ago, Aaron Rabin, a writer known for series like Jack Ryan, was confirmed to be involved in the film adaptation of Just Cause. Moreover, it’s unknown whether development on Just Cause 5 might have been reactivated after 2023, so there might still be hope for fans of Rico Rodriguez’s adventures.
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