Original Link: https://www.anandtech.com/show/2557
Have you ever read about an upcoming game that sounded exciting, but then you lost enthusiasm due to the lack of updates that followed? Maybe you didn't even recognize it at the time, because the game just faded from your consciousness. Like many gamers, I like to follow the progress of games I'm excited about from development to release. I enjoy watching all the informative developer interview videos along the way, but when all publicly released progress is nonexistent, you have to wonder what the heck is going on with these games. A lack of progress or information can also lead to games being canned as interest appears to wane.
With that said, I'd like to bring to light a number of games whose presence has simply fallen off the face of the earth since their initial announcement. Some of these may be more familiar, but we're avoiding the most noteworthy titles that "everyone" already knows about. (Yes, Duke, I'm talking about you!) As always, I am platform agnostic, so the following titles may be for PC, Xbox 360, PS3, or some combination of those.
Originally referred to as Project IM, Interstellar Marines wowed fans of first person shooters everywhere with an incredible looking trailer shown off at the Electronics Entertainment Expo (E3) in 2006. You can still see this trailer at the official site. Although there were a few updates that lead up to the release of this trailer, not one official word has been uttered since. Even though many game sites have the game listed with a release date of TBA 2008, it has been updated each passing year with TBA 2006 and TBA 2007. Needless to say, we know very little about this game other than its potential to be a huge hit. Here's to hoping that its developer, ZeroPointSoft, will be dropping some new info about the game really soon.
In 2005, Tarsier Studios announced a forthcoming fantasy-action-adventure game, titled simply Metronome. Updated to City of Metronome, the game stood out from the crowd with its unique art style and wildly imaginative characters. This game also suffers from a lack of public knowledge. However, things haven't been completely quiet. In 2006, an odd piece of information was released. It stated that the game's original concept, which consisted of your character capturing various sounds with a recording device and playing them back to manipulate your surroundings and entrance your enemies, was scrapped. This was reportedly due to the game's prospective yet unnamed publisher claiming that the concept was not marketable. What a shame - it sounded great to me. Still, beyond this announcement, no updates have been made public. In the smaller image above, you can see the original concept at work. Although the game's official site remains active, there are no hints of the game's progress or links to bring visitors beyond the main page.
Coded Arms: Assault is a PS3 exclusive that has flown under the radar since a playable demo of the game was showcased at the 2006 Tokyo Game Show. With only a target release date planned, the demo reportedly showed a lack of polish that resulted in a turn-off for many of the fans that experienced it. After the many rumors that the sci-fi first person shooter was cancelled, a representative of developer Konami recently stated that that there were "currently no plans" to release the game for the PlayStation 3. While many took this statement to mean the game had been cancelled, a more recent buzz has emerged stating that the game is simply on hiatus. Whatever the case, Coded Arms: Assault is definitely missing in action.
Elveon is an action-RPG title originally planned for the Xbox 360, PS3, and Windows platforms. While information about the game's progress has been nonexistent for quite some time, this wasn't always the case. In fact, the game has already had more than its share of screenshots and gameplay videos released to the public. A hard release date was announced at one point, but a delay inevitably followed. Even so, things have remained dormant since November of 2006 when the last known set of screens was put on public display. A year and a half later, little is known about Elveon's current state. With that in mind, if any of you are interested in paying 10TACLE Studios a visit to demand an update, just let me know. You bring the swords and battle-axes, I'll bring the beer.
Project Offset is yet another entry into the fantasy realm, this time in the form of a first person action game. While still undergoing development, it is common for games to be tagged with the term project followed by either the name of the developer or the graphics engine used to create the game. In this case, both apply. Developer Offset has never given its game an official title or a target release date, but they released just enough information about the game to get gamers excited about the project. While a lot of developers choose to string gamers along, releasing small bits of info here and there, almost nothing has come to light since the game's announcement in 2005. However, in February of this year, Sam McGrath of Offset Software announced that the company was being purchased by Intel of all companies. Although Sam promised gamers that Project Offset was "still going strong" in his announcement, the proof will be in the pudding. Sadly, we have seen no pudding. Where is Bill Cosby when we need him?
