Beyond Good & Evil 2 reportedly remains in pre-production at Ubisoft Montpellier, with at least 250 people working on the long-delayed project. According to a report by French outlet Origami, the game has undergone several changes to its multiplayer plans and is now targeting a solo-first experience with a stronger focus on story-driven content.
The report says the project is approaching a major development milestone that would determine whether it moves into full production. Ubisoft uses these milestones, known as gates, to assess a game’s progress and decide whether to allocate further staff and funding. The latest milestone is reportedly focused on finalising the game’s framework before production begins in earnest.
Despite years of development, Beyond Good & Evil 2 has reportedly remained in pre-production because its creative direction and gameplay systems have continued to change. According to Origami, the project has shifted between different multiplayer formats, including matchmade groups, four-player team-based gameplay, and two-player co-op.
The current plan is reportedly to build a solo-first adventure that doesn’t require a constant online connection, while still allowing players to experience its story in co-op. The report also compares the game’s current combat direction to Insomniac Games’ Marvel’s Spider-Man series.
Origami also reports that the game continues to rely on Voyager, its technical engine, which sources described as being ahead of much of the industry for a period. However, the project has yet to reach full production, despite having been in development for more than a decade.
The game’s next milestone comes as Ubisoft continues to restructure its operations and reduce its workforce. According to Origami, some developers are concerned about the project’s future, although others who recently joined the team remain committed to completing it.
One source who has spent six years working on the game told Origami: “I don’t think we’ll ever pinpoint the root cause of BGE2’s problems while the project is still active, whether it gets released or not,” adding that it would require “an absolutely colossal postmortem.”
Beyond Good & Evil 2 was first unveiled at E3 2017 and is intended to serve as a prequel to the original 2003 game. Ubisoft has yet to announce a release date or confirm launch platforms.
