Canceled Open-World Games That You Never Knew Existed

Key Takeaways

Open-world games face challenges like budget constraints and shutdowns, leading to many intriguing cancelations.
Games like The Simpsons: Hit & Run 2, South Park, and Star Wars: Project Orca were canceled despite promising concepts.
Developers like EA, Zeus Software, and DarkSkyne tackled ambitious open-world projects but faced cancelations due to various factors.

As someone who has spent countless hours navigating the vast digital landscapes of video games, I can’t help but feel a deep sense of nostalgia and disappointment when recalling these lost gems. Each one of these canceled open-world games represents a tantalizing glimpse into what could have been, had they seen the light of day.

In the open-world genre, it seems like developers are constantly aiming to create larger and more expansive environments, often surpassing their previous works or those of their competitors. For instance, Game X is said to be ten times bigger than Game Y. Developers such as Rockstar Games even strive to top themselves with each new edition, but some might suggest that these games have grown excessively large.

Creating open-world games is a complex task. Even if a company manages to build the largest world imaginable, it won’t be engaging if there’s nothing interesting to discover within it. This means they must decide what to populate it with, all while staying within budget and meeting deadlines. These challenges, among others, often lead to the cancellation of open-world games before they even begin development, as seen in these instances.

Some of the most interesting canceled games are open-world games, as companies have tried offering players these sandbox experiences way before Shenmue and Grand Theft Auto 3. Some companies managed to offer whole worlds for players to explore at their leisure, and others fell by the wayside, including some that could’ve revolutionized the industry if they made it to release. With that in mind, this list has been updated with some more intriguing canceled open-world games, alongside format and info tweaks to the older entries.

15. The Simpsons: Hit & Run 2

Publisher Give Up IP License During the Developers’ Pre-Planning Stages

Canceled Open-World Games That You Never Knew Existed

Developer: Radical Entertainment
Potential Platforms: GameCube, PS2, Xbox
Canceled: 2004-2005

The Simpsons: Hit & Run” stood out as one of the top games based on “The Simpsons,” possibly even the best, because it was essentially a city-based game similar to Grand Theft Auto (GTA) set in Springfield. Players could control each member of the Simpson family, excluding Maggie and including Apu instead, as they completed various missions across seven levels modeled after their hometown. They were free to roam the city collecting coins and other items, or use melee attacks or drive different vehicles to destroy boxes (and characters) in their path. Today, it remains popular among “Simpsons” fans and a dedicated speedrunning community.

Back in the day, as a dedicated gamer, I stumbled upon an intriguing tidbit: Did You Know Gaming unveiled that Radical Entertainment had been cooking up ideas for The Simpsons: Hit & Run 2. This sequel would’ve expanded the mission variety, borrowing from Grand Theft Auto: Vice City’s blueprint, and created a broader Springfield world where various characters could explore different zones of their hometown. Given the success of the first game, Radical believed that the sequel was just around the corner after discussions. Unfortunately, they lost the license to EA, who then commissioned Rebellion Developments to develop The Simpsons Game instead. It’s a bummer we all missed out on that potential masterpiece.

14. South Park

The Crude Cartoon’s Open-World Adventure Was Shut Down By A Problematic Producer

Developer: Buzz Monkey Software
Potential Platforms: PS2, GameCube, Xbox
Canceled: 2005-2006

You might not have realized this, but Gaming Knowledge Unveiled has disclosed that in 2005, players almost had the chance to traverse a small, unassuming mountain town through Buzz Monkey’s South Park game. Interestingly, they can also experiment and play an early version of their creation, which resembles the development stage of a project. This experience would have been similar to The Simpsons: Hit & Run, as players would have taken on various missions in the style of Grand Theft Auto, but with a greater emphasis on puzzles and adventure, featuring Stan, Kyle, Cartman, and Kenny.

As a gamer, I’ve been following the development of this exciting South Park game where I, as Cartman, would sneak into a sanitarium for a straitjacket adventure, featuring voices from the show’s talented cast, except for Trey Parker and Matt Stone. Unfortunately, due to one pushy producer and other challenges, it didn’t quite make it past the alpha build stage. Later on, Ubisoft entered the scene, halted the project, and reportedly let go of the troublesome producer not long after.

13. Star Wars: Project Orca

EA Ends Vancouver Studios’ Attempts to Revamp Visceral Studios’ Star Wars Project

Developer: Visceral Games
Potential Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC
Canceled: 2019

Unfortunately, Visceral Games experienced a series of setbacks with their Star Wars games. The initial project, codenamed Project Yuma, featuring a space pirate reminiscent of Han Solo, was canceled due to EA requiring additional developers for Battlefield Hardline. Its successor, Project Ragtag, also faced difficulties and didn’t progress far. This game was intended to be an action-adventure similar to Uncharted, spearheaded by Amy Hennig, a former producer from Naughty Dog. However, the project turned out to be too costly, ultimately leading to Visceral Games’ closure in 2017.

