Ready at Dawn's co-founder, Andrea Pessino, recently revealed that Sony rejected a proposed sequel to their PlayStation 4 title, The Order: 1886, citing the original game's lukewarm critical reception. Despite this, Pessino claims Ready at Dawn pitched a compelling sequel, even expressing a willingness to accept unfavorable terms to deliver it to fans.

In an interview with MinnMax, Pessino described the envisioned sequel as "incredible," emphasizing the team's dedication to the project. He acknowledged the limitations imposed by not owning the franchise rights, preventing him from elaborating further. The original Order: 1886, released in 2015, boasted stunning visuals but received mixed reviews, primarily due to gameplay criticisms.

Pessino detailed a challenging relationship with Sony during the development of the first game. The studio faced significant pressure to meet ambitious graphical milestones set by Sony, leading to compromises and a rushed release. Financial difficulties arose when Ready at Dawn had to prioritize other aspects of development, temporarily compromising the visual fidelity. While Pessino noted this is common practice with third-party publishers, the experience created friction.

Despite this strained relationship, Ready at Dawn was prepared to endure even harsher conditions to develop a sequel. Pessino explained they were willing to accept a drastically reduced budget and limited creative control, prioritizing fan satisfaction above all else. He highlighted the strong foundation laid in the first game, believing a sequel could have successfully addressed its shortcomings.

The original game concluded with a significant cliffhanger, fueling fan demand for a continuation. However, with Ready at Dawn's closure by parent company Meta in 2024, hopes for a sequel are now extinguished. IGN's review of The Order: 1886 (6/10) summarized the game as a visually impressive but ultimately gameplay-constrained experience.