Development Hell!
The announcement of a game doesn’t necessarily mean that the release will soon follow. Some disappear into the ether, stuck in development hell, only to see the light of day years later. Due to the unpredictability of the industry, it’s becoming harder for games to stick to release dates. Development cycles are getting longer, with those aiming for a triple-A experience sometimes taking close to a decade to bring their vision to fruition. With that in mind, I explore some of the longest development hell stories in modern gaming.
Pragmata
Originally announced in 2020, the space adventure quickly intrigued gamers with its sci-fi concept and dual protagonists. Although initially stating a 2022 release, the game fades away, with many fearing a cancellation. Thankfully, the game blasted from out of the cosmos and will finally see the light of day in April 2026.
Skull and Bones
Inspired by the naval battles of Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, Skull and Bones aimed to take to the seas online. Revealed in 2017, the game took 7 years to finally release. The multiple reboots and gameplay shifts took their toll, as the game failed to capture the mass market. While still active, this was not the booty that Ubisoft was hoping for.
Dead Island 2
The first Dead Island was a surprise hit. With its beautiful beach setting contrasting with a horde of horrific zombies, the game attracted players who flocked to annihilate the walking dead together. A sequel was a no-brainer. Revealed in 2014 with a fun and apt trailer, no one expected everything to go silent. Passed between multiple studios, the game couldn’t get off the ground, taking nearly a decade to finally release.
Duke Nukem Forever
The most infamous example of development hell has to be Duke Nukem Forever. Revealed in 1997, the game took around 14 years to launch. After a barrage of changes and redesigns, the game was met with poor reviews. Poorly designed and dated, this is definitely a cautionary tale about multiple delays.
Beyond Good & Evil 2
Although the original Beyond Good & Evil is a cult classic, the sequel, revealed in 2008, looked to elevate the franchise. Expanding the world, this ambitious title looked incredible, exciting fans around the world. 18 years on, and we’re still waiting for the game. While Ubisoft has stated it is still in active development, restructures and a number of failed projects put the game at risk. I just hope we get to experience the years of hard work that’s been put into this title.
Although lots of titles get delayed, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Some games just need more time to fulfil their vision and this looks to be the case with Pragmata. While chaos can enshroud the development period, making it hell, it’s heartbreaking to hear about a game being cancelled. Hopefully, Beyond Good & Evil 2 can fight through the issues and come out stronger. If history has shown us anything, it’s that troubled development doesn’t always spell disaster. For players, patience can ultimately pay off with experiences that feel more complete, ambitious, and worthy of the wait.
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