Cancelled video games project
This project concerns cancelled games in the range of 1995-2005.
Section: A
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A Sound of Thunder
A Sound of Thunder is a cancelled PS2, Xbox, and GC game from Computer Artworks Ltd.
It is based on the Ray Bradbury short story, later movie adaptation.
Expected release date: Q2 2003, then Autumn 2003, then TBA 2004
GamePro Issue 172 (January 2003)
The game takes place in 2038, and time-travel is not only common, it's lucrative.
You play Travis Ryer, a tour guide for time-travelling safari hunters.
After some hunters steal a butterfly, dinosaurs ravage present-day Chicago.
Your job is to get the butterfly back to whence it came from, to set things right.
Computer Artworks, fresh from their video game adaptation of The Thing, were enlisted.
A Sound of Thunder was to have a similar 'trust' gameplay mechanic.
Kill the wrong animal and more monsters spawn.
You would battle dinosaurs through nine levels throughout four different time periods.
There would be eleven weapon types, ranging from conventional projectiles to lasers.
One of the weapons is a disruptor that can freeze time!
It wouldn't be just dinosaus you would face.
The time waves have messed up the animals, so enjoy blasting at animal hybrid mutations.
Multiplayer was also in the works as a co-op splitscreen.
Drive a vehicle and the other person ride shotgun. Reminds me of Halo.
Official UK PlayStation 2 Magazine issue 30 (February 2003)
December 2002 was the last time the public heard of A Sound of Thunder.
Computer Artworks had some illegal shady business practices going on.
These caused them to go bankrupt and defunct in 2003.
The Game Boy Advance port was picked up by Mobius Entertainment.
It was successfully released just before the 2005 movie.
Much like Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever, the GBA tie-game was better received than the film.
BAM! Entertainment, the publisher of both versions of the game, had financial troubles.
They got delisted from NASDAQ in 2004.
They went defunct shortly after.
Various screenshots and concept art
https://web.archive.org/web/20030312040617/http://www.ownt.com/XBOX/interviews/2003/asoundofthunder/asoundofthunder.shtm
https://www.gamespot.com/articles/first-look-a-sound-of-thunder/1100-2876112/
https://www.gamespot.com/articles/first-look-a-sound-of-thunder-xbox-and-ps2/1100-2900962/
http://au.ign.com/articles/2002/12/05/a-sound-of-thunder-4
http://au.ign.com/articles/2004/02/12/missing-in-action-the-lost-games-of-the-playstation-2-part-iii
https://www.unseen64.net/2008/04/15/a-sound-of-thunder-xboxps2-cancelled/
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Abducted
Abducted is a cancelled Xbox and PC game by Contraband Entertainment.
It was to be a sci-fi survival horror game featuring ALIENS.
Expected release date: 2002
PC Zone issue (July 2002)
The plot involving our protagonist waking up from stasis on a spaceship.
Appearantly you have been kidnapped!
Fight the aliens in zero-gravity situations as you try to escape.
The game was likely cancelled because Contraband typically do conversions and ports.
An original creation was probably too taxing on their resources, so they cut it.
This game is in no way related to the game of the same name by Sunside Inc.
https://web.archive.org/web/20030202080128/http://www.contrabandent.com/abducted/about.html
https://web.archive.org/web/20030228062619/http://www.ownt.com/the_views/interviews/2002/abducted/abducted.shtm
https://www.gamespot.com/articles/first-look-abducted/1100-2865304/
https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ru&u=https://www.igromania.ru/article/3019/Abducted.html&prev=search
https://www.unseen64.net/2009/06/29/abducted-xbox-cancelled
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Aeon Flux
Aeon Flux is a cancelled PS1 and PC game by Viacom New Media.It was based on the violent cartoon series from MTV.
Expected release date: Q2 1996, then Q4 1996, then Fall 1996, then October 1996, then December 1996, then April 1997
Electronic Gaming Monthly issue 83 (June 1996)
GamePro issue 84 (July 1996)
Shortly after Aeon Flux got its own shown in 1995, a video game of the show was announced.
It was later revealed at E3 1996. So far so good.
The game was to be based on the season 3 episode 'The Demiurge'.
Aeon and her team have obtained a Demiurge.
Trevor Goodchild wants to stop you, as he believes that the Demiurge will lead to world peace.
GamePro issue 86 (September 1996)
Aeon Flux would play out like Tomb Raider in space but with acrobatic melee.
