Cancelled video games project
This project concerns cancelled games in the range of 1995-2005.
Section: P
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P.I.G.
P.I.G., or Private Investigator George, is a cancelled PS1 and PC by Team17.
It was intended to capitalize on the success of Mario 64 and its clones.
Expected release date: Q4 1998, then Spring 1999
PlayStation Pro issue 23 (August 1998)
Total Control Magazine issue 1 (November 1998)
P.I.G. started off as Fun Double Magic Land.
It was a sandbox type game wherein your quest is to find out who runs the theme park.
Towards mid-late 1998 the game was retooled with a private eye pig.
You would play George, a private eye.
He has been hired to help solve the mystery of the kidnapped piglets.
They were kidnapped by Dr. Gotem, who lived in a theme park.
P.I.G. was to be a throwback to film noir films, chock full of puns and pastiches.
Settings would have included the Arctic, Mars, and a goddamn volcano.
There was to be over 60-70 NPCs to interact with on your quest.
Team17 have admitted they axed the game to focus on the popular Worms series.
https://web.archive.org/web/20151224211321/http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/happy-25th-birthday-team-17/0160742
https://tmdb.eu/trademark/EU000900928-p-i-g.html
http://www.dream17.info/softography.php?id=66
https://www.unseen64.net/2016/02/29/pig-team-17-playstation-pc-cancelled/
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Pac-Man Ghost Zone is a cancelled PS1 game from Namco.
It was to be a 3D version of Pac-Man in the style of Super Mario 64/
The plot is that you are a kid in an arcade and are sucked into the game world.
You transform into Pac-Man and must now escape the Ghost Zone.
The game was awkward to make as the team were not used to making 3D games.
Pac-Man Ghost Zone was more Super Mario 64 than Pac-Man.
Namco Japan were nervous of the developments, and eventually canned the game.
Almost the whole development team were fired and a new team were brought in.
They retooled the game and released it. The end product was Pac-Man World.
In the end it took so long to make this game it was released on Pac-Man's 20th anniversary.
http://au.ign.com/articles/1997/06/19/e3-namcos-pac-man-ghost-zone
https://pacman.fandom.com/wiki/Pac-Man_Ghost_Zone
http://playstationmuseum.com/review/pac-man-ghost-zone/
https://www.unseen64.net/2010/11/14/pac-man-ghost-zone-psx-cancelled/
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Picassio is a cancelled PS2, GameCube, Dreamcast, and PC game from Promethean Designs.
The game combines stealth with art theft. What a Scream (geddit?).
Expected release date: Autumn 2000, then Fall 2001, then Q4 2001
Picassio was to be a non-violent stealth game in which you steal valuable artwork.
You must navigate past guards and security devices to nab the goods.
The plot is that you are Contract Cat Burglar thieves, hired by a shady art collector.
Your employer's rival, however, has also hired a master thief to steal art too.
You two will come to blows in the game's many scenic levels.
Gameplay is similar to that of the Thief games.
You will use your gadgets to disarm security traps and alarms.
You also have night vision goggles, sound bombs, and hologram generators to see and fool guards.
Speaking of guards, you have tools to take care of them.
Chloroform, sleeping darts, and the like will non-violently incapacitate nosy guards.
You would play as two character.
Geoff, the guy in all the screenshots.
And some woman whom we have no name of.
The level design is immaculate and breath taking.
Twelve familiar museums like the Tate and the Louvre were just some of the levels planned.
To avoid legal issues, the paintings have all been given funny names.
Yes, despite the serious sounding nature of the game, it's a comedic light-hearted satire.
There was also going to be a multiplayer mode.
Team deathmatch without the death.
Picassio was cancelled in late 2000 due to Promethean Designs becoming defunct.
The company was in financial difficulties and couldn't pay its outstanding debenture.
The company soon dissolved in early 2001.
It has been speculated that the game was later resurrected as Stolen for the Xbox.
It's probably just a coincidence. Either that or 'Stolen' is an accurate title.
https://web.archive.org/web/20000519095907/http://prodesigns.com:80/picassio/index.html
http://au.ign.com/articles/2000/03/22/picassio
http://au.ign.com/articles/2000/02/26/igndc-steals-some-time-with-promethean
https://companycheck.co.uk/company/03039475/PROMETHEAN-DESIGNS-LIMITED/companies-house-data
https://assemblergames.com/threads/did-picassio-eventually-become-stolen.6207/
https://www.unseen64.net/2008/04/08/picassio-cancelled/
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Plague of Darkness is a cancelled PS2 and Xbox game by Widescreen Games.
Imagine Army of Darkness but in the Middle Ages. Okay, bad example.
Expected release date: June 2004, then Summer 2004, then Fall 2004
In a world... where the Bubonic Plague didn't just kill people, it turned them into zombies.
A demon that feasts on souls has cast the curse upon 14th century Europe.
