History Trivia / Prey2017

** Adding to the confusing marketing was the insistence on Bethesda's part of naming the game after an unrelated game from 2006. While both ''Preys'' are first person shooters in space, that's where the similarities end; ''2006'' is a linear action/horror FirstPersonShooter about a Native American losing and regaining his connection with his native culture and a mechanical emphasis on portals and gravity manipulation, while ''2017'' is a much a slower paced sci-fi PsychologicalHorror/thriller ImmersiveSim with nonlinear progression that focuses its narrative on what it means to be human and its mechanics on outsmarting enemies and obstacles. A common comment is that naming the game "''Neuroshock''", would have avoided the confusing comparison and better stated the game's actual presentation via association with ''VideoGame/SystemShock'' and ''VideoGame/BioShock'', well-known examples of the subgenre and the overall premise.[[note]]The game's director, who left the studio shortly after its completion, [[https://kotaku.com/prey-2017-2006-bethesda-imsim-name-arkane-colantonio-1849481519 directly stated that the title was forced on Arkane by Bethesda]]. By and large, it's agreed by most that the use of the same title as the previous "Prey" was a baffling decision that can really only be explained as an act of pure corporate spite from Bethesda's higher-ups towards Human Head Studios, who were working on the ''actual'' Prey 2 but were actively screwed over by Bethesda due to an attempted hostile acquisition, resulting in the game being canceled when they refused to allow the publisher to buy them out.[[/note

* ScrewedByTheNetwork: For some reason, Bethesda did not distribute review codes for ''Prey'' to reviewers and press until 24 hours before the release date. This unfortunately meant that reviews were either delayed or rushed, which gave many people who were on the fence about the game a negative initial impression.

* ExecutiveMeddling: Arkane founder Raphaël Colantonio [[https://kotaku.com/prey-2017-2006-bethesda-imsim-name-arkane-colantonio-1849481519 stated in 2022]] that ''no one'' at Arkane wanted to call the game ''Prey'', since it had no story connection to ''VideoGame/Prey2006'', but Bethesda forced them to.

* CreatorBacklash: Arkane founder Raphaël Colantonio [[https://kotaku.com/prey-2017-2006-bethesda-imsim-name-arkane-colantonio-1849481519 stated in 2022]] that ''no one'' at Arkane wanted to call the game ''Prey'' but Bethesda [[ExecutiveMeddling forced them to]].

** The Mooncrash DLC includes weapon degradation and more status effects, but all characters still have unlimited oxygen. [[spoiler: Except Peter.]]

** A later update added an oxygen meter, weapon degradation and negative status effects from injuries as "Survival Mode" options that can be toggled on or off individually when starting a new game.

** A later update to the game added an oxygen meter, weapon degradation and negative status effects from injuries as "Survival Mode" options that can be toggled on or off individually when starting a new game.

** Arkane's ''Prey'' had a number of features cut during development. It remains to be seen if any of these features return in DLC or expansions.

*** Weapon durability was scrapped in the final game, possibly because the developers feared it would become a ScrappyMechanic as it had in ''VideoGame/SystemShock2''.

*** Early footage showed an oxygen meter while Morgan was in environments with no air, suggesting that the useless O2 tanks present in the final game were intended to refill the suit's oxygen supply.

* CelebrityVoiceActor: Creator/WaltonGoggins and James Hong have minor roles in the game, as Aaron Ingram and [[spoiler:William Yu]], respectively.

* ScrewedByTheNetwork: For some reason, Bethesda did not distribute review codes for ''Prey'' to reviewers and press until 24 hours before the release date. This unfortunately meant that reviews were either delayed or rushed, which gave many people who were on the fence about the game a negative initial impression.
* WhatCouldHaveBeen:
** Human Head Studios's ''Prey 2''. Originally developed as a direct sequel to the original game with a "Cowboys in Space" vibe, with the player character working as an intergalactic bounty hunter of sorts. After a fairly impressive debut at E3 2011, the game sunk into DevelopmentHell for several years due to disagreements between Human Head and Bethesda over the game's direction along with [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKw_VUuZjCE an alleged hostile acquisition attempt]] on Human Head by Bethesda. The game was [[https://www.gamespot.com/articles/prey-2-cancelled-bethesda-confirms/1100-6423293/ officially cancelled in 2014]] before the name was given to Arkane for their new sci-fi game.
** Arkane's ''Prey'' had a number of features cut during development. Early footage showed an oxygen meter while Morgan was in environments with no air, suggesting that the useless O2 tanks present in the final game were intended to refill the suit's oxygen supply. Injuries would have caused negative status effects to Morgan, with burns and fractures needing different items to treat properly. An AI-powered homing disc rifle (complete with sidequest) was cut for unknown reasons. Weapon durability was another feature that was scrapped in the final game, possibly because the developers feared it would become a ScrappyMechanic as it did in ''VideoGame/SystemShock2''. It remains to be seen if some of these features might return in possible DLC or expansions.

* ActorAllusion: This isn't the first time Creator/Maewhitman played [[Film/ScottPilgrimVsTheWorld a woman who had a stormy relationship with another woman]]. Or was [[Series/ArrestedDevelopment connected to a screwed up family]].

* WhatCouldHaveBeen: Human Head Studios's ''Prey 2''. Originally developed as a direct sequel to the original game with a "Cowboys in Space" vibe, with the player character working as an intergalactic bounty hunter of sorts. After a fairly impressive debut at E3 2011, the game sunk into DevelopmentHell for several years due to disagreements between Human Head and Bethesda over the game's direction along with [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKw_VUuZjCE an alleged hostile acquisition attempt]] on Human Head by Bethesda. The game was [[https://www.gamespot.com/articles/prey-2-cancelled-bethesda-confirms/1100-6423293/ officially cancelled in 2014]] before the name was given to Arkane for their new sci-fi game.