The eponymous character could fight up to 20 enemies; some old, some new.
You can fight with more than melee: guns play a big role too.
There are two gunfire modes: accurate (third person over the shoulder aiming), and strafing.
Sounds like Bayonetta before its time.
The fact that Aeon is repeatedly cloned was not lost on the developers.
By collecting fluid samples and finding the duplicator, you can create a clone of yourself.
This effectively gives you more lives.
With over 35 levels, each filled with baddies and puzzles, hopes were high.
Sad thing about high expectations...
Electronic Gaming Monthly issue 88 (November 1996)
In September 1996, Virgin Interactive acquired Viacom New Media.
Viacom New Media's New York office closed, terminating dozens of employees.
To trim the fat, Virgin stopped production of games in development.
Aeon Flux was deemed to be dead...
...but a hero would emerge to save the game.
Cryo Interactive, LJN's spiritual successor in making shitty games, took over production.
Without the license to Aeon Flux, they redesigned the game in their own image.
The Aeon Flux project became Pax Corpus, released in Europe only in 1997.
Gameplay from the prototype
http://playstationmuseum.com/video-game-graveyard/
http://au.ign.com/games/aeon-flux
http://www.mobygames.com/company/viacom-new-media/trivia
https://www.betaarchive.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=33187&sid=a4028ecbe396d75f11bf06606ab91a93
https://www.unseen64.net/2008/04/11/aeon-flux-psx-cancelled/
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Agartha
Agartha is a cancelled Dreamcast game by No Cliché, Sega's French studio.It kind of looks like a Silent Hill game but in the cold winter snow.
Expected release date: Q2 2001
Official Dreamcast Magazine issue 9 (December 2000)
Agartha is set in the a harsh Romanian winter in 1929. A fierce landslide has destroy a village.
You, Kirk, are with with your half-sister nurse, and the military, to find survivors.
The landslide has uncovered the entrance to Agartha, the legendary city at the Earth's core.
Gameplay is like Silent Hill or Alone in the Dark.
The moral choices you must make will shape the game.
Do you save the innocent people or help the demonic creatures?
It's not just the innocents; you can kill the main characters.
The dev team has made sure that the game is still completable if you do that.
The VMU also gets a nifty little minigame of its own.
Another draw of the game is the multiplayer component.
Co-op campaign and death-matches were planned.
But of course, plans aren't always realised...
Agartha was scheduled for a Q2 2001 release.
Sega discontinued the Dreamcast in Q1 2001.
The game was sadly cancelled.
Since the game was made exclusively for the Dreamcast, the PC port was never developed.
A prototype demo of the game is owned by an ASSEMbler forum member.
https://hiddenpalace.org/Agartha_(Apr_18,_2001_prototype)
https://hiddenpalace.org/Agartha_(Mar_5,_2001_prototype)
https://www.gamespot.com/articles/ects-agartha-update/1100-2623480/
https://www.gamespot.com/articles/agartha-preview/1100-2662075/
http://au.ign.com/articles/2001/06/21/no-cliche-to-stop-dreamcast-development
http://www.thedreamcastjunkyard.co.uk/2017/08/playable-demo-of-cancelled-dreamcast.html
https://assemblergames.com/threads/agartha-dreamcast.66487/
http://lostmediaarchive.wikia.com/wiki/Agartha_(Unfinished_1998_Dreamcast_Game)
https://www.unseen64.net/2008/04/10/agartha-dc-cancelled/
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Air NiGHTS
Air NiGHTS was a cancelled Sega Saturn and Sega Dreamcast game.
It was the intended sequel to NiGHTS into Dreams.
The game started off for the Sega Saturn in August 1999.
You would control the game using a tilt sensor control, like a Wii controller.
Then they scaled back to a traditional controller.
Then the Sega Dreamcast came along.
Air NiGHTS was shifted onto the new console. The concept of a tilt controller began anew.
Alas, the game was ultimately canned.
Yuji Naka stated that he did not want to make another NIGHTS game.
Ergo the game was cancelled in December 2000.
The motion-sensor control scheme was later used in Samba De Amigo.
http://nid.wikia.com/wiki/Air_NiGHTS
https://www.sonicstadium.org/2000/11/yuji-naka-reveals-work-on-cancelled-nights-sequel-air-nights/#more-45214
http://segaretro.org/Air_NiGHTS
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Akolyte
Akolyte is a cancelled Dreamcast and PC game by Revenant.It was to be a third-person action game based on Norse mythology.
