Cancelled video games project
This project concerns cancelled games in the range of 1995-2005.
Section: G
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Ganymede
Ganymede is a cancelled PS1, Saturn, and PC game from Rocket Science Games.
It was to be a first first ship shooter. Ace Combat in space.
Expected release date: Xmas 1996, then 1997
Mean Machines issue 47 (September 1996)
You would pilot a 'frictionless vaporsled', patrolling Ganymede, one of Jupiter's moons.
The game was to combine the thrill of action and speed and physics.
There was to be more than 20 missions.
Ganymede was cancelled due to financial issues.
The game was canned to focus more resources on potentially more profitable games.
It did not help; Rocket Science Games went defunct in April of 1997.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocket_Science_Games
http://archive.fo/fHA3S
https://www.trademarkia.com/ganymede-75026047.html
https://www.unseen64.net/2008/05/08/ganymede-psx-cancelled/
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Geist Force
Geist Force is a cancelled Dreamcast game by an internal Sega of America team.
The game was like Star Fox for older gamer.
Expected released date: December 1999
Computer & Video Games issue 205 (December 1998)
Edge issue 65 (December 1998)
Geist Force was to be a Dreamcast launch title; the first US Dreamcast game.
Pilot your ship around, destroying other ships with a myriad of weapons.
The game looks pretty but there's a giant valley where the fun gameplay is supposed to be.
Edge issue 66 (Christmas 1998)
Next Generation (January 1999)
In mid-1999 the game was retitled to Geist.
Optimism for the game's success was running thin.
Development of Geist Force was slow and bothersome due to the dev team being new.
After 18 months in development, Sega got pissed and cancelled the game.
The game was over-budget and not very fun.
Electronic Gaming Monthly issue 137 (December 2000)
Several builds of the prototype have been leaked and sold over the years.
A download link for the April 1999 prototype is in the link below.
http://hiddenpalace.org/Geist_Force_(Apr_6,_1999_prototype)
https://assemblergames.com/threads/any-unleaked-dreamcast-games-in-circulation.57642/page-16#post-967371
https://www.unseen64.net/2008/04/10/geist-force-dc-cancelled/
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Gen13
Gen13 was a cancelled PlayStation, Nintendo 64, and Saturn game.
It was to be be based on the comic series of the same name.
Expected release date: 1997
The plot involved something to do with retrieving lost CDs.
The game would play like 3D version of that Genesis X-Men game.
You can play as the different characters, who have their own unique abilities and powers.
Electronic Arts wanted a Gen13 game, so they sought out tech demos from developers.
At least three developers threw their hat into the ring but only one was victorious.
Gray Matter Inc. was the lucky winner.
A few months into development, Gray Matter Inc hit a snag: they went bankrupt.
As a result Gray Matter Inc closed down.
EA, embracing the warmth of their hearts, opted not to pass on Gen13 to another developer.
Ergo the game was cancelled in 1997.
In 2012 a Gen13 tech demo from Realtime Associates was released
http://hiddenpalace.org/Gen_13_(Mar_20,_1997_prototype)
http://playstationmuseum.com/review/gen13/
https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2012/01/exclusive-tech-demos-for-robocop-and-gen-13-on-the-ps-one-available-to-download/
http://forums.lostlevels.org/viewtopic.php?t=500&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0
https://www.unseen64.net/2008/04/10/gen-13-cancelled/
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Gendai Dai-Senryaku: Ultimate War
Gendai Dai-Senryaku/Modern Battle: Ultimate War is a cancelled 64DD game by SETA.
It was to be a turn-based strategy game.
Expected release date: summer 2000
N64 Magazine issue 40 (April 2000)
The game would have used the 64DD's network capabilities to have 4-player online games.
Unfortunately Randnet didn't work out, so the game's main draw was affected.
Coupled with the failure of the 64DD, the game was cancelled.
64 Magazine issue 37 (January 2001)
SpaceWorld 2000 footage
https://nindb.net/n64/cancelled.html
https://lostmediawiki.com/Nintendo_64_Disk_Drive_(partially_found_unreleased_video_games_for_Nintendo_64_add-on;_late_1990s-early_2000s)
https://www.unseen64.net/2008/04/04/gendai-dai-senryaku-ultimate-war-64dd-cancelled/
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George A Romero's City of the Dead
George A. Romero's City of the Dead was a cancelled PS2, Xbox, and PC game from Kuju.
