Eidos Montréal has cancelled several internal projects and shifted to primarily supporting other companies’ games. The Montreal-based studio is now working on Microsoft’s Fable reboot and Obsidian’s Grounded series rather than developing its own titles.
The cancelled slate includes a new Deus Ex game that would have continued Adam Jensen’s story. Voice actor Elias Toufexis previously hinted at this cancellation, and the latest reports confirm the project is dead. The third entry in the modern Deus Ex trilogy will not happen.
Eidos also cancelled a dark fantasy action RPG built around reviving an established vampire IP. Details match Legacy of Kain perfectly, as the description mentions melee combat, parkour, and vampires. The studio owns the Legacy of Kain rights through parent company Embracer Group, and recent remasters of the classic games sold surprisingly well. This would have been the first major Legacy of Kain project in over 20 years.
Two other projects got the axe as well. A 3v3 competitive esports-oriented game and a modern point-and-click adventure were both cancelled. Some reports suggest the adventure game was nicknamed “Kids on Bikes” internally and drew inspiration from Stranger Things.
Eidos Montréal now operates mainly as a co-development studio. The team is working on Playground Games’ Fable reboot, which uses an engine called FUEL based on ForzaTech. They’re also supporting development on what appears to be a Grounded sequel or major update.
The situation stems from Embracer Group’s ongoing restructuring. Embracer bought Eidos Montréal, Crystal Dynamics, and multiple IPs including Deus Ex and Legacy of Kain from Square Enix in 2022 for roughly $300 million.
But Embracer’s aggressive acquisition spree caught up with it when a $2 billion investment deal collapsed in 2023. The company has since closed studios, cancelled projects, and laid off thousands of workers across its portfolio. Eidos Montréal is one of many studios caught in this downsizing.
From award-winner to support studio
Eidos Montréal built its reputation on critically acclaimed games. Deus Ex: Human Revolution revitalized the franchise in 2011. Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy won Best Narrative at The Game Awards 2021. The studio implemented a four-day work week without pay cuts and earned awards for its management practices.
Despite this track record, the studio has been unable to secure funding for its own projects under Embracer’s ownership. Microsoft’s contracts are keeping the lights on, but Eidos is no longer steering its own creative direction. The shift from lead developer to support studio marks a significant downgrade for a team that once led major franchises.
