Dynasty Warriors 10 Was Canceled

Summary

• The planned tenth mainline Dynasty Warriors game was canceled due to technological advancements.
• Elements from the canceled Dynasty Warriors 10 were incorporated into Origins to enhance gameplay and strategy.
• Dynasty Warriors: Origins, featuring hack-and-slash combat set in the Three Kingdoms Era, releases January 17, 2025.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins has an interesting backstory. Its developers initially worked on a tenth mainline installment before canceling it to pave the way for Origins. Deluxe Edition players experienced its fast-paced combat early, showcasing a significant technological leap from four years prior.

For those without early access, Dynasty Warriors: Origins launches January 17, 2025. Staying true to the series' signature free-roaming hack-and-slash combat (established in the 2000 sequel), players embody a mysterious amnesiac character interacting with prominent figures from China's Three Kingdoms Era.

While many fans have already played Origins, Omega Force recently revealed the cancellation of a previous project. A 4Gamer interview (translated by SiliconEra), featuring producer Masamichi Oba, disclosed a "phantom number title." This canceled game, similar in structure to 2011's Dynasty Warriors 7, would have differed significantly from Origins.

Dynasty Warriors 10's Cancellation: Forging a Better Dynasty Warriors

Producer Tomohiko Sho explained that the decision to cancel the tenth game stemmed from witnessing the capabilities of the PlayStation 5 and other contemporary consoles. The potential offered by modern hardware prompted a strategic shift, though elements from previous Dynasty Warriors titles were retained.

Oba added that aspects from the canceled project were salvaged for Origins. This includes the free-roaming map—a feature he'd envisioned for the abandoned title—and a more in-depth exploration of the Three Kingdoms Era's narrative. While abandoning the previous project was challenging, the team successfully integrated its best features into Origins.