It was a Romero-approved FPS but didn't quite stay alive.
NOTE: don't confuse this game with another project of the same name by American McGee
Expected release date: September 2005, then March 2006
The game is set in Isla Morta, where four survivors must fight for survival.
The remote island has a secret military base chock full of weapons and goodies.
The game would be like Left 4 Dead, as you and three others wade through zombies.
There would also be co-op split screen, four player online, and a party mode.
In the multiplayer mode you can play as a human or a zombie.
Official UK Xbox Magazine issue 47 (August 2005)
George A. Romero was brought aboard the project to direct the cutscenes.
Tom Savini was also roped in to ensure the zombies look and act their zombiest.
It's a zombie fan's wet dream.
Xbox World issue 29 (September 2005)
It wasn't to last... the publisher Hip Games went bankrupt in 2006.
City of the Dead got turned into Day of the Zombie for the Russian Commonwealth in 2009.
Trailer from E3 2005
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_of_the_Dead_(video_game)
https://www.gamespot.com/articles/george-romeros-city-of-the-dead-e3-2005-hands-on-impressions/1100-6125877/
http://au.ign.com/articles/2005/05/11/george-romero-game-named-star-struck
http://au.ign.com/articles/2004/12/15/george-romero-gets-game
http://au.ign.com/articles/2005/05/21/e3-2005-city-of-the-dead
https://www.unseen64.net/2008/04/15/city-of-the-dead-xboxps2-cancelled/
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Ghouls & Ghosts Online
Ghouls & Ghosts Online is a cancelled MMO for PS2, Xbox, and PC from Game Factory.
How a series of ultra-hard platformers translates to a 3D MMO is beyond me.
Expected release date: Fall 2003, then Spring 2004
Official UK PlayStation2 Magazine issue 33 (May 2003)
Not much is known about this ambitious project.
You would create an avatar and run around the game world, killing and being killed.
You would gain experience, level up, and probably do quests.
At the 2003 Game Developers Conference (GDC), a demo was shown off.
The demo was coded in seven weeks. It was total bare-bones.
Still, it spurned some interest.
You could play as Arthur, Guinevere (the kidnapped princess), and Merlin.
You can also play as the enemies, like the Jester, the Reaper, and the Red Arremer.
Retro Gamer issue 74
After the GDC 2003 reveal, the game was pushed back to 2004, and then cancelled.
Why? Maybe because nothing was going right, and it was a bad idea to start with.
In 2008 the game was revived as Magyechon Online (aka Makaimura Online) by Seed 9.
After it was cancelled, it came back as a Steam Greenlight campaign.
From what videos I've seen it looks as mind-numbing as I suspected. No offense.
http://au.ign.com/articles/2003/03/06/gdc-2003-ghouls-and-ghosts-online
https://web.archive.org/web/20031208094400/http://www.insertcredit.com/features/gdc/ghoulsandghosts.html
https://web.archive.org/web/20041112122433/http://www.gamefactory.com.tw:80/sitemap.htm
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/game-factory-digital-entertainment-studios-is-developing-an-online-game-solution-for-the-masterpiece-ghouls-and-ghosts-and-its-first-massive-multi-player-online-game-made-its-debut-at-gdc-55655157.html
http://ghostsngoblins.wikia.com/wiki/Makaimura_Online
https://www.unseen64.net/2008/04/09/ghouls-ghosts-online-proto-cancelled/
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Ghouls 'n' Ghosts 64
Ghouls 'n' Ghosts 64 is a cancelled N64 game by Capcom.
It was to be a 3D version of Ghouls 'n' Ghosts.
Expected release date: 1998
Official Nintendo Magazine issue 6 (April 1999)
Capcom wanted to take the challenging series to new dimension with the N64.
The prototype they made played like Mario 64.
An interesting start but it wouldn't go much further than that.
The N64 was limited by its cartridge space.
