Rumors that Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is in development are picking up steam, with an announcement possibly due before the end of the year.
According to a new report by Fanbyte, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 was set to be revealed earlier this year, but as with many other games it has reportedly been hampered by issues related to the pandemic.
Monolith Soft has also reportedly had difficulties optimizing the game for Nintendo Switch. It is said to be aiming for more character models on screen than any game in the series to date.
The rumors are supported by earlier comments by voice actress Jenna Coleman, who plays Antiqua in the original Xenoblade Chronicles. In a video first released back in June, she talked about how she first got the role, and hinted that a third game might be in development.
"It was through my voiceover agent and I did it… god, when was the first game? Ten years ago? It was a long time ago," Coleman said. "I did it pre-Doctor Who days and then when they did the second one, they asked me to come back."
"And I think they're going to do another,” she added. "Common knowledge? Don't know… Yeah I think they're going to do another… Not sure if I'm allowed to say that."
First released in 2010, Xenoblade Chronicles has found success over the past decade as one of Nintendo's flagship RPGs. A sequel was released shortly after the launch of the Nintendo Switch, with a Definitive Edition remaster launching last year.
The Definitive Edition's Future Connected DLC heavily hinted at the possibility of a sequel. According to Fanbyte, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is unlikely to make its original 2021 target, but it could arrive in the first half of 2022.
Kat Bailey is a Senior News Editor at IGN.