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 sole developer is facing a three-year prison sentence. While development delays are common for Steam games, often stemming from financial or technical challenges, Fortune's Run faces a unique obstacle: the unavailability of its creator.
Prior to this news, Fortune's Run enjoyed considerable success on Steam, boasting a "Very Positive" rating and praise for its nostalgic art style and innovative gameplay, all while still in early access. Unfortunately, any further updates are now indefinitely postponed. While many games have overcome protracted development delays—Half-Life 2 being a prime example—the future of Fortune's Run remains uncertain.
The game's creator and sole developer, Dizzie, revealed this news in a January 14th Steam update. Dizzie announced their three-year prison sentence, directly impacting development until their release. While the specific crime wasn't disclosed, Dizzie stated it predated Fortune's Run's development and occurred during a period described as "very violent." Though not unique in the gaming world—streamer Johnny Somali recently faced similar legal issues—a game's delay due to a developer's imprisonment is unusual.
Progress on Fortune's Run Halted Until Developer's Release From Prison
Fortune's Run initially had a second team member, but according to the latest update, they departed the project after recovering from a difficult surgery and citing disinterest in further game development. This leaves Dizzie as the sole developer, resulting in a complete halt to development during their incarceration, beginning in February 2025. The game's Steam page still targets a 2026 release from early access, a goal now highly improbable. However, considering titles like Satisfactory spent over five years in early access, a three-year delay wouldn't be unprecedented for an indie game.
Dizzie affirmed their intention to complete the game upon release from prison. The current version remains playable for fans, and numerous other excellent early access shooters on Steam offer alternatives until development resumes.
