You may not remember the Obduction project, it was launched on Kickstarter back in October 2013 by developer Cyan, the team behind the classic Myst and Riven adventure/puzzle series. Since the campaign was funded to the tune of $1,321,306 we’ve not heard too much about the project and there’s some bad news today.
According to an update from Cyan they have been “sucker punched” by a “small publisher”. Following the Kickstarter funding round they decided to seek additional funds for the project and were in discussions with an unnamed publisher who agreed to take the game on. After negotiating a contract, and the publisher agreeing the funding would be in place, a contract was ready to be signed.
Cyan ploughed ahead increasing the scope of the game expecting the deal to be signed off. After a couple of months waiting for the paperwork to be signed the publisher did a “180 and reneged for what were apparently financial reasons”.
With the additional money now off the table Cyan has been forced to take the game back to the original Kickstarter plan which means reducing the scope scope of the game to get it completed.
Cyan state that they are still going to seek other partners in the hope to expand the game again. Due to the publisher falling through, Cyan are now few months behind in development but say that the game is still coming. Cyan went on to say :
“It’s always awkward to have to hang out your dirty laundry. Last week we were so excited that we would finally be able to tell you about a publishing deal that would enable a larger Obduction experience, and this week we’re scrambling to adjust. But our team is small, nimble, and amazingly talented.”
“It’s ironic and sad that every time that Cyan has been pushed to the brink, it has been related to some unexpected move by a publisher. I suppose we were hoping for something better this time — shame on us.”
Hopefully next time we hear about Obduction there will be some better news.
Published: Oct 21, 2015 11:23 am