Techland has officially canceled the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions of its first-person zombie game, Dying Light: The Beast, citing the insurmountable technical realities of developing for older hardware. The game originally launched on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S last year.
In a statement, Techland explained that the game was designed from the outset to leverage the power of current-generation consoles. Features such as its expansive open world, advanced visuals, and fluid combat and traversal mechanics rely heavily on processing power and memory that the PS4 and Xbox One cannot provide. The studio determined that bringing the game to these platforms would have necessitated compromises that would detract from the intended player experience.
This decision means that players who were anticipating Dying Light: The Beast on the last-generation consoles will not be able to play it on those systems. Techland has stated that anyone who pre-ordered or expected to play the game on PS4 or Xbox One will be eligible for a refund. The developer emphasized that this was not a choice to abandon the platforms but a reflection of the technical constraints encountered during development and a commitment to delivering the best possible version of the game.
While the PS4 and Xbox One versions are canceled, Techland has continued to support the game on current-generation platforms. Earlier this year, the studio announced Dying Light: The Beast Restored Land, an updated edition that includes the full base game, all post-release content, and new content dubbed "Restored Land."
Techland has also indicated that it is working on a new fantasy game, though details regarding that project remain scarce. The studio has not yet provided further information on its future plans for the Dying Light franchise beyond the "Restored Land" edition.