Just Cause 5 Was Reportedly in Development Before Being Cancelled

image: Just Cause/Square Enix

A new report suggests that Just Cause 5 was in development for some time before being quietly cancelled. This information surfaced from the LinkedIn profile of a former Sumo Digital employee, who claimed to have worked as the Vehicles Feature Team Lead on the project between 2021 and 2023. The listing explicitly states the game was “now cancelled,” confirming speculation about the franchise’s uncertain future.

The Just Cause series has been dormant since the release of Just Cause 4 in 2018, which received a lukewarm response from both critics and fans. Despite featuring large-scale destruction and chaotic action, it failed to reach the critical or commercial heights of its predecessor, Just Cause 2. According to Metacritic, Just Cause 2 scored 81, while Just Cause 4 only managed a 68. User scores reflected a similar decline, dropping from 7.7 to 4.7.

In 2022, Square Enix briefly mentioned in a financial results briefing that a new Just Cause game was in the works. However, there was no significant update afterwards. The cancellation of Just Cause Mobile in 2023 further added to doubts about the franchise’s future. Now, it appears that Just Cause 5 may have been scrapped around the same time.

According to MP1st, the developer’s LinkedIn page not only confirms the project’s cancellation but also provides a timeline that places active development between mid-2021 and mid-2023. This aligns with job listings from Sumo Digital in early 2021, which advertised positions for a “AAA open-world action franchise.” Many now believe this project was indeed Just Cause 5.

Sumo Digital was reportedly leading development, even though Avalanche Studios has traditionally handled all mainline Just Cause games. It’s unclear whether Sumo was co-developing the game with Avalanche or had taken over entirely. Given that Avalanche has been focused on Contraband—a co-op game for Xbox announced in 2021—it’s possible they had stepped back from the series, though this remains speculative.

Some observers also suggest that Tencent’s acquisition of Sumo Group in 2022 might have influenced the project’s direction or eventual cancellation, as acquisitions often result in shifting priorities or internal restructuring.

Despite these setbacks, the franchise is not entirely abandoned. A Just Cause movie is still in development, with writer Aaron Rabin—known for his work on Jack Ryan—attached to the project. This shows that Square Enix still sees value in the IP, even if the future of the games remains uncertain.