As a gamer, I was eagerly anticipating the chance to dive into the expansive universe of Star Wars with EA Vancouver’s ambitious project, Star Wars: Project Orca. This open-world adventure would have allowed me to traverse mini open-worlds on various planets, embodying either a scoundrel or bounty hunter. Unfortunately, after two years of development, the project was halted in 2019 to make room for a more budget-friendly Star Wars game. Though it didn’t deliver an open-world experience, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order did offer a tantalizing glimpse into what the earlier project, Project Ragtag, might have become.

12. Mercenaries 3: No Limits

Sequel Scuppered By Financial Woes And Studio Closure

Developer: Pandemic Studios
Potential Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360
Canceled: 2008-2009

Discussing the iconic series Star Wars, it was Pandemic Studios that gained notoriety by creating the Star Wars Battlefront games for LucasArts. Yet, they also had unique intellectual properties of their own, such as Mercenaries: Playground of Destruction. This third-person shooter game allowed players to roam freely across a North Korean backdrop, either on foot or in numerous vehicles, while blasting through enemy forces for different factions. The success of this game led to a sequel, Mercenaries 2: World in Flames, which introduced some enhancements, but didn’t garner the same level of popularity as its initial version.

Initially, Pandemic Entertainment had plans to develop three games: one titled “Mercenaries 3: No Limits”, a racing game for the Wii, and a tie-in game based on “The Dark Knight”. From the limited previews available, including a single gameplay video, it appeared that Mercenaries 3 would be set in Cuba and feature a new protagonist instead of the original, mustachioed, blond Mercenary. Unfortunately, these projects were halted when Pandemic was shut down and absorbed back into EA.

11. The Lord Of The Rings: The White Council

EA Skips Open World LotR RPG For A Standard Action Game

Developer: EA Redwood Shores
Potential Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360, PC
Canceled: 2007

In the realm of gaming, I was eagerly anticipating two epic titles from Electronic Arts: Project Orca and Merc 3. However, fate had other plans, as these projects were scrapped. Instead, what EA unleashed was a dwarven axe blow that brought to life The Lord of the Rings: The White Council. This game would’ve been a dream come true for fans like me, blending elements from Peter Jackson’s film trilogy and J.R.R Tolkien’s original books.

The game came to a halt not long after it was initially announced, as it was placed on an open-ended break in February 2007 and eventually scrapped altogether. The explanation provided was internal management problems, with EA deciding to produce The Lord of the Rings: Conquest through Pandemic Studios instead. All that remains of the project are some conceptual illustrations, which Unseen64 kindly assembled in their write-up on the game.

10. Steambot Chronicles 2

The Sequel To Bumpy Trot Gets Bumped Off By The 2011 Tohoku Earthquake

Developer: Irem
Potential Platforms: PS2, PS3
Canceled: 2011

Steambot Chronicles (or Bumpy Trot) is an unconventional role-playing game featuring action, where players decide whether protagonist Vanilla R. Beans becomes a hero or a villain by traversing the world in their customizable Trotmobiles. The vehicle serves as a platform for trade, transportation, and combat, with various modifications available to tailor its speed, durability, or overall performance. If players put in extra effort, they can achieve a perfect balance of stats. It received moderate reviews but was well-received enough to spawn two spin-offs on the PSP: Steambot Chronicles: Battle Tournament and Blocks Club with Bumpy Trot.

Additionally, Irem had intentions to continue the story with a potential sequel, titled either “Steambot Chronicles 2” or “Bumpy Trot 2” in various regions. A teaser trailer hinted at a shift from its role-playing game (RPG) roots towards an open-world action game. Originally designed for the PlayStation 2, development transitioned to the PlayStation 3. Due to many developers finding it challenging to adapt to the PS3, and given Irem’s potential struggles with the project prior to the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake, it is believed that the game’s advancement was hindered, ultimately leading to its cancellation not long after the earthquake.

9. The Getaway 3

London-Based GTA Clone Goes Through 3 Developers Before Fizzling Out

Developer: Kainco Games
Potential Platform: PS3
Canceled: 2008

In the PlayStation 2 era, “The Getaway” was among numerous games that mimicked the style of “Grand Theft Auto,” but it distinguished itself by striving for greater realism. Unlike its contemporaries, it was set in a (for its time) authentic representation of London and eschewed using a heads-up display to present stats. Instead, it employed subtler methods such as blinking the car’s turn signals to guide players on which direction to take. Its success led to the release of a sequel, “The Getaway: Black Monday,” though developed by a different team.