Expected release date: Q1 1999
Next Generation issue 47 (November 1998)
The game started off as Ascension: Myths & Legends.
Odin has been slayed by Loki, Fenris, and the ice giants.
Your job is to avenge the father of the Gods.
In late 1998 the game's name was changed to Akolyte.
The protagonist model changed but the plot remained the same.
Gamers Republic issue 7 (December 1998)
The game's publisher, ionos, Inc, probably went defunct around July/August 1998.
This explains the lack of activity within that year and beyond.
Unable to find another publisher, this game was cancelled.
https://web.archive.org/web/19980109142612fw_/http://revenant.com/ascension.html
http://xoomer.virgilio.it/mononline/unseen/dreamcast/akolyte.htm
http://www.dc-extreme.com/previews/akolyte.html
https://www.unseen64.net/2008/04/10/akolyte-dc-cancelled
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Amen: The Awakening had problems in 1999.
The game was too ambitious. The dev team tried to compromise and simplify things.
But then came trouble beyond their control.
The would-be publisher of the game, GT Interactive, was going into debt.
They were acquired by Infogrames in November 1999.
Development winded down before being laid to rest. Cavedog became defunct in 2000.
In 2014 a crowd-funded spiritual successor, Consortium, was launched.
Timeline:
* 1997: development begins
* August 1998: game officially announced
* Spring 1998: backstory is established
* December 1999: design team let go and game delayed
* January 2000: game cancelled
* February 2000: Cavedog become defunct and closes its doors
https://web.archive.org/web/19990429210305fw_/http://www.cavedog.com/amen/journalcurrent.html
https://www.tauniverse.com/cavedog/amen/preview.shtml
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amen:_The_Awakening
https://www.unseen64.net/2008/05/12/amen-the-awakening-cavedogs-fps-cancelled/
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American McGee's 0z is a cancelled Xbox and PC game by Carbon6.
It was to be set in Oz with the usual dark edge style of American McGee.
Expected release date: 2003, then 2004, Winter 2005
It is munchkins versus flying monkeys in all-out warfare.
Even the witches have joined in the destruction.
The Realm of Night have sent for a Man via the Dream Realm to help save Oz.
You would play as a human savior sent to Oz to prevent an epic final battle from being waged.
With the powers of a Wizard, you must use your magic to ease the tension.
This game had pretty loft plans, such as a toy line and a movie.
The toys did come out. The movie did not.
Neither did the game.
American McGee's Oz was cancelled in early 2004 when Atari pulled its funding.
Oz was not an established franchise, so they didn't take the risk.
If the movie came out and did well, maybe this game would have had a chance of being made.
In 2013 American McGee tried to raise funds via Kickstarter to buy the rights to Oz.
Because he could only have one project a time, he stuck to Alice.
https://web.archive.org/web/20030123013504/http://www.carbon6.com/c6-oz2.htm
http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/american-mcgees-oz/
https://www.gamespot.com/articles/american-mcgees-oz-revealed/1100-898482
https://www.flickr.com/photos/americanmcgee/215853488/in/album-72157605042624478/
https://www.unseen64.net/2008/04/15/american-mcgees-oz-xbox-cancelled
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Arcturus is a cancelled PC and Xbox game by BlueInca.
It was to be a mixture of space ship combat and real-time strategy.
Expected release date: late 2002, then early 2003
In the distant future, a war between the Lumerans and the Xizons rages on.
You play Torah and can choose as either faction and lead them to victory in campaign missions.
Victory will mean more resources to build your ships and better your people.
The Lumerans are the weaker outnumbered faction but they have powerful abilities.
The Xizons are the militaristic faction with ambitions of conquest.
The game was unique in that you move ships around in third-person like an RTS.
Different ships to order around include gas collectors, patrol ships, and unit carriers.
During combat you play from a first-person perspective.
There was to be sixteen single-player non-linear campaign missions (8 for each faction?).
There was also going to be death-match multiplayer, likely online play.
In 2004 development was halted due to funding difficulties.
In 2005 the website removed the message about financial trouble but remained dormant.
