In a move that closes the book on a controversial chapter in crowd-funded gaming, the studio 22cans has announced the removal of Peter Molyneux's Godus and its spin-off, Godus Wars, from the Steam store. This decision comes in the wake of impending technical modifications to Amazon Web Services, which the studio claims hampers its ability to distribute essential game files to new users. Both games have been available through Steam's Early Access program since their releases in 2013 and 2016, respectively, but have seen little to no significant updates, resulting in mostly negative feedback from the gaming community.
The studio, 22cans, made a brief statement regarding the decision to withdraw the titles from Steam. They assured players that current owners of the games will still be able to play without any disruption. They also took the opportunity to thank their player base for their support throughout the years.
The saga of Godus began in 2012 with a Kickstarter campaign that successfully raised over half a million pounds. Peter Molyneux, a renowned figure in the creation of god games such as Populous and Black & White, promised a delightful reinvention of the genre with Godus. The expectations were high, owing to Molyneux's reputable history. However, when the game launched in its early form, it was a far cry from the vibrant experiences fans associated with Molyneux's earlier successes. The game was criticized for its lackluster content, slow pacing, and failure to live up to its grand promises.
Throughout the years, several elements promised during Godus's crowdfunding campaign were left undelivered, such as multiplayer functionality, a Linux version, and its touted independence from any publisher. As 22cans used various middleware solutions, many of these features were known from the outset to be a tall order. Molyneux publicly acknowledged the pressure to overpromise as a means of securing necessary funding, an act he admitted in an interview was destructive.
Godus Wars emerged a few years later as a more combat-driven spin-off. It presented itself as a free upgrade to existing Godus owners, only to surprise players with an additional charge for full access. Much like its predecessor, Godus Wars remained unfinished.
Peter Molyneux has since recognized the failures with Godus, claiming to have learned from the experience of overpromising. Yet simultaneously, he has continued to reveal ambitious plans for new games. After Godus, 22cans released The Trail on Steam, and most recently, they've delved into the business management and invention simulation genre with Legacy, a Web3 blockchain game which has already seen significant sales in NFT land despite being years from launch.
Moreover, 22cans has plans for another game set in a fantastical RPG iteration of Albion, drawing associations with the beloved Fable series also created during Molyneux's tenure at Lionhead Studios.
The removal of Godus and Godus Wars from Steam concluded a chapter in gaming that serves as a stark reminder of the potential pitfalls of crowdfunding and the expectations set by industry figureheads. These games stand as evidence of a disconnect between the grand vision presented by charismatic creators and the practical realities of game development. For fans and industry observers alike, they underscore the importance of transparency and accountability in the gaming industry, particularly when it comes to the ambitious promises made in the pursuit of funding and fan support. With the closure of this chapter, the gaming community can only hope for a more grounded approach to game development by 22cans and a renewal of the innovative spirit that once made Molyneux's works so captivating.
You must be logged in to post a comment!