Along with the announcement of action-adventure title 2 Days to Vegas in 2005, developer Steel Monkeys released a number of astounding looking screenshots taken from their proprietary graphics engine and stated that its quality was a glimpse into the next generation of gaming. Obviously referring to the forthcoming Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, the game was planned for a PC release as well. Ironically, the console versions of the game have since been cancelled, but plans for an eventual PC release have not.
As expected with its presence in this article, things have been quiet on the game front ever since. However, earlier this year two leaked screenshots taken from the in-game environment made their way to the internet. While the rogue images did not mirror the quality of the previously released screens, they certainly did not look too shabby. If the final result falls somewhere in between the two, action junkies with some horse power inside their PC chassis should be very happy campers indeed.
Alan Wake, a psychological action-adventure thriller, is a game that many people have been looking forward to for a long time. Even though information about the game remains scant (despite a few major previews over the years), anxiety about what developer Remedy Entertainment has been up to has not gone away. The initial trailer that was made public at the time of the game's announcement in May of 2005 portrayed a desperate man who encountered what can be either supernatural beings or government agents. While some may refer to the two as one in the same, there's no doubt that strange happenings will be the center of this much-anticipated title. Alan Wake will be released on the Xbox 360 and Windows platforms, and one of its claims to fame is that it will fully support multi-core (at least quad-core) processors. The big question is, when will it arrive? Although information about the game may be better described as under wraps rather than missing in action, its progress continues to remain a mystery.
This screenshot may give many gamers the quick impression that Darkest of Days is just another wartime shooter, but it most assuredly is not. In fact, the Civil War era shown here is only one of a series of time periods your character will visit over the course of the game. However, it is a first person shooter, though it's centered on time travel. The premise of the game involves your character being sent back in time to alter some of humanity's most pivotal events for the better in an attempt to change the world.
While screens depicting some of the other time periods would be interesting to see, only a few depicting the Civil War period were released when the game was announced in July of last year. This of course may have been representative of the fact that the game wasn't very far into the development process. Whatever the case, developer 8Monkey Labs has done nothing to promote the game in over a year, save for some blog posts that tout the revamping of their site. PC and Xbox 360 are the intended platforms.
Announced in July of 2006, Cipher Complex was touted as an action game for the conspiracy-minded gamer. Players will join agent John Cipher as he infiltrates a group of rogue agents who have destroyed one the US government's recon satellites. Apparently, the conspiracy lies with those involved whose agenda for taking out the satellite is nothing short of earth shattering. Gamers can expect a sufficient amount of gunplay in Cipher Complex, along with a heavy focus on stealth and fighting. Originally targeted for a 2007 release on the Xbox 360 and PS3, Cipher has gone dark after only a few updates about its progress, the last of which occurred one year after the game was announced. In fact, with the official site currently showing no details, we're not too hopeful that this game will see the light of day. If you're interested, keep an eye on developer Edge of Reality.
Rogue Warrior is a tactical shooter based on a series of books written by former Navy SEAL Richard Marcinko. Players will assume the role of Marcinko in the game's story driven campaign. Though the screenshot above depicts an over-the-shoulder point of view, Rogue Warrior is labeled as a first person shooter and there are more shots out there that support this. The game was announced in August of 2006 by developer Zombie, whose last update landed several multiplayer screenshots like the one above on any number of gaming sites the following November. Since then, Rogue Warrior's fluctuating release dates have been the only indication of the game's eventual release. Today, you'll find nothing but the three letters TBA next to the title wherever info about the game is posted.
If you were fortunate enough to get your hands on 2005's over-the-top action title Total Overdose: A Gunslinger's Tale in Mexico, this entry may raise an eyebrow or two. Released for the PS2 and Xbox consoles, as well as PC, the game's plot had you playing an undercover DEA agent infiltrating various drug cartels in Mexico. While many may have perceived Total Overdose as a budget title, it provided some great fun with its adult humor, cavalier gunplay reminiscent of the film Desperado starting Antonio Banderas, and a surprisingly deep combo system. Shortly after the game hit the shelves, SCi Entertainment (a.k.a. Eidos Interactive) announced that part two of the game was already in development. Two and half years later, we have heard neither hide nor hair of the game. When it finally does resurface, a shot of tequila is definitely in order.
