In a candid interview, Studio Director Amir Rao tempers expectations for a third entry in the beloved roguelike series, emphasizing the studio's signature one-project-at-a-time philosophy.
The underworld is still buzzing from the triumphant full release of Hades II, but fans hoping for a swift confirmation of Hades 3 might want to hold their fiery horses. In a recent interview, Supergiant Games' Studio Director Amir Rao has poured a measured dose of realism on the prospect of a third chapter, suggesting that a sequel is not the inevitable next step for the acclaimed indie studio.
The comments came from a 36-minute discussion with popular roguelike content creator Haelian, conducted just as Hades II was preparing to exit early access for its version 1.0 launch. When the topic of the series' future arose, Rao was refreshingly direct, stating, “It’s not preordained. It’s not something we secretly know right now or anything like that.”
This might come as a surprise to the legions of fans who have propelled the Hades franchise into the stratosphere of critical and commercial success. However, for those familiar with Supergiant's history, this deliberate, focused approach is exactly what has defined their nearly flawless track record.
A Studio Built on Focus, Not Roadmaps
Rao’s comments underscore a core tenet of Supergiant Games' development culture: intense, singular focus. Unlike larger studios that often have multiple projects in various stages of production, Supergiant marshals all its creative energy into one game at a time.
“When we’re working on our games, we’re not talking about the next game,” Rao explained, highlighting a workflow that avoids the distraction of long-term franchise planning.
He further elaborated on their unique, iterative process by noting that “the game is the design document.” This philosophy means that instead of adhering to a rigid, pre-written plan, the team at Supergiant discovers the soul of their game through real-time building, constant playtesting, and deep consideration of community feedback—a method that has clearly paid off handsomely with both Bastion, Transistor, Pyre, and now the Hades series.
The Proof is in the Player Count and the Profits
While Hades 3 isn't on the immediate horizon, the staggering success of Hades II demonstrates exactly why fans are already eager for more. The sequel exploded onto the scene, proving itself an instant hit.
Upon its entry into Early Access in 2023, the game reached an astonishing all-time peak of 103,567 concurrent players on Steam. That fervor only reignited with its full 1.0 launch, with player numbers rebounding to a peak of nearly 100,000.
Hades II Concurrent Player Chart on SteamDB
The commercial performance has been equally breathtaking. According to data from Alinea Analytics, Hades II shipped a monumental 2 million copies during its 16-month early access run alone. A massive 1.5 million of those sales came within the first two months. With a standard price point of $29.99, this translates to a staggering $54.5 million in gross revenue—a figure that doesn't even include the surge from the 1.0 launch.
The sequel's success even had a halo effect, boosting sales of the original game, which sold over 150,000 copies in the week leading up to Hades II's early access exit—a true testament to the series' powerful and growing appeal.
Experience the myth that started it all - grab Hades on Steam today!
What's Next for Supergiant Games?
For now, the clear focus at Supergiant Games is on supporting Hades II with the same post-launch dedication they showed the original, which means players can expect a steady stream of tweaks, balance changes, and bug fixes. However, given the studio's history, don't expect traditional expansions or downloadable content (DLC); they have yet to produce any for their previous titles, preferring to deliver a complete, polished experience from the outset.
As for Hades 3, Rao’s words suggest that the studio is first going to take a well-deserved breath after a lengthy and intense development cycle. The future of the franchise remains an open question, one that the team will likely only begin to answer once they have fully stepped away from the heat of the Underworld and begun their next great creative journey.
What do you think Supergiant Games should do next? Stick with the world of Hades or venture into a brand new universe? Let us know in the comments!
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