discussion Abandoned Games

[stangnomez]

A few, often by way of recommendation

 

[powerlurker44]

Okay, so most games (that is, those that are not complete on first release) either become completed over time or are abandoned at some point, for a variety of reasons. Some never make it past the demo stage, some only exist as proof of concept for a later game that contains most of the same elements, and many stop getting work done for personal reasons on the part of the creators, among many other reasons of varying validity. Very rarely is a game resurrected or the project taken over by a fan. From the looks of things, almost all of us have at least one abandoned game we enjoyed up until it stopped updating.

My question to you all, which I hope is distinct from other threads here, is not "Which one do you wish got more time?" but "Which one is still worth our time?"
Other threads have already brought up what games made you sad when they got abandoned. This thread is not here to make them redundant. This thread is to tell each other "Hey, I know you'll never see the end of this one, but there are great scenes/jokes/story beats/characters that mark it as a hidden gem." Be as specific as you like about what made the game fun for you and that others might like, too.
In other words, what abandoned games still have enough content and story that, even incomplete, are still entertaining enough to justify the space they take up on your hard drive?

For me, I could replay some of the versions of Breeding Season for a very long time (until I can get the hang of Cloud Meadow, or get a graphics card that can handle Breeders of the Nephelym). The gameplay was addicting, the mechanics had just enough depth, and I liked making all of my monsters breed with every other monster on my farm to make the best and strongest specimens.

Okay, your turns!

 

[cynist]

I go back and play A Clever Name every so often. Guilty pleasure.

 

[Shiva]

I recommend 'Midlife Crisis'. There is a lot of content, and I know it may be foolish, but I HOPE for it to continue.

Just a Thought

 

[cesic187]

too often, since they didnt get paid enough, I find games that also milk peoples money more than I find abandoned games xd

 

[Crazypankaj]

true bond, come inside, demon boy,

The Family Secret​

 

[User_110997]

hello, just 1 question why so many games are abandoned, because when you see it doesn't make you want to start them if it's not to see an end (because even if it's certainly not the number 1 reason to start one of the gamessome must like to have the ending)

 

[Echo Foxtrot]

Generally, it's when a lot of new devs realize just how big a commitment making a game is and how they will earn doing it

 

[kikomascado]

hello, just 1 question why so many games are abandoned, because when you see it doesn't make you want to start them if it's not to see an end (because even if it's certainly not the number 1 reason to start one of the gamessome must like to have the ending)

Adult games developer aren't something the majority of them wished to be, nor are proud of. So when they encounter some roadblock and already earned enough or saw that it isn't as profitable as they thought, they just abandon it all without even bothering to say something.

 

[Deepfriedmeme]

Generally, it's when a lot of new devs realize just how big a commitment making a game is and how they will earn doing it

prity much this. it is the sad truth for these types of games.

 

[elfieeven]

Generally, it's when a lot of new devs realize just how big a commitment making a game is and how they will earn doing it

Most people would be shocked if they knew how much time/$$$ went into the games they love.

The most basic AVN dev is a writer, editor, costume designer, setting designer, location scout, director of photography, Gaffer (lighting) and finally a coder and that's just the basics. That's without any sort of Photoshop post work, animations, music, etc.

 

[MattShizzle]

Get bored with it, don't make the $ they thought, more work than they thought. For the restricted games, a lot got scared off by what happened to Westy. And apparently someone else but nobody said who or what.

 

[elfieeven]

Another thing is that people see how many subs their favorite devs have and forget the fact that the dev likely spent YEARS and potentially a few games getting to those numbers. And that was during lockdown when people had $$ and nothing to do. You have to be prepared to spend a lot of time now before you can even cover the cost of your Daz resources.

 

[-Sikishi-]

It's a monetization nightmare and a LOT of work. On top of that usually the work multiplies the longer the game goes on. For example if the story branches out.

So when you work your ass off, get no money, and your social life breaks down since you can't even mention what you spent every night with... You see the issue?

 

[TwistedMoony]

Some might be surprised that making a game takes dedication, time, energy and lots of efforts learning the needed skills to make a game.
As a starting dev you need to at least know how to use daz unless you already have a decent set up with a gpu that can handle rendering scene.
I started off with a old lap top with a gtx 1050 4gb Vram.
Invested in a pc with a 3060 rtx 12 gb vram. Money I didn't make was spent already.
Then my cpu was faulty, needed a new one, bought a new psu as well.
All before I had money coming in.

So yes, I kinda get why some people underestimate the time and energy needed to make a game.
It is not like you 'Just start a game' because you think you gonna have the next big idea for the next rival for Being a Dik or Summers gone, Such a sharp pain...

 

[MattShizzle]

Another thing is that people see how many subs their favorite devs have and forget the fact that the dev likely spent YEARS and potentially a few games getting to those numbers. And that was during lockdown when people had $$ and nothing to do. You have to be prepared to spend a lot of time now before you can even cover the cost of your Daz resources.

Some started well before COVID, like even before it was discovered anywhere.

 

[User_110997]

yes I suspect it takes a lot of time to make 1 game and sacrifice but above all it's knowing why there is finish if you could and if not do it again with 1 other genre but not do several at once and abandon them) (I specify I absolutely do not know how to play this game and GG got, it's not 1 judgment, only 1 question) thanks to you and the game designer (dsl translation google translator)

 

[bob.boberson]

A lot of it seems to be boredom and/or complacency once they start getting a bag from Patreon. I also think branching paths often get out of control and devs either have to abandon at least one branch every update or they try to continue updating every path and the work needed starts to grow exponentially.

 

[idontdreamwhenisleep69]

I thing the biggest shame is that Estate Dominate was abandoned. The game truly had potential to be the best.

 

[Parroute]

Midlife crisis is abandoned for good? Damn that sucks. Still the dev already dropped once under the radar, i'll keep a little hope.