The video game industry often sees promising game ideas shelved due to budgetary or production constraints. This article highlights several notable unproduced games, including a Dark Souls 3 Metroidvania adaptation pitched in 2016 but never greenlit. Another example is the canceled Immortals Fenyx Rising sequel, which aimed to innovate with environmental storytelling and dynamic world changes. Additionally, Warner Bros. Montréal scrapped a Batman Beyond-style Arkham Knight sequel in favor of Gotham Knights. Bend Studio's Days Gone 2 was also rejected by Sony, and Dead Space 4 faced rejections from EA despite fan interest. These cancellations reflect business decisions prioritizing established franchises over new risks, leaving fans to speculate on what could have been.

Voivod: The Nuclear Warrior is an upcoming 2D run-and-gun Metroidvania video game developed by Chaosmonger Studio in collaboration with the legendary metal band Voivod. Featuring an original soundtrack by guitarist Daniel "Chewy" Mongrain and composer Yann Latour, along with voice acting by vocalist Denis "Snake" Bélanger, the game immerses players in a dystopian, post-apocalyptic world inspired by Voivod's discography. Players control the Voivod, a headless warrior guided by Nothingface, his disembodied mind, on a quest to recover fragments of his consciousness. With environments reflecting the band’s sci-fi themes and boss battles inspired by album covers, this officially licensed game offers a narrative rich in rebellion, survival, and cosmic horror. Fans and newcomers alike can explore landscapes ranging from cybernetic fortresses to desolate wastelands.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, developed by Montpellier-based Sandfall Interactive, is a unique RPG that infuses French culture and aesthetics into the traditionally Japanese genre. Set in an alternate Paris scarred by a mysterious disaster, the game follows protagonist Gustave as he navigates a world where people vanish annually during the "Gommage." Drawing inspiration from JRPGs like Final Fantasy and Persona, Clair Obscur offers a story-rich experience with turn-based combat while introducing French stylistic elements. Its Belle Époque-inspired design, coupled with a painterly score and unexplained fantasy terms, creates a sense of wonder. By centering its French identity, the game argues for the enduring appeal of idiosyncratic RPGs, proving that cultural specificity can enhance rather than limit a game's audience.

CMON, a prominent board game publisher known for its successful crowdfunding campaigns and popular games like Zombicide, has announced it will halt all future game development due to financial challenges exacerbated by U.S. tariffs. The company, which has raised over $108 million through nearly 60 Kickstarter campaigns, is also laying off staff across its creative teams. CMON plans to focus on fulfilling existing commitments, including 11 outstanding projects worth over $26 million, before resuming new developments. Despite issuing a profit warning and facing delays in financial reporting, CMON assures backers that it remains committed to delivering current projects on time amidst evolving industry conditions.

Game Dev Tycoon, now available for free to Netflix subscribers, offers an immersive experience into the world of video game development. Players start in a garage with limited resources, progressing through phases of game design, resource management, and technical development. As their virtual studios grow, players can hire staff, develop consoles, and aim for AAA titles, mirroring real-world challenges. Inspired by Game Dev Story, the mobile version (iOS and Android) retains core features while optimizing for touch screens. This addition to Netflix's gaming library provides fans and newcomers with an accessible, educational simulation of game creation, allowing users to experience the journey from simple ideas to complex projects on-the-go.

The Pokémon Company has announced "Celestial Guardians," a new full expansion for Pokémon TCG Pocket, set for release on April 30, 2025. Featuring two booster packs centered around the Legendary Pokémon Solgaleo and Lunala, the expansion highlights Alolan Pokémon, including Rowlet, Litten, Popplio, and various Oricorio forms. Trainer cards inspired by Trial Leaders from Pokémon Sun and Moon will also debut, alongside the first Immersive Full Art Trainer card based on Lillie. Additionally, a six-month anniversary event will offer Rayquaza ex Promo cards and other rewards. The company also plans to revamp the game's trading system before the end of Fall 2025, potentially including higher rarity and Promo cards.

