In a tough turn of events, developer Splash Damage has pulled the plug on the highly-awaited 1-4-player cooperative PC and console game. Before being canceled, the live service game Transformers: Reactivate was announced with a short teaser in 2022 and ignited sparks among the community. Nevertheless, after barely sharing updates on its official channels, the project finally ended. It has also put several roles within the studio at risk of layoffs.
“This decision did not come lightly,” the studio shared in a social media statement. “While not being able to see the game through to release is painful, having to say goodbye to friends and colleagues hurts even more.”
The British studio is the one behind Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory and the Dirty Bomb free-to-play FPS. But Splash Damage is well-known as a support studio for many multiplayer games, including Gears of War 5 and Halo: The Master Chief Collection.
Although official updates were sparse, leaked concept art and videos showed glimpses of gameplay. It also promised playable iconic characters from both the Autobots and Decepticons which players would’ve been able to customize:
- Optimus Prime, voiced by Jon Bailey.
- Bumblebee, voiced by Robbie Raymond.
- Ironhide, voiced by Jameson Pierce.
- Ratchet.
- Windblade.
- Powerglide.
- Hot Rod.
- Sunstreaker.
- Megatron.
- Starscream, voiced by Steve Blum.
- Soundwave, voiced by Jon Bailey.
- Shockwave.
- Slipstream.
- Knockout.
In May 2024, Hasbro’s brand manager optimistically said in an interview they will have ‘more to share’ in 2025. Unfortunately, the developer and toy company went radio silent until late last year, when the game’s Instagram account suddenly vanished without explanation. At the time of writing, the main www.playtfr.com website is still accessible.
“Hasbro was an incredible and supportive partner,” wrote a Splash Damage representative in the canceled Transformers: Reactivated project announcement. “We hope to collaborate with them again someday.”
Fans are understandably heartbroken as its cancellation also happens amidst tantalizing rumors. According to Steam database updates, Hasbro might be planning to rerelease the Devastation and War for Cybertron games on digital platforms. Now, Transformers: Reactivate has become the latest victim in a growing list of canceled live-service projects that failed to roll out.
