Owning the Dungeons & Dragons IP and making a fortune off Baldur’s Gate 3 wasn’t enough to protect Wizards of the Coast’s latest ambitious project. The company has scrapped its first AAA title from its in-house studio, Skeleton Key.

Even if you’ve never played a tabletop RPG, you’re likely familiar with Wizards of the Coast. Mention the creators of Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons, and you’ll instantly know who they are. Owned by Hasbro, the company has made a name for itself in the video game industry, largely thanks to the massive success of Baldur’s Gate 3. This triumph led them to increase their investments in gaming. Yet, even the biggest names aren’t immune to setbacks—Skeleton Key’s highly anticipated AAA project has now been canceled.

A Huge Investment, Now Lost

Founded in 2022, Skeleton Key isn’t a widely known studio. However, its founder, Christian Dailey, the former head of BioWare, is a recognizable figure in the industry. “I’m excited to start this new journey with a company that created so many of my favorite games and toys growing up,” Dailey said when the studio was established. Fast-forward three years, and the journey has come to an abrupt end.

While Wizards of the Coast has yet to make an official statement, the first indication of the cancellation came from developer Jean-Marc Ait-Kaci, who shared the news on LinkedIn. His post confirmed that the project had been scrapped and several employees had been affected by the decision. Additionally, all job postings from the Skeleton Key careers page have disappeared, suggesting the studio has either been shut down or is on indefinite hold.

Fans are now left wondering why the project was scrapped and whether Skeleton Key has any future within Wizards of the Coast. Industry site 80 Level has attempted to reach out to developers for clarification, but the company has remained silent on the matter.

Very little was known about the game itself, apart from vague descriptions hinting at “immersive gameplay, unique stories, and tension-filled, thought-provoking horror elements.” While it’s impossible to pinpoint exactly what kind of game it would have been, its sudden cancellation leaves a major gap in Wizards of the Coast’s gaming ambitions. The big question now is whether Skeleton Key will get another shot.

Source: 3DJuegos