The forthcoming installment in the series, despite being marketed as the next logical step, will actually function as a prequel, set prior to the original and preceding it chronologically, rather than serving as the natural sequel that fans were expecting. Despite initial sufficiency, revelations from former franchise head Rod Fergusson suggest that things could have taken a drastically different turn if circumstances had unfolded differently.
During discussions on IGN’s Unlocked podcast, Fergusson, who has led Blizzard Entertainment since his departure from The Coalition in 2020, shared that while he was still responsible for the series at the studio, he had initially envisioned a shift for the franchise, planning to take it to a new planet instead of continuing the storyline on Sera.
According to a transcription provided by GamesRadar, he declared, “I was to depart Sera.” The notion of which we had been building a foundation. If you pay close attention to the narrative, you’ll discover the Union of Independent Republics’ fledgling yet impressive rocket technology. As we progressed in preparing for the UIR territory acquisition, we successfully implemented their housing model. To venture onto Sera would be to spark a ripple effect, potentially transforming the trajectory of the galaxy and, at the very least, the solar system, inviting a cascade of consequences that would reverberate across the cosmos. Although you wouldn’t just be jumping between planets, the fact remains that our technology is antiquated and reminiscent of Soviet-era Sputnik designs, making it unlikely we’d venture forward with this approach. It was ultimately about exploring uncharted territories and discovering the unknown, he said with a hint of excitement.
While a recreation set as a prequel’s intentions for the franchise remain uncertain, it is unclear whether The Coalition will adhere to this direction in their next numbered entry; however, we will need to wait considerable time to determine the outcome.
The updates are coming soon to Xbox Series X/S and PC? Despite the lack of an official announcement, rumors suggest that the game’s release has been slated for 2025.
