"Dynasty Warriors 10 Cancellation Confirmed"

Summary

• The 10th mainline installment in the Dynasty Warriors franchise was canceled due to technological advancements.
• Elements from the canceled Dynasty Warriors 10 were incorporated into Dynasty Warriors: Origins, enhancing its modern and strategic gameplay.
• Dynasty Warriors: Origins is set to be released on January 17, 2025, and will feature hack-and-slash combat set in the Three Kingdoms Era.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins emerged from a bittersweet origin story, as its developers had initially been working on what would have been the 10th mainline installment in the series before deciding to cancel it in favor of a new direction. Deluxe Edition players have already experienced the fast-paced combat of Dynasty Warriors: Origins, a game that might not have come to fruition without significant technological advancements over the past four years.

For those who didn't opt for early access, Dynasty Warriors: Origins is scheduled for release on January 17, 2025. The game retains the beloved free-roaming hack-and-slash combat style that the series popularized since its second mainline installment in 2000. Players will step into the shoes of a mysterious, amnesiac character and interact with iconic officers from China's Three Kingdoms Era.

While some fans have already delved into the world of Dynasty Warriors: Origins, members of the development team at Omega Force have shared insights into the project's beginnings. In an interview with the Japanese site 4Gamer, translated to English by SiliconEra, development producer Masamichi Oba revealed that the studio had been working on a "phantom number title" under the Dynasty Warriors brand. This canceled title, akin to 2011's Dynasty Warriors 7, would have focused on clearing stages but followed a format vastly different from the current game that early access fans are enjoying.

Dynasty Warriors 10 Was Canceled to Make the Best Dynasty Warriors Possible

The primary reason for canceling the 10th mainline game, as producer Tomohiko Sho explained in the same interview, stemmed from the development team's exposure to the capabilities of the PlayStation 5 and other next-generation consoles. Witnessing the potential of these modern systems prompted the team to pivot their strategy for the next game, while still integrating some of the best elements from previous Dynasty Warriors titles.

According to Oba, although abandoning the previous project was challenging, the team managed to incorporate some of its features into Dynasty Warriors: Origins. This includes the implementation of free-roaming maps, which Oba had long desired to add, and a deeper exploration of the Three Kingdoms Era's narrative.