Frontier Developments Confirms a New “Planet” Game Franchise, Not a Sequel, for Release in FY28

Frontier Developments has officially begun work on a completely new entry in its “Planet” franchise, separate from Planet Coaster or Planet Zoo, with a release scheduled for the financial year ending May 2028. The announcement arrives via both official Discord communication and the company’s latest earnings report.

British studio Frontier Developments has ignited significant speculation among fans and industry watchers after quietly confirming a “brand-new” Planet Game franchise in June 2026. The move comes amid major activity for the studio, including the announcement of Planet Zoo 2 and the first expansion pack for Jurassic World Evolution 3. Unlike previous titles, the upcoming game will not be a direct sequel, but a fresh IP within the construction and management simulation (CMS) genre that has underpinned Frontier’s series successes.

New Franchise Details and Official Statements

Head of player engagement Richard Stephenson first made the news public in the company’s Discord community. The official statement, later echoed in Frontier Developments’ financial earnings report, reads:

“We’ve started work on a brand-new Planet Game franchise, which has all the familiarity you love about the Planet series, but a completely new setting for us than Planet Coaster or Planet Zoo, one which still combines our love for creativity, management, and meaningful simulation.”

This clear positioning sets the new game apart from previous titles, ruling out direct sequels such as Planet Coaster 3 or Planet Zoo 3. Instead, the announcement signals investment in expanding the unique “Planet” formula to unexplored thematic territory within simulation gaming.

Timeline, Financial Year Confirmation, and Industry Context

While Stephenson’s original Discord post omitted a release window, the company’s financial earnings report clarified the timeline for launch:

“A new own-IP CMS [construction and management simulation] game is confirmed for FY28,” the report specifies, providing a launch window between May 2027 and May 2028 in accordance with Frontier’s fiscal calendar.

• Announced: June 2026 (financial report and Discord)
• Status: In active development (not a sequel)
• Release Window: Financial Year 2028 (May 2027 – May 2028)
• Genre: Construction and Management Simulation (CMS)

This planned timeline situates the new Planet game squarely in the next wave of major simulation releases, with Frontier continuing to invest in both internally-owned IP and major licensed properties.

Speculation on Themes and Fan Reactions

The announcement immediately sparked widespread industry speculation about the possible theme of the new Planet franchise entry. Common suggestions from the community include:

• Planet Resort
• Planet Museum
• Planet Studio

The possibility of a “Planet Studio” game has generated particular interest, as the concept would mirror the cult classic The Movies (2005), with no direct spiritual successors in the current market. The engaged fanbase has drawn parallels to popular simulation games like Two Point Hospital and Two Point Campus, speculating that Frontier may be eyeing a similarly untapped management niche.

Despite rampant theories, Frontier has not commented further on the game’s theme, content, or mechanics beyond reiterating its commitment to “creativity, management, and meaningful simulation.”

Frontier’s Ongoing Projects and 2026 Release Slate

While work ramps up on the new project, Frontier maintains a robust launch schedule for late 2026:

• Planet Zoo 2: Scheduled for release on 13th October 2026
• Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate – Deathwatch: Listed as “coming soon”
• Jurassic World Evolution 3: Rebirth Expansion: Recently announced with official trailer

These developments underscore the company’s established expertise in simulation game development and strong relationships with both original and licensed IP, including franchises such as Jurassic World and Warhammer.

Key Takeaways

• Frontier Developments has confirmed its next “Planet” game is an entirely new franchise entry, not a sequel.
• The new title is a construction and management simulation (CMS) game slated for release in FY28 (May 2027 – May 2028).
• Announcement was made in June 2026 via official Discord and financial earnings report.
• Theme and gameplay specifics remain undisclosed, with fans speculating possibilities such as Planet Resort, Planet Museum, or Planet Studio.

For those tracking the simulation game sector, Frontier’s move affirms ongoing commitment to expanding original IP within the highly competitive construction-management space. As the FY28 launch window nears, further information is expected in subsequent investor updates, press releases, or industry events.