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Delayed Video Games

by psykhophear

These are the games that went through many development complications. Some have good excuses but some are simply unacceptable.

"A delayed game is eventually good, but a rushed game is forever bad."

- Shigeru Miyamoto

A summary of what you must NOT do when making a video game:

  • Always stick to one game engine
  • Choose your publisher wisely
  • Don't make public announcements that are too ambitious and not 100% guaranteed
  • Communication with fellow employees is key
  • Spend money wisely
  • Game design is important. Write stuff down first before implementing it
  • Just don't take FOREVER (Haha! Suck it, 3D Realms!)

Please suggest more games that went through development hell.

The games have been carefully listed, so the ones that are still under development (or cancelled) will be on top whereas the other ones that have been released are at the bottom.

Special thanks to Gump.

Showing 1-10 of 22 items

StarCraft Ghost

1. StarCraft Ghost

Development Date: 2001 Announced Release Dates: 2003, 2004 Official Release Date: N/A Number of Years In Development: 10 (2001 - present) Why Is It Taking So Long: It's currently on hold although many sources has claimed it is cancelled. The reason being is because Blizzard thinks that Ghost may not be as good as its predecessor and might upset the audience. Worth The Wait?: Maybe

This Is Vegas

2. This Is Vegas

Development Date: 2006 Announced Release Date: 2008 Official Release Date: N/A Number of Years In Development: 5 (2006 - 2011) Why Is It Taking So Long: Publisher Midway Games' financial troubles in 2009. Rumor has it that the game is cancelled. Worth The Wait?: No

Beyond Good and Evil 2

3. Beyond Good and Evil 2

Development Date: 2007
Announced Release Dates: N/A
Official Release Date: TBC
Number of Years In Development: 4 (2007 - present)
Why Is It Taking So Long: Ubisoft representatives stated that the game's development was officially on-hold due to unknown reasons.
Worth The Wait?: Yes

Sadness

4. Sadness

Development Date: 2007
Announced Release Date: Autumn 2009
Official Release Date: N/A
Number of Years In Development: 4 (2007 - present)
Why Is It Taking So Long: Co-producer Frontline Studios parted ways on March 17, 2007 due to artistic differences, in need of publishers
Worth The Wait?: Mixed opinions

Duke Nukem Forever

5. Duke Nukem Forever

Development Date: April 28, 1997
Announced Release Dates: 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2007, 2008, 2011
Official Release Date: June 10 (Europe) & 14 (US), 2011
Number of Years In Development: 14 (1997 - 2011)
Why It Took So Long: Game engine changes, change of publishers, poor decision making, too much World of Warcraft (According to director George Broussard...jackass XD)
Worth The Wait?: Yes and no

Prey

6. Prey

Development Date: 1995
Announced Release Date: ?
Official Release Date: July 11, 2006
Number of Years In Development: 11 (1995 - 2006)
Why It Took So Long: Change of development team (Designer Tom Hall left the company), game engine changes, change of hearts, team focused on other things
Worth The Wait?: Yes

Team Fortress 2

7. Team Fortress 2

Development Date: 1998
Announced Release Dates: 1999, 2000
Official Release Date: October 10, 2007
Number of Years In Development: 9 (1998 - 2007)
Why It Took So Long: Game engine changes, development team focused time on Half-Life 2 and its add-ons.
Worth The Wait?: Yes

Too Human

8. Too Human

Development Date: 1999
Announced Release Dates: ?
Official Release Date: August 19, 2008
Number of Years In Development: 9 (1999 - 2008)
Why It Took So Long: change of consoles from the PlayStation (Planned as four discs) to GameCube and now to Xbox 360, game engine disputes
Worth The Wait?: No

Spore

9. Spore

Development Date: 2000
Announced Release Date: N/A
Official Release Date: September 7, 2008
Number of Years In Development: 8 (2000 - 2008)
Why It Took So Long: Game design conflicts, change of designers
Worth The Wait?: Not really

Half-Life 2

10. Half-Life 2

Development Date: 1998
Announced Release Date: September 30, 2003
Official Release Date: November 16, 2004
Number of Years In Development: 6 (1998 - 2004)
Why It Took So Long: The infamous hack and leak of the game.
Worth The Wait?: Yes

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