List of vaporware

• Ovation was a highly promoted office suite. After demonstrations that were well received, it was later revealed that the product never existed. It is "widely considered the mother of all vaporware", according to Laurie Flynn of The New York Times.{{cite news |first=Laurie |last=Flynn |date=April 24, 1995 |title=The Executive Computer |newspaper=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/04/24/business/information-technology-the-executive-computer.html?scp=5&sq=vaporware&st=cse |url-access=limited |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110110083916/https://www.nytimes.com/1995/04/24/business/information-technology-the-executive-computer.html |archive-date=2011-01-10 |access-date=April 1, 2022 }}
• Phantom was a console gaming system developed by Infinium Labs. A supposed prototype was demonstrated in 2004, but its release was continually delayed and was quietly put on hold in 2006 due to a lack of funds and eventually cancelled. The company was accused of a pump and dump scam. It received the first place in "Vaporwares 2004" in Wired News.{{cite news|first=Leander|last=Kahney|url=https://www.wired.com/news/culture/0,1284,66195-4,00.html?tw=wn_story_page_next3 |title=Vaporware Phantom Haunts Us All|publisher=Wired News|date=January 7, 2005|access-date=May 17, 2006 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060131063719/http://www.wired.com/news/culture|archivedate=January 31, 2006}}
• The Intellivision Amico was a video games console announced in May 2018 by Intellivision Entertainment which was initially intended to have a release date of October 2020. Prototypes were demonstrated at road shows, but failure to secure a supply chain, stable finances, and investors have left the Amico continually delayed.{{cite web |last1=Machkovech |first1=Sam |title=Meltdown prediction: Intellivision Amico doesn't seem long for this world |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2022/01/meltdown-prediction-intellivision-amico-doesnt-seem-long-for-this-world/ |website=Ars Technica |access-date=28 August 2023 |language=en-us |date=6 January 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Scullion |first1=Chris |title=Intellivision Amico's future is questioned as new investment campaign ends early |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/intellivision-amicos-future-is-questioned-as-new-investment-campaign-ends-early/ |website=VGC |access-date=28 August 2023 |language=en |date=2 March 2022}}
• Spotify HiFi was a premium subscription tier for Spotify, with its primary feature being lossless-quality audio, and was announced in February 2021, but no further updates or details have been announced as of 2024.{{Cite web |last=Welch |first=Chris |date=2021-02-22 |title=Spotify HiFi is a lossless streaming tier coming later this year |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/2/22/22295273/spotify-hifi-announced-lossless-streaming-hd-quality |access-date=2024-04-15 |website=The Verge |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Welch |first=Chris |date=2024-02-23 |title=Spotify HiFi is still MIA after three years, and now so is my subscription |url=https://www.theverge.com/24080999/spotify-hifi-lossless-high-res-audio-three-years-rip |access-date=2024-04-15 |website=The Verge |language=en}}

• Half-Life 2: Episode Three – The trilogy of episodes following Half-Life 2 was intended to be concluded by the end of 2007. Although while the first two episodes were released in a relatively timely fashion (in 2006 and 2007), the final installment never surfaced. It was being described as vaporware by 2010, and has since been quietly cancelled.{{cite magazine|title=Vaporware 2010: The Great White Duke|magazine=Wired |url=https://www.wired.com/business/2011/01/vaporware-2010-the-great-white-duke/#slideid-72634|publisher=Wired.com|access-date=July 30, 2013|last1=Calore |first1=Michael }}
• Commander Keen: The Universe Is Toast! was intended to be a continuation of the Commander Keen series, with the story picking up after the events at the end of the sixth episode, but it never progressed beyond the early stages of development, due to id Software moving on to Wolfenstein 3D and then Doom. However, Tom Hall, the series' creator, has stated that he can continue it if he ever regains its intellectual property.{{cite web|url=http://legacy.3drealms.com/keenhistory/keenhistory2.html|title=A Look Back at Commander Keen|accessdate=July 18, 2015}}
• A Star Fox arcade game was originally announced to accompany the release of Star Fox: Assault. However, while Assault was released in 2005, its tie-in arcade game was never mentioned again in public beyond its initial announcement.{{cite web|url=http://au.ign.com/articles/2002/05/08/namco-brings-gcn-support|title=Namco Brings GCN Support|date=May 8, 2002 |accessdate=March 27, 2016}}
