Summary
- Development of the Steam FPS Fortune's Run has been halted due to the creator's 3-year prison sentence.
- The game is now in early access limbo.
Fans of the Steam FPS Fortune's Run will be disappointed to learn that the game may be stuck in early access for an extended period, as the creator is set to serve a three-year prison sentence. While news of paused development is not uncommon for Steam games, the reasons usually stem from financial pressures or technical challenges. Fortune's Run faces a unique predicament, with its sole developer unable to continue working due to incarceration.
Before the announcement of the developer's prison sentence, Fortune's Run had seen considerable success on Steam. It boasts a "Very Positive" rating, with many players commending its nostalgic art style and innovative gameplay, despite still being in early access. Unfortunately, any future updates are now on hold. While other games like Half-Life 2 have overcome development hurdles in the past, the future of Fortune's Run remains uncertain.
The creator and sole developer of Fortune's Run, known as Dizzie, shared the news in a Steam update on January 14. Dizzie was forthright about their impending three-year prison sentence, which will halt development until their release. Although Dizzie did not disclose the specific crime, they admitted to having been "a very violent person" during a period before starting work on Fortune's Run. This case is not isolated; other video game personalities like streamer Johnny Somali have also faced legal troubles recently, though it's unusual for a game's delay to be caused by a developer's prison sentence.
Progress on Fortune's Run Won't Continue Until Developer Is Released From Prison
Fortune's Run initially had another team member, but according to the latest update, they left the project after recovering from a botched surgery and subsequently lost interest in game development. With Dizzie now the only developer, the game's progress will completely pause while they serve their sentence, starting in February 2025. The game's Steam page still lists an exit from early access by 2026, but this target is now highly unlikely to be met. However, games like Satisfactory have taken over five years to leave early access, so a three-year delay for Fortune's Run is not unprecedented in the indie gaming scene.
Dizzie expressed optimism in the update, stating they should be able to complete the game once released from prison. In the meantime, fans can continue to play the game in its current state, and there are numerous other excellent early access shooters on Steam to explore until Dizzie can resume development.
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