Arcturus and BlueInca faded away. I don't think BlueInca released a single game.
https://web.archive.org/web/20021006054521fw_/http://www.blueinca.co.uk/screen_feb.htm
https://www.gamespot.com/articles/arcturus-unveiled/1100-2822805/
https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=1&hl=en&prev=search&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=cs&sp=nmt4&u=https://bonusweb.idnes.cz/arcturus-c6y-/Clanek.aspx%3Fc%3DA011107_arcturusscr011107_bw&usg=ALkJrhju60oQY3bSfSli-bKIGqjus1JVXw
https://web.archive.org/web/20020805181238/http://www.homelanfed.com/index.php?id=3138
https://web.archive.org/web/20020806104851/http://actionvault.ign.com/features/interviews/arcturus.shtml
https://web.archive.org/web/20030519005750/http://xabregamers.dgwh.com/modules/nsections/index.php?op=viewarticle&artid=16
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Arena AD is a cancelled PC game by Stainless Games Ltd.
It was to be a realistic gladiator fighting game.
Expected release date: 1999, then early 2000
Arena AD had the earmarks of a fighting game with RPG elements.
As you slay opponents you can buy new weapons and gain new skills.
There was to be 18 different fighters and a limb-based control scheme (think QWOP).
Arena AD was cancelled when SCi Games stopped paying Stainless Games.
The final nail in the coffin was in 1999 when Stainless was absorbed by VIS Entertainment.
It doesn't help that the similarly-titled game Quake III Arena was released around this time.
http://bill.bzaar.net/avoc/Html/Screenshots/arena.htm
https://rr2000.cwaboard.co.uk/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=45
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Armed a.k.a. Aftermath is a cancelled PS1 and Saturn game from Point of View.It's a sci-fi side scrolling shoot 'em up that looks more Terminator than Contra.
Expected release date: April 1996, then September 1996, then Q3 1996
The year is 2495. You play as Vic, a hardened member of the special forces unit.
Your job is to blast your way into Omega Central and destroy the doomsday machine.
Aliens will do their best to stand in your way.
There was to be 12 levels.
These levels would be large maze-like labyrinths.
All of this builds up to a final confrontation with your greatest foe.
This evil enemy is a treacherous member of your own squad.
Armed/Aftermath was no measly 16-bit game: it was keen to show off the new consoles.
The gameplay was to have 3D elements to enhance the experience.
The FMVs were a treat and showed how ambitious the project was.
The game disappeared as quickly as it was announced.
Since Point of View was still a new company at the time, I suspect this was out of their league.
I reckon Armed/Aftermath was cancelled due to it being too ambitious.
In October 2017 a Sega Saturn prototype of the game was sold on eBay.
It was basically a finished build, just missing music and cutscenes.
It has since been dumped. Link of course in the description.
http://hiddenpalace.org/Armed_(Jan_22,_1997_prototype)
https://segaretro.org/Armed
http://retrogamingmagazine.com/2017/10/05/armed-unreleased-sega-saturn-game-is-unearthed/
https://www.unseen64.net/2008/05/02/armed-psxsaturn-cancelled/
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Assault Korps is a cancelled PS1 and PC game by Corrosive Software.
It was to be part Syndicate Wars part Cannon Fodder.
Expected release date: Q1 1998
You would be in control of a squad of commandos.
Your job is to defeat the group of dictators collectively known as Kern.
You would place up to eight commandos at the beginning of the mission.
Then you would move them around individually and make them do tasks.
Gameplay was made to be exciting, with a range of nifty weapons.
Huge explosions made a big wow factor.
There was plenty to do have have done.
Corrosive Software, last known as The Big Red Software Company, was acquired by Eidos in 1995.
The team, then renamed Corrosive Software, finished making the game.
Then Eidos close the studio. The game was never released.
http://www.mobygames.com/company/corrosive-software
https://www.abandonware-france.org/ltf_abandon/ltf_jeu.php?id=2286
https://www.unseen64.net/2010/11/24/assault-korps-psx-pc-cancelled
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Asylum is a cancelled PS2, Xbox, GameCube. and PC game from Darkblack.
It used to be named Darkblack, after the studio.
Expected release date: Fall 2003
The setting of Asylum is a reality show gone wrong.
Four contestants compete to escape the Wolfborough asylum building.
It won't be just puzzles; monsters also stand between you and $10 million.
Development of Asylum started in January 2002, then under its original name 'Darkblack'.
The original concept was of a space-borne infection that infests Earth.
Due to too many similar futuristic FPS games, the game was changed in May of 2002.
DarkBlack ran out of money and went out of business in early 2003.
From the ashes came HotHead Studios, founded by ex-Darkblack staff.
