Dynasty Warriors 10 Was Canceled

Dynasty Warriors: Origins Rises from the Ashes of a Canceled Predecessor

The upcoming Dynasty Warriors: Origins, launching January 17, 2025, boasts a unique genesis. Omega Force, the development studio, initially embarked on creating the 10th mainline Dynasty Warriors title. However, technological advancements spurred a pivotal decision: cancellation of DW10 to pave the way for a more innovative and strategically refined successor.

Early access players have already experienced Origins' signature fast-paced, hack-and-slash combat set during China's Three Kingdoms period. The game places players in the role of an amnesiac protagonist, interacting with iconic historical figures.

But the journey to Origins involved a significant shift. In an interview with 4Gamer (translated by SiliconEra), producer Masamichi Oba revealed the existence of a previously unannounced, now-canceled Dynasty Warriors project. This "phantom title," envisioned as a stage-clearing experience reminiscent of Dynasty Warriors 7 (2011), ultimately yielded to a more ambitious vision.

Technological Leap Fuels Creative Shift

Producer Tomohiko Sho explained that the PlayStation 5 and other contemporary consoles inspired the change. Witnessing the potential of modern hardware, the team opted for a strategic overhaul. However, the canceled project wasn't entirely abandoned. Several key elements found their way into Origins.

Oba highlighted the integration of free-roaming exploration, a feature he had planned for the canceled title. Furthermore, Origins benefits from a more deeply explored narrative surrounding the Three Kingdoms Era, drawing inspiration from the abandoned project. While difficult, abandoning the previous game allowed the creation of a superior Dynasty Warriors experience. The resulting game incorporates the best elements from previous iterations, infused with the potential unlocked by current-gen technology.