“Everyone deserves a second chance” – WGB

Oh fucking hell. Right here we go.

2023 was an attention-grabbing 12 months for all kinds of causes, however some of the fascinating tales was that of The Day Earlier than lastly releasing in 2023 just for folks to find that it was completely horrible, nothing like what was promised and was, I keep, a rip-off. Like Harmony, it was shut down inside every week. The developer, Fntastic, shut down.

If you’re interested, I wrote a pretty long article discussing the whole debacle from start to finish. I’m really fairly pleased with it, although it by no means acquired the eye I hoped it might.

Now, it appears like I’m going to should replace my article as a result of Fntastic are again. Oh boy.

The corporate has reappeared on social media, now going by the identify Fntastic 2.0 and sporting shiny new branding. This being the shady firm who stated ‘This was our first massive expertise. Shit occurs.’ when The Day Earlier than collapsed.

“Everybody deserves a second likelihood. We deeply apologize to everybody for The Day Earlier than and take full duty for what occurred.” reads a tweet from Fntastic. “Take a look at our plan, Fntastic 2.0, the place we share how we’ll repair our previous errors and are getting ready to return higher.”

Sure enough, the company is offering a 7 page white paper outlining their new vision for future. The three new rules the corporate will function by are honesty, transparency and professionalism, which is hilarious as a result of these aren’t rules you construct an organization round, these are simply on a regular basis stuff you count on by default.

“Our mission is to create video games that might be beloved for
many years” says the white paper.

“Our imaginative and prescient is to change into some of the beloved recreation corporations by creating improbable, modern, and emotionally participating experiences.”

To that finish, Fntastic 2.0 already has a brand new recreation within the works referred to as Escape Manufacturing facility. A free demo is already up, and out of morbid curiosity I would give it a strive as a result of it does appear to be an precise playable recreation, which is no less than 30000% greater than I used to be anticipating from the corporate.

Right here’s the blurb for the sport: “You play as life-weary staff making an attempt to flee the vicious cycle of lethal factories from which there’s no simple method out. Legend has it that just one nice and mysterious particular person has ever escaped.

Staff up with 4-8 gamers for pure multiplayer co-op physics-based enjoyable challenges.”

To assist make the sport, Fntastic are asking for folks to present them a second change and donate on Kickstarter, which I refuse to hyperlink to. If you wish to donate, and that’s completely as much as you, then you’ll find it simply sufficient.

They’re searching for  £11,646 to make the sport, and have so far raised £161 from 7 backers whom I can solely assume are kin who really feel obligated. It’s an All or Nothing Kickstarter, although, so in the event that they don’t attain the goal then not one of the cash might be taken.

A particular £12,000 again tier (restricted to 10 areas) is up for grabs, providing an “unforgettable dinner with the founders of Fntastic.”

Maybe probably the most hilarious a part of this complete factor is that Fntastic has launched official merch, so now you’ll be able to spend a fucking staggering £50 to purchase a hoodie that claims “Fntastic Again to win”

You may’t make these items up.

Okay, okay. Truthfully, I do usually assist the thought of giving folks second probabilities when real errors are made or poor choices. Nevertheless, Fntastic’s destruction was not due to errors and even poor choices: they had been extremely shady, do quite a few underhanded issues, averted all duty and acted like immature little brats when referred to as out on their habits. The folks within the trenches at Fntastic in all probability deserve a second likelihood as a result of weren’t concerned in many of the crap that went on, however the founders of the corporate and everybody else in positions of energy ought to by no means been allowed close to the business once more. Hell, they in all probability shouldn’t even be allowed to function a drinks dispenser at a gasoline station.