They could not work on Asylum as they did not have the rights anymore.
Do you know who owned the right to Asylum? Acclaim.
Yeah. RIP that idea.
They had other plans though: Shadows of the Sun.
It was basically a retooled Asylum, made on the same engine.
It was to be a cinematic story-driven game about vampires.
HotHead Studios enlisted the same publisher as they did with Asylum, Octagon Entertainment.
Octagon, however, never listed the game on their website or made any real effort.
HotHead Studios existed for six months before closing down.
How do you like that?
I talk about one cancelled game and end up covering two. Pffft!
https://web.archive.org/web/20021210002705/http://www.aoqw08.dsl.pipex.com:80/diary/index.htm
https://web.archive.org/web/20021210000222/http://www.aoqw08.dsl.pipex.com:80/asylum/index.htm
https://www.gamespot.com/articles/first-look-darkblack/1100-2854241
http://www.gamingtarget.com/article.php?artid=2843
http://spooky.ms11.net/pages/p1.html
https://www.unseen64.net/2008/04/15/asylum-xboxps2-cancelled
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Austin Powers: Mojo Rally is a a cancelled Dreamcast game by Climax Studios.
The game was cashing in on the licensed racing games craze at the time.
Expected release date: Summer 2000, then Q4 2000
The game was announced in April 2000.
It was to be based on the first two films (Goldmember didn't come out until 2002).
There was to be eight racers, including a few secret racers.
Each racer would have their own strengths and weaknesses.
The number of courses available is unknown but they would have had obstacles galore.
The game was cancelled due to the Dreamcast losing market share to the next gen systems.
Climax licensed its vehicle physics technology to other developers, like SCI
https://web.archive.org/web/20000816071902/http://www.climax.co.uk/news/austinpowers.htm
https://web.archive.org/web/20030223171655/http://www.avault.com/news/displaynews.asp?story=1162000-113633
https://www.fanbyte.com/features/austin-powers-mojo-rally/
https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/06/19/igndc-interviews-the-producer-of-austin-powers-mojo-rally
https://www.unseen64.net/2008/04/09/austin-powers-mojo-rally-dc-cancelled/
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http://xoomer.virgilio.it/mononline/unseen/dreamcast/akolyte.htm
http://www.dc-extreme.com/previews/akolyte.html
https://www.unseen64.net/2008/04/10/akolyte-dc-cancelled
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Alien Overlords
Alien Overlords is a cancelled PC game by Mooncow.
It was to be an action strategy game set in space.
Expected release date: 2001/2002
The backstory is that some aliens took possession of some space explorer and wreaked havoc.
You would play one of these alien entities and conquer the galaxy.
Pick an Overlord and control that alien species.
The action part comes from dogfights in your space craft.
The strategy part is how you engage in battle and how you control your followers.
There was to a dozen species to conquer, each with technology to obtain.
Alien Overlords was cancelled in November of 2001 for unknown reasons.
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It was to be a FPS strategy type of game.
Expected release date: November 1995, then March 1996
You would play as a secret agent, Kay Brogan.
Your job is to infiltrate and stop a terrorist-run drug cartel.
There would be many missions to complete.
There was to be 15-20 levels set across six locations.
The six locations: hotel, big airport, military base, mansion, small airport, and train depot.
Allegiance stands out from the FPS for its puzzles.
You have to collect clues strewn through the levels.
Your best chance of finding them to be stealthy, but sometimes that isn't enough...
There are many types of objectives to complete.
These range from escort missions, assassinations, laying explosives, and search and destroy.
Another element of the game that makes it stand out is its FMV scenes.
These scenes act as mission briefings but are reportedly pretty cringey.
But it wasn't to be.
Allegiance was cancelled due to Team17 being involved with Worms 2.
Martyn Brown later remarked on his blog:
"Allegiance - A spy thriller that got not much further than some crackers budget FMV when again the company was knee deep in Worms focus elsewhere. I shudder to think how it all happened, really. The idea was sound, it just suffered from a total disregard of planning, design and implementation."
http://unreleased.lostlevels.org/game.php?number=1582
http://www.dream17.info/softography.php?id=97
http://spadget17.blogspot.co.nz/2007/03/missing-links.html
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Amen: The Awakening is a cancelled PC game by Cavedog.
It was to be a story-heavy FPS game, following the trend of Deus Ex and Half Life.
Expected release date: June 1999, then March 2000
Amen: The Awakening was to be a 12 act game; levels so big they're internally called acts.