The N64 was also getting its ass handed to it in sales by its rival, the PlayStation.
Capcom didn't want to take a risk and thus canned the game.
https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/02/20/what-ever-happened-to-ghouls-n-ghosts-64
https://www.unseen64.net/2013/06/23/ghosts-n-goblins-64-n64-cancelled/
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Girl With A Stick
Girl With A Stick was a cancelled PS2 project by Insomniac Games.
After developing Spyro 3: Year of the Dragon, Insomniac Games went to work on a PS2 game.
Tinkering with their Insomniac Engine, they created this project: I:5 aka Girl With A Stick.
In 2000 Girl with a Stick was shaping up to be a Tomb Raider + Legend of Zelda hybrid.
The game was however cancelled for simply not being fun.
Girl with a Stick was reworked into I:5's next incarnation: Ratchet and Clank.
http://www.ign.com/games/girl-with-a-stick/ps2-14323391
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Gladiator: The Crimson Reign
It was to be a realistic historically-accurate arena fighting game.
Expected release date: summer 2003
Xbox Nation issue 10 (October-November 2003)
There were to be arenas in 31 locations, such as Pompeii, Athens, Babylon and Alexandria.
To win you will need to don weapons such as axes, daggers, swords and shields; 47 of them!
You will even need to fight mythical creatures of Greek mythology.
Midway Games West, Inc, closed its doors in mid 2003, taking this game to the grave.
In 2004 Midway's other studios tried to work on the game but canned it as well.
Apparently the market was saturated with similar types of games.
https://www.pressfire.no/game/1297/Gladiator-The-Crimson-Reign
https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/08/02/hands-on-gladiator-the-crimson-reign
https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/01/08/midways-gladiator-gets-executed
https://www.unseen64.net/2008/04/15/gladiator-the-crimson-reign-xboxps2-cancelled/
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Glover 2
Glover 2 was a cancelled Nintendo 64, PS1, and Dreamcast from Interactive Studios Ltd.
The sequel to the glove and his bouncy balls got axed halfway through development.
Expected release date: late 1999, then Q2 2000
The game was to have a multiplayer mode. So many hands touching balls at once...
Glover 2 quickly disappeared from the public conscious.
The game was quietly cancelled in October 1999 without announcing it.
Looks like the gloves were off.
The game was cancelled because Hasbro placed too many orders on a game that wouldn't sell.
Lacking faith in the game, Hasbro cancelled the project.
In 2010 a prototype was sold to someone at NESWorld and released online a year later.
This prototype still has the Glover 1 engine and has a unique race.
Both prototypes are available to download in the links below.
https://hiddenpalace.org/Glover_2_(Prototype_A)
https://hiddenpalace.org/Glover_2_(Prototype_B)
http://au.ign.com/articles/1999/07/08/glover-handed-a-sequel
https://lowlevelsoul.wordpress.com/2015/02/25/the-cancellation-of-glover-2/
http://www.nesworld.com/n64-unr-glover2.php
https://www.unseen64.net/2011/10/04/glover-2-n64-leaked-and-preserved/
https://www.unseen64.net/2008/11/30/glover-2-n64psx-cancelled/
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Glympse
Glympse is a cancelled PC MMORPG by Sojourn.
The game was to be set on a planet the size of Mars.
Expected release date: Q3 2004, then Q4 2004
PC PowerPlay issue 86 (May 2003)
Glympse got its start as a mod for Tribes called Chivalry.
That idea flowered from an FPS to an MMO.
As you can see from the screenshots, the game hasn't lost its Tribes aesthetic.
This MMO was to be an aerial dogfight game like no other.
For one, the setting is a planet named Cael that is roughly 26,000km in diameter.
The technology was very impressive.
There were no quests or storyline to follow, regardless of the underlying story concept.
The game was geared towards PvP or world-building, literally, with building cities.
There were no classes, so players can either be well-rounded or specialise.
Development was not smooth sailing.
In October 2003 work was disrupted by the local wildfires.
