As a gamer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I’ve seen the highs and lows this industry has to offer. The games we’re about to discuss are not just bad, they’re monumental flops that left a lasting impact on gaming culture.
In this era of gaming, some of the most remarkable triumphs and crushing failures have occurred side by side. Among these standout titles, there are a few games that unfortunately turned out to be disastrous flops for developers, sellers, and players alike.
What’s a Flop?
The term “flop” refers to something that completely fails or is unsuccessful beyond repair. However, a poorly received game doesn’t automatically equate to a flop. The game considered the biggest flop of all time isn’t necessarily the worst one ever made. For something to be deemed a flop, it must fall short not only critically and commercially but also have certain expectations set for it. In other words, if a game fails in the market with no audience to witness it, can we truly say it was a flop?
If these games were merely the five poorest titles from the generation, they’d form an entirely distinct list. While one or more of these games might be included due to their poor quality, the assessment is part of a unique blend of facts and opinions that we could call this pseudo-science. However, what all these games share in common is that their failures were so profound they left an indelible mark on gaming culture.
5. The Day Before
Initially, there was a strong consideration to exclude The Day Before from our lineup, as many deemed it a deceptive project masquerading as a genuine game over a long period. This is yet another instance where a developer took on more than they could handle and made unattainable promises. Despite its massive hype and anticipation, it turned out to be a letdown for millions of eager fans who were ultimately left empty-handed.
4. Redfall
Developing original intellectual property (IP) can be challenging. Moreover, Arkane Studios has historically found it tough to merge their critical acclaim with significant commercial success. Nevertheless, Redfall wasn’t merely a disorganized debut – it fell short of Arkane’s standards and was particularly disappointing at a crucial moment for Xbox. Instead, it served as another setback for Xbox, an extension of its ongoing struggles that have haunted it since the Xbox One era and persist to this day.
3. Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League
Among the games listed, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League could be considered one of the best quality-wise, but that doesn’t hold much significance given its context. This is because Rocksteady Studios, known for their exceptional work on the highly successful Batman: Arkham series, seems to have taken a significant step backward with Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. The nine years it took to develop this game and release it after Batman: Arkham is concerning, as it suggests a misstep in the industry’s trend-chasing culture. This development has potentially tarnished Rocksteady Studios’ reputation, reflects poorly on DC, and serves as a cautionary tale about the risks associated with chasing industry trends.
2. Saints Row
2022’s Saints Row reboot not only failed to revive the Saints Row franchise, but it also seemingly brought down Volition Inc., a veteran game developer with a history dating back to 1993. While past projects like Agents of Mayhem didn’t have such an impact, this misstep was significant. In contrast, Saints Row had enjoyed a successful 16-year run, producing numerous popular games. Instead of a slam dunk, it turned out to be a disappointing attempt at reinvention that seemed out of touch and uninspired, leaving many fans feeling let down.
1. Concord
Without a doubt, Concord stands as one of the most monumental flops in gaming history, not just this generation but potentially all time. Despite being far from a terrible game, its label as a flop isn’t due to its quality. Instead, it’s the financial loss Sony faced that earned it the title. Initial estimates suggest that Concord cost PlayStation at least $100 million, with potential losses climbing even higher. When you take into account that Sony acquired Firewalk Studios on the strength of this game, the monetary damage becomes significantly more severe and unsightly.
Honorable Mentions:
- Forspoken
- Crucible
- Battlefield 2042
- The Lord of the Rings: Gollum
- Babylon’s Fall
- CrossFireX
I present to you *actual* dialogue from Forspoken
— MrMattyPlays (@G27Status) January 23, 2023
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2024-09-06 22:40