Rhianna Pratchett has made quite a name for herself in recent gaming memory; last year, she wrote for two of the most highly acclaimed video games of 2013, as an additional writer for BioShock Infinite and the lead writer for the Crystal Dynamics’ Tomb Raider reboot. She’s also worked on several well-regarded cult-games in the past as well, with Heavenly Sword, the Overlord series, and the DICE free-running action-platformer Mirror’s Edge on her resume, and none of those games should be slouched at. Yes, even Mirror’s Edge, the odd duck of that particular list and a game not especially known for its story or for, well, commercial success.
As is known, Mirror’s Edge is getting a reboot by DICE due sometime in the near future, but it will be without Pratchett’s narrative guidance, as she announced today on Twitter.
Pratchett responded to a question on Twitter if she would be returning to write DICE’s reboot with a diplomatic and honest no; “It’s really lovely that people care enough to ask whether I’m involved with Mirror’s Edge 2, but I’m not & wasn’t asked. Let’s face it ME1’s story didn’t review that great (for many reasons). So I consider myself a casualty of that development process.” She then offered the new team of Mirror’s Edge words of encouragement; “By all accounts it’s a new team on it, so go with God, I say. Create cool stuff. We always need more of that.”
The choice to not bring back Pratchett is an odd one, but understandable from a business perspective. If one is to do a top down rework of a title that failed pretty spectacularly, all things must go, not just bits and pieces. But still, not bringing back a writer that still loves your universe (she penned a Mirror’s Edge prequel comic for DC none too long ago) and has gotten massive praise for her recent work is stymieing at least.
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