Unknown 9 Series Faces Unexpected Fate After Studio’s Ambitious Launch

Reflector Entertainment has announced the discontinuation of their transmedia franchise following the underwhelming performance of Unknown 9: Awakening. The game, which launched in October 2024, featured Netflix’s The Witcher star Anya Chalotra as Haroona, a Quaestor-born protagonist exploring a mysterious realm called the Fold while confronting a dangerous secret society.

The ambitious project, originally unveiled in 2020 for PC and next-gen consoles, was designed as a comprehensive transmedia experience. This innovative approach incorporated various storytelling formats, including podcasts, comics, and a web series, many of which had already been released to the public.

Reflector CEO Herve Hoerdt made the announcement through LinkedIn, citing the game’s performance falling significantly short of company expectations. Despite featuring unique gameplay elements like distinctive stepping powers, the title struggled to capture its intended audience, receiving a Metacritic score of 59 and a user score of 1.7. Critics pointed to issues with gameplay mechanics, narrative quality, and controversy surrounding the studio’s partnership with Sweet Baby Inc.

Reflector Entertainment Navigates Workforce Changes Amid Project Conclusion

The impact of this decision extends beyond the franchise itself. Following Bandai Namco Entertainment’s earlier acquisition of the studio, Hoerdt confirmed upcoming staff reductions. Affected employees will receive comprehensive support packages, including severance pay, extended health benefits, counseling services, and career planning assistance. Where possible, team members will be reassigned to other Bandai Namco projects. This marks the second round of workforce adjustments for Reflector, following previous changes in November 2024.

The gaming community’s response to the announcement has been notably muted, with some players revealing they were unaware of the game’s existence or release. The title had drawn early comparisons to other action RPGs like Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden and Forspoken, but failed to achieve similar market recognition.