Steam Game Dev Imprisoned, Project Paused

Summary

• Development of the Steam FPS Fortune's Run has been halted due to its creator's three-year prison sentence.
• The game remains in early access indefinitely.

Fans of the Steam FPS Fortune's Run will be disappointed to learn the game's development has been indefinitely paused due to its creator's three-year prison sentence. While development delays are common for Steam games, usually stemming from financial or technical challenges, Fortune's Run faces a unique obstacle: its sole developer's incarceration.

Prior to this news, Fortune's Run enjoyed considerable success on Steam, boasting a "Very Positive" rating and praise for its nostalgic art style and innovative gameplay, all while still in early access. However, future updates are now significantly delayed. While many games have overcome prolonged development hurdles, the future of Fortune's Run remains uncertain.

On January 14th, the game's creator and sole developer, Dizzie, announced their three-year prison sentence in a Steam update. Dizzie explained that the crime predated the development of Fortune's Run and occurred during a period they described as "very violent." While Dizzie didn't specify the crime, this situation, though unusual for game development delays, highlights the challenges faced by solo developers. This also follows recent legal issues faced by other gaming personalities, such as streamer Johnny Somali's arrest in South Korea.

Progress on Fortune's Run Halted Until Developer's Release

Fortune's Run initially had a second team member, but they departed the project after recovering from a complicated surgery and losing interest in game development. This leaves Dizzie as the sole developer, resulting in a complete halt to development during their three-year sentence, beginning February 2025. The game's Steam page still targets a 2026 release from early access, a goal now highly improbable. However, considering games like Satisfactory took over five years to leave early access, a three-year delay wouldn't be unprecedented for an indie title.

Dizzie affirmed their intention to complete the game upon release from prison. The current early access version remains playable, and numerous other excellent early access shooters on Steam offer alternatives until development resumes.