As long as Avatar: The Last Airbender has been popular, fans have been clamoring for any developer to deliver an open-world RPG allowing players to traverse the Four Nations.
Avatar Studios was said to have been working on something. When the studio launched a few years back, it looked like it would be a game set in the world of ATLA, and now it looks like they’re making good on their promise.
Avatar: The Last Airbender Prequel Game Announced
As reported by IGN, Avatar Studios is teaming up with Paramount Games and Saber Interactive (Ghostbusters: The Video Game Remastered, World War Z: Aftermath) to deliver a AAA game that is set in the world of Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Before, fans thought they would be taking on Firelord Ozai as Aang, but it’s been revealed that the game will focus on an Avatar that hasn’t been introduced. The story will take place a thousand years before the events of The Last Airbender. The developers say players can expect “to be immersed in a vibrant world, master all four elements, engage in dynamic combat alongside companions, and experience the challenges and decisions that come with being the keeper of balance in the world."
No official concept art or images have been released for the game, but with the announcement, it’s possible that they could be looking to launch the game in the next two years.
Who could the Game be About?
While Aang and Korra received the most attention from the franchise, others also managed to get the spotlight. Aang’s mentor was Avatar Roku, and fans have compiled some stories of Avatars Kiyoshi, Kuruk, and Yangchen.
Korra introduced the very first Avatar, Wan. While his origin is pretty much explored, there is a huge gap between him getting his powers and eventually dying and being reincarnated into the next Avatar in the cycle.
As far as fans know, Avatar has existed for 10,000 years, so having a story that takes place a thousand years before ATLA could mean that the Four Nations in this Avatar’s world closely resemble the one that Aang was brought up in. Then again, there were even huge changes to the world in the hundred years that Aang was frozen in ice, so it’s possible that this prequel could have a vastly different world.
Maybe a wall at Ba Sing Se hasn't been built yet, or the City of Omashu hasn’t been built. It would be interesting to see how the Air Nation was going about its business, seeing as they were nomads and likely just flew all around the world, mingling with other nations.
Fingers crossed that the developers manage to reveal more about the game soon. Paramount’s Doug Rosen says about the upcoming game:
“We know loyal fans of Avatar: The Last Airbender have been eager for more stories that bring them into the universe of the show, and through gaming, we’re able to expand the world-building and allow fans to experience the new content in a completely immersive way… Saber Interactive has a proven track record in bringing IP-based games to life, and we are excited to co-fund this AAA title alongside them and let fans experience this world first-hand.”
No release date has been set for the Avatar game.