Fans of the pandemic shooter series were disappointed by Ubisofts recent decision to cancel “The Division Heartland,” a planned free to play installment set between the first two Division games. The unexpected announcement came after a prolonged development phase, for the game.
It has been reported that “The Division Heartland” underwent transformations in its design over the three years. Despite efforts in playtesting and beta trials the game failed to generate excitement among testers. Consequently Ubisoft concluded that it was not justifiable to allocate resources to the project and made the tough choice to abandon it.
What Led to the Failure of “The Division Heartland”?
As a to play adaptation of a franchise “The Division Heartland” faced high expectations in attracting new players. However sources suggest that the game struggled to establish a vision and identity distinct from the existing Division games. Without a strategy it appears that the project veered off course.
For enthusiasts anticipating another addition, to the pandemic shooter genre, Ubisofts cancellation of “The Division Heartland” is disappointing news. Nonetheless it was a move for the company to halt development than release an underperforming game. Down the road another programmer could expand on the groundwork of this yet unsuccessful initiative.