Dev's 3-Year Prison Sentence Halts Steam FPS Game Development

Summary

• Development of the Steam FPS Fortune's Run has been halted due to the creator's 3-year prison sentence.
• The game is now in early access limbo.

Fans of the Steam FPS Fortune's Run are facing disappointment as the game's development has come to an unexpected halt. The creator, who goes by the name Dizzie, has been sentenced to three years in prison, leaving the game stuck in early access for the foreseeable future. While delays in game development are common due to financial or technical issues, the unique situation of Fortune's Run stems from the sole developer's inability to work on the game during their incarceration.

Prior to this news, Fortune's Run had garnered a "Very Positive" rating on Steam, with players appreciating its nostalgic art style and innovative gameplay, even in its early access stage. However, any further updates will be delayed until Dizzie is released. While games like Half-Life 2 have successfully navigated development challenges, the future of Fortune's Run remains uncertain.

Dizzie announced their prison sentence in a Steam update on January 14, revealing that the crime occurred before they began working on Fortune's Run and was related to a period in their life when they were "a very violent person." This news comes amidst other recent legal issues within the gaming community, such as streamer Johnny Somali's arrest in South Korea. However, a game being delayed due to a developer's prison sentence is a rare occurrence.

Progress on Fortune's Run Won't Continue Until Developer Is Released From Prison

Originally, Fortune's Run had another team member who left the project after a botched surgery recovery and subsequent loss of interest in game development. As Dizzie is now the only person working on the game, its development will be completely paused during their three-year sentence, set to begin in February 2025. Despite the Steam page's goal to exit early access by 2026, this target seems unattainable under the current circumstances. However, it's worth noting that games like Satisfactory have taken over five years to leave early access, suggesting that a three-year delay isn't unprecedented in the indie game scene.

Dizzie remains optimistic, stating in their update that they plan to finish the game upon their release. In the meantime, fans can continue to enjoy the game in its current state. For those looking to fill the void, there are numerous other excellent early access shooters available on Steam.

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