4A Games Confirms Next Metro Game Will Be Darker Due to War; Release Timing: ‘Ready When It’s Ready’

4A Games Commemorates 15 Years of Metro: A Darker Future Ahead

This week, 4A Games marked the 15th anniversary of the beloved Metro franchise with an insightful blog post detailing the evolution of the series. The development team shed light on how the Russia-Ukraine conflict has profoundly influenced the narrative direction of the upcoming installment, promising a much darker storyline.

Impact of the Ukraine-Russia War on Storytelling

The ongoing war has been a catalyst for change within the creative team. In their announcement, they noted:

“In 2022, a full-scale Russian invasion changed how we wanted to tell the story of the next Metro game. As art became life for many of our developers in Ukraine, we drew from that lived experience to create an even darker story, those themes already present in Metro becoming ever-more apparent and important. As conflict, the struggle for power, the horrors of tyranny, and the price of freedom have become part of our lives over the past 3+ years, we are still living and working during this wartime, and that inevitably shapes the games we make.”

Continuing the Legacy of Political and Emotional Storytelling

The Metro series is known for its hard-hitting narratives intertwined with political and anti-war themes. The collaboration with franchise creator and activist Dmitry Glukhovsky ensures these critical themes will remain at the forefront. Despite facing persecution for his outspoken opposition to the war, Glukhovsky continues to be an influential figure in the game’s development:

“We are proud to have him as a friend and co-creator as we tell this next, and never more relevant chapter of Metro together. Rest assured, you are in for quite the ride.”

Team Status and Future Projects

The blog post also highlighted the current composition of the 4A Games team, which has grown to over 200 members. Notably, 150 of these developers are based in Kyiv, while others operate from the studio’s headquarters in Sliema, Malta. In addition to Metro, 4A Games is also exploring an unannounced intellectual property, further expanding its creative horizons.

Managing Expectations for the Next Metro Game

In light of the ongoing challenges posed by the war, the team has urged fans to remain patient regarding the release timeline of the next Metro title. They emphasized that the game will be ready when it’s ready, acknowledging the length of time that has passed since the last installment, Metro Exodus, which debuted over six years ago.

Upcoming Releases to Anticipate

While the next Metro game may be some time away, fans can look forward to La Quimera, a sci-fi first-person shooter currently under development by Reburn. This spin-off studio emerged from the original 4A Games Ukraine team and has taken on an independent trajectory.

Stay tuned for more updates from 4A Games as they navigate these complex times and continue shaping the future of the Metro universe. For further details, check the sources cited below.

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