Everyone is looking for a straight answer, but the truth is a bit of a tangled mess. If you've been scouring the internet to find out if High on Life 2 cancelled is a reality or just a nasty rumor, you aren't alone. Gamers are still reeling from the massive success of the first game—which, let’s be honest, basically broke Game Pass back in 2022—while trying to reconcile that success with the absolute chaos that happened behind the scenes at Squanch Games shortly after.
It’s complicated.
Usually, when a game sells millions of copies and dominates streaming platforms, a sequel is a "no-brainer." But High on Life wasn't a usual game. It was a polarizing, foul-mouthed gamble that relied heavily on a specific brand of humor and a very specific creative lead. When that foundation cracked, the future of the franchise shifted from "guaranteed" to "questionable."
What actually happened to High on Life 2?
To understand the current status, we have to look at the timeline. Squanch Games has never officially announced a sequel, so technically, you can't "cancel" something that hasn't been promised to shareholders yet. However, the industry buzz was loud. Very loud. Following the launch, the studio was in high spirits. They released the High on Knife DLC, which proved the gameplay loop could survive and even thrive with a slightly different tone.
Then the legal drama hit. Justin Roiland, the co-founder and the primary creative voice (not to mention the voice of Kenny), resigned from Squanch Games in early 2023 following serious personal legal allegations.
This was the "uh-oh" moment for fans.
✨ Don't miss: The Hunt: Mega Edition - Why This Roblox Event Changed Everything
The studio faced a choice: fold, or move on. They chose to move on. They scrubbed Roiland’s name from the marketing and focused on the team that actually built the game mechanics. But this transition sparked the massive wave of speculation about High on Life 2 cancelled threats. If the guy who provided the "vibe" is gone, does the game even exist?
Honestly, the studio is still very much alive. They've been hiring. They've been updating the original game for new platforms like PlayStation 5. That doesn't look like a studio that is shutting its doors. It looks like a studio trying to find a new identity so they can eventually build a sequel that doesn't rely on a single, now-controversial figure.
The "High on Knife" Clues
If you haven't played the DLC, you should. It’s weird. It’s darker. It features Sarah Sherman and Ken Marino, and it proves that the "talking gun" gimmick works even without Roiland's specific stutter-heavy delivery. This was a litmus test. Squanch Games was basically checking to see if the audience would still show up if the creative DNA changed.
The audience did show up.
This suggests that while a direct sequel might be delayed or undergoing a massive creative overhaul, the IP is too valuable to just toss in the trash. You don't just walk away from one of the biggest 3rd-party launches in Xbox Game Pass history because of a PR nightmare. You pivot.
🔗 Read more: Why the GTA San Andreas Motorcycle is Still the Best Way to Get Around Los Santos
Why the "Cancelled" Rumors Won't Die
Social media is a vacuum. When a studio goes quiet, people assume the worst. Squanch Games hasn't been shouting from the rooftops about their next project. In the modern gaming industry, "quiet" usually means one of two things: crunching on a new project or quietly bleeding out.
- The Silence: It's been a while since the High on Knife marketing cycle ended.
- The Roiland Factor: Many fans believe the humor is the game. Without the lead writer/voice, they assume the project is dead.
- The Industry Slump: 2024 and 2025 saw massive layoffs across the board. From Bungie to Riot, everyone felt the squeeze.
But here’s the thing: Squanch is an independent entity. They aren't owned by a massive conglomerate that's going to axe them to save 2% on a quarterly earnings report. They have the freedom to take their time. If High on Life 2 cancelled were a reality, we would likely see "farewell" posts from senior developers on LinkedIn. Instead, we see a studio that is slowly, quietly rebuilding.
Can the franchise survive a reboot?
This is the real question. High on Life was a comedy game first and a shooter second. If you change the writers, you change the soul of the game. Some people think that’s a good thing. The "metahumor" of the first game was exhausting for a lot of players. A sequel could potentially keep the vibrant, psychedelic art style and the inventive "Gatlians" but introduce a different comedic rhythm.
Imagine a High on Life 2 that feels more like Psychonauts and less like a late-night cartoon marathon. That’s a game people would play.
The Logistics of a Sequel in 2026
If they are working on it, when would we see it? Game development cycles are getting longer. Even a "mid-sized" game like this takes 3 to 4 years. If pre-production started in earnest after the DLC wrapped in late 2023, we are looking at 2026 or 2027 at the earliest.
💡 You might also like: Dandys World Ship Chart: What Most People Get Wrong
The "cancellation" rumors often ignore how slowly the gears of game dev turn. Squanch had to restructure their entire leadership. They had to hire new creative directors. They had to figure out how to handle the voice acting for the existing characters. That’s a lot of administrative baggage before you even write a single line of code for a sequel.
What to watch for
Keep an eye on job listings. That’s the "leak" that never fails. If Squanch Games starts looking for "Lead Level Designers" or "Senior Combat Designers" for an "unannounced action-adventure title," you can bet your life they are working on the next entry in the Gatlian universe.
Right now, the evidence points toward a "soft reboot" or a significantly changed sequel rather than a total cancellation. The brand recognition is just too high. In an era where new IPs fail constantly (look at Concord or Saints Row), having a proven hit like High on Life is a golden ticket. You don't rip that up.
Moving Forward: What Fans Should Actually Expect
Stop looking for a "High on Life 2" announcement at every minor Nintendo Direct or State of Play. It’s going to take time. The studio needs to prove they can stand on their own two feet without the baggage of their co-founder.
If you're worried about High on Life 2 cancelled becoming a definitive headline, look at the numbers. The first game hit over 7.5 million players in its first few months. Those are "sequel guaranteed" numbers in any other context. The delay isn't a sign of death; it's a sign of a difficult transition.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
- Support the DLC: If you want a sequel, play High on Knife. Playtime and sales data for DLC are often the deciding factors for publishers and investors.
- Follow the Devs, Not the Hype: Follow individual Squanch Games employees on social media. They often share "work-in-progress" vibes or general life updates that confirm the studio is still operational.
- Replay the Original on New Platforms: The recent PlayStation port was a big move. It shows the studio is interested in expanding the player base, which is usually a precursor to a new project.
- Ignore "Leak" Accounts: Unless it comes from Jason Schreier or a major outlet like IGN or Eurogamer, "cancelled" rumors are usually just engagement bait for Twitter accounts.
The status of High on Life 2 is "in flux," but it's far from dead. The Gatlian world is weird, gross, and surprisingly profitable. In the gaming world, profit usually wins out over drama in the long run. Wait for the dust to settle. The guns will probably start talking again soon enough.