• Stars! Supernova Genesis was feature complete in August 2000,{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/stars-supernova-genesis-preview/1100-2614169/|title=Stars! Supernova Genesis Preview|accessdate=August 10, 2016}} but the developers were unable to find a publisher.{{cite web|url=http://wiki.starsautohost.org/wiki/Stars!_Supernova_Genesis|title=Stars! Supernova Genesis|accessdate=August 10, 2016}}
• The Grinder, a first-person shooter that was to be released on the Wii and ported to Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in the fall of 2011, was announced by High Voltage Software around the time it released The Conduit and Conduit 2, two graphically advanced first-person shooters for the Wii. However, The Grinder failed to meet this scheduled due date, and High Voltage Software has remained relatively silent about what had happened to it.[https://web.archive.org/web/20090816010113/http://games.ign.com/articles/995/995409p2.html#9 IGN] Years later, it was discovered that the game had been quietly abandoned, though not officially cancelled, after the developers had trouble trying to make the game appealing enough as a new intellectual property.{{cite web|last1=Reseigh-Lincoln|first1=Dom|title=Video: Here's What Happened To The Grinder, A Wii Horror Shooter Lost To Development Hell|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2018/04/video_heres_what_happened_to_the_grinder_a_wii_horror_shooter_lost_to_development_hell|website=Nintendo Life|accessdate=May 22, 2018|date=April 16, 2018}}
• Ghostwire: Link to the Paranormal, an augmented reality horror video game, was being developed by A Different Game and was due to be released in late 2010 by Majesco for the Nintendo DSi and intended to leverage its camera system.{{cite web|last1=Fahey|first1=Mike|title=Majesco Brings Ghostwire To The DSi Next Year|url=https://kotaku.com/5390926/majesco-brings-ghostwire-to-the-dsi-next-year|website=Kotaku|date=October 27, 2009 |format=October 27, 2009}} However, Majesco inexplicably backed out from the game, which was then put on indefinite hold.{{cite web|last1=Shaikh|first1=Sehran|title=Ghostwire: Link to the Paranormal Release Delayed|url=https://www.gamepur.com/news/2089-ghostwire-link-paranormal-release-delayed.html|website=Gamepur|date=October 21, 2010}} No further information has been given about the game's fate.
• Beyond Good and Evil 2 – Following the release of the critically acclaimed, yet commercially unsuccessful game Beyond Good and Evil, Ubisoft announced a sequel to the game in 2008 that would also be a narrative prequel to it. Rumors of the release actually happening were fed by a few trailers and concept art as well as statements made by Michel Ancel and Ubisoft. In 2016 the magazine Wired presented the game with their vaporware award.{{cite web|title=Thanks for Nothing, Videogames: The 2016 Vaporware Awards|url=https://www.wired.com/2016/12/vaporware-games/|publisher=Wired.com|date= December 27, 2016|accessdate=August 17, 2019}} The game was re-revealed in 2017 but has largely been quiet since, with many considering the project to once again be vaporware. As of 2025, the title holds the record for the longest development period of a AAA video game at 18 years, having broke the record held by Duke Nukem Forever (2011) in 2022 (15 years).
• Star Citizen – initially announced and funded via Kickstarter in 2012, neither the game nor its spinoff Squadron 42 have been released outside a (playable) alpha {{As of|2024|05|lc=y|post=.}}{{cite web|date=May 6, 2019|title='Star Citizen': Still No Release Date in Sight, Work Environment is 'Chaotic' (Report)|url=https://variety.com/2019/gaming/news/star-citizen-chaotic-report-1203205859/|accessdate=August 2, 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Blake |first1=Vikki |title=Star Citizen developer Cloud Imperium Group acquires Montreal studio, Turbulent |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/star-citizen-developer-cloud-imperium-group-acquires-montreal-studio-turbulent |access-date=7 August 2023 |work=Eurogamer |date=16 July 2023}} In May 2019 it was the largest crowdfunded project to date, having raised $288 million in backing. It raised over $700 million {{As of|2024|5|lc=y}}.{{Cite web |date=May 28, 2024 |title=Star Citizen Raises $700 Million In 12 Years, Still No Release Date |url=https://www.thegamer.com/star-citizen-crowdrunder-raises-700-million-12-years-devleopment-release-date/ |website=TheGamer}}{{Cite web |date=May 29, 2024 |title=Star Citizen still doesn't have a release date, but has raised over $700m |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/star-citizen-still-doesnt-have-a-release-date-but-has-raised-over-700m |website=Eurogamer}} It also received US$63.25 million via external investments {{As of|2020|3|lc=y}}.{{Cite web |date=December 20, 2018 |title='Star Citizen' Studio Gets $46 Million Investment From Billionaire Clive Calder And Son |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/mattperez/2018/12/20/billionaire-clive-calder-and-son-invest-46-million-in-studio-behind-crowdfunded-game-star-citizen/?sh=b4cc0f81aadf |website=Forbes}}{{Cite web |date=March 30, 2020 |title=Cloud Imperium secures $17.25m in additional investment |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/cloud-imperium-secures-usd17-25m-in-additional-investment |website=GamesIndustry.biz}}
