Cut content and cancelled games

[Tagaziel]

I've been meaning to ask, how many people on HL2.net love cut content and cancelled games, enough to devote their entire evenings to scouring the net and game files for clues? Or even grab unfinished betas and design docs to experience them first hand?

The reason I'm asking is because I'm wondering if the Tiberium FPS tech demo was leaked, as I've seen several screenshots that could've only originated from it or an editor. I'm pretty sure it must be somewhere out there, as recently (okay, three-four months ago), one random anon posted a link to a file site which contained the original pitch document for STALKER: Clear Sky, then known as Anarchy Cell, providing a lot of insight into the game's story and some context to better understand its disjointed nature.

In more recent new, I dug up Tiberium cover concepts. I wonder, can anyone here point me in the general direction of MOAR such content? Or know Russian, so that he can help me search Russian websites (as the screenshots I mentioned originated on the now defunct cncrussia***)?

 

[Barnz]

I'm a huge collector, but I don't feel like sharing anything today.








Just kidding. I'll post something as soon as possible.

Edit: Alright, here's my first entry. It's Deus Ex Insurrection (I've already opened a thread for it on Facepunch forums a few weeks ago).

Insurrection was a working title for a cancelled third Deus Ex game. It was meant to be a direct sequel to the second game, unlike Human Revolution, which is a prequel. It was aimed for PC, and sixth generation consoles like PlayStation 2, and Xbox. It's described as an accessible and believable Deus Ex game with emotional depth and epic choices.

We all know Eidos wasn't doing good in the last years, before Square Enix took over everything. Considering the second game was a financial failure for the publisher, they probably didn't have enough budget to make a good game. However, the true reason behind the cancellation is unknown.

While the company (perhaps, it was an internal project) behind the game is unknown, one of the key developers is currently working for Kalani Games (casual game developers). I've contacted Kalani Games last week, and still waiting for a response.

There's also a spin-off called Project Snowblind by Crystal Dynamics, set in the same universe. Sounds like a product to get some quick cash off to support the third game.

Here's a little concept drawing done for the game:

Note: Project Snowblind was designed as a spinoff set in the Deus Ex universe, but later, turned into a standalone title.

 

[Asknoone]

Wasn't the original idea for Snowblind, then set in the Deus Ex universe, to be a kind of multiplayer skirmish game?

 

[Tagaziel]

Yeah, Deus Ex Clan Wars. I still think it fits in pretty decently between DX1 and DX2.

I didn't know about Insurrection though, that sounds awesome!

 

[MJ12]

That's pretty sweet, didn't know Snowblind was intended for DX universe originally.

I know this is only a little relevant, but since you mentioned STALKER, what is that one mod currently being worked on that aims to have all the content the game was originally supposed to, including old maps?

 

[Tagaziel]

Lost Alpha, I think? You can always grab Build 2574 and experience Darkscape.

 

[kupocake]

This stuff is all absolutely fascinating, but it's always cut for a good reason. Just a shame that reason is money a lot of the time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnvEFFCjSCw

Oh and hit me as you inevitably will, but the Ion Storm version of Thief 4, where it transplanted The Dark Project to a modern-ish day setting sounded fascinating, if only because it seems to me that a lot of Fox-News style grief could have been had because people wore hoodies instead of cloaks.

 

[Tollbooth Willie]

http://www.unseen64.net/index.htm

 

[Viperidae]

The obvious ones:

http://half-life.wikia.com/wiki/Half-Life_2_original_storyline

That one has tons of links to screens of the early maps and concept art. For those of us who don't have Raising the Bar, it's pretty neat.

http://half-life.wikia.com/wiki/Half-Life_2_Beta

Are posting these against the rules?

 

[Barnz]

no, but we already have a half-life section, and it was discussed hundred times.

 

[Viperidae]

Haven't been in those forums in yeeaaars. Forgive me.

How about Starcraft alpha! Yeah!

 

[VirusType2]

Archon

Some company bought the IP and announced they would be re-making it and then disappeared from the Earth.



EDIT: wait a minute,

IT'S AVAILABLE ON STEAM! : http://store.steampowered.com/app/65400/

 

[Tagaziel]

This stuff is all absolutely fascinating, but it's always cut for a good reason. Just a shame that reason is money a lot of the time.

Money's a reason, but not a good one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnvEFFCjSCw

The megastation! Such a shame this concept wasn't realized. Homeworld needed more variety of this type.

Oh and hit me as you inevitably will, but the Ion Storm version of Thief 4, where it transplanted The Dark Project to a modern-ish day setting sounded fascinating, if only because it seems to me that a lot of Fox-News style grief could have been had because people wore hoodies instead of cloaks.

A modern version of the City 500 years later? Oh yes, please. Would've been interesting to find out more about Garrett's family tree. Ancient dynasty of thieves with hands to spare?

 

[ríomhaire]

Archon

Some company bought the IP and announced they would be re-making it and then disappeared from the Earth.

I thought you said "Achron" and I almost punched my PC, which would have been a very bad idea because I'm in a computer lab right now.

 

[Yorick]

Many years ago, I had a Source-Engine build of Deep Cover, a 60's era cold war spy-thriller that Looking Glass started work on after Thief 2 and System Shock 2. I lost it in a terrible hard-drive crash. Now this is all that remains.

 

[Barnz]

I like that guy's work. I can't believe how he ended up making casual games for mobile phones.