Locations would have included airports, subways, a military complex, and more.
It was to be a thinking-man's game, with both tricky enemies and puzzles to solve.
On Xmas Eve 2032, the 'Awakening' happened and four billion people became homicidal maniacs.
The game takes place in 2033. You would play as Bishop Six, a former SAS soldier.
Your task is to find out the truth behind the Awakening.
Allegiance
Allegiance is a cancelled PS1, Jaguar, Saturn, 3D0, and PC game from Team17.It was to be a FPS strategy type of game.
Expected release date: November 1995, then March 1996
PC Zone issue 28 (July 1995)
You would play as a secret agent, Kay Brogan.
Your job is to infiltrate and stop a terrorist-run drug cartel.
There would be many missions to complete.
There was to be 15-20 levels set across six locations.
The six locations: hotel, big airport, military base, mansion, small airport, and train depot.
Allegiance stands out from the FPS for its puzzles.
You have to collect clues strewn through the levels.
Your best chance of finding them to be stealthy, but sometimes that isn't enough...
There are many types of objectives to complete.
These range from escort missions, assassinations, laying explosives, and search and destroy.
Play issue 1 (November 1995)
Another element of the game that makes it stand out is its FMV scenes.
These scenes act as mission briefings but are reportedly pretty cringey.
But it wasn't to be.
Allegiance was cancelled due to Team17 being involved with Worms 2.
Martyn Brown later remarked on his blog:
"Allegiance - A spy thriller that got not much further than some crackers budget FMV when again the company was knee deep in Worms focus elsewhere. I shudder to think how it all happened, really. The idea was sound, it just suffered from a total disregard of planning, design and implementation."
Trailer from 1995
Gameplay clip
http://unreleased.lostlevels.org/game.php?number=1582
http://www.dream17.info/softography.php?id=97
http://spadget17.blogspot.co.nz/2007/03/missing-links.html
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Amen: The Awakening
Amen: The Awakening is a cancelled PC game by Cavedog.
It was to be a story-heavy FPS game, following the trend of Deus Ex and Half Life.
Expected release date: June 1999, then March 2000
Arcade issue 2 (January 1999)
Amen: The Awakening was to be a 12 act game; levels so big they're internally called acts.
Locations would have included airports, subways, a military complex, and more.
It was to be a thinking-man's game, with both tricky enemies and puzzles to solve.
On Xmas Eve 2032, the 'Awakening' happened and four billion people became homicidal maniacs.
The game takes place in 2033. You would play as Bishop Six, a former SAS soldier.
Your task is to find out the truth behind the Awakening.
PC Zone issue 77 (June 1999)
Amen: The Awakening had problems in 1999.
The game was too ambitious. The dev team tried to compromise and simplify things.
But then came trouble beyond their control.
The would-be publisher of the game, GT Interactive, was going into debt.
They were acquired by Infogrames in November 1999.
Development winded down before being laid to rest. Cavedog became defunct in 2000.
In 2014 a crowd-funded spiritual successor, Consortium, was launched.
Timeline:
* 1997: development begins
* August 1998: game officially announced
* Spring 1998: backstory is established
* December 1999: design team let go and game delayed
* January 2000: game cancelled
* February 2000: Cavedog become defunct and closes its doors
https://web.archive.org/web/19990429210305fw_/http://www.cavedog.com/amen/journalcurrent.html
https://www.tauniverse.com/cavedog/amen/preview.shtml
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amen:_The_Awakening
https://www.unseen64.net/2008/05/12/amen-the-awakening-cavedogs-fps-cancelled/
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American McGee's Oz
American McGee's 0z is a cancelled Xbox and PC game by Carbon6.
It was to be set in Oz with the usual dark edge style of American McGee.
Expected release date: 2003, then 2004, Winter 2005
PC Powerplay issue 83 (February 2002)
It is munchkins versus flying monkeys in all-out warfare.
Even the witches have joined in the destruction.
The Realm of Night have sent for a Man via the Dream Realm to help save Oz.
You would play as a human savior sent to Oz to prevent an epic final battle from being waged.
With the powers of a Wizard, you must use your magic to ease the tension.
This game had pretty loft plans, such as a toy line and a movie.
The toys did come out. The movie did not.
Neither did the game.
American McGee's Oz PC Zone issue 124 (January 2003)
American McGee's Oz was cancelled in early 2004 when Atari pulled its funding.
