Square Enix: canceling the Prelude Rune project, closing the studio

Square Enix has canceled its next role-play called Project Prelude Rune. In a statement to Polygon, the editor says that the team behind the project, called Studio Istolia, has been disbanded and its staff reassigned.

The Prelude Rune project and Studio Istolia were both announced in February 2017, along with some first concepts. The game consisted of telling a story "taking place on a vast land full of life" where "fed by the earth, many people of this earth dare to dream, fighting for what is right". with floating islands and massive skyboxes populated by flying dragons.

"After evaluating various aspects of the Prelude Rune project, the development of the title was canceled," Square Enix said in its statement. "Studio Istolia is no longer in business and we have taken appropriate steps to assign studio staff to other Square Enix group projects."

The first president of Istolia was Hideo Baba, former producer of Bandai Namco's Tales series. He left less than a month ago, stating that he had resigned "to make room for the next generation".

Unfortunately, all references to the Prelude Rune project are also removed from the official Square Enix channels. Right after the weekend, fans noticed the disappearance of his official Twitter and Facebook page, as well as his trailer. Several mirrors in this trailer are still available on YouTube.