Here's a selection of games that were slated for release on the X-Box One that were cancelled at some point during their development. Some of them were to be console exclusives, others were to be multi-platform releases. This isn't a complete list by any means. The X-Box One is getting to the point where it's more known by what hasn't come out for it rather than what was actually released. Read on to see some of the titles that could have been but unfortunately will never see the light of day.
Fable Legends
Developed by Lionhead Studios
Published by Microsoft Studios
Cancelled March 2016
Fable Legends sounded like a cool premise, mainly due to the fact it would allow you to play as either the hero or villain. The game was proposed as an online experience, though single player would have been possible with the use of bots. Development on Fable Legends began back in 2012 and wasn't slated for a release date until late 2015. The game saw a delay at the same time an open beta started, citing that the game needed some further polish before release. Unfortunately Microsoft announced in March 2016 that Fable Legends was officially cancelled with the closing of developer Lionhead Studios the following month. Why Microsoft would let the studio that gave them one of their most beloved franchises (and much needed exclusive) just die out like this absolutely baffles me, but is definitely a topic I'll look into at some point in the future.
Related Links
Fable Legends Gameplay - IGN E3 2014 on YouTube
Scalebound
Developed by Platinum Games
Published by Microsoft Studios
Cancelled January 2017
Scalebound was originally conceptualized back in 2006 when Platinum Games was first founded. The project was initially scrapped in favor of developing Bayonetta, and would remain on the back-burner until 2013 when the project was revised and development began. The company wanted to do something a bit different than their previous efforts, and hoped to reach a more broad audience with more accessible gameplay. The game was to feature a fantasy setting, with your character fighting alongside a computer-controlled dragon that could be issued commands to assist in battle. Scalebound was proposed to be an action-RPG, with the ability to customize your dragon with unlocks as you progress. The setting was going to be an open-world of sorts, allowing the character to explore and discover new areas as they like. There was also a four-player cooperative mode announced at some point during the games development cycle. The title was first announced way back at E3 2014, and like a fool I got all excited to hop aboard the X-Box One train assuming that Microsoft had Platinum Games on board, at least for this one title. My excitement would slowly die down as the game's development cycle dragged on, resulting in the release date being pushed back and eventually cancelled in January 2017. Meanwhile PlayStation 4 would be the only console to receive the highly-acclaimed NieR: Automata in March of 2017, with no future releases for X-Box systems anywhere in sight.
Related Links
Scalebound Gameplay from E3 2016
Stormlands
Developed by Obsidian Entertainment
Published by Microsoft Studios
Cancelled March 2012
Stormlands was originally intended to be a launch exclusive for the One. The game was to be an action-RPG with MMO elements in the form of 40-player raid events. What had been put together of the game was running on the Dungeon Siege III engine and there were some early screens revealed (link to article below). Microsoft wasn't pleased with the results Obsidian were delivering, and they were creating expectations for the game that there was no way could be met. Stormlands had been a concept with Obsidian Entertainment since as far back as 2006, was pitched to Microsoft in 2011 and would end up getting cancelled in March of 2012. Check out the article featured on EuroGamer below for the full story!
Related Links
Eurogamer.net Article - Stormlands and the million-man raid
Whore of the Orient
Developed by former Team Bondi members
Cancellation Confirmed in 2016
Whore of the Orient was a title that was in development by former members of Team Bondi, the controversial crew behind L.A. Noire. The game would have likely been similar to L.A. Noire, an action-adventure with a lot of dialogue interspersed. The story was set to take place in 1936 Shanghai. After Rockstar Games dropped Team Bondi after the controversy surround the development of L.A. Noire, it pretty much goes without saying that they had some difficulties in finding a new publisher for their game. They continued to shop the game around for a few years but never found a solid investor. There was also criticism for using the word orient, as it is seen as a derogatory word in Chinese culture.
Daydreamer
Developed by Roland Studios
Published by Atlus
Cancelled March 2015
Daydreamer was a game that was proposed on Kickstarter and was aimed for a release on the PlayStation 4 and X-Box One. The game was going to be a 2D run 'n gun, with the Kickstarter campaign comparing it classics Gunstar Heroes and Alien Soldier. While the game didn't meet its proposed Kickstarter goal, the title did see a release on PC in 2015 and an updated port would reach the PlayStation 4 in 2016.
Star Wars 1313
Developed/Published by LucasArts
Cancelled April 2013
Star Wars 1313 was initially previewed way back at E3 2012. The game was proposed to be a more dark experience than previous Star Wars efforts, and the story was set to revolve around a young Boba Fett. Problems began to arise with the project when Disney acquired Lucasfilm and the project was put on hold in March 2013. The following month Disney would lay off the majority of staff at LucasArts, cancelling any game projects that were in the works.
Project: Knoxville
Developed by Press Play
Cancelled Early 2016
Project: Knoxville was going to be a third-person survival game drawing inspiration from the Hunger Games and the Running Man. The game was going to be an online-multiplayer game that would allow players to try to eliminate each other or form alliances. The concept for the game sounds interesting, but from the prototype gameplay footage I saw I didn't get much of a gameshow vibe that was promised in the teaser.
Related Links
Project: Knoxville Teaser on YouTube
Project: Knoxville Prototype Gameplay on YouTube
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