You play as Duran, a Templar Knight initiate.
You were on a vorage to meet your father when all of a sudden the demon's curse begins.
You quest is to slay the demon and rid the curse.
Gameplay would be mainly hack 'n' slash, with crossbows and throwable daggers.
You can also wield magic granted from Tarot cards.
There was to be eight settings and 58 sub-locations.
Along the way you would solve puzzles and met crazy characters.
There was also to be online play of some nature for Xbox Live and PS2.
The PS2 version of the game was to get exclusive extras.
The game was cancelled when Namco Hometek had layoffs and redundancies.
Along with this game it also cancelled First Strike and an unannounced project.
http://au.ign.com/articles/2003/08/27/a-plague-is-coming
http://au.ign.com/articles/2004/02/13/plague-of-darkness
https://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-namco-title-for-xbox-ps2/1100-6074109/
https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/redundancies-at-namco-hometek-as-unnamed-project-is-dropped
https://www.unseen64.net/2008/04/15/plague-of-darkness-xboxps2-cancelled/
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Popcorn aka Short Fuses was a cancelled PS1 game from Eighth Wonder.
It began development in 1997, appeared at E3 1998, and that was the last anyone heard of it.
Expected release date: Winter 1998
The game looks like Bomberman 3D but would have had puzzles and the like.
Popcorn was being developed by Eighth Wonder, a small group that splintered off from Rare.
This was likely because Rare was exclusively making games for Nintendo.
Sony funded the project themselves. A bit of salt in the wound, eh Nintendo?
Nintendo got their revenge in the end.
Eighth Wonder had dissolved in 1999 without releasing a single game.
Trivia:
One of the employees of Eighth Wonder was Chris Chadwick, who created the classic Net Yaroze game Blitter Boy.
https://waypoint.vice.com/en_us/article/4xek5d/meet-the-devs-who-made-indie-games-on-the-original-playstation
https://www.unseen64.net/tag/eighth-wonder/
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Power Crystal is a cancelled video game for the cancelled console, the Panasonic M2.
Unlike other M2 games like D2, it did not survive on another console.
Expected release date: Xmas 1997/early 1998
Power Crystal was being developed by Perceptions.
This team was specifically chosen because every team member worked on a big title.
Also because the company's CEO created Alien vs Predator, an Atari Jaguar darling.
The game started out as Artemis for the Atari Jaguar CD.
Development was shifting once the dev team realized that it wouldn't be worth it.
Power Crystal was to be an epic-sized RPG, full of fighting, skilling, and trading.
The game is set in Kelemar, a world full of dragons and other fantasy creatures.
It was the Morrowkind of its kind, years ahead of its peers.
Sadly, the M2 was not to be. In mid-1997 the console was cancelled.
Some games that were in developed for the M2, like D2, were shifted to other consoles.
Power Crystal was not one of them.
It's likely that Power Crystal is lost forever.
Once the company went into liquidation, nothing likely survived.
Here's hoping...
https://assemblergames.com/threads/unreleased-atari-jaguar-games.66356/
https://web.archive.org/web/20130905075005/http://zappenduster.7sky.de/3do-m2/software/games/perception-power-crystal/Power-Crystal-001.html
https://www.unseen64.net/2008/04/07/power-crystal-m2-tech-demo-proto-cancelled/
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Powerslave 2/Exhumed 2, is a cancelled PS1 and PC game by Lobotomy Software.
It was to be a prequel to the original Powerslave / Exhumed
Expected release date: 1997?
A thousand years before the original game, Ra disappears, causing a permanent solar eclipse,
You would play a young Egyptian warrior to rescue Ra.
To do so you would need to seek out the Gods and gain their powers.
One of these is the ability to travel to the Afterlife.
The Afterlife is an alternate version of the current map.
The change in map can allow to to bypass puzzles and Gods. Intentional sequence breaking?
The first game was First Person Shooter, whereas this game was going to be Third Person.
Instead of a map select screen, you would need to travel back and forth between levels.
The levels were going to be more expansive and open and more Egyptian.
One neat feature would have been the old save bonus.
Accomplishing tasks in Powerslave would have you starting with more powers in the sequel.
It turns Powerslave shipped before such such bonuses could be coded in.
Powerslave 2 was thought to be for the Saturn due to Lobotomy's close relationship with Sega.
This is evident by their ports of Duke Nukem 3D and Quake to the Saturn.
The Saturn was out of the question for this game, however, due to the weak hardware specs.
The game was canned due to high ambitions making production difficult.
Not helping was went Lobotomy Software was acquired by Crave Entertainment in 1998.
It was probably cancelled then and there to free resources for more worthwhile games.
http://www.whipassgaming.com/genesisreviews/powerslave/powerslave2.html
https://www.unseen64.net/2015/03/09/interview-brian-mcneely-lobotomy-software/
https://www.unseen64.net/2011/08/15/powerslave-2-psx-pc-cancelled/
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Powerslide Slipstream is a cancelled PS2, Xbox, and PC game by Ratbag Games.
