Cancelled: Top 10 Video-Games That Could Have Been

One of the downsides to the gaming industry is that not all visionary and unique games see the light of day. Many times developers have to shut down due to financial needs, move to other projects, or are bought out and have to shelve the idea or toss it completely. Some developers only needed a publisher to front retail and marketing dollars and in return providing something creative or visually advanced for its time. Other studios just met the dark-side of early PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 development costs and had to shut down entirely, selling IP’s and technology to other studios at auction prices.

To highlight  some of the best titles that “could have been,” NXUS explores the vaporware graveyard compiling our favorites alongside screenshots, gameplay videos, and tech demos. These are all titles (PS3, Xbox 360, PC) that surpassed conceptual stage and had a chance at full development and release. What are some of your favorite cancelled games?

Star Wars: Battlefront 3

Developed by Free Radical Design, Star Wars: Battlefront 3 featured a new game engine that allowed for seamless land to space combat and large scale battles. The game’s development was part of a co-agreement with LucasArts and was set to release for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC. However in 2008, Free Radical Design had to close its doors after losing its contract with LucasArts. The studio soon after became a subsidiary development team known as Crytek UK.

It is rumored that ever since the Free Radical group joined forces with Crytek, a new Battlefront title has begun production. Concept art for both titles have been posted below.

Star Wars Battlefront IV

Project Offset

Project Offset is a cancelled fantasy adventure game that was in development by Offset Software, initially designed for the Xbox 360 and PC. The game was rumored to be in development for the PlayStation 3 as well, however when Intel acquired the company in 2008, Project Offset became a PC only title. In 2010, Intel announced that the game had been officially cancelled due to “recent changes in its product roadmap.” Members of the Offset team formed a new studio called Fractiv and have since tried obtaining the original rights to Project Offset.

“The IP and Engine are property of Intel so its future is out of our hands. We have tried working with Intel to obtain the rights and there are some good people there who have made some effort to help us, but without success.”

- Fractiv (original Offset team)

Project Offset featured an engrossing epic tale of towering ancient cities, dragons, and gruesome battles. Powered using the proprietary Offset Engine, the game displayed numerous graphical achievements, pushing high definition rendering, frame-rate, texturing, and motion blur effects.