Then at some point in late 2004 Sojourn either merged or went defunct, cancelling the game.
https://web.archive.org/web/20031127105833/http://www.sojdev.com/
https://web.archive.org/web/20030806001749/http://www.pgnx.net/index.php?page=full&id=1315
https://web.archive.org/web/20030622174908/http://www.pcgameworld.com/article.php/id/64/
https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/02/19/glympse-to-create-mars
http://www.darkreflection.faithweb.com/index.html
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Goblin Quest
Goblin Quest is a cancelled PS2 and Xbox game by Kodiak Interactive.
Imagine Fable with goblins... kinda.
Expected release date: Fall 2002, then Winter 2002
You play as Faust, a modest yet mischievous trouble-making goblin.
Your quest is to take down Nogudnik, a traitorous goblin who betrayed his people for beauty.
Teaming up with Greta and her brilliant grandfather Dr. Crookshank, you must succeed.
The setting is the Goblin Underworld, a vast cavernous world that houses the goblins.
Locations would include a forest, a large river, mazes, and surprise surprise more caverns.
The aesthetic would be fantasy with steampunk and a touch of Victorian architecture.
The game was cancelled when Kodiak Interactive went defunct in December 2001.
https://web.archive.org/web/20010718174013/http://www.kodiakgames.com/goblins/product_info/prod1.htm
https://www.gamespot.com/articles/kodiaks-goblin-quest/1100-2797858/
https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/08/10/kodiak-surprises-with-goblin-quest
https://www.unseen64.net/2009/07/18/goblin-quest-ps2-cancelled/
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Gold Star Mountain
Gold Star Mountain is a cancelled GameCube from FromSoftware.
It is also known as Gold Mountain.
Expected release date: Summer 2002
Joypad issue 114 (November 2002)
In a world... this world is packed with monsters and outlaws.
There are sheriffs who defend the good people from these evil things.
You would play as a young boy who strives to become a Sheriff.
You will need to prove yourself by hunting animals and bounty hunting outlaws.
The game reminds one of Pokemon, as you can catch and raise animals and use them in battle.
It isn't a carbon copy, however; you have to build trust with the caught animal/s.
You also build relationships with other people.
You would use your gun to fire at the enemies.
Your animals would help out in the fighting.
Items you acquire from battle can be used to raise your animals.
The game would utilize 2D scrolling in a 3D world.
Well, it was the early 2000s, and that was the trend at the time.
G-Force issue 10 (February 2003)
Gold Star Mountain was cancelled in 2003 for unknown reasons.
I suspect it was probably because FromSoftware wanted to focus on their Armored Core series.
Or maybe the game was cancelled due to the release of Lost Kingdoms around the same time.
Lost Kingdoms is another FromSoftware action RPG of a similar nature.
Maybe to avoid conflict, Gold Star Mountain was rescheduled but then never released.
Trailer
http://au.ign.com/articles/2001/08/23/spaceworld-2001-gold-star-mountain-revealed
http://au.ign.com/articles/2001/10/11/tgs-2001-gold-star-mountain-screenshot
https://www.gamespot.com/articles/from-software-announces-its-2002-software-lineup/1100-2806719/
https://web.archive.org/web/20011117004810/http://www.gc-inside.com:80/news/20011018gsm.html
https://www.unseen64.net/2008/04/08/gold-star-mountain-gc-cancelled/
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Good Cop, Bad Cop
Good Cop, Bad Cop is a cancelled PS2, Xbox, GameCube, and PC game from Revolution Software.
True to its name, it's a karma-based thriller.
Expected release date: September 2002, then Q4 2002
Edge issue 98 (June 2001)
Edge issue 99 (July 2001)
You play as Ben Kellman. You father has been murdered decades ago. You are pissed off.
As a cop, you can either be the good cop or the bad cop in the quest of vengeance.
Play by the rules like a good cop, or seek justice in your own way like a bad cop.
What actions you take would affect everyone's reaction and judgement to you.
You would also receive different weapons and gadgets based on your choices.
There was probably also multiple endings based on what path you took.
Next Generation issue 82 (October 2001)
The gameplay would of been combat heavy with some puzzles and exploration thrown in.
As such you are continuously forced to make moral decisions, such as kill or arrest.
You can have fire action action or stealth.
