Overview
- Development of the Steam FPS title Fortune’s Run is paused due to its developer receiving a three-year prison sentence.
- The game currently finds itself in a state of early access uncertainty.
Fans eagerly following the development of Fortune’s Run, a first-person shooter on Steam, now face disappointing news: the game is likely to remain in early access for an extended period. The project has hit an unforeseen snag as its sole developer, known as Dizzie, has been sentenced to three years in prison. While delays in game production are not uncommon—typically attributed to financial issues or technical challenges—Fortune’s Run’s situation is particularly distinct due to the developer’s legal troubles.
Prior to this announcement, Fortune’s Run was making a mark in the gaming community. With a “Very Positive”rating, players frequently praised its nostalgic aesthetics and inventive gameplay, despite being in early access. Unfortunately, without the developer’s input, the release of updates and new content stands to be significantly delayed. While the future remains uncertain, the game may still find a way back, similar to other titles like Half-Life 2, which have successfully navigated tumultuous development paths.
Dizzie shared the news of their prison sentence on January 14 in a Steam update. They were forthcoming about the situation, disclosing that their incarceration would halt development activities for the duration of their sentence. Although the specifics of the crime remain undisclosed, Dizzie mentioned that it occurred prior to their work on Fortune’s Run and reflected on a much darker phase in their life, describing themselves as “a very violent person”during that time. This case stands out, as it is rare for a game’s development timeline to be influenced by its creator’s legal issues. This situation mirrors the recent arrest of another gaming personality, streamer Johnny Somali, adding to the conversation about the intersection of gaming and personal legal challenges.
Impact of Development Pause on Fortune’s Run
The development landscape for Fortune’s Run has shifted significantly. Originally, Dizzie had the support of another team member, but that individual departed the project after recovering from a surgery gone wrong. With Dizzie now solely responsible for the game’s progress, the impending prison sentence—scheduled to start in February 2025—means that development will be entirely suspended during this time. Although the Steam page for Fortune’s Run initially suggested a goal to exit early access by 2026, this timeline now appears highly optimistic. However, given the industry practices, a three-year hiatus is not unprecedented, especially for indie projects like Satisfactory, which took over five years to launch fully after early access.
Expressing hope in the update, Dizzie reassured fans that once freed, they would resume work on the game. In the meantime, players can continue enjoying the current version of Fortune’s Run. There are also numerous other captivating early access shooters on Steam available for fans to explore while awaiting the continuation of this intriguing title’s development.
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