Why Was Blur 2 Cancelled?
A Revisit to the Aborted Sequel of the Hit Racing Game
Released in 2008, the racing game Blur was a groundbreaking game developed by Bizarre Creations and published by Activision. The game’s arcade-style racing gameplay and exciting multiplayer mode earned it widespread critical acclaim. Following its success, many fans expected a sequel, Blur 2. Unfortunately, in February 2011, Activision announced the closure of Bizarre Creations, citing financial losses. The same month, Blur was taken off the digital store, and any talk of Blur 2 went silent.
Initial Plans for Blur 2
When announcing Blur 2 in August 2008, Bizarre Creations revealed that they had a clear vision for the game. The developers planned to introduce new features such as wall-riding and boost pads to make the racing experience even more exhilarating. Fans of the series were thrilled by these innovative additions and anticipated the new game. The Blur 2 team continued to work on the project, with regular updates shared on social media platforms, keeping fans excited and hyped for its release.
But Then What Happened?
In a stunning turn of events, in November 2010, Bizarre Creations published a blog stating that development on Blur 2 had come to an abrupt halt due to various reasons. It is assumed that Bizarre Creations lacked the financial resources to finish the project, ultimately resulting in Blur 2 cancellation. Additionally, licensing issues with the Formula One and 24 Hours of Le Mans properties complicated the situation.
How Did It End?
In the summer of 2011, Activision laid off Bizarre Creations‘s workforce, effectively shuttering the studio. Later that month, Activision sold off the studio’s remaining assets, marking the end of Bizarre Creations as we knew it. With Bizarre Creations no more, any prospects for a Blur sequel dissipated, and fans of the series were left searching for a suitable alternative to fill the racing game gap.
Possible Causes Behind Blur 2‘s Cancelation
There were multiple reasons that led to Blur 2‘s cancellation:
Expired Licensing Agreements: Licenses for the cars, circuits, and sports that appear in Blur can expire. It was costly for the development team to renew these agreements.
Financial Losses: Activision, Bizarre Creations’ parent company, was struggling with financial difficulties, which meant it wasn’t viable for the publisher to invest more money into the game’s development.
Competitor Game Titles: Midnight Club: Los Angeles, an arcade-style racing game with some similarities to Blur, was released during Blur 2‘s development period, further jeopardizing the market share.
Timeline and Timeline References