Oz was not an established franchise, so they didn't take the risk.
If the movie came out and did well, maybe this game would have had a chance of being made.
In 2013 American McGee tried to raise funds via Kickstarter to buy the rights to Oz.
Because he could only have one project a time, he stuck to Alice.
Covers it all nicely.
https://web.archive.org/web/20030123013504/http://www.carbon6.com/c6-oz2.htm
http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/american-mcgees-oz/
https://www.gamespot.com/articles/american-mcgees-oz-revealed/1100-898482
https://www.flickr.com/photos/americanmcgee/215853488/in/album-72157605042624478/
https://www.unseen64.net/2008/04/15/american-mcgees-oz-xbox-cancelled
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Arcturus
Arcturus is a cancelled PC and Xbox game by BlueInca.
It was to be a mixture of space ship combat and real-time strategy.
Expected release date: late 2002, then early 2003
PC Zone issue 111 (January 2002)
In the distant future, a war between the Lumerans and the Xizons rages on.
You play Torah and can choose as either faction and lead them to victory in campaign missions.
Victory will mean more resources to build your ships and better your people.
The Lumerans are the weaker outnumbered faction but they have powerful abilities.
The Xizons are the militaristic faction with ambitions of conquest.
The game was unique in that you move ships around in third-person like an RTS.
Different ships to order around include gas collectors, patrol ships, and unit carriers.
During combat you play from a first-person perspective.
There was to be sixteen single-player non-linear campaign missions (8 for each faction?).
There was also going to be death-match multiplayer, likely online play.
In 2004 development was halted due to funding difficulties.
In 2005 the website removed the message about financial trouble but remained dormant.
Arcturus and BlueInca faded away. I don't think BlueInca released a single game.
https://web.archive.org/web/20021006054521fw_/http://www.blueinca.co.uk/screen_feb.htm
https://www.gamespot.com/articles/arcturus-unveiled/1100-2822805/
https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=1&hl=en&prev=search&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=cs&sp=nmt4&u=https://bonusweb.idnes.cz/arcturus-c6y-/Clanek.aspx%3Fc%3DA011107_arcturusscr011107_bw&usg=ALkJrhju60oQY3bSfSli-bKIGqjus1JVXw
https://web.archive.org/web/20020805181238/http://www.homelanfed.com/index.php?id=3138
https://web.archive.org/web/20020806104851/http://actionvault.ign.com/features/interviews/arcturus.shtml
https://web.archive.org/web/20030519005750/http://xabregamers.dgwh.com/modules/nsections/index.php?op=viewarticle&artid=16
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Arena AD
Arena AD is a cancelled PC game by Stainless Games Ltd.
It was to be a realistic gladiator fighting game.
Expected release date: 1999, then early 2000
PC Zone issue 80 (September 1999)
Arena AD had the earmarks of a fighting game with RPG elements.
As you slay opponents you can buy new weapons and gain new skills.
There was to be 18 different fighters and a limb-based control scheme (think QWOP).
Edge issue 126 (August 2003)
Arena AD was cancelled when SCi Games stopped paying Stainless Games.
The final nail in the coffin was in 1999 when Stainless was absorbed by VIS Entertainment.
It doesn't help that the similarly-titled game Quake III Arena was released around this time.
http://bill.bzaar.net/avoc/Html/Screenshots/arena.htm
https://rr2000.cwaboard.co.uk/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=45
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Armed/Aftermath
Expected release date: April 1996, then September 1996, then Q3 1996
Play issue 3 (January 1996)
Electronic Gaming Monthly issue 83 (June 1996)
The year is 2495. You play as Vic, a hardened member of the special forces unit.
Your job is to blast your way into Omega Central and destroy the doomsday machine.
Aliens will do their best to stand in your way.
There was to be 12 levels.
These levels would be large maze-like labyrinths.
All of this builds up to a final confrontation with your greatest foe.
This evil enemy is a treacherous member of your own squad.
GamePro issue 83 (June 1996)
Video Games The Ultimate Gaming Magazine issue 89
Armed/Aftermath was no measly 16-bit game: it was keen to show off the new consoles.
The gameplay was to have 3D elements to enhance the experience.
The FMVs were a treat and showed how ambitious the project was.
The game disappeared as quickly as it was announced.
Since Point of View was still a new company at the time, I suspect this was out of their league.
I reckon Armed/Aftermath was cancelled due to it being too ambitious.
