And it's all your fault
These games end up becoming the stuff of legends the mysteries of the game industry. Weve gathered the ones we had the highest hopes for, and pour out a drink for the fallen games that will never see release.
7. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2
The shooter was a follow-up to the brilliant S.T.A.L.K.E.R., and while not too much was known about the sequel, we had every reason to believe it would drag us, kicking and screaming, into a radiation-filled, horrifying shooter experience unlike any other. The series bleak, post-apocalyptic landscapes made similar games look archaic in comparison, and the few images released for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 had us throwing wads of cash at our computer screen.
Why we think it was cancelled: We heard it had to do with getting the rights to the franchise or it just sucked.
6. Jumpgate Evolution
And then it got delayed. And then it got delayed again. And then there was a lawsuit, and then it got delayed, and then the developers said that the game was absolutely, totally not cancelled and then the company experienced huge layoffs, and now well, you know the rest. Theres a tiny, tiny chance the game is actually still in development, but we stopped holding our breaths a long time ago we need to save our energy for when we sob into a Lean Cuisine over how cool it looked, and how well never play it again.
Why we think it was cancelled: Most likely the lawsuit. Or the layoffs or it just sucked.
5. Pirates of the Caribbean: Armada of the Damned
Why were upset about its cancellation: Early trailers, videos, and impressions of Pirates of the Caribbean: Armada of the Damned pointed a compass towards the Pirates of the Caribbean game we all wanted: a Fable rip-off. Seriously, how awesome does that sound? Sailing the high-seas, cutting up rival pirates, stopping in port for some ale and to buy a house or impregnate a wench (alright, Disney might have cut that), it sounded too good to be true!
And it was. Our affair with this mysterious Armada of the Damned game was brief it felt like we only got to start getting excited when Disney announced it was changing directions, part of which meant stranding Armada of the Damned on an island in the ocean. We remember that night vividly, because we drank so heavily that we woke up stranded on a beach with Johnny Depp and a pile of empty rum bottles. The hangover wasnt pretty.
Why we think it was cancelled: Disneys new direction didnt include huge single-player epics or it just sucked.
4. Project Offset
But apparently it didnt, and the game was not meant to be. Offset Software eventually broke off from Intel to form Fractiv, so were holding out hope that theres still something like the initial videos floating around somewhere, but were not going to get our hopes up.
Why we think it was cancelled: Because it was likely more a tech demo than a game or it just sucked.
3. Mega Man Legends 3
Since its untimely demise, over a hundred thousand people have signed a petition asking development to resume, but Capcom has been steadfast in its commitment to you never, ever playing it.
Why we think it was cancelled: Because of you. No joke about it sucking, no joke about 3DS sales it was 100% your fault. For shame.
2. Star Wars: Battlefront 3
The most exciting-looking one was being developed by Free Radical, best known for the fantastic Time Splitters series (before fumbling horribly with Haze). Screens, concept art, and even videos showed an extremely ambitious game with an awesome, alternate-timeline plot that showed Obi Wan Kenobi falling to the dark side. Hell, were interested in this one for the story alone. Odds are well eventually get a new Battlefront, but were pretty sure it wont be this one.
Why we think it was cancelled: LucasArts fear of tarnishing the Star Wars name (HAHAHAHA) or every single attempt has sucked.
1. StarCraft: Ghost
For years, we watched and waited with bated breath for this great concept to come to fruition. Screenshots showed off a cool-looking Metal Gear Solid-inspired third-person shooter with the ghosts, and we nearly lost ourselves in our excitement. Until it was, well actually, Blizzard has never officially cancelled StarCraft Ghost. In fact, Blizzard's co-founder Frank Pearce commented as recently as 2008 that the game was never officially cancelled, and that its simply not currently the companys focus. Right.
Why we think it was cancelled: Rumors have circulated that StarCraft Ghost never had a clear direction, and that because of it the gameplay never fully came together. We like to think that it was actually too good to release, and that Blizzard is just waiting for the perfect time to send the game out.
Or it sucked. Like, really, really sucked.
What did we miss?
Don't just sit there shouting at the screen, though - comment below and let us know what you think of this Top 7.
And if you're not sad enough, check out the The Top 7... Worst things you can do to a gamer and the The Top 7... Worst jobs in the games industry.
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Planescape: Torment was a revolutionary RPG, but many of its devs had no experience with the D&D campaign it was based on: "What the f*ck is that?"
Elder Scrolls modders have released a playable part of the ambitious Project Tamriel, which aims to recreate all of the beloved RPG's regions in Morrowind
