Leaked Footage of Prey 2 from Human Head Studios Emerges More Than Ten Years After Cancellation

Exploring the Legacy and Leaked Footage of Human Head Studios’ Prey 2

Prior to the release of Arkane Austin’s rendition of Prey, Human Head Studios developed an original first-person shooter by the same name. This game followed the journey of Domasi “Tommy”Tawodi, a Cherokee protagonist on a mission to rescue both his grandfather and girlfriend from an alien mothership orbiting Earth. Initially launched for PC and Xbox 360, plans for a sequel were ultimately scrapped in 2014.

The Evolution of Prey: Rights and Development

From 2006 until its cancellation, the rights to Human Head’s Prey transitioned through several companies. Initially published by 3D Realms, these rights later moved to Radar Group before ultimately being acquired by ZeniMax Media. Today, ZeniMax operates as part of Microsoft and Xbox under the Bethesda umbrella. Disappointingly, it was during ZeniMax’s stewardship that Prey 2 languished in development hell, leading to the eventual closure of Human Head Studios. In 2019, the remnants of the studio were restructured into Roundhouse Studios under Bethesda’s guidance.

Leaked Footage Offers Insight into Prey 2

Recent developments have brought forth gameplay footage from the canceled Prey 2, offering a rare glimpse into what might have been. Released nearly a decade after the game’s cancellation, these clips showcase early demos and what would have comprised the game’s opening sequence. A Reddit post provides links to various video instances, including:

Opening sequence
Gameplay demonstration (potentially featured at an E3 event)
Earlier development clips
Showcased gameplay
Combat footage

Despite being unfinished, the footage effectively conveys the creative vision and ambition Human Head Studios had for the sequel, aimed at building on the foundational elements of the original game.

The Aftermath of Human Head’s Closure

Following the shutdown of Human Head Studios, co-founder Chris Rhinehart expressed heartfelt sentiments, stating, “Sadly, we had to wind down the business of Human Head Studios and close its doors, which was particularly devastating due to the passion and creativity of the team we’d assembled.”

At that time in 2019, the gaming industry was not as precarious as it is today, allowing the entire Human Head team to remain intact while transitioning to Roundhouse Studios. Unfortunately, subsequent mass layoffs—including significant reductions at ZeniMax Online—have likely fragmented this team irreparably.

As we reflect on the legacy of Prey and the ambition behind Prey 2, fans are left with a bittersweet sense of what could have been, highlighted by the recently leaked gameplay footage.

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