Metroid Prime 4 developer Retro Studios has hired developer Dylan Jobe to be part of the development of Metroid Prime 4, according to Video Games Chronicle (VGC).
Hired on as a director of development, Jobe previously worked on major titles such as Doom (2016), Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, and Twisted Metal: Black. Jobe's hiring follows a mass spree in Retro Studios earlier in the year, and as of August the developer was also seeking a new lead producer for Metroid Prime 4.
Earlier in the year, Twitter user New_WabiSabi, who has correctly leaked information on games in the past, said a new Paper Mario and Metroid game would be announced and released in 2020. Since then, Paper Mario: The Origami King has been announced and released for the Switch. It should be noted that the leak came before the impact of the coronavirus pandemic could really be felt, as it has altered the development and release of many titles.
Since its reveal in 2017, Metroid Prime 4 has had a storied development with a few changes happening behind the scenes. Originally in the hands of Bandai Namco Singapore, the game had long-time series producer Kensuke Tanabe attached, but news about the game went silent for over a year. Rumors spread about development issues behind the scenes, which Nintendo later dissuaded saying development was going smoothly.
However, in 2019 it was revealed that development had been moved back to Retro Studios and restarted. Retro Studios has a long history with the franchise having developed Metroid Prime on the GameCube in 2002. The developer worked on two sequels for the series before moving on to other projects. In 2010 Metroid: Other M was released by Team Ninja, attempting to bring the series back to its side-scrolling roots with very little emphasis on the first-person gameplay of Metroid Prime.
The possibility of the Metroid Prime Trilogy being brought over to the Nintendo Switch has also long been rumored through retailers listing, and quick removals of the game from updated lists. Though nothing has been confirmed as of yet, it would fit Nintendo's recent history of bringing over other games in series with a new entry in development. Both Bayonetta 1 and 2 were brought over to the Switch in anticipation of Bayonetta 3, which is currently in development at Platinum Games.
Metroid Prime 4 is in development exclusively for the Nintendo Switch
Source: VGC