It was to be a post-apocalyptic racing game and sequel to the original Powerslide.
Expected release date: Q4 2004
I nrhe year 2030, the world has become basically Mad Max.
Two factions fight over land that was once Sydney, London, Los Angeles, Berlin, etc.
There would be up to 16 tracks to race on, in up to 14 vehicles in two classes.
The game's website boasted of impressive details.
These include spherical harmonic lighting, vehicles that change model with damage, advanced AI.
It was to be realistic racing that that would set it apart from Need for Speed and Burnout.
The game was to have online multiplayer: 1-4 for consoles, and up to 8 players for PC.
The game was cancelled when Ratbag failed to find a publisher for it.
Ratbag would become defunct shortly after. R.I.P.
https://www.ign.com/games/powerslide-slipstream // lots of videos on this page
https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/05/31/powerslide-slipstream-hands-on
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Powerslide_(video_game)#Powerslide:_Slipstream
https://web.archive.org/web/20030620094540/http://www.ratbaggames.com/powerslide/
https://www.unseen64.net/2009/11/06/powerslide-2-slipstream-xbox-ps2-cancelled/
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Presto is a cancelled PS1 and PC game by Pulse Entertainment.
It was to be an action game of some kind.
Expected release date: 1998
You would play as the eponymous Presto, a cursed ventriloquist puppet.
You would be left abandoned and beat up in an old theater.
I guess the plot is get revenge on your abusive puppeteer or something.
The game cancelled in likely early 1997.
it was worked on by Phil Simon pretty much exclusively.
It was canned so that Jinx called focus on their big project: Space Bunnies Must Die.
Pulse Entertainment later on merged with 7th Level to make technology tools and solutions.
That new group became P7 Solutions.
The gaming programmers formed their own company: Jinx.
https://www.mobygames.com/company/pulse-entertainment-inc
https://web.archive.org/web/19981206080103/http://www.jinx-inc.com/html_pages/history.html
https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=1&hl=en&prev=search&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=pl&sp=nmt4&u=http://www.przygodoskop.pl/699/encyklopedia.htm&xid=17259,15700023,15700043,15700186,15700190,15700256,15700259,15700262,15700265,15700271,15700283&usg=ALkJrhg3z1VHT-XWo8Z7a3U2mTG7nMFelg
https://adventuregamers.com/archive/forums/bad-mojo-redux-chat/6015-pulse-entertainment.html
https://www.unseen64.net/2013/07/01/presto-playstation-pc-cancelled/
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Priest is a cancelled PC MMORPG by JC Entertainment.
It was to be based on the graphic novel by Hyung Min-woo.
Expected release date: Winter 2002, then 2003
Priest was to be set in the wild west of New Mexico.
You would play as a preacher, following in the footsteps of Ivan Isaacs.
It was to be 1v1 combat based, whether it be PvP or PvE.
There would be two factions: the Preachers and the Pilgrims.
The Preacher want revenge against the traitorous gods.
The Pilgrims vow to stop the Preachers.
Each faction has four classes of people.
Preacher types: Shamans, Judges, Saints and Executors.
Pilgrim types: Pilgrims, Pastors, Riders, and Dragoons.
Around 2003 these factions were changed to Templars and Heretics.
Presumably they would keep the same classes, maybe just renamed.
Players can change their class after account creation but not the faction.
You can customise the avatar's gender and appearance.
The attributes of the players are as follows:
STR attack power and hit points
DEX defence power and attack speed
INT psychological attack power and defence
TEC skill power
Priest was to be combat-centric, focusing on the battles rather than the grinding.
There was to be twelve towns, but with plenty to do.
There would be quests and team activities.
In late 2003 JC Entertainment cancelled the game for unknown reasons.
Priest was reworked into Rust Online... another cancelled MMO.
https://web.archive.org/web/20031121233405/http://www.gamepriest.com/
https://web.archive.org/web/20040725235852/http://rush.joycity.com/
https://web.archive.org/web/20021020130744/http://www.gamershell.com/reviews/PriestInterview.shtml
https://web.archive.org/web/20030803202643/http://rpgvault.ign.com/articles/373/373988p1.html
https://web.archive.org/web/20031004112104/http://www.homelanfed.com/index.php?id=8502
https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/10/10/priest-interview-part-1
https://www.gamespot.com/articles/first-look-priest/1100-2873824/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Priest_(manhwa)#MMO_game
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Private Wars is a cancelled PC game by TS Group Entertainment.
This game was split into two games, twice, and all got cancelled. A rare triple whammy!
Expected release date: Q2 1999, then Q1 2000
You play as a former secret service executive. He's retired but still longs for war.
He's started his own mercenary business.
