The gaming world just got a massive surprise. After more than a decade in the digital graveyard, Prey 2 footage leaked online, giving us our most extensive look yet at what many consider one of gaming’s greatest ‘what if’ stories.
Twenty minutes of gameplay footage surfaced on Reddit’s GamingLeaksAndRumours community, showing off the cancelled sequel that was supposed to revolutionize sci-fi gaming back in 2012. For gaming history buffs and sci-fi fans, this leak is like finding buried treasure.
What Makes This Prey 2 Footage Leak So Special
This isn’t just another grainy development video. We’re talking about 20 solid minutes of gameplay that showcases a fully realized alien world, complete with bounty hunting mechanics, parkour systems, and that distinctive cyberpunk-meets-space-opera vibe that made the original trailers so compelling.
The leaked footage reveals:
- Advanced parkour and wall-running mechanics
- Detailed alien city environments
- Complex bounty hunting gameplay systems
- Immersive first-person combat sequences
- Rich world-building and atmospheric design
What strikes you immediately is how polished everything looks. This wasn’t some early prototype – Human Head Studios had created something that felt genuinely next-generation for its time.
The Tragic Story Behind Prey 2’s Cancellation
To understand why this Prey 2 footage leaked matters so much, you need to know the game’s heartbreaking development story. Originally announced in 2006 right after the first Prey’s success, the sequel spent years in development hell.
Human Head Studios started serious development in 2009, creating an ambitious open-world bounty hunter experience set on an alien planet. The game would have followed Killian Samuels, a U.S. Marshal turned intergalactic bounty hunter, navigating the seedy underbelly of an alien civilization.
By 2011, Bethesda was ready to show the world what they had. The E3 trailer blew minds with its promise of parkour-heavy gameplay, complex moral choices, and a living, breathing alien metropolis. Then everything went quiet.
Why Bethesda Pulled the Plug
Despite reaching near-alpha status, Bethesda cancelled Prey 2 in 2014. Official reasons cited quality concerns, but industry insiders suggest the real story was more complicated. There were reportedly disagreements between Human Head Studios and Bethesda about the game’s direction and technical implementation.
Former Human Head employees later claimed the game was essentially complete and “crazy fun,” making the cancellation even more painful for both developers and fans who had been waiting years for the sequel.
| Development Timeline | Key Events |
|---|---|
| 2006 | Initial announcement after original Prey’s success |
| 2009 | Serious development begins at Human Head Studios |
| 2011 | Major E3 reveal generates massive excitement |
| 2011-2012 | Development continues, game reaches near-alpha state |
| 2014 | Bethesda officially cancels the project |
| 2017 | Arkane Studios releases Prey reboot (unrelated to Prey 2) |
What We Lost When Prey 2 Died
Looking at this leaked footage, it’s clear we lost something truly special. The game would have pioneered several mechanics that later became industry standards. The seamless parkour system, the living alien city with dynamic NPC interactions, and the moral complexity of bounty hunting choices were all ahead of their time.
The world-building alone looks incredible. This wasn’t just another corridor shooter – Human Head had created a believable alien society with its own culture, economy, and social dynamics. You can see it in every frame of the leaked footage.
Current Impact on Gaming Community
The reaction to this Prey 2 footage leaked has been overwhelmingly emotional. Gaming forums are filled with comments like “this hurts to watch” and “we were robbed.” It’s a reminder of how much passion and creativity can disappear when business decisions override artistic vision.
Some fans are calling for a petition to resurrect the project, though that’s probably wishful thinking. The gaming industry has moved on, and most of the original Human Head team has scattered to other projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is there any chance Prey 2 could still be released?
A: Extremely unlikely. Bethesda officially cancelled the project in 2014, and the 2017 Prey reboot by Arkane Studios is completely unrelated to Human Head’s vision.
Q: How much of Prey 2 was actually completed?
A: According to former developers, the game was nearly finished and fully playable. Some sources suggest it was at alpha stage when development ceased.
Q: Where can I watch the leaked footage?
A: The footage was originally shared on Reddit and YouTube, though availability may vary due to copyright concerns.
Q: Was Human Head Studios compensated for their work?
A: While specific financial details weren’t disclosed, the cancellation reportedly led to significant financial difficulties for Human Head Studios.
Q: How does this relate to the 2017 Prey game?
A: The 2017 Prey by Arkane Studios is a complete reboot with no connection to Human Head’s Prey 2. They only share the name due to Bethesda owning the trademark.
Q: Could modders recreate Prey 2 based on this footage?
A: While theoretically possible, the scale and complexity shown in the footage would require resources beyond most modding teams.
Gaming’s Greatest ‘What If’
This leaked footage serves as a time capsule from a different timeline where innovative games weren’t cancelled for failing to meet corporate expectations. Prey 2 represented the kind of creative risk-taking that could have pushed the entire industry forward.
Whether you’re a longtime fan mourning what could have been or a newcomer discovering this lost piece of gaming history, the leaked footage offers a bittersweet glimpse into one of the medium’s most fascinating untold stories.