With the film Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull released this year, you'd think that it would accompany a movie tie-in game, as most worthy blockbusters do. Sadly, the vast majority of them just plain suck. Although fans of the film series did see Lego Indiana Jones, those expecting a more realistic gaming experience were left in the dust. While no release strategy is known of Lucas Arts' forthcoming Indiana Jones game, one has to wonder why it was not available at such an opportune time. And continue to wonder we shall. For those of you who can't wait to break out your bullwhip once again, there is a great looking tech-demo showing off the game's combat system out there that will whet your appetite until more information comes to light.
Parabellum is yet another FPS game planned for consoles and PC. Developed by ACONY, the title was announced back in August of 2006 and was touted as being one of the most violent shooters to date. Utilizing the Unreal Engine 3, Parabellum's focus is on its multiplayer combat, though a single player campaign will also be included. The game's premise centers around an immense terrorist attack on New York City and your team of soldiers' attempt to restore peace.
While no official information about the game has been announced in quite a while, the game's official site was updated this past April with two new screenshots… and nothing more. However, media that was released when the game was announced included a trailer packed full of gameplay footage that you can find by doing a Google search. You may find that the graphics in this trailer look a bit dated, but judging by the two recent screens shots the game may very well have undergone an overhaul to take advantage of the Unreal Engine 3's continual improvement. Regardless, it would be nice to get some indication of the game's progress.
Saboteur is a third-person action title planned for consoles and PC. The game is set in the WWII time period where your character uses stealth to inflict revenge on the Nazis who ruined his life. With a setting that has been thoroughly exhausted, it's good that the game is not about the war; rather, it is about the main character and his personal story. While this may sound more like an adventure title, developer Pandemic promises plenty of explosive action that should appeal to even those who have grown tired of playing WWII games. It's been more than a year since we've heard anything about Saboteur, and with E3 approaching now would be an opportune time for an update.
Here is another title that the public knows absolutely squat about. In fact, Heavy Rain has not even confirmed as the game's official title - it was actually tied to a tech demo that was shown at E3 in 2006, entitled "The Casting". While impressive looking indeed, what we saw in this demo may or may not have been representative of a game that may or may not have been in development at the time. How's that for ambiguity? Still, it was enough to keep gamers talking about it for a long time to come. The aforementioned tech demo depicted a girl in her late twenties as she showed up for a casting call in hopes of getting the lead role of what many speculate is the character in the game. The end result was somewhat earth shattering as the girl's performance was able to spark all sorts of emotions in those who experienced it.
The game is said to be a straight up adventure title due to French developer Quantic Dreams' success with Fahrenheit - known as Indigo Prophecy in the US. Still, this is only speculative. To tell you the truth, Heavy Rain was never even announced as being an upcoming game, but that didn't stop every game site out there from adding it to their rosters. What we do know is that Quantic Dreams is in fact working on a "top secret" exclusive title for the PlayStation 3. However, this announcement did not come until over a year after the tech demo's showing at E3. If you ask me, Heavy Rain is nothing more than wishful thinking as far as an actual game is concerned. I could be wrong though; only time will tell.
Another E3 announcement from back in 2006 is Chrome 2, a sequel to tactical shooter Chrome that was released for PC back in 2003. While this FPS did not rate more than mediocre scores from critics, it did spark a following among gamers, and Techland is answering whatever call exists for a sequel among its fans. Chrome 2 was originally on lists of upcoming DirectX 10 games, back when that was something noteworthy. According to the developers at the E3 conference, the game would incorporate much of what made the first game unique, including implantation - the ability to take over fallen foes with special mind power. Although the thought of jumping into the body of a comrade who's already filled full of holes and decaying sounds pretty vile, the idea is to utilize different abilities on the fly as required for a particular situation. That sounds interesting enough, I guess. Currently, we have no clue as to whether the sequel will be an exclusive PC title like its predecessor. Or perhaps we just have no clue at all, and we won't until the good folks at Techland decide to speak up and give us the goods.
Well, there you have it folks; sixteen games whose developers have decided to become mutes. After my attempts to contact a number of these development teams, I have not received as much as one returned e-mail. Oh well, I guess that's the breaks. I was really hoping to get at least a little info on Interstellar Marines, the one game I have been looking forward to the most. So we'll continue to look forward as looking back has gotten us nowhere. Hopefully this year's E3 Expo, now called "E for All," will bring us some much-anticipated news about these promising titles.