Your job is to guide these mercs to victory.
There was to be around 30 mercs to play as.
Each has their own unioque characteristics and background.
There was to be around 70 weapons to choose from.
You gain contracts from your performance in the field.
Do well and you;ll receive good assignments. Do poorly and you'll get the shit ones.
You can accept or refuse any contract.
Private Wars aimed at being ultra-realistic,
There was an Arcade mode to ease up on the realism, such as medkits instantly healing you.
There is even a turn-based mode for the more strategy-minded gamer.
Private Wars: Countdown was to be more story-based and lighter-based.
It was to delve deeper into the Private Wars universe.
This concept was canned in 1999 in favour of solely working on Private Wars.
In around October 2000, TS Group again split the game into two.
This time Private Wars: Silent Trigger started development.
It was to be a sniper version of the game.
Private Wars was cancelled around 2000 for unknown reasons.
Maybe because of the market saturation from similar other games.
It can be assumed that both games were cancelled around the same time.
https://web.archive.org/web/19990916083955/http://www.tsgroup-inc.com/products/pwars/Game.htm
https://web.archive.org/web/20001018100426/http://www.publicwars.com/
https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=cs&u=https://doupe.zive.cz/clanek/soukroma-valka-proc-ne&prev=search&pto=aue
https://web.archive.org/web/19990224040505/http://www.avault.com/featured/private_wars/
https://www.bluesnews.com/s/18546/private-wars-silent-trigger-announced
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Propaganda is a cancelled PlayStation, Saturn, and PC game by Burst Studios.
It was to combine Twisted Metal with the Cold War.
Expected release date: Q2 1997
The year is 1950. You play as a war hero that is framed by the Black Hand.
You must dismantle the elistic faction and uncover their lies.
Your quest will take you through four cities.
Each is 15-20 blocks squared big and multi-layered, with highways and ditches.
There were to be nine stages of exciting action.
Around 25 minutes of FMVs were filmed and were to play in between missions.
These FMVs would be short and not overstay their welcome.
The Saturn version was cancelled in Q1 1997 to focus on the PS1 and PC versions.
That was just the start of trouble.
Burst Studios was owned by Virgin, who sold its US operations to Electronic Arts in August 1998.
EA aquired Burst Studios and renamed it Westwood Pacific.
To keep its cash cow Command and Conquer going, Westwood Pacific cancelled this game.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virgin_Interactive
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EA_Pacific
http://playstationmuseum.com/video-game-graveyard/3/
https://www.unseen64.net/2009/12/05/propaganda-psx-cancelled/
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Propeller Arena is a cancelled Dreamcast and GameCube game from Sega AM2.
The game would have played like Crimson Skies meets Pilotwings.
Expected release date: August 2001, Summer 2001, and then January 2002
The game started off as Propeller Head Online.
Six player dogfights were highlighted as a feature.
Power-ups are freely available to snag, aiding your combat.
This in turn adds a fantasy element to the fairly realistic plane fighter.
The game would of used the microphone peripheral.
You could shit-talk your opponents or give advice/shit-talk your wingmen.
Propeller Arena would have been mainly multiplayer focused.
There probably was to be a single-player campaign or arcade mode.
2001 was a rough year for gaming, especially Sega.
The Sega Dreamcast was winding down, but the event that killed this game was 9/11.
Not wanting to offend gamers by allowing one to recreate 9/11, the game was postponed.
With the Dreamcast dead and buried, Sega planned to port it to the GameCube.
They opted out against it however. It was probably too dated by then.
A copy of the game was leaked online by Assembler Games.
http://hiddenpalace.org/Propeller_Arena_(Sep_11,_2001_prototype)
https://propellerarena.neocities.org/home.htm
https://www.gamespot.com/articles/propeller-arena-aviation-battle-championship/1100-2805411
https://www.gamespot.com/articles/sega-indefinitely-postpones-propeller-arena/1100-2812304
https://www.unseen64.net/2008/04/10/propeller-arena-dc-cancelled/
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You would play George, a private eye.
He has been hired to help solve the mystery of the kidnapped piglets.
They were kidnapped by Dr. Gotem, who lived in a theme park.
P.I.G. was to be a throwback to film noir films, chock full of puns and pastiches.
Settings would have included the Arctic, Mars, and a goddamn volcano.
There was to be over 60-70 NPCs to interact with on your quest.
Team17 have admitted they axed the game to focus on the popular Worms series.
https://web.archive.org/web/20151224211321/http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/happy-25th-birthday-team-17/0160742
https://tmdb.eu/trademark/EU000900928-p-i-g.html
http://www.dream17.info/softography.php?id=66
https://www.unseen64.net/2016/02/29/pig-team-17-playstation-pc-cancelled/
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Pac-Man Ghost Zone
Pac-Man Ghost Zone is a cancelled PS1 game from Namco.