The 2025 media and entertainment landscape is being reshaped by independent creators, global platforms, and tech giants, according to Deloitte’s outlook. Traditional studios face competition from larger entities for content, advertising, and audience attention. Rising content costs and technological investments in AI and data centers challenge major studios, while gaming emerges as a key interactive medium fostering community engagement and co-creation. Generative AI promises to revolutionize content creation, reducing costs and empowering smaller creators but also risks flooding platforms with synthetic media. Social platforms dominate advertising revenues through advanced targeting technologies, pressuring streamers to modernize their ad capabilities. Gaming, despite recent financial challenges, anticipates growth driven by premium titles, new consoles, and AI-driven efficiencies. The industry must navigate economic uncertainty and technological shifts, focusing on IP diversification, cost management, and leveraging AI to remain competitive. Success will depend on adapting to evolving consumer behaviors and embracing cross-platform storytelling strategies.

Game developer Adrian has been addressing bugs in classic games like Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (GTA: San Andreas) for modern systems. Recently, a bug surfaced where the Skimmer seaplane became invisible after updating to Windows 11 24H2. This issue stems from missing parameters in the vehicles.ide file, a problem present since the game's release but undetected due to how older Windows versions handled such data. Adrian swiftly resolved the issue within 24 hours. The fix involves manually editing the vehicles.ide file or waiting for an update from SilentPatch. This resolution allows players to enjoy the Skimmer again, ensuring compatibility with updated operating systems.

Creepy Redneck Dinosaur Mansion 3 is a video game that combines puzzle-solving with a quirky, haunted house setting. Players explore the mansion through text and puzzles, uncovering glitches and bugs in this self-aware, broken game world. The protagonist engages in match-three combat against various adversaries, including dinosaurs and surreal entities. Despite its ambitious concept, the game struggles with muddy visuals, unclear symbols, and underwhelming art direction. Its text-based dialogue and descriptions are laden with jargon, hindering accessibility. Although it doesn't fully realize its meta-game ambitions, the title offers satisfying puzzles and occasional humor. Developed by Strange Scaffold, known for experimental games like Clickholding, this title delivers a unique experience despite its aesthetic shortcomings. Players might enjoy its eccentric charm and even find a dinosaur companion along the way.

As pre-order day for the Nintendo Switch 2 approaches, major retailers like Walmart, Target, and Best Buy have already sold out of consoles that were made available last night. However, GameStop will offer another chance to preorder at 11 a.m. ET. While console stock is limited, accessories and several new Switch 2 Edition games remain widely available, including titles such as *Donkey Kong Bananza*, *Mario Kart World*, and *The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Switch 2 Edition*. Additionally, deals on original Switch games continue, and there are also discounts on PlayStation and Xbox titles, like a new PlayStation 5 Slim bundle starting at $400. Stay tuned for more updates and game highlights!

"Until Dawn," a video game adaptation directed by David F. Sandberg, offers a passable yet uninspired addition to the horror genre. Following a group of friends retracing their missing friend Melanie's last journey, the film incorporates a time-loop concept where characters repeatedly die and restart, reminiscent of games and films like "The Cabin in the Woods" and "Happy Death Day." While the deaths are violent, they lack creativity, and the predictable plot relies heavily on clichés. Despite this, a likable cast, including Ella Rubin and Peter Stormare, adds charm. Sandberg’s competent direction ensures the film is well-staged, though it suffers from a weak script. As a cinematic translation of an interactive game, "Until Dawn" feels more like a replication than an innovation, making one viewing sufficient. It hits theaters in the US and UK on April 25.

In 1981, Bill Gates and programmer Neil Konzen created "Donkey," a simple 8-bit game developed in one night to demonstrate Microsoft's software capabilities to IBM. Though considered one of the worst games ever made, "Donkey" played a pivotal role in securing a crucial partnership with IBM, which helped Microsoft enter the personal computer market and achieve significant financial success. While the game itself was unremarkable and never sold commercially, it served as an introduction to BASIC programming for many users and solidified Microsoft’s position in the tech industry. Despite its legacy as a failed game, "Donkey" was instrumental in shaping Microsoft’s future dominance in technology.