• Deep Down – Initial teaser was shown in 2013 as a PlayStation 4 exclusive by Capcom.{{Citation |title=Deep Down (PS4) | date=March 27, 2013 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivwgE_t8a5s |access-date=2023-10-14 |language=en}}{{Citation |title=Deep Down - TGS 2013 Trailer (PS4) | date=September 19, 2013 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0N5oItJiIds |access-date=2023-10-14 |language=en}}
• Agent – Originally announced for the PlayStation 3, the title's trademarks were abandoned in November 2018 by Take-Two Interactive.{{Cite web |last=Kim |first=Matt |date=2021-10-05 |title=Rockstar's Official Agent Website Disappears |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/rockstar-agent-website-disappears-no-trademark |access-date=2023-10-14 |website=IGN |language=en}}
• Pragmata

Products which once were considered to be vaporware which eventually surfaced after a prolonged time:

• 3G – the telecommunications technology was widely considered vaporware in the early 2000s. However, by 2007 it overtook predecessors in market share.{{cite magazine |title=The Real Reason 3G is Vaporware |author=Elisa Batista |magazine=Wired |date=March 6, 2002 |url=http://archive.wired.com/gadgets/wireless/news/2002/03/50855?currentPage=all |accessdate=June 24, 2014}}{{cite web |title= Counterclockwise: As 5G arrives we track the 3G and 4G adoption |author=Peter |work=GSMArena |date=April 21, 2019 |url= https://www.gsmarena.com/counterclockwise_new_networks_take_4_years_before_mainstream_adoption-news-36661.php |accessdate=October 8, 2021}}
• Bluetooth – Initially conceived in 1994, but only gained widespread adoption in the early 2000s. As late as 2000, it made Wired magazine's yearly vaporware rankings.{{cite news |title= After A Slow Start, Bluetooth Shows Its Colors |url=https://www.electronicdesign.com/technologies/communications/article/21762117/after-a-slow-start-bluetooth-shows-its-colors |publisher=Electronic Design |date=June 24, 2002 |accessdate=October 8, 2021 }}{{cite news |title=Vaporware 2000: Missing Inaction |url=https://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2000/12/40484 |quote=The bona fide beginning of the new millennium is almost upon us, but some things never change: The tech industry continues to whip up excitement by promising amazing new technologies, only to crush our spirits by delaying, postponing, pushing back or otherwise derailing the arrival of said goods – sometimes indefinitely. |publisher=Wired |year= 2001 |accessdate=October 31, 2007 }}
• Windows Vista – Suffered several development delays under its initial code name "Longhorn", finally being released in 2006 without many of the initial features promised.{{cite web |title= Ten years of Windows XP: how longevity became a curse |url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2011/10/ten-years-of-windows-xp-how-longevity-became-a-curse/ |publisher=Ars Technica |date= October 26, 2011 |accessdate=October 8, 2021 }}{{cite magazine |title=Vaporware: Better Late Than Never |url=https://www.wired.com/2006/02/vaporware-better-late-than-never/ |magazine=Wired |access-date=8 October 2021 |date=February 6, 2006}}
• Mac OS X – Apple's replacement to Classic Mac OS that finally shipped in 2001, replacing multiple abandoned operating system attempts, including Copland and Taligent.{{cite web |title= Here's to the crazy ones: a decade of Mac OS X reviews |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2011/05/mac-os-x-revisited/ |publisher=Ars Technica |date= May 13, 2011 |accessdate=October 8, 2021 }}
• Lockitron – A device to allow a door deadbolt to be remotely controlled via Bluetooth or over the Internet. After a successful crowdfunding effort that raised over $1.5 million worth of pre-orders, Apigy experienced significant delays delivering a product in substantial numbers.{{cite web| first= Natasha | last=Lomas| url=https://techcrunch.com/2014/01/16/lockitrons-long-march/ |title=Lockitron Still Hasn't Shipped To Most Backers Over A Year After Its $2.2M Crowdfunding Effort| date=January 16, 2014|publisher=Tech Crunch| quote=the keyless smart lock that’s designed to fit over your dumb deadbolt so you can lock and unlock your door with a smartphone remains so much sexy-looking vapourware}} Apigy eventually delivered thousands of the devices before ceasing production and introducing a new model of Lockitron.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/1/27/7920963/lockitron-bolt-door-lock|title=A crowdfunded startup explains why crowdfunding can be a complete disaster|last=Popper|first=Ben|date=January 27, 2015|website=The Verge|access-date=October 3, 2016}}