It was to be a 3D version of Pac-Man in the style of Super Mario 64/
Computer & Video Games issue 190 (September 1997)
Electronic Gaming Monthly 98 (September 1997)
The plot is that you are a kid in an arcade and are sucked into the game world.
You transform into Pac-Man and must now escape the Ghost Zone.
The game was awkward to make as the team were not used to making 3D games.
Pac-Man Ghost Zone was more Super Mario 64 than Pac-Man.
Namco Japan were nervous of the developments, and eventually canned the game.
GamePro issue 100 (October 1997)
Almost the whole development team were fired and a new team were brought in.
They retooled the game and released it. The end product was Pac-Man World.
In the end it took so long to make this game it was released on Pac-Man's 20th anniversary.
http://au.ign.com/articles/1997/06/19/e3-namcos-pac-man-ghost-zone
https://pacman.fandom.com/wiki/Pac-Man_Ghost_Zone
http://playstationmuseum.com/review/pac-man-ghost-zone/
https://www.unseen64.net/2010/11/14/pac-man-ghost-zone-psx-cancelled/
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Picassio
Picassio is a cancelled PS2, GameCube, Dreamcast, and PC game from Promethean Designs.
The game combines stealth with art theft. What a Scream (geddit?).
Expected release date: Autumn 2000, then Fall 2001, then Q4 2001
PC Zone issue 87 (March 2000)
Picassio was to be a non-violent stealth game in which you steal valuable artwork.
You must navigate past guards and security devices to nab the goods.
The plot is that you are Contract Cat Burglar thieves, hired by a shady art collector.
Your employer's rival, however, has also hired a master thief to steal art too.
You two will come to blows in the game's many scenic levels.
PC PowerPlay issue 46 (March 2000)
Gameplay is similar to that of the Thief games.
You will use your gadgets to disarm security traps and alarms.
You also have night vision goggles, sound bombs, and hologram generators to see and fool guards.
Speaking of guards, you have tools to take care of them.
Chloroform, sleeping darts, and the like will non-violently incapacitate nosy guards.
You would play as two character.
Geoff, the guy in all the screenshots.
And some woman whom we have no name of.
Next Generation issue 66 (June 2000)
The level design is immaculate and breath taking.
Twelve familiar museums like the Tate and the Louvre were just some of the levels planned.
To avoid legal issues, the paintings have all been given funny names.
Yes, despite the serious sounding nature of the game, it's a comedic light-hearted satire.
There was also going to be a multiplayer mode.
Team deathmatch without the death.
Official Dreamcast Magazine issue 8 (November 2000)
Picassio was cancelled in late 2000 due to Promethean Designs becoming defunct.
The company was in financial difficulties and couldn't pay its outstanding debenture.
The company soon dissolved in early 2001.
It has been speculated that the game was later resurrected as Stolen for the Xbox.
It's probably just a coincidence. Either that or 'Stolen' is an accurate title.
Trailer
https://web.archive.org/web/20000519095907/http://prodesigns.com:80/picassio/index.html
http://au.ign.com/articles/2000/03/22/picassio
http://au.ign.com/articles/2000/02/26/igndc-steals-some-time-with-promethean
https://companycheck.co.uk/company/03039475/PROMETHEAN-DESIGNS-LIMITED/companies-house-data
https://assemblergames.com/threads/did-picassio-eventually-become-stolen.6207/
https://www.unseen64.net/2008/04/08/picassio-cancelled/
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Plague of Darkness
Plague of Darkness is a cancelled PS2 and Xbox game by Widescreen Games.
Imagine Army of Darkness but in the Middle Ages. Okay, bad example.
Expected release date: June 2004, then Summer 2004, then Fall 2004
Electronic Gaming Monthly issue 173 (December 2003)
In a world... where the Bubonic Plague didn't just kill people, it turned them into zombies.
A demon that feasts on souls has cast the curse upon 14th century Europe.
You play as Duran, a Templar Knight initiate.
You were on a vorage to meet your father when all of a sudden the demon's curse begins.
You quest is to slay the demon and rid the curse.
Play (US) issue 23 (December 2003)
Play (US) issue 28 (April 2004)
Gameplay would be mainly hack 'n' slash, with crossbows and throwable daggers.
You can also wield magic granted from Tarot cards.
There was to be eight settings and 58 sub-locations.
Along the way you would solve puzzles and met crazy characters.
There was also to be online play of some nature for Xbox Live and PS2.
The PS2 version of the game was to get exclusive extras.
The game was cancelled when Namco Hometek had layoffs and redundancies.
Along with this game it also cancelled First Strike and an unannounced project.
http://au.ign.com/articles/2003/08/27/a-plague-is-coming
http://au.ign.com/articles/2004/02/13/plague-of-darkness
https://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-namco-title-for-xbox-ps2/1100-6074109/
https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/redundancies-at-namco-hometek-as-unnamed-project-is-dropped
https://www.unseen64.net/2008/04/15/plague-of-darkness-xboxps2-cancelled/
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Popcorn / Short Fuses:
Popcorn aka Short Fuses was a cancelled PS1 game from Eighth Wonder.