Originally developed by Team Soho, the team later disbanded. Founder Brendan McNamara spent the subsequent decade working on L.A. Noire with his new studio, Team Bondi. Meanwhile, the developers of Black Monday, London Studio, moved on to create EyeToy, VR, and Singstar games. However, Kainco Games almost brought The Getaway 3 to life, hinting at its release through a tech demo at E3 2005. They confirmed that it would be set in both London and Amsterdam. Unfortunately, the game was ultimately canceled in 2008, possibly due to the unfavorable reception of the series’ PSP spin-off titled Gangs of London.

8. Crimson Skies 3

World’s First Open-World Flying Game Gets Shut Down For Shadowrun Game

Developer: FASA Studio
Potential Platforms: PC, Xbox 360
Canceled: 2005

Referring to the canceled game as “Crimson Skies 3” might not be entirely accurate since it wasn’t initially conceived as a video game sequel. Instead, it started life as a board game in 1998, following a similar format to FASA’s other tabletop games like Shadowrun. However, instead of featuring a sci-fi future setting, this game utilized airplanes in a steampunk 1930s universe.

Initially, the initial two video games resembled a blend of flight simulations and classic arcade flying games. However, if developed, Crimson Skies 3 would have ventured beyond these boundaries, allowing players to explore freely, engaging in ground missions within cities alongside aerial combat. This expansion was intended to build upon High Road’s open levels by introducing the first open-world flying game concept. Unfortunately, its development was halted to allow more developers to focus on Shadowrun’s 2007 title, which ultimately turned out to be an average adventure game.

7. Pirates Of The Caribbean: Armada Of The Damned

A Promising Pirate Game Shut Down In Favor Of A Tron Game

Developer: Propaganda Games
Potential Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3, PC
Canceled: October 2010

There are numerous games inspired by the Pirates of the Caribbean films, but they often just serve as promotional tie-ins. However, one game, called Pirates of the Caribbean: Armada of the Damned, seemed intriguing. Instead of following the storyline from the movies, it was planned to be an open-world action RPG set prior to the first movie. In this game, players would assist Captain James Sterling (not the one we know) in his voyages across the Caribbean Sea and build a reputation for themselves. Players could discover various islands, unearth hidden treasure hoards, stroll along the coastal towns, and so on.

Essentially, it could be described as a third-person adaptation of Sea of Thieves, receiving extensive media attention with features such as screenshots, developer interviews, and hands-on gameplay reviews from journalists playing demo versions. Sadly, its development was halted when Disney Interactive Studios reorganized Propaganda Games, who prioritized completing Tron: Evolution before ultimately being shut down. The game’s only remaining evidence is some of its musical score that found its way into the Lego Pirates of the Caribbean video game instead.

6. Strider

Ninja Fans Almost Got A Reboot From The Bionic Commando Developers

Developer: Grin
Potential Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3, PC
Canceled: 2009

Initially thriving, the defunct game developer Grin was successful for some time, creating popular titles such as the Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter series and reviving the Bionic Commando series with the well-received remake titled Bionic Commando Rearmed. However, the more infamous reboot of Bionic Commando was a failure, remembered mainly for its questionable plot twists. Yet, the character Nathan ‘Rad’ Spencer from this reboot has become quite notable, appearing as a decent figure in the Marvel Vs Capcom games.

Prior to the closure of Grin in 2009, the company was actively developing several intriguing games. One of these projects was an original hack and slash game titled “Vultures”, another was a potential sequel to “Wanted: Weapons of Fate” under the name “The Cult”. There was also a spin-off of “Final Fantasy 12” called “Fortress”, a remake of “Streets of Rage”, and an open-world reimagining of Capcom’s classic arcade game, “Strider“. Although these projects didn’t advance far due to Grin’s shutdown, the concept art available on Unseen64 suggests that the Strider game would have been as gritty as the “Bionic Commando” reboot, featuring a more standard-looking Strider ninja.

5. The Outsider

Famed Developer Almost Makes Open-World Political Thriller

Developer: Frontier Developments
Potential Platforms: PC, PS3, Xbox 360
Canceled: 2011

In the early 1980s, David Braben etched his name into video game lore by creating, along with Ian Bell, the groundbreaking title “Elite“. This game is considered one of the earliest (perhaps even the first) open-world games where players navigated through space in a spaceship. They engaged in activities such as trading goods, mining asteroids, and hunting bounties for various clients to amass enough credits to enhance their spacecraft. By 2005, Braben felt it was time for an update. He envisioned “The Outsider” as a modern open-world action game inspired by thrillers like the “Bourne” films and “24”, with some elements from “Elite” subtly incorporated into the mix.

