Summary
- Just Cause 5 was in development between 2021 and 2023.
- The game was reportedly cancelled mid-development by Square Enix.
- Development was handled by Sumo Digital, not the original team at Avalanche Studios.
Just Cause 5’s Sudden Cancellation
Just Cause 5, the next big installment in the chaotic action series, was apparently in the works—but it didn’t make it far. A developer’s LinkedIn profile recently revealed that the game had been in development at Sumo Digital between 2021 and 2023. However, it was eventually cancelled, ending hopes of seeing the series return soon.
MP1st discovered the developer’s resume, where they listed their role as Vehicles Feature Team Lead on the project, clearly mentioning it as “now cancelled.” Although Sumo Digital was working on the game, they weren’t the original creators—Avalanche Studios was behind the previous entries.
Square Enix Pulled the Plug
Back in 2022, Square Enix confirmed they were working on a new Just Cause title. But sometime shortly after, things must have changed. The cancellation likely happened in late 2023, around the time development ended at Sumo Digital. Fans had been waiting for a proper sequel since 2018’s Just Cause 4, but now it looks like they’ll have to wait even longer—if it ever happens at all.
What’s Next for Just Cause?
While the game series seems to be on ice, the Just Cause franchise isn’t completely dead. A movie adaptation is still in production, with a writer already attached. Still, that’s not enough for fans who miss the wild, over-the-top sandbox gameplay that made the series a favorite for destruction lovers.
For now, Avalanche Studios is focused on their upcoming Xbox exclusive, Contraband. But with that title also missing from recent showcases, fans are beginning to worry about its fate too. As for Just Cause 5, this cancelled version may not have been the right fit, but fans will always hope for the series to make a proper comeback.