It began development in 1997, appeared at E3 1998, and that was the last anyone heard of it.
Expected release date: Winter 1998
GamesMaster issue 71 (August 1998)
The game looks like Bomberman 3D but would have had puzzles and the like.
Popcorn was being developed by Eighth Wonder, a small group that splintered off from Rare.
This was likely because Rare was exclusively making games for Nintendo.
Sony funded the project themselves. A bit of salt in the wound, eh Nintendo?
Edge issue 60 (July 1998)
Nintendo got their revenge in the end.
Eighth Wonder had dissolved in 1999 without releasing a single game.
Trivia:
One of the employees of Eighth Wonder was Chris Chadwick, who created the classic Net Yaroze game Blitter Boy.
https://waypoint.vice.com/en_us/article/4xek5d/meet-the-devs-who-made-indie-games-on-the-original-playstation
https://www.unseen64.net/tag/eighth-wonder/
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Power Crystal
Power Crystal is a cancelled video game for the cancelled console, the Panasonic M2.
Unlike other M2 games like D2, it did not survive on another console.
Expected release date: Xmas 1997/early 1998
Next Generation issue 28 (April 1997)
Power Crystal was being developed by Perceptions.
This team was specifically chosen because every team member worked on a big title.
Also because the company's CEO created Alien vs Predator, an Atari Jaguar darling.
The game started out as Artemis for the Atari Jaguar CD.
Development was shifting once the dev team realized that it wouldn't be worth it.
Power Crystal was to be an epic-sized RPG, full of fighting, skilling, and trading.
The game is set in Kelemar, a world full of dragons and other fantasy creatures.
It was the Morrowkind of its kind, years ahead of its peers.
Next Generation issue 29 (May 1997)
Sadly, the M2 was not to be. In mid-1997 the console was cancelled.
Some games that were in developed for the M2, like D2, were shifted to other consoles.
Power Crystal was not one of them.
It's likely that Power Crystal is lost forever.
Once the company went into liquidation, nothing likely survived.
Here's hoping...
https://assemblergames.com/threads/unreleased-atari-jaguar-games.66356/
https://web.archive.org/web/20130905075005/http://zappenduster.7sky.de/3do-m2/software/games/perception-power-crystal/Power-Crystal-001.html
https://www.unseen64.net/2008/04/07/power-crystal-m2-tech-demo-proto-cancelled/
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Powerslave 2 / Exhumed 2
Powerslave 2/Exhumed 2, is a cancelled PS1 and PC game by Lobotomy Software.
It was to be a prequel to the original Powerslave / Exhumed
Expected release date: 1997?
Gamefan issue 58 (October 1997)
A thousand years before the original game, Ra disappears, causing a permanent solar eclipse,
You would play a young Egyptian warrior to rescue Ra.
To do so you would need to seek out the Gods and gain their powers.
One of these is the ability to travel to the Afterlife.
The Afterlife is an alternate version of the current map.
The change in map can allow to to bypass puzzles and Gods. Intentional sequence breaking?
The first game was First Person Shooter, whereas this game was going to be Third Person.
Instead of a map select screen, you would need to travel back and forth between levels.
The levels were going to be more expansive and open and more Egyptian.
GameFan issue 2 (July 1997)
One neat feature would have been the old save bonus.
Accomplishing tasks in Powerslave would have you starting with more powers in the sequel.
It turns Powerslave shipped before such such bonuses could be coded in.
Powerslave 2 was thought to be for the Saturn due to Lobotomy's close relationship with Sega.
This is evident by their ports of Duke Nukem 3D and Quake to the Saturn.
The Saturn was out of the question for this game, however, due to the weak hardware specs.
The game was canned due to high ambitions making production difficult.
Not helping was went Lobotomy Software was acquired by Crave Entertainment in 1998.
It was probably cancelled then and there to free resources for more worthwhile games.
http://www.whipassgaming.com/genesisreviews/powerslave/powerslave2.html
https://www.unseen64.net/2015/03/09/interview-brian-mcneely-lobotomy-software/
https://www.unseen64.net/2011/08/15/powerslave-2-psx-pc-cancelled/
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Powerslide Slipstream
Powerslide Slipstream is a cancelled PS2, Xbox, and PC game by Ratbag Games.
It was to be a post-apocalyptic racing game and sequel to the original Powerslide.
Expected release date: Q4 2004
I nrhe year 2030, the world has become basically Mad Max.
Two factions fight over land that was once Sydney, London, Los Angeles, Berlin, etc.
There would be up to 16 tracks to race on, in up to 14 vehicles in two classes.
The game's website boasted of impressive details.
