Believe it or not, Beyond Good & Evil 2 still exists. Industry insider Tom Henderson confirmed this week that Ubisoft Montpellier continues active development on the long-gestating prequel, even after the publisher’s massive January 21, 2026 restructuring that canceled six projects and closed multiple studios. First teased at E3 2008, the game has become gaming’s most infamous vaporware – yet somehow survives.
Henderson’s update arrives amid Ubisoft’s seismic shift to five ‘Creative Houses,’ which axed the Prince of Persia: Sands of Time remake and other unannounced titles. Beyond Good & Evil 2 dodged the purge, with recent job listings for sound designers, quest leads, and VFX artists signaling concrete progress on its space opera universe.
18 Years of Development Hell
Announced May 30, 2008 with a cinematic teaser, Beyond Good & Evil 2 holds the record for longest development in AAA gaming history. The project predates modern consoles and has survived multiple engine changes, studio closures, and leadership shakeups. Creator Michel Ancel retired from Ubisoft in 2020, while creative director Emile Morel passed away suddenly in 2023 at age 40.
The current iteration began around 2017 with a major reveal showcasing procedural planet generation and ambitious online multiplayer. Since then, communication has been nearly nonexistent – save for occasional financial report mentions and a 2024 remaster of the original game that included a sequel-connecting quest.
Recent Signs of Life
November 2025 job postings revealed Ubisoft hiring for Beyond Good & Evil 2’s audio systems, character art, and quest design. These weren’t generic listings but specifically called out work on the Voyager engine and space piracy mechanics. PC Gamer noted the postings as the strongest evidence yet that development continues after 17 years.
Tom Henderson told followers the project “is shaping up very well,” suggesting the current build shows playable progress. This aligns with Reddit discussions noting steady (if glacial) advancement at Montpellier since the 2017 reboot, despite Ubisoft’s broader financial struggles.
What We Still Expect
Beyond Good & Evil 2 serves as a prequel exploring Jade’s childhood as a space pirate across a procedurally generated solar system. Players captain customizable ships, engage in real-time multiplayer piracy, and explore planets filled with alien cultures. The game blends action-adventure, photography investigation, and online co-op in Ubisoft’s most ambitious open-world design.
Key promised features include:
- Non-linear storytelling across multiple planets
- Real-time ship-to-ship combat and boarding actions
- Deep character creator affecting story outcomes
- Hybrid single-player and multiplayer campaigns
- Photojournalism mechanics returning from BGE1
The 2017 trailer showed Jade’s pig companion Pey’j, hoverbike chases through orbital stations, and zero-gravity combat – all built on proprietary tech that took years to stabilize.
Why It Keeps Surviving
Multiple factors explain the project’s zombie-like persistence:
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Creator Passion | Michel Ancel’s personal attachment kept it alive pre-retirement |
| Tech Showcase | Voyager engine serves as Ubisoft tech demonstrator |
| Financial Sunk Cost | Over $500M reportedly invested across iterations |
| Cult Legacy | Original game’s dedicated fanbase maintains pressure |
Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot has repeatedly affirmed commitment, even as the publisher faced layoffs, studio closures, and investor pressure. The project’s survival through 2026’s restructuring stands as its greatest achievement yet.
Release Window?
No official timeline exists, but Henderson’s update suggests internal milestones approach. Recent hires focus on polish roles (audio, VFX) rather than core systems, indicating a playable alpha. If patterns hold, expect a 2027-2028 launch at earliest – still shorter than Duke Nukem Forever’s 14-year record for this iteration alone.
Platforms remain unconfirmed but likely include current-gen consoles and PC. Multiplayer focus suggests no last-gen support.
FAQs
Is Beyond Good & Evil 2 actually happening?
Yes. Tom Henderson and recent job listings confirm active development at Ubisoft Montpellier as of January 2026, even after six other projects were canceled.
How long has Beyond Good & Evil 2 been in development?
Announced in 2008 (18 years). The current version began around 2017 (9 years), following multiple reboots and engine changes.
Who is making Beyond Good & Evil 2?
Ubisoft Montpellier leads development. Original creator Michel Ancel retired in 2020; creative director Emile Morel passed away in 2023.
What is Beyond Good & Evil 2 about?
A prequel showing Jade’s childhood as a space pirate. Features ship combat, planetary exploration, photojournalism, and multiplayer piracy across a solar system.
Why has development taken so long?
Multiple reboots, leadership changes, engine development, and scope creep. Over $500M invested across iterations with Voyager engine as tech showcase.
Will it have single-player?
Hybrid campaign blends solo exploration with real-time multiplayer. Non-linear storytelling promised alongside co-op piracy missions.
When might we see Beyond Good & Evil 2?
No official date. Recent progress suggests 2027-2028 possible if momentum continues. Current hires focus on polish rather than core systems.
Was it affected by Ubisoft’s recent layoffs?
No. Survived the January 2026 restructuring that canceled six games including Prince of Persia remake. Job listings posted post-restructuring.
The Unkillable Sequel
Beyond Good & Evil 2 embodies gaming’s dual nature – limitless ambition meets brutal reality. Nearly two decades of false promises could poison any reveal, yet fresh insider confirmation reignites cautious optimism. If Ubisoft delivers even half the promised solar system adventure, the wait transforms from punchline to legend.
For original fans, closure arrives not a moment too soon. For newcomers, a cult classic sequel emerges from development purgatory. Either way, Tom Henderson’s update proves one truth: some games simply refuse to die.