Helping you is your cop partner Maria, who is the moral good 'by the books' person.
You've also got McNab, your boss, who is the immoral shady 'get it done at all costs' guy.
They are your regular angel and devil.
XBN issue 3 (Summer 2002)
Good Cop, Bad Cop was cancelled in 2002 so that the studio could focus on Broken Sword.
It's unknown how far into development it got.
http://au.ign.com/articles/2001/05/14/feeling-lucky-punk-good-cop-bad-cop-announced-for-ps2
https://www.gamespot.com/articles/first-look-good-cop-bad-cop/1100-2760353/
https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/article_30669 // press release
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revolution_Software#2001%E2%80%932002:_Good_Cop_Bad_Cop_cancellation
https://www.unseen64.net/2008/04/15/good-cop-bad-cop-cancelled/
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Gorka Morka
Gorka Morka / GorkaMorka is a cancelled Dreamcast and PC game by Real Sports.
It was a cross between Warhammer 40k and Mad Max and Mario Kart.
Expected release date: October 2000, then November 2000, then Q1 2001, then May 2001
DC-UK issue 11 (July 2000)
The setting of the game is Warhammer 40k.
Mektown Ork 'Mobz' face off against each other in races.
This racer has RPG elements as well.
As you win races, you earn money. You use that money to upgrade your vehicle and orks.
Multiplayer was also on the agenda.
This was one of those Dreamcast games heralded for being a reason to play online.
Multiplayer options included head-to-head or co-op.
GamePro issue 145 (October 2000)
The PC demo is out there for download. It's not too good from what I've read.
The Dreamcast version is probably out there in storage or on a dusty decaying hard drive.
Trailer
Info
http://web.archive.org/web/20000815234042/http://www.ripcordgames.com/games/gm.htm
http://web.archive.org/web/20010708234816/http://www.ripcordgames.com:80/GAMES/gm2.htm
https://www.unseen64.net/2008/04/10/gorkamorka-dc-cancelled
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Gran Turismo for Boys
Gran Turismo for Boys is a cancelled PS2 game by Polyphony Digital.
It was to be a GT game aimed at the young'uns.
Expected release date: 2005
Kazunori Yamauchi had plans to make a Gran Turismo game for the youth.
The experience would be less swamped with cars and races.
The game was then considered to be integrated in Gran Turismo 5.
In the end, Kazunori declared that the PSP GT game was basically this game.
It boggles the mind as the regular GT games are family-friendly and fun for all.
http://au.ign.com/articles/2004/11/09/new-gran-turismo
http://au.ign.com/articles/2004/12/29/gran-turismo-for-boys-in-2005
http://au.ign.com/articles/2006/09/25/gran-turismo-still-for-boys
https://web.archive.org/web/20121022132120/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/186176/gran-turismo-for-boys-still-coming/
https://www.gtplanet.net/kazunori-yamauchi-tamir-moscovici-interview-jff-2013/
http://gran-turismo.wikia.com/wiki/Gran_Turismo_for_Boys
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Gunslinger
Gunslinger is a cancelled PlayStation 2 by Surreal Software and Activision for early 2001.
Development went from 1999 to 2001.
Expected release date: Spring 2001, then Summer 2001, then late 2002
Electronic Gaming Monthly (June 2000)
Gameplay would have you wandering around the wild west, doing either good deeds or bad deeds.
The game had a morality meter and the citizens of the world would react and treat you different in relation to your karma.
The plot was going to be a lone gunslinger, who has been wronged by the evil land baron.
You must make money, either through good or evil ways, to get your revenge.
Edge issue 86 (July 2000)
Official UK PlayStation Magazine issue 3 (January 2001)
Implementing the morality system was impossible to do effectively.
Rather than rework the whole game they likely canned it.
Not only that but Activision was not sure modern audiences would play a western.
Wait until they see Red Dead Revolver and its successors.
Gameplay from E3 2000
http://au.ign.com/games/gunslinger-807302/ps2-14549
http://www.ps2home.co.uk/gunslinger/
http://www.paranoidproductions.com/games.html
https://www.unseen64.net/2009/09/15/gunslinger-ps2-cancelled/
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