These include spherical harmonic lighting, vehicles that change model with damage, advanced AI.
It was to be realistic racing that that would set it apart from Need for Speed and Burnout.
The game was to have online multiplayer: 1-4 for consoles, and up to 8 players for PC.
The game was cancelled when Ratbag failed to find a publisher for it.
Ratbag would become defunct shortly after. R.I.P.
https://www.ign.com/games/powerslide-slipstream // lots of videos on this page
https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/05/31/powerslide-slipstream-hands-on
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Powerslide_(video_game)#Powerslide:_Slipstream
https://web.archive.org/web/20030620094540/http://www.ratbaggames.com/powerslide/
https://www.unseen64.net/2009/11/06/powerslide-2-slipstream-xbox-ps2-cancelled/
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Prax War
Prax War is a cancelled PC game by Rebel Boat Rocker.
It was to be an FPS game by former 3D Realms devs.
Expected release date: Fall 1998, then March 1999
Next Generation issue 42 (June 1998)
The plot is set in the distant year 2018.
You play as a special forces squad to stop Nathan Prax, a supervillain scientist.
There was to be 40-50 levels spread over 15 episodes.
Your fellow NPC squad members could be radio'd for help when needed/required.
The actions was to be fast and furious a la Doom II.
Prax War was to be the first major game to be written mostly in Java.
Part from the renderer written in C, the rest of the engine was in Java.
It was to run on a new engine that rivaled every other game engine out there.
The engine was compared to that of Prey and Duke Nukem Forever (pffft).
Electronic Arts cancelled Prax War in January 1999 after 18 months in development.
Prax War had missed the 'technology window'.
Rebel Boat Rocker soon went defunct. Some of the employees went on to form Gearbox Software.
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Presto
Presto is a cancelled PS1 and PC game by Pulse Entertainment.
It was to be an action game of some kind.
Expected release date: 1998
You would play as the eponymous Presto, a cursed ventriloquist puppet.
You would be left abandoned and beat up in an old theater.
I guess the plot is get revenge on your abusive puppeteer or something.
The game cancelled in likely early 1997.
it was worked on by Phil Simon pretty much exclusively.
It was canned so that Jinx called focus on their big project: Space Bunnies Must Die.
Pulse Entertainment later on merged with 7th Level to make technology tools and solutions.
That new group became P7 Solutions.
The gaming programmers formed their own company: Jinx.
Trailer
https://www.mobygames.com/company/pulse-entertainment-inc
https://web.archive.org/web/19981206080103/http://www.jinx-inc.com/html_pages/history.html
https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=1&hl=en&prev=search&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=pl&sp=nmt4&u=http://www.przygodoskop.pl/699/encyklopedia.htm&xid=17259,15700023,15700043,15700186,15700190,15700256,15700259,15700262,15700265,15700271,15700283&usg=ALkJrhg3z1VHT-XWo8Z7a3U2mTG7nMFelg
https://adventuregamers.com/archive/forums/bad-mojo-redux-chat/6015-pulse-entertainment.html
https://www.unseen64.net/2013/07/01/presto-playstation-pc-cancelled/
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Priest
Priest is a cancelled PC MMORPG by JC Entertainment.
It was to be based on the graphic novel by Hyung Min-woo.
Expected release date: Winter 2002, then 2003
Play (US) issue 9 (September 2002)
Priest was to be set in the wild west of New Mexico.
You would play as a preacher, following in the footsteps of Ivan Isaacs.
It was to be 1v1 combat based, whether it be PvP or PvE.
There would be two factions: the Preachers and the Pilgrims.
The Preacher want revenge against the traitorous gods.
The Pilgrims vow to stop the Preachers.
Each faction has four classes of people.
Preacher types: Shamans, Judges, Saints and Executors.
Pilgrim types: Pilgrims, Pastors, Riders, and Dragoons.
Around 2003 these factions were changed to Templars and Heretics.
Presumably they would keep the same classes, maybe just renamed.
Players can change their class after account creation but not the faction.
You can customise the avatar's gender and appearance.
The attributes of the players are as follows:
STR attack power and hit points
DEX defence power and attack speed
INT psychological attack power and defence
TEC skill power
Priest was to be combat-centric, focusing on the battles rather than the grinding.
There was to be twelve towns, but with plenty to do.
There would be quests and team activities.
In late 2003 JC Entertainment cancelled the game for unknown reasons.
Priest was reworked into Rust Online... another cancelled MMO.
https://web.archive.org/web/20031121233405/http://www.gamepriest.com/
https://web.archive.org/web/20040725235852/http://rush.joycity.com/
https://web.archive.org/web/20021020130744/http://www.gamershell.com/reviews/PriestInterview.shtml
https://web.archive.org/web/20030803202643/http://rpgvault.ign.com/articles/373/373988p1.html
https://web.archive.org/web/20031004112104/http://www.homelanfed.com/index.php?id=8502
https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/10/10/priest-interview-part-1
https://www.gamespot.com/articles/first-look-priest/1100-2873824/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Priest_(manhwa)#MMO_game
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Private Wars / Private Wars: Countdown / Private Wars: Silent Trigger
Private Wars is a cancelled PC game by TS Group Entertainment.