The storyline would’ve centered around John Jameson, a CIA agent falsely accused of a crime. To avoid detection while working to clear his name, he’d need to lay low and undertake various missions along the way. Whether players opted for stealth or aggressive tactics during these missions would impact subsequent events in the story. However, the game was abandoned when one of the developers, Codemasters, withdrew three years into development. The game almost found new life as a spin-off of the Bourne series, but a deal with EA fell through.

4. Energy

The Developers’ Ambitions Proved Too Much For Their Reach

Developer: Zeus Software, Dinamic Multimedia
Potential Platform: PC
Canceled: 1997

In its time as a dominant title on the PS1 and Sega Saturn, Tomb Raider inspired other developers to create their own female protagonists in video games. Among these efforts, Spanish developers Zeus Software stood out with their ambitious project, aiming to merge Lara Croft with The Elder Scrolls 2: Daggerfall to produce Energy. This would have been one of the earliest open-world games where the character Yiria explores a vast land in search of a mystic portal that could help her seek vengeance for her deceased companions, whose murderer was the demon Yoell.

In Yiria’s world, travel options ranged from boats, motorbikes, and horses for moving between locations. Along the way, she assisted Non-Player Characters (NPCs) with various tasks. The game aimed to deliver a lifelike experience using advanced AI technology available in the mid-1990s. Unfortunately, these innovative concepts were too far ahead of their time, and Dinamic Multimedia struggled financially after two years of development. Consequently, the game was abandoned in 1997, and Zeus Software soon followed suit.

3. Project Overdrive

First-Person Crime Game Could’ve Been A GTA Killer

Developers: Vistage
Potential Platforms: PC
Canceled: 2001

If Vistage had successfully launched Project Overdrive as planned, Grand Theft Auto 3 might have seemed like its scaled-down version for consoles. Developed earlier than Rockstar’s masterpiece, Project Overdrive essentially offered a first-person take on the GTA series, but it lacked the rich narrative and celebrity voice acting that made GTA 3 stand out. Instead, players would have found themselves in the role of a cunning ex-con navigating a city with various paths to ascend the criminal hierarchy.

In this game, players would make money through various jobs such as delivering messages, serving as a personal guard for crime lords, or eliminating targets as an assassin. If they required transportation, they could purchase a vehicle or take one without permission, engaging in drive-by shootings against pesky cops. The game allowed seamless movement within buildings and explosions that resembled those from the “Fallout 3” game. Given that many open-world games struggle with these features today, it’s understandable that development was halted due to programming challenges. Interested gamers can still experience a sneak peek of what might have been by playing the alpha build.

2. DK Project: The Last City Of Heaven

Small Studio Aims Big With Cyberpunk Criminal Adventure

Developer: DarkSkyne
Potential Platform: PC
Canceled: 2010

Contrary to its name’s suggestion, this game had no affiliation with Nintendo or their iconic ape mascot. Instead, the game was set to be DarkSkyne’s flagship title, a French studio formed by ex-Ubisoft and Eden Games personnel. Drawing inspiration from games like Grand Theft Auto, Deus Ex, and the Mafia series, it follows Nina Stovakov, a woman in Skyne City in 2030, as she delves into its criminal underbelly to uncover who murdered her father.

In a manner similar to the game ‘InFamous’, the character Nina would have had a moral system that influenced how Non-Player Characters (NPCs) interacted with her, based on whether she was perceived as good or bad. To find her father’s killer, who was connected to the mafia, she might infiltrate their ranks. However, she could also establish her own gang and potentially build a home for herself if one couldn’t be purchased. Players would enhance Nina’s bio-implants to grant her unique abilities and combat moves. The concept sounded appealing, yet it seemed too ambitious for the small studio DarkSkyne, leading to their eventual liquidation, despite their creation of a prototype.

1. Black ICE/White Noise

An Unexpected GTA Clone That Could Have Been The Atari Jaguar’s System Seller

Developer: Atari Corporation
Potential Platform: Atari Jaguar CD
Canceled: 1996

Initially, the magazine Retro Gamer concluded its reviews of popular consoles by featuring a ‘Perfect 10’, showcasing their top 10 selections from each console, not necessarily in any particular order. This was relatively straightforward when it came to classic systems like the SNES and Genesis. However, when it came to the less-appreciated Atari Jaguar, they had to carefully select 10 games, including some of its genuine successes along with those compatible with its troublesome CD add-on.

One interesting aspect was the game “Black ICE/White Noise,” originally known as “Chaos Agenda,” which was a large-scale, open-world third-person game resembling games like GTA and Yakuza/Like a Dragon. Players had the freedom to roam around the city, using taxis for quick travel, and could switch between three main characters as in GTA 5. Unfortunately, it was canceled due to cost-cutting measures. However, some playable prototypes of the game found their way online, demonstrating that the Atari Jaguar CD almost had a revolutionary game on its hands. Consequently, Retro Gamer included it in their Perfect 10 list.

2024-11-30 15:59