{{See also|List of media notable for being in development hell}}

• Duke Nukem Forever - Initial game development was announced in April 1997 with a scheduled launch of 1998, with a trailer of the game shown at E3 1998. It was delayed, and another promotional trailer was released with new graphics with a release date set for "When it's done in 2001".[https://whenitsdone.org/2011/04/05/the-most-famous-“when-it’s-done”/ The most famous "When It's Done"]. whenitsdone.org (April 5, 2011).[https://duke4ever.altervista.org/art2000/2kxmas.jpg 3D Realms 2000 Christmas card]. duke4ever.altervista.org (December 22, 2000). More delays forced the game to be pushed back to unknown date. The game was not heard of again until it was officially announced in late 2010, and was finally released on June 10, 2011, 15 years after initial development. The game was met with mixed reviews and was regarded as a failure.{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/duke-nukem-forever/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Duke Nukem Forever for PC Reviews |publisher=Metacritic |access-date=May 19, 2022}}
• Daikatana – Daikatana was first announced at E3 1997, and it was shown with promotional images and software, and was planned to be released on that year, with the game already being finished. However, the tagline of the game: "John Romero's about to make you his bitch!", generated a lot of controversy, and John Romero's incredulous behavior and lavish lifestyle caused much of the original Ion Storm's team to jump ship and form Gathering of Developers. Further unrest was when the game was delayed again to switch from the original Quake engine to Quake II engine in November 1997, and the game was rescheduled for release in March 1998. It took over a year for the game to be fully switched in a new engine, and the release date was pushed back to February 1999, a deadline that was missed again. A demo was released in March 1999, which was considered to be of poor quality. The game was again shown at E3 1999, but the now outdated Quake II engine and the inability to show more than 12 frames a second (at a time when 30 frames were industry standard) caused a disaster for Ion Storm development team. Eidos, Ion Storm's parent company, which already invested $44 million in the development of Daikatana, had enough and took majority ownership of the company. The game was finally released in 2000. It is considered to be one of the worst games of the 2000s in general, and one of the worst cases of vaporware due to the hype generated by Romero.{{cite news |title=Vaporware '99: The 'Winners' |url=https://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2000/01/33142 |quote=The last year of the last decade before 2000 has come and gone, but the Vaporware 1999 "winners" are still a dream to some, and a nightmare to others. |publisher=Wired |access-date=October 31, 2007 |date=January 3, 2000}}
• Freedom Planet 2 – First shown off in December 2015, this game was in development hell for around 7 years, getting delayed to multiple years, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2022, finally releasing in September 13 of that year on PC. Ports to the Switch, as well as eighth-generation and ninth-generation consoles are forthcoming.{{cite web |last1=Friscia |first1=John |title=Freedom Planet 2 Release Date Set for September 2022 |url=https://www.escapistmagazine.com/freedom-planet-2-release-date-september-2022/ |website=The Escapist |access-date=15 June 2023 |date=20 March 2022}}{{cite web |title=Freedom Planet 2 coming to PS5, Xbox Series, PS4, Xbox One, and Switch in summer 2023 |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2022/08/freedom-planet-2-coming-to-ps5-xbox-series-ps4-xbox-one-and-switch-in-summer-2023 |website=Gematsu |access-date=15 June 2023 |date=5 August 2022}}
• S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl – Originally announced in 2001, the game experienced numerous delays.[https://web.archive.org/web/20060413214302/http://pc.ign.com/articles/701/701364p1.html Top 10 Tuesday: Modern Vaporware]. Pc.ign.com (April 11, 2006). Beta builds of the final product have been distributed to numerous game review sites.[http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=72636 First impressions – S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl]. Eurogamer On March 3, 2007, THQ announced that the game had gone gold and was released on March 20, 2007, though it was leaked three days earlier.
• Team Fortress 2 was announced in 1999 and took 8 years to be released. With a complete change in gameplay and art direction, the North American release took place on October 9, 2007.