This game was split into two games, twice, and all got cancelled. A rare triple whammy!
Expected release date: Q2 1999, then Q1 2000
PC Zone issue 86 (February 2000)
You play as a former secret service executive. He's retired but still longs for war.
He's started his own mercenary business.
Your job is to guide these mercs to victory.
There was to be around 30 mercs to play as.
Each has their own unioque characteristics and background.
There was to be around 70 weapons to choose from.
You gain contracts from your performance in the field.
Do well and you;ll receive good assignments. Do poorly and you'll get the shit ones.
You can accept or refuse any contract.
PC Zone issue 90 (June 2000)
Private Wars aimed at being ultra-realistic,
There was an Arcade mode to ease up on the realism, such as medkits instantly healing you.
There is even a turn-based mode for the more strategy-minded gamer.
Private Wars: Countdown was to be more story-based and lighter-based.
It was to delve deeper into the Private Wars universe.
This concept was canned in 1999 in favour of solely working on Private Wars.
PC Zone issue 97 (Christmas 2000)
In around October 2000, TS Group again split the game into two.
This time Private Wars: Silent Trigger started development.
It was to be a sniper version of the game.
Private Wars was cancelled around 2000 for unknown reasons.
Maybe because of the market saturation from similar other games.
It can be assumed that both games were cancelled around the same time.
https://web.archive.org/web/19990916083955/http://www.tsgroup-inc.com/products/pwars/Game.htm
https://web.archive.org/web/20001018100426/http://www.publicwars.com/
https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=cs&u=https://doupe.zive.cz/clanek/soukroma-valka-proc-ne&prev=search&pto=aue
https://web.archive.org/web/19990224040505/http://www.avault.com/featured/private_wars/
https://www.bluesnews.com/s/18546/private-wars-silent-trigger-announced
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Propaganda
Propaganda is a cancelled PlayStation, Saturn, and PC game by Burst Studios.
It was to combine Twisted Metal with the Cold War.
Expected release date: Q2 1997
Next Generation issue 25 (January 1997)
The year is 1950. You play as a war hero that is framed by the Black Hand.
You must dismantle the elistic faction and uncover their lies.
Your quest will take you through four cities.
Each is 15-20 blocks squared big and multi-layered, with highways and ditches.
There were to be nine stages of exciting action.
Around 25 minutes of FMVs were filmed and were to play in between missions.
These FMVs would be short and not overstay their welcome.
GamePro issue 102 (March 1997
The Saturn version was cancelled in Q1 1997 to focus on the PS1 and PC versions.
That was just the start of trouble.
Burst Studios was owned by Virgin, who sold its US operations to Electronic Arts in August 1998.
EA aquired Burst Studios and renamed it Westwood Pacific.
To keep its cash cow Command and Conquer going, Westwood Pacific cancelled this game.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virgin_Interactive
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EA_Pacific
http://playstationmuseum.com/video-game-graveyard/3/
https://www.unseen64.net/2009/12/05/propaganda-psx-cancelled/
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Propeller Arena
Propeller Arena is a cancelled Dreamcast and GameCube game from Sega AM2.
The game would have played like Crimson Skies meets Pilotwings.
Expected release date: August 2001, Summer 2001, and then January 2002
Edge issue 99 (July 2001)
The game started off as Propeller Head Online.
Six player dogfights were highlighted as a feature.
Power-ups are freely available to snag, aiding your combat.
This in turn adds a fantasy element to the fairly realistic plane fighter.
The game would of used the microphone peripheral.
You could shit-talk your opponents or give advice/shit-talk your wingmen.
Propeller Arena would have been mainly multiplayer focused.
There probably was to be a single-player campaign or arcade mode.
2001 was a rough year for gaming, especially Sega.
The Sega Dreamcast was winding down, but the event that killed this game was 9/11.
Not wanting to offend gamers by allowing one to recreate 9/11, the game was postponed.
With the Dreamcast dead and buried, Sega planned to port it to the GameCube.
They opted out against it however. It was probably too dated by then.
A copy of the game was leaked online by Assembler Games.
http://hiddenpalace.org/Propeller_Arena_(Sep_11,_2001_prototype)
https://propellerarena.neocities.org/home.htm
https://www.gamespot.com/articles/propeller-arena-aviation-battle-championship/1100-2805411
https://www.gamespot.com/articles/sega-indefinitely-postpones-propeller-arena/1100-2812304
https://www.unseen64.net/2008/04/10/propeller-arena-dc-cancelled/
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