Work on Steam FPS Game Paused Because Dev is Going to Prison for 3 Years

Summary

• Development of the Steam FPS Fortune's Run has been halted due to the creator's three-year prison sentence.
• The game remains in early access limbo.

Fans of the Steam FPS Fortune's Run will be disappointed to learn the game's early access period may be significantly extended. The reason? Its creator is facing a three-year prison sentence. While development delays are common for Steam games, often due to financial or technical challenges, Fortune's Run faces a unique obstacle: its sole developer's incarceration.

Prior to this news, Fortune's Run enjoyed considerable success on Steam, boasting a "Very Positive" rating. Players praised its nostalgic art style and innovative gameplay, despite being in early access. However, future updates are now indefinitely postponed. While many games, such as Half-Life 2, have overcome protracted development hurdles, Fortune's Run's future remains uncertain.

On January 14th, the game's creator and sole developer, Dizzie, announced their three-year prison sentence in a Steam update. Dizzie explained that the crime predated the development of Fortune's Run and that they were "a very violent person" during that time. While the specific crime remains undisclosed, this situation highlights an unusual cause for game development delays. Although other game developers and streamers have recently faced legal issues, a prison sentence directly impacting game development is uncommon.

Progress on Fortune's Run Halted Until Developer's Release From Prison

Fortune's Run initially had a second team member, but they departed the project following a complicated surgery and subsequent loss of interest in game development. This leaves Dizzie as the sole developer, resulting in a complete halt to development during their imprisonment, beginning February 2025. The game's Steam page currently targets a 2026 release from early access, a goal now highly improbable. However, considering games like Satisfactory spent over five years in early access, a three-year delay wouldn't be unprecedented for an indie title.

Dizzie assured fans that they intend to complete the game upon release from prison. The current early access version remains playable, and players seeking similar experiences can explore other excellent early access shooters on Steam.