Based off the popular mobile game, Granblue Fantasy: Relink seemed like a slam-dunk in many ways. The aesthetic looked nice, combat seemed crisp, and with PlatinumGames co-developing with Cygames, what could go wrong? Sadly, it seems that the Bayonetta developer will not be working on the action RPG moving forward. Development will now be “100 percent” handled by Cygames.
Cygames and Platinum Games each issued statements about the same with the former noting, “Going forward, Cygames will handle 100 percent of development internally. Cygames would like to assure everyone looking forward to the title that we remain committed to delivering a game that meets the expectation of our fan-base and gamers everywhere.”
On PlatinumGames’ website, the developers stated stated, “While we, PlatinumGames, have been working with Cygames in co-development of the upcoming console game Granblue Fantasy: Relink, we officially announce our contract on the project has come to an end. Development will still continue, but be handled solely by Cygames’ internal development team.
“We would like to express our thanks to everyone who has shown interest in the project, and ask that the same support should continue for Granblue Fantasy: Relink as its production continues forward.”
This isn’t nearly as bad as, say, the cancellation of Scalebound (which PlatinumGames was developing exclusively for Xbox One and Windows 10 PC), but it’s still fairly surprising. Then again, it could be as simple as Cygames no longer requiring assistance on the project going forward. Regardless, Granblue Fantasy: Relink is still slated for PS4, though no actual release date has been provided till now.
PlatinumGames, meanwhile, is busy working on Bayonetta 3 for the Nintendo Switch and Babylon’s Fall for PS4 and PC. The latter is out this year, while the former is yet to be dated.
