Abandoned returns to PlayStation Store with 2027 release window

Abandoned, the PS5-exclusive survival horror shooter from indie studio Blue Box Game Studios, has returned to the PlayStation Store after being repeatedly removed and re-added over the past five years.

The game was first announced in 2021 and initially planned for release that same year. Blue Box delayed it indefinitely in 2022, stating: "We will continue to work on the game and we will notify you when we are ready." That notification never came. The studio's latest PlayStation Store listing now carries a 2027 release window, though the game description remains sparse: "Abandoned is a horror survival shooter with the focus on realism."

Abandoned's history is defined by conspiracy and controversy. In 2021, many players theorized the game was secretly a Hideo Kojima project, particularly after the announcement teaser featured gray woods and sparse trees reminiscent of Metal Gear and Silent Hill aesthetics. Some theorists in the subreddit r/TheBlueBoxConspiracy even proposed Blue Box itself was a Death Stranding reference, drawing parallels between the studios and Death Stranding protagonist Sam's blue box cargo mechanics.

Blue Box outright denied any connection to Kojima Productions. The studio eventually stopped using social media, and its YouTube channel no longer displays Abandoned's existing trailers. A promised playable Prologue never materialized. Over time, perceptions shifted from speculation to skepticism, with many players dismissing the project as vaporware or a scam.

The game's reappearance on the PlayStation Store confirms Abandoned was not entirely abandoned by its developers, though the vague 2027 release window and sparse description offer little reason for renewed confidence from players who have watched the project stall for years.