• Black Mesa was announced as a full remake of Half-Life in 2004. The first release date given by the developers was 2009, but development continued until 2012, when the first fourteen chapters were released on modding website Mod DB. It was greenlit for distribution on Steam on September 11 of the same year, before being released as an early access product on May 5, 2015, with numerous features from the mod improved upon in the Steam release, and with the blessing of Valve, owners of the Half-Life franchise, to sell the product; something quite unique among fan-made remakes. The final chapters of the game were released in 2019,{{cite web|last=Makedonski|first=Brett|url=https://www.destructoid.com/stories/xen-is-out-which-means-black-mesa-is-basically-finally-complete-576092.phtml|title=Xen is out, which means Black Mesa is (basically) finally complete|date=December 24, 2019|accessdate=August 2, 2020}} meaning that the project only fully exited its vaporware state a full 15 years after its initial announcement. This remake was designed so as to become a better alternative for Half-Life: Source since Source lacked new features beyond newer, revamped Source Engine. Due to its long development time (eleven years), the modification became notable for its delays, and dwindling updates on the status of its completion. The delays led to Wired awarding Black Mesa high spots on their "Vaporware Of The Year" lists in 2009 and 2010.{{cite web|url=https://www.wired.com/business/2009/12/vaporware-2009-inhale-the-fail/|title=Vaporware 2009: Inhale the Fail|author=Calore|work=Wired (magazine)|publisher=Condé Nast Publications|date=December 21, 2009|accessdate=September 22, 2012|first=Michael}}{{cite news|last=Calore|first=Michael|title=Vaporware 2010: The Great White Duke|url=https://www.wired.com/epicenter/2011/01/vaporware-2010-the-great-white-duke/?pid=49&viewall=true|work=Wired (magazine)|publisher=Condé Nast Publications|date=January 3, 2011|accessdate=September 15, 2012}}
• Rodea the Sky Soldier was planned to be released on the Wii and Nintendo 3DS, with the Wii version ready to be released in 2011.{{cite web|author=Spencer|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2011/09/23/rodea-the-sky-soldier-is-complete-were-waiting-for-kadokawa-to-publish-it/|title=Rodea The Sky Soldier Is Complete, We're Waiting For Kadokawa To Publish It|publisher=Siliconera|date=September 23, 2011|accessdate=February 24, 2012}} The game remained unreleased for a few years with no significant word on its official status.{{cite web|last=McWhertor |first=Michael|url=http://www.polygon.com/gaming/2012/9/20/3362930/yuji-nakas-missing-wii-game-rodea-the-sky-soldier-still-in-limbo|title=Yuji Naka's missing Wii game 'Rodea the Sky Soldier' still in limbo|publisher=Polygon|date=September 20, 2012|accessdate=August 2, 2013}} Finally, in 2014, Kadokawa Games, a candidate publisher for the game, confirmed that NIS America will release the game the following year, although it would only be available on Nintendo's eighth-generation systems, the Wii U and the 3DS, as the Wii was partially discontinued and already falling into disuse around that time. Consequently, the original Wii version would not be available for individual purchase and was instead included with early shipments of the Wii U version.{{cite web|url=http://www.gonintendo.com/s/241731-rodea-the-sky-soldier-prope-updates-their-page-initial-wii-u-run-contains-wii-version|title=Rodea: The Sky Soldier - Prope updates their page, initial Wii U run contains Wii version|work=Go Nintendo|date=November 14, 2014|accessdate=January 17, 2015|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141226140921/http://www.gonintendo.com/s/241731-rodea-the-sky-soldier-prope-updates-their-page-initial-wii-u-run-contains-wii-version|archivedate=December 26, 2014}} The game was released in Japan on April 2, 2015, then became available to the rest of the world on November 10.
• Bethesda Softworks' reboot of Doom originally began development as a sequel to Doom 3 in May 2008,{{cite web |url=https://ign.com/articles/2008/05/07/doom-4-announced |title=Doom 4 Announced |last=Ocampo |first=Jason |work=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |date=May 7, 2008 |accessdate=July 5, 2015 }} but was completely restarted in 2011 and later considered vaporware.{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/five-years-and-nothing-to-show-how-doom-4-got-off-trac-468097062 |title=Five Years And Nothing To Show: How Doom 4 Got Off Track |last=Schreier |first=Jason |work=Kotaku |publisher=Gawker Media |date=April 3, 2013 |accessdate=July 5, 2015 }} It was finally showcased at E3 2015 as a reboot, and was released on May 13, 2016.{{cite web |last=Pitcher |first=Jenna |date=June 14, 2015 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2015/06/15/e3-2015-doom-release-date-announced |title=E3 2015: DOOM Release Date Announced |publisher=IGN |accessdate=June 14, 2015}}
• The Last Guardian began development in 2007,{{cite web | url = http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3174577 | title = Fumito Ueda Discusses Last Guardian | publisher = 1UP.com | first = Kevin | last = Grifford | date = June 3, 2009 | accessdate = June 3, 2009 }}{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} and was formally announced at E3 2009.{{cite web|url=http://uk.ps3.ign.com/articles/989/989601p1.html|title=E3 2009: Team ICO Presents The Last Guardian|last=Clements|first=Ryan|date=June 20, 2009|publisher=IGN|accessdate=June 2, 2009}} Very little information was released after this until it was reintroduced at E3 2015; it was then released on December 6, 2016.{{cite web | url = http://www.polygon.com/2015/6/18/8801679/the-last-guardian-ps4-development-history-shuhei-yoshida | title = The Last Guardian's incredible eight-year journey to the PlayStation 4 | first1 = Samit | last1 = Sarkar | first2 = Brian | last2 = Crecente | date = June 18, 2015 | accessdate = June 19, 2015 | publisher = Polygon }}
