There are always memories that we look back on fondly, especially with time. For gamers, that can be franchises or games that were once the talk of the town, only to fade into obscurity. For many ’90s kids, the Twisted Metal series is one such example, which went into dormancy after 2012. With the television series getting a good reception, the hopes of a reboot were rekindled only to be dashed, but at least now, we are getting more details of what was to be.
Firesprite was leading the reboot, but mass layoffs have made that an impossibility, with the project shelved. The online portfolio of a former developer, however, has given us an insight into Sony‘s vision for the game, and even if there is no explicit mention of Twisted Metal, the elements have stark similarities.
The project, codenamed Project Copper, is described as a revival of a “classic IP owned by PlayStation game” with vehicular combat being the main gameplay mechanic. More interestingly, the game will not confine players to just their vehicles. Instead, you would be able to exit the vehicle and engage in third-person combat, similar to the likes of battle royales like Fortnite and PUBG.
Unfortunately, the leaked portfolio only showcases an early build of the game, which does not have the proper textures, making it difficult to evaluate the overall experience of Project Copper. Additionally, the former developer is bound by an NDA, meaning detailed discussions about the project remain off-limits.
Firesprite has since gone on to do other projects, with 2023’s Horizion Call of the Mountain being the latest project from the studio that has launched. As of now, Sony has not provided any official statements regarding Twisted Metal’s future in the gaming industry. Whether the franchise will return in video game form remains uncertain. However, with the renewed interest sparked by the TV series, fans can only hope that Twisted Metal will eventually make a comeback in some shape or form.
