The developer Fntastic, responsible for the controversial The Day Before , announced the cancellation of the game Escape Factory after its Kickstarter campaign failed to reach its funding goal. The studio, which was asking for US$20,000, failed to raise the desired amount. Even so, the team hasn't given up on winning over the public and revealed they are working on a new project called ITEMS!, described as an action game with horror elements.
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The company announced plans to create a demo version of the game before launching another crowdfunding campaign or exploring other release alternatives. Simultaneously, the studio will focus on developing games for mobile platforms, aiming to generate sufficient resources for a future return to consoles and PC.
Studio bets on mobile games to finance return
Following the failure of Escape Factory , Fantastic explained that its current strategy is to use mobile games as a source of funding to return to the console and PC market. The company stated that the revenue obtained in this area will allow it to create the "dream game" for its audience. However, the announcement was met with skepticism from gamers, especially on social media.
The studio Fntastic has already suffered numerous criticisms due to the way it handled its previous projects. The negative reception intensified after the release of The Day Before , a game that promised an immersive open-world zombie experience, but which proved to be a major disappointment for fans.
History of controversies
The Day Before , initially one of the most anticipated games on Steam, saw its reputation crumble even before its release. The studio faced complaints related to the working conditions of its employees, as well as accusations of plagiarism for allegedly using promotional images and assets from other titles without permission. These issues shook the community's confidence, which expected a revolutionary title but ended up receiving an incomplete and flawed game.
The launch of The Day Before in December 2023 was marked by technical problems and widespread criticism. Frustration with the game was so great that Fntastic decided to halt sales and shut down the servers just days after launch. Although they announced the end of operations at the time, the studio's return shows that the team is still seeking a new chance to redeem themselves.
Fntastic's next steps after the Kickstarter failure
Despite the difficulties faced, Fntastic doesn't seem willing to give up its position in the games market. The new game ITEMS! will be the studio's latest attempt to win back players and leave behind its history of failures.
However, the challenge for the studio will be significant. With the poor reception of The Day Before and the funding failures of Escape Factory , public confidence is shaken. Furthermore, the mobile gaming market, which the company intends to use as a source of capital, is highly competitive and may not be sufficient to finance large productions in the future.