In October 2017 a Sega Saturn prototype of the game was sold on eBay.
It was basically a finished build, just missing music and cutscenes.
It has since been dumped. Link of course in the description.
http://hiddenpalace.org/Armed_(Jan_22,_1997_prototype)
https://segaretro.org/Armed
http://retrogamingmagazine.com/2017/10/05/armed-unreleased-sega-saturn-game-is-unearthed/
https://www.unseen64.net/2008/05/02/armed-psxsaturn-cancelled/
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Assault Korps
Assault Korps is a cancelled PS1 and PC game by Corrosive Software.
It was to be part Syndicate Wars part Cannon Fodder.
Expected release date: Q1 1998
Next Generation issue 39 (March 1998)
You would be in control of a squad of commandos.
Your job is to defeat the group of dictators collectively known as Kern.
You would place up to eight commandos at the beginning of the mission.
Then you would move them around individually and make them do tasks.
Gameplay was made to be exciting, with a range of nifty weapons.
Huge explosions made a big wow factor.
There was plenty to do have have done.
Corrosive Software, last known as The Big Red Software Company, was acquired by Eidos in 1995.
The team, then renamed Corrosive Software, finished making the game.
Then Eidos close the studio. The game was never released.
http://www.mobygames.com/company/corrosive-software
https://www.abandonware-france.org/ltf_abandon/ltf_jeu.php?id=2286
https://www.unseen64.net/2010/11/24/assault-korps-psx-pc-cancelled
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Asylum
Asylum is a cancelled PS2, Xbox, GameCube. and PC game from Darkblack.
It used to be named Darkblack, after the studio.
Expected release date: Fall 2003
NGC issue 72 (October 2002)
The setting of Asylum is a reality show gone wrong.
Four contestants compete to escape the Wolfborough asylum building.
It won't be just puzzles; monsters also stand between you and $10 million.
Development of Asylum started in January 2002, then under its original name 'Darkblack'.
The original concept was of a space-borne infection that infests Earth.
Due to too many similar futuristic FPS games, the game was changed in May of 2002.
DarkBlack ran out of money and went out of business in early 2003.
From the ashes came HotHead Studios, founded by ex-Darkblack staff.
They could not work on Asylum as they did not have the rights anymore.
Do you know who owned the right to Asylum? Acclaim.
Yeah. RIP that idea.
They had other plans though: Shadows of the Sun.
It was basically a retooled Asylum, made on the same engine.
It was to be a cinematic story-driven game about vampires.
HotHead Studios enlisted the same publisher as they did with Asylum, Octagon Entertainment.
Octagon, however, never listed the game on their website or made any real effort.
HotHead Studios existed for six months before closing down.
How do you like that?
I talk about one cancelled game and end up covering two. Pffft!
Trailer
https://web.archive.org/web/20021210002705/http://www.aoqw08.dsl.pipex.com:80/diary/index.htm
https://web.archive.org/web/20021210000222/http://www.aoqw08.dsl.pipex.com:80/asylum/index.htm
https://www.gamespot.com/articles/first-look-darkblack/1100-2854241
http://www.gamingtarget.com/article.php?artid=2843
http://spooky.ms11.net/pages/p1.html
https://www.unseen64.net/2008/04/15/asylum-xboxps2-cancelled
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Austin Powers: Mojo Rally
Austin Powers: Mojo Rally is a a cancelled Dreamcast game by Climax Studios.
The game was cashing in on the licensed racing games craze at the time.
Expected release date: Summer 2000, then Q4 2000
Gamers' Republic issue 25 (June 2000)
The game was announced in April 2000.
It was to be based on the first two films (Goldmember didn't come out until 2002).
There was to be eight racers, including a few secret racers.
Each racer would have their own strengths and weaknesses.
The number of courses available is unknown but they would have had obstacles galore.
The game was cancelled due to the Dreamcast losing market share to the next gen systems.
Climax licensed its vehicle physics technology to other developers, like SCI
https://web.archive.org/web/20000816071902/http://www.climax.co.uk/news/austinpowers.htm
https://web.archive.org/web/20030223171655/http://www.avault.com/news/displaynews.asp?story=1162000-113633
https://www.fanbyte.com/features/austin-powers-mojo-rally/
https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/06/19/igndc-interviews-the-producer-of-austin-powers-mojo-rally
https://www.unseen64.net/2008/04/09/austin-powers-mojo-rally-dc-cancelled/
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