Summary

• The 10th mainline installment in the Dynasty Warriors franchise was canceled due to technological advancements.
• Elements from the canceled Dynasty Warriors 10 were incorporated into Dynasty Warriors: Origins, enhancing its modern and strategic gameplay.
• Dynasty Warriors: Origins is set to release on January 17, 2025, featuring hack-and-slash combat set during the Three Kingdoms Era.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins emerged from the ashes of a canceled project, as revealed by its developers. Initially, the team at Omega Force was working on what would have been the 10th mainline installment in the series. However, this project was abandoned to pave the way for the innovative Dynasty Warriors: Origins. Early access players of the Deluxe Edition have already experienced the game's fast-paced combat, which might not have been possible without significant technological advancements over the past four years.

For those awaiting the standard release, mark your calendars for January 17, 2025. Dynasty Warriors: Origins continues the series' tradition of free-roaming hack-and-slash combat, introduced in the second mainline game in 2000. Players will embody a mysterious, amnesiac character navigating the historical backdrop of China's Three Kingdoms Era.

While some fans have already explored the world of Dynasty Warriors: Origins, the game's development story is equally compelling. In an interview with Japanese site 4Gamer, translated by SiliconEra, development producer Masamichi Oba disclosed that the team had been working on a "phantom number title" in the Dynasty Warriors series. This canceled project, resembling 2011's Dynasty Warriors 7 in its stage-clearing format, would have taken a significantly different approach from what fans are currently enjoying in Origins.

Dynasty Warriors 10 Was Canceled to Make the Best Dynasty Warriors Possible

The decision to cancel Dynasty Warriors 10, as explained by producer Tomohiko Sho in the same interview, was influenced by the capabilities of the PlayStation 5 and other next-generation consoles. The team recognized the potential for more advanced gameplay mechanics and shifted their focus to create a game that would leverage these new technologies. Despite the cancellation, some elements from the abandoned project were integrated into Dynasty Warriors: Origins.

According to Oba, although it was challenging to leave the previous project behind, the team successfully incorporated features like expansive travel and a deeper narrative exploration of the Three Kingdoms Era into Origins. These additions have enriched the game, making it a more immersive and strategic experience for players.