Beyond Good & Evil 2 remains in pre-production, a staggering 18 years after its initial announcement, and has reportedly evolved from a multiplayer-focused game to a "solo-first" adventure with optional co-op elements. The project, which has been in development hell for nearly two decades, has encountered numerous creative shifts and missed milestones.
According to a report from Origami Media, which cited sources close to the game's development, the initial vision for Beyond Good & Evil 2 around 2019-2022 was for a highly multiplayer and connected experience. This concept involved a multitude of planets and matchmaking systems, drawing inspiration from titles like Fortnite and Destiny. Players would inhabit a less prominent role, accompanying the main heroes in a "passenger seat" capacity. This was envisioned as a "third place" for players to socialize, similar to how they might interact in other online games.
However, the project has since undergone significant evolution. The focus has shifted from smaller, matchmade groups to more open-ended play, then to team-based gameplay for four players, and eventually to pairs. The current aim is to deliver a "solo-first" narrative adventure that does not require a mandatory online connection, though it can be played cooperatively.
Combat in the game has also reportedly changed, with recent descriptions comparing it to the style found in Insomniac's Spider-Man games, a contrast to earlier impressions that likened it to "Zelda in space."
Despite its lengthy development cycle, which began with a CGI trailer reveal in 2008, Beyond Good & Evil 2 has apparently not yet entered full production. Sources indicate it is still in pre-production, involving approximately 250 individuals at Ubisoft Montpellier alone, with aspirations to reach the alpha phase. The game has reportedly struggled to meet its creative milestones, often referred to as "gates," due to persistent changes in its core ideas and design goals.
The report suggests that Beyond Good & Evil 2's longevity in development was largely due to "unwavering" support from Ubisoft, making cancellation seem impossible. This prolonged state has been described by some within the company as a "poison," raising questions about whether the project could ever reach completion.
Recent restructuring at Ubisoft, which has led to studio closures and team downsizing, has reportedly altered this dynamic. Sources now indicate a more uncertain outlook, with developers being told, "We don't know what's going to happen," signifying a "return to a sense of reality."
Beyond Good & Evil 2 holds the record for the video game longest in development, surpassing Duke Nukem Forever's 14-year record in 2022. The game came closest to a release around 2018, when Ubisoft showcased it privately to the press and promised a playable beta by the end of 2019, which never materialized. The project has seen changes in leadership, including a new creative director, and job postings for the game continue to appear sporadically, suggesting some level of ongoing work.