• Grimoire: Heralds of the Winged Exemplar was a game developed by Cleve Blakemore, a former Wizardry 7 developer, starting in the early 1990s. A 2010 Indiegogo campaign asked for $250,000, claiming a release date of May 2013, but only raised $10,598. In 2017, the game received a Steam page with a projected July 7 release date; it was eventually released on August 5 that year, after over 20 years of development.{{cite web |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/grimoire-heralds-of-the-winged-exemplar-is-now-live-on-steam-after-20-years-of-development/ |title= Grimoire: Heralds of the Winged Exemplar is now live on Steam after 20 years of development |last=Chalk |first=Andy |date=August 4, 2017 |website=PCGamer |publisher= |access-date= August 24, 2017 |quote=}}{{cite web |last1=Chalk |first1=Andy |title=Grimoire FPS studio responds to Grimoire: Heralds of the Winged Exemplar trademark dispute |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/au/grimoire-heralds-of-the-dark-exemplar-developer-threatens-trademark-trouble-for-new-grimoire-fps/ |website=PC Gamer |access-date=8 October 2021 |date=September 19, 2014}}
• Shaq Fu: A Legend Reborn, a new-and-improved sequel to the infamous 1994 game Shaq Fu, was announced in 2014,{{cite web|last=Bridge|first=Zachary|title=CES 2014: Shaq Confirms Shaq Fu 2 "Coming Soon" #ShaqFu2|url=http://gamerfitnation.com/2014/01/ces-2014-shaq-confirms-shaq-fu-2-coming-soon/|work=GamerFitnation|accessdate=January 14, 2014|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140114005339/http://gamerfitnation.com/2014/01/ces-2014-shaq-confirms-shaq-fu-2-coming-soon/|archivedate=January 14, 2014}} the game's 20th anniversary, and was intended to be released on the PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Wii U, Xbox 360 and Xbox One. The game was crowdfunded on Indiegogo, with backers raising over $450,000 to have the game produced by Saber Interactive.[http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/shaq-fu-a-legend-reborn Indiegogo - Shaq-Fu: A Legend Reborn] Aside from an announcement that development was nearly completed in late 2016, there was no further word about the game's developmental status or release timetable for roughly four years since its announcement and funding.{{cite web|last1=Parsons|first1=Don|title=Shaq-Fu A Legend Reborn Delays Due To Licensing Issues|url=https://techraptor.net/content/shaq-fu-a-legend-reborn-delays-due-to-licensing-issues|website=TechRaptor|date=February 2, 2018 |accessdate=March 11, 2018}} In 2018, the developers confirmed that they had been busy revising A Legend Reborn to resolve unexpected licensing issues and had planned to release it in the coming months, but only on the PS4, Xbox One, PC and the new Nintendo Switch, due to the Wii U and last-generation systems becoming obsolete at this time.{{cite web|last1=McWhertor|first1=Michael|title=Shaq Fu sequel finally coming out this spring|url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/2/15/17016144/shaq-fu-a-legend-reborn-release-date-switch-ps4-xbox-one-pc|website=Polygon|date=February 15, 2018 |accessdate=March 11, 2018}} Eventually, they confirmed that the game would finally be released on June 5, 2018.{{cite web|title=Shaq Fu: A Legend Reborn Gets Official Release Date|url=http://www.shacknews.com/article/104184/shaq-fu-a-legend-reborn-gets-official-release-date|website=ShackNews|accessdate=April 7, 2018|date=April 5, 2018}}
• Pikmin 4, a continuation of Nintendo's quirky real-time strategy and puzzle series, was first announced in 2015 with no target platform determined. Despite claims that the game was nearly complete at that time,{{Cite news |last=Phillips |first=Tom |date=September 7, 2015 |title=Pikmin 4 in development and 'very close to completion' |language=en-gb |work=Eurogamer |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/pikmin-4-in-development-and-very-close-to-completion |url-status=live |access-date=September 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220409083916/https://www.eurogamer.net/pikmin-4-in-development-and-very-close-to-completion |archive-date=April 9, 2022}}{{Cite web |last=Carter |first=Chris |date=September 7, 2015 |title=Pikmin 4 is happening, 'very close to completion' |url=https://www.destructoid.com/pikmin-4-is-happening-very-close-to-completion/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221116105201/https://www.destructoid.com/pikmin-4-is-happening-very-close-to-completion/ |archive-date=November 16, 2022 |access-date=November 16, 2022 |website=Destructoid |language=en-CA}} there was nearly no word about its release timeframe or development for several years.{{Cite web |url=https://twinfinite.net/ps4/vaporware-games-in-2022/ |title=7 Games That Are Definitely Vaporware in 2022 |date=August 29, 2022 |access-date=May 25, 2023 |website=Twinfinite |last=Anderson |first=Matt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230525200251/https://twinfinite.net/ps4/vaporware-games-in-2022/ |archive-date=May 25, 2023 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Daud Briggs |first=Alex |date=September 22, 2022 |title=Pikmin 4 Confrimed For Nintendo Switch in 2023 |url=https://www.gamerbraves.com/pikmin-4-confrimed-for-nintendo-switch-in-2023/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230525195531/https://www.gamerbraves.com/pikmin-4-confrimed-for-nintendo-switch-in-2023/ |archive-date=May 25, 2023 |access-date=May 25, 2023 |website=GamerBraves}} Eventually, a teaser trailer for the game was released proper in a Nintendo Direct on September 13, 2022, confirming that it would be released exclusively on the Nintendo Switch.