If you’ve been holding out hope that Microsoft would revive the Prototype franchise after acquiring Activision Blizzard, you might want to temper those expectations. Gaming insider Jez Corden recently confirmed that there are currently no plans for the Prototype IP at Xbox, effectively shutting down rumors that have been circulating since late 2025.
What Sparked the Prototype Rumors
The speculation didn’t come out of nowhere. In October 2025, fans noticed something interesting happening with the original Prototype game on Steam. Behind-the-scenes updates started appearing on SteamDB, and dedicated modders who datamined the game discovered something intriguing in the credits. Iron Galaxy, a studio known for remaster work, had been quietly added to the game’s credits along with several other new names and test maps.
One of the original modders for the game explained on the Prototype subreddit that the updates included test maps and numerous new developer names in the credits. The presence of studios that worked on the Spyro remasters, combined with references to other Activision studios, led many to believe a remaster was genuinely in the works. Some fans even speculated that a full Prototype 3 could be possible given Microsoft’s ownership of the IP following the Activision Blizzard acquisition.
There was also a curious Ubisoft Connect reference discovered in the datamine. This made some sense considering that when Microsoft acquired Activision in 2023 for $68.7 billion, they sold Activision’s cloud gaming rights to Ubisoft. Fans theorized Prototype might be heading to Ubisoft’s subscription service, which would explain the technical updates.
The Reality Check from Jez Corden
Unfortunately for Prototype fans, Jez Corden threw cold water on all this speculation. According to the Windows Central editor and reliable Xbox insider, there are no current plans for the Prototype IP whatsoever. He stated plainly that anyone claiming otherwise is misinformed, and that Microsoft has shown no interest in reviving this particular franchise despite owning the rights.
This shouldn’t come as a complete shock when you look at the franchise’s history. Prototype 2 didn’t perform well commercially when it launched in 2012, and shortly after its release, developer Radical Entertainment was shut down by Activision. The franchise has been dormant for over a decade, and Activision clearly prioritized its bigger properties like Call of Duty over reviving a struggling IP.
Corden’s sources indicated that Xbox currently has its hands full with other projects across various genres for the coming years, leaving no room to focus on Prototype despite growing fan demand. With Xbox’s packed 2026 lineup already announced and the company focused on major franchises they’ve acquired, a niche action game from 2009 probably isn’t high on their priority list.
Why Microsoft Isn’t Interested
The business case for reviving Prototype just isn’t compelling enough. When Microsoft acquired Activision Blizzard, they gained access to massive franchises like Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, Diablo, Overwatch, and StarCraft. These are properties with active player bases and proven revenue streams. Prototype, by contrast, has been inactive since 2012 and its last entry underperformed.
Development resources are finite, and Xbox has been focused on supporting its existing first-party studios while integrating the Activision Blizzard teams. Projects like Perfect Dark, Fable, the next Gears of War, and whatever The Coalition and other studios are cooking up take priority over reviving a franchise that didn’t find its audience over a decade ago.
There’s also the question of what a modern Prototype would even look like. The franchise’s ultraviolent, open-world chaos worked in 2009, but the gaming landscape has changed dramatically. Would a Prototype 3 need to reinvent itself completely? Would a straight remaster be enough to attract modern audiences? These are questions that apparently don’t have compelling answers for Microsoft right now.
What About Those Steam Updates?
So if Microsoft isn’t working on anything Prototype-related, what explains those Steam updates and credit changes? The most likely explanation is basic maintenance or backend updates related to the Ubisoft cloud gaming deal. Just because names were added to credits doesn’t necessarily mean active development on a remaster. It could be legal or technical housekeeping related to how the game is distributed or streamed through Ubisoft’s services.
The gaming industry has seen plenty of examples where backend updates or minor changes sparked remaster rumors that never materialized. Without official announcements or concrete evidence beyond credit updates, it’s dangerous to read too much into these things. Corden’s denial suggests that whatever those updates were about, they weren’t preparation for a Prototype comeback.
FAQs
Did Jez Corden confirm there’s no Prototype remaster happening?
Yes, Corden stated clearly that there are currently no plans for the Prototype IP at Xbox or Microsoft. He indicated that anyone claiming a remaster or new game is in development is misinformed.
Why did fans think a Prototype remaster was coming?
In October 2025, fans discovered Steam updates for the original Prototype that added new credits including Iron Galaxy (a remaster studio) and test maps. This led to speculation that a remaster was in development, but Jez Corden has since denied these claims.
Does Microsoft own the Prototype franchise?
Yes, Microsoft owns Prototype through its acquisition of Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion in 2023. However, owning the IP doesn’t mean they have plans to use it.
Why won’t Microsoft make a new Prototype game?
Prototype 2 underperformed commercially in 2012, and Microsoft is currently focused on bigger franchises and existing projects. With a packed development pipeline, there’s no room for a franchise that hasn’t been active in over a decade.
When was the last Prototype game released?
Prototype 2 was released in 2012. Shortly after its commercial disappointment, developer Radical Entertainment was shut down by Activision, and the franchise has remained dormant ever since.
Could Microsoft revive Prototype in the future?
While technically possible, it seems unlikely in the near term. Microsoft has numerous higher-priority franchises from the Activision acquisition, and Prototype lacks the commercial track record to justify development resources right now.
What happened to Radical Entertainment?
Radical Entertainment, the studio behind both Prototype games, was shut down by Activision shortly after Prototype 2’s disappointing sales in 2012. Activision chose to focus resources on more successful franchises like Call of Duty.
Who is Jez Corden and why is he reliable?
Jez Corden is the Executive Editor at Windows Central and is known for breaking exclusive news about Xbox and Microsoft gaming. He has established connections within the industry that make his reports generally credible.
The Bottom Line
While it’s disappointing for fans who’ve been hoping to see Alex Mercer’s shapeshifting chaos return to modern gaming, the reality is that Prototype just isn’t in Microsoft’s plans right now. The Steam updates that sparked hope were likely routine maintenance rather than signs of an impending revival. With Xbox focused on supporting massive franchises like Call of Duty, Diablo, and their existing first-party lineup, a niche action franchise from 2009 that underperformed in its sequel simply doesn’t make business sense to revive. Unless fan demand somehow reaches critical mass or circumstances change dramatically, Prototype will likely remain a fondly remembered relic of the late 2000s gaming era.