Back in 2009, Radical Entertainment developed the action adventure title Prototype and Activision published it. The game put players in control of Alex Mercer, a man living in Manhattan who could shapeshift and had to stop a plague known as Blacklight. Three years later, Radical Entertainment released the sequel, Prototype 2, which sold considerably well. However, it did not sell well enough and Radical Entertainment was downsized.
Since 2012, Activision has been sitting on the Prototype IP, and it has seen little to no love besides a rerelease for the PS4 and Xbox One. Now, with Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard it would be a perfect time for the series to make its long awaited return. With the rise in the popularity of superheroes, Sony's focus on Action Adventure titles, and Microsoft's lack of titles in that genre, it would make perfect sense to finally release Prototype 3.
The Rise of Superheroes
Ever since 2008, the interest in superheroes has been steadily increasing. The Marvel Cinematic Universe has been bringing in audiences everywhere, and DC has been attempting to build a universe of its own. In the video game industry, there have been loads of superhero titles released based on Marvel and DC properties, like Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy and Batman: Arkham Knight. Currently, there are five games based on Marvel properties and six based on DC properties in the works with even more unannounced ones, making it clear that the interest in superhero-related content is at an all-time high.
While Prototype has no relation to Marvel or DC, it does provide players with superpowered mayhem. Players are given control of protagonists with shapeshifting abilities and let loose in a plague filled Manhattan sandbox. They are given a whole host of different powers that can be used to wreak havoc on unsuspecting NPCs, with the first Prototype giving players an arsenal of abilities and Prototype 2 increasing that arsenal. A third title could take advantage of new technologies and expand that arsenal even more, giving players control of an unstoppable superpowered being to let them live out their superhero or villain dreams.
Sony's Focus and Microsoft's Lack of Action Adventure Titles
Currently, Microsoft's first party studio focus is not on Action Adventure titles. Xbox Game Studios creates many multiplayer games, third-person shooters, first-person shooters, open world RPGS, and racing titles. It does produce a couple of action-adventure titles through companies like Ninja Theory, but more of the focus goes into the other genres. However, if Microsoft greenlit a third Prototype game, then that could very easily fill the action-adventure void and get superhero fans to check out the Xbox ecosystem.
Microsoft has had a history with delivering quality first person and third-person shooters, as it built the Xbox on Halo and Gears of War. Acquiring Activision Blizzard expands that catalog to also include Call of Duty, but that does not mean that Microsoft should not try to make a stellar first party title. Gamers enjoy titles like Halo and Gears of War, but they also enjoy playing games like Horizon Zero Dawn and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. Delivering gamers more genres can go a long way to expanding a fanbase.
Sony is the complete opposite, as it mainly focuses on delivering action-adventure titles. Currently, Sony first party studios are working on God of War: Ragnarök, Horizon: Forbidden West, Marvel's Spider-Man 2, and Marvel's Wolverine, along with whatever Naughty Dog and Sucker Punch are working on. Sony is also sitting on Infamous, which Prototype was commonly compared to. Sony has seemed to almost master the action adventure genre, and because of this, many action adventure fans have flocked to Playstation.
It seems Microsoft and Sony are going after different markets, but if Microsoft were to produce a strong first party action-adventure title under an established ip that has been gathering dust, then it could go a long way to bringing in some fans of the genre. With the rise in superhero popularity and the huge amount of action-adventure titles hitting the market, it would only make sense for Microsoft to brush off Prototype and deliver fans the long awaited sequel. New technology could allow for huge advancements in the game to make it one of the most fun sandboxes to play around in.
Prototype: Biohazard Bundle is available now on PS4 and Xbox One.