A Stealth Update to Prototype on Steam Ignites Hope for a Surprise Revival

2025-10-01

Image credit: Photo by Brice Cooper on Unsplash

In a move that has resurrected a franchise long thought dormant, a quiet, unannounced update to the 2009 open-world action game Prototype has ignited a firestorm of speculation across the gaming community. The source of the fervor is not a grand reveal, but a single, subtle change discovered by eagle-eyed fans: the game’s credits on Steam have been amended to include Krome Studios, a developer with a clear and established pedigree in porting and remastering classic titles.

This is more than just a line of text; it is the first tangible sign of life from the Activision-owned property in nearly a decade. Following the effective closure of its original developer and a notoriously poor last-gen re-release, the Prototype franchise had been relegated to the archives of gaming history. Now, the unexpected involvement of a new studio suggests a potential, more dedicated effort to modernize the cult classic, leaving hopeful fans to wonder if this is the beginning of a proper comeback.

A Clue Hidden in the Credits

The discovery, first reported by outlets including IGN and GameSpot, was made after a small update was pushed to the original Prototype on Steam. Upon investigation, players found that Krome Studios had been newly added to the game’s credits. This detail is the critical piece of the puzzle, as Krome Studios is not just any developer; its portfolio is defined by its work on reviving older titles for modern hardware.

As noted in reports from Eurogamer, the studio’s previous projects include remasters like The Bard’s Tale Trilogy and the Blade Kitten: Digital Edition. This history of handling ports and remasters for other publishers has led to the widespread and well-reasoned conclusion that the studio may be involved in a similar project for Prototype. The update, though silent and unceremonious, has been interpreted as the first concrete evidence that a revival is, at the very least, being explored.

Hope Tempered by a Troubled History

For the franchise’s dedicated fanbase, this news is a source of both excitement and trepidation. The world of Prototype has been dark for a long time. The original developer, Radical Entertainment, was significantly downsized by Activision back in 2012, effectively halting any new lead development from the studio and putting the franchise on ice, as reported by Video Games Chronicle.

The property’s only other appearance since was the 2015 release of the Prototype Biohazard Bundle for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. That collection, however, was heavily criticized for its severe performance issues, leaving a stain on the series’ legacy and a deep sense of disappointment among players. This history explains the community’s current state of cautious optimism. While the prospect of a proper, well-executed remaster is fueling immense hope, the memory of the last failed attempt serves as a stark reminder that not all revivals are created equal.

The Official Silence

For all the excitement generated by this digital breadcrumb, the entire narrative remains one built on speculation. The most critical element is missing: official confirmation. According to the dossier of initial reports, neither the IP holder, Activision, nor the newly credited Krome Studios has made any public statement or comment on the matter.

This official silence leaves a host of fundamental questions unanswered. The full scope of this potential project is completely unknown. Is this a simple patch to the existing PC version, a new port to modern consoles, a full-scale remaster, or something more? Which platforms might be targeted, and what is the timeline for any potential release? The very reason for the credit update remains unconfirmed.

Activision has inadvertently re-energized a dormant community with a single, quiet update. A fanbase that had long given up hope is now watching and waiting for a sign that this isn't just a false dawn. The ball is now in the publisher’s court to confirm whether this is the first step in a genuine resurrection for a beloved cult classic, or simply an echo from the past.