{{Cite web |last=Peters |first=Jay |date=September 13, 2022 |title=Pikmin 4 is coming in 2023 |url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/9/13/23350913/pikmin-4-announced-2023-release-date-nintendo-switch |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230123121551/https://www.theverge.com/2022/9/13/23350913/pikmin-4-announced-2023-release-date-nintendo-switch |archive-date=January 23, 2023 |access-date=September 14, 2022 |website=The Verge |language=en-US}} Another Direct on February 8, 2023 finally announced the game's final release as July 21,{{Cite web |last=Good |first=Owen |date=September 13, 2022 |title=Pikmin 4 release date for Nintendo Switch announced |url=https://www.polygon.com/23591657/pikmin-4-release-date-nintendo-direct-trailer |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208222243/https://www.polygon.com/23591657/pikmin-4-release-date-nintendo-direct-trailer |archive-date=February 8, 2023 |access-date=February 8, 2023 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}} and it released as scheduled to positive reviews.{{Cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/pikmin-4/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch |title=Pikmin 4 for Switch Reviews |website=Metacritic |accessdate=July 19, 2023}}
• Six Days in Fallujah, a tactical shooter and video game adaptation of the Second Battle of Fallujah in November 2004, was developed by Atomic Games and was ready to be released around 2010 for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.{{cite web|author=|url=http://au.xbox360.ign.com/articles/107/1073399p1.html |title=Six Days in Fallujah Finished, Still Coming Out - Xbox 360 News at IGN |publisher=Au.xbox360.ign.com |date= March 2, 2010|accessdate=July 24, 2012}} However, the game's intended publisher, Konami, refused to release the game due to the controversy surrounding it.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=23367 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090430134137/http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=23367 |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 30, 2009 |title=News - Konami Drops Controversial Six Days in Fallujah |publisher=Gamasutra |date= |accessdate=July 24, 2012}} Since then, no publisher has come forward to pick up the game, and aside from multiple assurances from Atomic Games' president that the game was not canceled,{{cite web|author=|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/gaming/news/a401897/six-days-in-fallujah-definitely-not-canceled.html|title=Six Days in Fallujah 'definitely not canceled'|publisher=Digital Spy|date=August 26, 2012|accessdate=September 3, 2012}}{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/gaming/features/6-days-in-fallujah-1202829115/|title='Six Days in Fallujah': A Bloody Iraq Battle and Video Game That Almost Was|first1=Matt|last1=Paprocki|date=4 June 2018|work=Variety|access-date=2018-07-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729230540/https://variety.com/2018/gaming/features/6-days-in-fallujah-1202829115/|archive-date=2018-07-29|url-status=live}} no significant word was heard about whether or when Fallujah would ever be released at all for many years until Highwire Games announced that it will finally release the game sometime in 2021 on PC and the two subsequent successors of each of its original target console platforms (PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S).{{cite web|author=Yin-Poole, Wesley|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-02-11-six-days-in-fallujah-remerges-11-years-after-konami-ditched-it|title=Six Days in Fallujah remerges 11 years after Konami ditched it|publisher=Eurogamer|date=February 11, 2021|access-date=February 11, 2021}}{{cite web |last1=Furn |first1=Daniel |title=Six Days in Fallujah release date: Game's launch time, and why it's so controversial |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/technology/gaming/six-days-in-fallujah-release-date/ |website=RadioTimes.com |access-date=7 October 2021 |date=30 March 2021}} Near the end of that year, after little further word on its status, the developers announced that they need more time, manpower and resources to complete the game, necessitating a one-year delay to 2022.{{cite web |last1=Shutler |first1=Ali |title='Six Days In Fallujah' delayed by a year as dev team doubles in size |url=https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/six-days-in-fallujah-delayed-by-a-year-as-dev-team-doubles-in-size-3097630 |website=NME |date=November 17, 2021 |access-date=18 November 2021}} The game failed to be released during that year and is surmised to be released the following year.{{cite web |last1=Wright |first1=Steven |title=Six Days In Fallujah Delayed To 2023 With No Announcement |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/six-days-in-fallujah-delayed-to-2023-with-no-announcement/1100-6510406/ |website=GameSpot |access-date=16 January 2023 |date=9 January 2023}} That summer, the PC version was made available on early access.{{cite web |last1=Good |first1=Owen |title=Controversial Six Days in Fallujah gets surprise early access launch |url=https://www.polygon.com/23744108/six-days-in-fallujah-release-date-steam-pc-early-access |website=Polygon |access-date=27 July 2023 |date=31 May 2023}}
