Tencent Withdraws Funding, Ending Sniper Elite Battle Royale Development

Rebellion’s highly anticipated Sniper Elite Battle Royale was canceled before its official launch.

Internally known as Project Archipelago, the game had entered Alpha testing in mid-August 2024 but has now been shelved due to its primary investor, Tencent, withdrawing funding, as per Insider Gaming Reports.

The decision was reportedly influenced by the failure of Sony’s Concord, a multiplayer title that shut down weeks after its release. Described as one of the biggest disasters in gaming history, Concord shook the industry, leading Tencent to reevaluate its investments in similar projects. This included pulling out from Sniper Elite Battle Royale, despite its potential.

Game Got Fans’ Mixed Reactions to Begin With

Sniper Elite Battle Royale aimed to bring a unique twist to the battle royale genre. Players would form teams of three, competing in a survival-based mode. However, the concept didn’t resonate well with the core fanbase of the Sniper Elite series, which has traditionally focused on single-player experiences. Many fans expressed concerns about Rebellion’s shift toward a crowded multiplayer market dominating the market, such as Fortnite, Apex Legends, and Call of Duty: Warzone.

Initial responses to the game’s announcement were lukewarm at best, with skepticism dominating online discussions. Rebellion’s YouTube channel faced criticism, as long-time supporters questioned the decision to stray from the franchise’s roots.

What’s Next for Rebellion?

Despite the cancellation, Rebellion avoided layoffs by reallocating the development team to other projects. Among these is Sniper Elite: Resistance, the next mainline installment in the franchise, scheduled for release on January 30, 2025, for multiple platforms, including PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

For now, Rebellion appears focused on building experiences that align more closely with its core audience’s expectations.

Sources: Insider Gaming