Jak and Daxter News May Disappoint Fans
▼ Summary
– A remake or remaster of the first Jak and Daxter game was pitched to Sony by developer Sanzaru Games in 2019.
– The pitch was unsolicited and not commissioned by Sony, similar to how Sanzaru initially pitched the Sly Cooper sequel.
– Sony turned down the pitch, so the Jak and Daxter remake never entered production.
– The last main series game was in 2009, and original developer Naughty Dog chose to work on The Last of Us instead of a new Jak title.
– Sanzaru Games was acquired by Meta in 2020, shifted to VR projects, and was shut down in early 2026.
For fans of the classic PlayStation 2 platforming series, the long wait for a revival continues with a fresh dose of disappointment. Recent revelations confirm that a proposed Jak and Daxter remake was formally pitched to Sony but ultimately rejected, dashing hopes for a modern return to the beloved franchise. This news highlights the fragile nature of game development, where even compelling concepts from talented studios can fail to secure the green light.
The initiative was not driven by Sony internally. Instead, it mirrored the origin of Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time, where developer Sanzaru Games successfully pitched that project to the platform holder. In 2019, a team at Sanzaru assembled a proof-of-concept to advocate for a remaster or remake of Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy. Former Sanzaru animator Travis Howe recently shared a polished scene from the original game, which was animated shot-for-shot to demonstrate the visual potential of an updated version. Howe noted the pitch was a “fan pitch to gain permission,” not a project commissioned by Sony, and expressed pride in the quality of the work despite its ultimate fate.
This rejection adds another chapter to the series’ extended hiatus. The last mainline entry, Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier, was released in 2009 by High Impact Games after original creator Naughty Dog moved on. Naughty Dog itself briefly considered revisiting the franchise during the PS3 era but famously pivoted to develop The Last of Us. The recent disclosure about the failed pitch confirms that interest in reviving these PS2 classics persists within the industry, even if corporate decisions do not align.
The story’s final twist involves the studio behind the pitch. Sanzaru Games, which was acquired by Meta in 2020, shifted its focus to virtual reality projects before being shut down earlier this year. This closure means the specific team that championed the Jak and Daxter concept is no longer together, further dimming the immediate prospects for such a remake. For a dedicated fanbase, the news serves as a bittersweet reminder of what might have been, showcasing a compelling vision for a series that remains fondly remembered but seemingly stuck in the past.
(Source: Kotaku)