The hits just keep coming for fans of classic gaming franchises. According to a new report from Tom Henderson at Insider Gaming, Eidos Montreal was actively developing a Legacy of Kain reboot before Embracer Group acquired them. That game is now cancelled, joining an increasingly long list of shelved projects from the troubled studio. Between new layoffs, cancelled games, and a shift to outsourcing work, Eidos Montreal’s future has never looked more uncertain.
The Legacy of Kain Reboot That Could Have Been
Legacy of Kain is one of gaming’s most beloved dark fantasy franchises. The series, which includes Blood Omen and Soul Reaver, hasn’t seen a new entry since Defiance in 2003. Fans have been begging for a revival for over two decades. According to the leaked information, Eidos Montreal was actually working on making that happen.
The cancelled project was described as a dark fantasy action RPG focused on vampires with an emphasis on melee combat and parkour mechanics. That description lines up perfectly with what a modern Legacy of Kain game would look like. The timing also makes sense, as this was reportedly in development before Embracer’s disastrous restructuring began gutting their studios.
The Full List of Cancelled Projects
The Legacy of Kain reboot wasn’t the only casualty. Leaked CV details from former Eidos Montreal employees have revealed just how much work has been abandoned:
- A dark fantasy action RPG about vampires with melee combat and parkour (likely Legacy of Kain)
- A sci-fi stealth game believed to be a new Deus Ex title
- A modern point-and-click adventure game with turn-based combat
- A 3v3 competitive esports game set in a futuristic universe (fate unknown)
The Deus Ex cancellation is particularly painful. Jason Schreier at Bloomberg reported back in 2022 that Eidos Montreal was working on a new Deus Ex. That project was cancelled in January 2024 after about two years of development. Earlier this year, reports indicated the studio was still actively pitching a new Deus Ex to publishers, but companies kept passing because they considered the franchise “too niche.”
From Acclaimed Studio to Outsourcing House
Eidos Montreal was once one of the most respected studios in gaming. They delivered Deus Ex: Human Revolution, which revived that franchise brilliantly. They gave us the criminally underrated Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy. These were ambitious, creative projects that took risks and paid off critically if not always commercially.
Now the studio has been reduced to support work on other companies’ games. Since 2023, they’ve been helping Obsidian with Grounded 2. A team of over 100 developers worked on Fable from 2022 until early 2025, when Microsoft chose not to renew their contract. When those outsourcing jobs end, sources say more layoffs are expected.
This is the second round of layoffs to hit the studio this year. Back in April, Eidos Montreal let go of 75 employees. The studio blamed the global economic context and Embracer’s comprehensive restructuring. Before that, 97 people were cut from development teams, administration, and support services.
What Went Wrong
The short answer is Embracer Group. When the Swedish conglomerate went on its acquisition spree, buying up studios and IPs left and right, everything seemed promising. Embracer acquired Eidos Montreal along with Crystal Dynamics, Square Enix Montreal, and a treasure trove of IPs including Tomb Raider, Deus Ex, Thief, and Legacy of Kain for just $300 million in 2022.
Then a major investment deal fell through, and Embracer entered crisis mode. The company began slashing budgets, closing studios, and cancelling projects across all their holdings. Eidos Montreal was hit especially hard, with creative projects being shelved in favor of cheaper outsourcing work that keeps the lights on but doesn’t build the studio’s future.
Is There Any Hope for These Franchises?
The recent Legacy of Kain remasters offer a sliver of hope. Soul Reaver 1 and 2 Remastered just launched in December 2024, suggesting Embracer still sees value in the IP. Strong sales could potentially justify greenlighting a new game down the line. But with Eidos Montreal’s original creative team scattered after layoffs, any future Legacy of Kain game would likely need to be developed elsewhere.
Deus Ex is in a similar situation. The franchise is getting a remaster in 2026, but the mainline series seems dead for now. No publisher wants to take the financial risk on a new entry, and Eidos Montreal is too weakened to develop it without external funding.
FAQs
What is Legacy of Kain?
Legacy of Kain is a dark fantasy video game franchise that began in 1996 with Blood Omen. The series is known for its gothic atmosphere, complex narrative, and memorable characters like Raziel and Kain. The last mainline entry, Defiance, released in 2003. The franchise includes the popular Soul Reaver games.
Why was the Legacy of Kain reboot cancelled?
The reboot was reportedly cancelled as part of Embracer Group’s widespread restructuring following a failed investment deal. The company cut budgets across all their studios, leading to numerous project cancellations. The exact timeline of the Legacy of Kain cancellation remains unclear but likely occurred in 2024.
Is Eidos Montreal still making games?
Eidos Montreal has shifted primarily to outsourcing work, providing support development for other studios’ projects like Grounded 2 and Fable. Most of their internal projects have been cancelled. The studio’s future as an independent creative force is uncertain.
What happened to the new Deus Ex game?
A new Deus Ex was in development for about two years before being cancelled by Embracer in January 2024. Eidos Montreal continued pitching the concept to external publishers throughout 2025, but companies reportedly considered the franchise too niche and financially risky to fund.
Who owns Eidos Montreal now?
Eidos Montreal is owned by Embracer Group, which acquired the studio along with several other Square Enix Western studios and IPs in 2022 for $300 million. The purchase included Crystal Dynamics and franchises like Tomb Raider, Deus Ex, Thief, and Legacy of Kain.
Are there any Legacy of Kain games I can play now?
Yes, Soul Reaver 1 and 2 Remastered launched in December 2024 with updated graphics and quality-of-life improvements. The original games in the series are also available through various digital storefronts, though some may require workarounds to run on modern systems.
Conclusion
The leaked documents paint a grim picture of what could have been. Eidos Montreal had ambitious plans to revive Legacy of Kain and continue Deus Ex, two franchises that defined immersive gaming for a generation. Instead, Embracer’s financial troubles turned a legendary studio into a support house for other developers’ games. The recent remasters show these IPs still have value, but bringing them back to life will require more than nostalgia. It will require a publisher willing to bet on quality over quick returns. Until that happens, fans can only wonder what might have been.