Enthusiasts of Fortune’s Run have to endure a longer wait than initially anticipated for the complete game launch. The developer, hailing from New Zealand, has recently shared some unfortunate news half a year ago and now delivers another update with details about the game’s current advancements and discusses personal obstacles that will undoubtedly postpone the project.

Development hit a pause in 2024 after the first wave of bad news

In September 2023, the retro-themed first-person shooter game titled Fortune’s Run, featuring immersive simulation elements, began its Early Access phase. It swiftly earned ‘Very Positive’ reviews on Steam, being likened to timeless games such as System Shock, Deus Ex, DOOM, and Ultrakill. Although it didn’t garner a huge player base, the team at Team Fortune remained active, consistently introducing new content and enhancing the game with frequent updates. However, in July 2024, one of the developers shared some disheartening news, detailing:

You might be aware that this game is being developed by two of us: myself, Dizzie, and my partner Arachne, who is also my wife. Earlier, we tried to involve more people in our project, but unfortunately, it turned out to be financially unfeasible for anything approaching full-time employment as the game doesn’t generate enough income.

The real bad news, however, was about Arachne’s health, as she had undergone major surgery:

…she was very ill and almost died but is now stable and has been released home into my care.

Indeed, this development carries significant weight and alters our entire situation. What matters most now is her well-being. If you’ve been following along, you’ll understand that for the last three years, we’ve been working under pressure to meet deadlines, which we’ve been doing consistently. However, from now on, health takes precedence over work.

Afterward, Dizzie disclosed that they had been putting their utmost effort into progressing with the game, as it carried a deep personal relevance for both of them. Although it may not reach the typical superior quality, they remained dedicated to creating something significant. The game wouldn’t be terminated, but substantial postponements were imminent. They kept followers informed and maintained an active presence on Discord, although they tended to withhold extensive details. Regrettably, this wasn’t the end of the string of unfavorable occurrences.

Work on Fortune’s Run completely halted as the dev announced he’s going to prison

On January 15, 2025, Dizzie, who is now the only developer working on “Fortune’s Run”, disclosed another update regarding his personal circumstances and the game’s impending release, a revelation that deeply affected fans. Dizzie spoke candidly about his past experiences, accepting responsibility for his actions and explaining how they have affected him presently.

As a gamer and an ex-game developer, my life took a drastic turn five years ago when I was embroiled in a situation that led to my incarceration for the subsequent three years. Prior to this, my existence was far from idyllic. Now, with my trial and conviction behind me, I’m preparing for a new chapter starting next month, one that will be spent within the walls of a correctional facility. It’s been a long journey since the legal process began, but I’ve done my best to navigate it while working on my projects.

A team member responsible for quality assurance and level design has departed from the project, adding complexity to the game’s advancement. Remarkably, Dizzie was able to accomplish the necessary tasks for a release prior to his incarceration, but with development currently halted, it remains uncertain when or if the game will be concluded.

To provide some clarifications, at the end he added:

My situation predates my interaction with the other developer. She has no connection whatsoever to it. As I mentioned earlier, the other developer was dealing with complications from a recent surgery. If you’re considering levying any accusation against me, perhaps consider blaming me for causing her stress due to my legal issues and demanding workload instead.

The much-anticipated upgrade for Fortune’s Run has been launched, brimming with fresh content, features, and enhancements. However, at this time, the game’s progression in development has paused. In a heartfelt message, Dizzie expresses his resolve to carry on creating games, overcoming the unforeseen obstacles that life has presented him with.

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2025-01-15 15:32