• Metroid Prime 4: Beyond – Initial teaser was shown at E3 2017,{{cite web |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2017/06/metroid_prime_4_confirmed_for_nintendo_switch_but_retro_studios_isnt_involved|title=Metroid Prime 4 Confirmed For Nintendo Switch, But Retro Studios Isn't Involved|last=McFerran|first=Damien|work=Nintendo Life|publisher=Nlife Media|date=June 13, 2017|access-date=January 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615052437/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2017/06/metroid_prime_4_confirmed_for_nintendo_switch_but_retro_studios_isnt_involved|archive-date=June 15, 2018|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2017/06/13/metroid-prime-4-is-being-developed-by-a-talented-new-development-team.aspx|title=Metroid Prime 4 Is Being Developed By "A Talented New Development Team"|last=Reeves|first=Ben|magazine=Game Informer|date=June 13, 2017|access-date=January 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181122183935/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2017/06/13/metroid-prime-4-is-being-developed-by-a-talented-new-development-team.aspx|archive-date=November 22, 2018|url-status=live}} but Nintendo revealed no new info on the game until January 2019, when they revealed that development had been restarted with Retro Studios at the helm.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/2019/01/25/nintendo-restarting-the-development-of-metroid-prime-4|title=Nintendo Restarting The Development Of Metroid Prime 4|last=Kato|first=Matthew|magazine=Game Informer|date=January 25, 2019|access-date=January 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190218002520/https://www.gameinformer.com/2019/01/25/nintendo-restarting-the-development-of-metroid-prime-4|archive-date=February 18, 2019|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} There have been no updates on the game since the January 2019 announcement except a brief mention in the E3 2021 Nintendo Direct during the announcement of Metroid Dread, where it was stated that Nintendo was "working hard" on the game.{{cite AV media | people=Shinya Takahashi | date=June 15, 2021 | title=Nintendo Direct E3 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IH7QtiX1I7Y&t=703s | type=Youtube video | publisher=Nintendo}} After 3 years with no updates, a gameplay trailer was shown and the full title of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond was revealed in the June 18, 2024 Nintendo Direct with a 2025 launch window.{{Cite web |date=2022-08-29 |title=7 Games That Are Definitely Vaporware in 2022 |url=https://twinfinite.net/2022/08/vaporware-games-in-2022/ |access-date=2022-09-13 |website=Twinfinite |language=en-US}}{{Cite web | date=2024-06-18 |title=Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Gameplay Finally Revealed |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/metroid-prime-4-gameplay-revealed |access-date=2024-06-18 |website=IGN |language=en-US}}
• Captain Blood – Announced by 1C Company during E3 2004 to be Akella's attempt to adapt the novel of the same name by Rafael Sabatini.{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=David |date=2004-04-22 |title=1C Announces E3 Line-up |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/04/22/1c-announces-e3-line-up |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250519134202/https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/04/22/1c-announces-e3-line-up |archive-date=2025-05-19 |access-date=2024-06-18 |website=IGN |language=en}} The project was restarted once when a dedicated development team was split from Akella to develop the game; Playlogic Entertainment signed on publishing rights and engaged in rights disputes with 1C Company.{{Cite web |last=Costiuc |first=Stanislav |date=May 13, 2016 |title=Age of Pirates: Captain Blood |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/production/age-of-pirates-captain-blood |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240617200211/https://www.gamedeveloper.com/production/age-of-pirates-captain-blood |archive-date=2024-06-17 |access-date=2024-06-18 |website=Game Developer |language=en}} Despite the game being in a playable state on the Xbox 360 after being cancelled for the original Xbox, Playlogic's bankruptcy effectively cancelled the game.{{Cite web |last=Blevins |first=Tal |date=2008-06-06 |title=Captain Blood Hands-on |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/06/06/captain-blood-hands-on |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618173457/https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/06/06/captain-blood-hands-on |archive-date=2024-06-18 |access-date=2024-06-18 |website=IGN |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Matt |date=2010-07-28 |title=Playlogic files for bankruptcy |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/playlogic-files-for-bankruptcy |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618173501/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/playlogic-files-for-bankruptcy |archive-date=2024-06-18 |access-date=2024-06-18 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en}} Akella and 1C alumni founded SNEG in 2020, who worked with other team members and Malaysia-based studio General Arcade to complete the game and release it for modern platforms in 2025.{{Cite web |last=Egan |first=Toussaint |date=2025-05-01 |title=The untimely demise and belated resurrection of the notorious Captain Blood |url=https://www.polygon.com/features/567330/captain-blood-interview-sneg-publisher-lost-media-pc-consoles |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250503022841/https://www.polygon.com/features/567330/captain-blood-interview-sneg-publisher-lost-media-pc-consoles |archive-date=2025-05-03 |access-date=2025-05-07 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}

• Development hell
• List of media notable for being in development hell
• List of failed and overbudget custom software projects

{{Reflist}}

{{Software distribution}}