Twisted Metal was planned for a reboot, but never came to fruition

In the world of gaming, few franchises have managed to carve out a niche as unique and enduring as Twisted Metal. Known for its chaotic vehicular combat and memorable characters, the series has been a staple of PlayStation’s lineup since its debut in 1995.

However, fans of the franchise were recently hit with a wave of nostalgia and disappointment as details emerged about a cancelled Twisted Metal game that was in development for the PlayStation 5.

The cancelled Twisted Metal game, internally known as “Project Copper,” was being developed by Firesprite, the studio behind Horizon: Call of the Mountain. While PlayStation never officially confirmed the existence of this project, reports of Firesprite’s involvement began circulating online in 2022.

The game was reportedly cancelled last year, but new details have surfaced thanks to Hugo Silva, a lead UI programmer who was working on the project.

According to Silva, Project Copper was envisioned as a “3rd person vehicular action combat game” based on a classic IP owned by PlayStation. The game was set to introduce a significant shift in gameplay mechanics, incorporating third-person shooter elements alongside the traditional vehicular combat. The objective was to be the last one standing, effectively turning Twisted Metal into a battle royale game.

The Battle Royale Concept

The battle royale genre has seen immense popularity in recent years, with games like Fortnite and Apex Legends dominating the market. Firesprite and PlayStation aimed to capitalize on this trend by reimagining Twisted Metal as a battle royale game. Early images from Silva’s website, though labeled “under NDA,” highlight the battle royale concept, featuring generic characters engaged in third-person shooter combat. These placeholder designs would have likely been replaced by classic characters from the series or custom-designed protagonists.

The last new Twisted Metal game was released on the PlayStation 3 back in 2012, making it over a decade since fans have had a new entry in the series. The cancellation of Project Copper is undoubtedly frustrating for fans, especially considering the success of the Twisted Metal streaming series on Peacock. The absence of a new game to accompany the show’s popularity seems like a missed opportunity for PlayStation.

However, it’s possible that the decision to cancel the game was for the best. From the details revealed so far, Project Copper might not have delivered what fans have come to expect from the series. If the game had been released and failed, it could have potentially doomed the franchise for another decade or more.

The Future of Twisted Metal

Despite the cancellation of Project Copper, there is still hope for the future of Twisted Metal. PlayStation co-CEO Herman Hurst hinted back in December that the company is looking for ways to leverage its past IPs, offering a glimmer of hope that dormant franchises like Twisted Metal could make a return. Fans will have to wait and see if a new game finally materializes, but for now, the cancellation of Project Copper remains a tantalizing “what if” in the history of Twisted Metal.

In conclusion, the revelation of the cancelled Twisted Metal game has left fans with mixed emotions. While the concept of a battle royale Twisted Metal game is intriguing, it’s uncertain whether it would have lived up to the legacy of the franchise. As we look to the future, we can only hope that PlayStation finds a way to bring Twisted Metal back to its former glory.