PC / MAC

Theseis (Thesis) [Cancelled – Xbox 360, PS3, PC]

Theseis (AKA Thesis) is an action adventure that was in development by greek team Track7 Games, to be published by Ubisoft (?) for the Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and PC. The project was started in early 2005, but after a couple of years of active promotion, Theseis vanished without traces and we can assume that it will never be released. It’s possible that they did not find a publisher interested in their project.

In the original press release we can read more about the game’s unseen features:

-A gripping storyline that places you in a Greece full of marvel, danger and back-stage scheming, just beneath the surface of everyday life.

– Play with both Andronicos and Pheve as they race against men and monsters to uncover the secret of Theseis.

– Frantic action and intriguing puzzles. Challenge both speed and wit in every corner of this dark fantasy world.

– Colorful characters and localities, ranging from neo-classical buildings to the grim depths of Hades.

– Innovative customized new power graphic engine, built specially to portray the full glory of Theseis’ stunning environments.

– Dynamic original music score.

Thanks to Celine for the contribution!

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Elysium (Cavedog) [PC – Cancelled]

Elysium is a cancelled RPG which was in development by Cavedog, described as an “episodic role-playing adventure” with more than 40 planned episodes, each of which wouls offer 10 to 20 hours of gameplay. The driving force behind it was Producer/Designer John Cutter whose past credits include the classic Betrayal at Krondor. The episodes however would never be released probably because GT Interactive ( the publisher ) was spiraling into debts at that time and soon would be acquired by Infogrames.

For more information about the game check RPG Vault intreview with John Cutter.

Scan from GamePro issue 109.

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Necrocide: The Dead Must Die [PC – Cancelled]

Necrocide: The Dead Must Die is a cancelled FPS / action game that was in development in 2000 / 2001 by NovaLogic for PC, that looked like a mix between TimeSplitters and Serious Sam. Players would have took the role of a female vampire, to clean up a city infested with armies of zombies, werewolves, demons, hellhounds, and other enemies. The project was officially canned in May 2002, as we can read at Gamespot:

We confirmed with a NovaLogic representative that the game has indeed been canceled so that the company can focus its attention on a new cross-platform project that will make use of a high-profile license.

Thanks to derboo for the contribution!

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X-COM Alliance [PC – Cancelled]

X-COM: Alliance is a cancelled FPS / Strategy game that was in development in 1999 / 2000 by Hasbro Interactive’s Chipping Sodbury office in the UK and later by their studio in Hunt Valley, USA. As we can read in Wikipedia, unlike other games in the X-COM series, most of which were turn-based strategy, the game had the player assume the role of a trooper in an X-COM squad and through the first-person perspective of a squaddie, to fight the hostile alien invaders. At the end of 1999, the Hunt Valley studio survived the first round of studio closures enacted by Hasbro Interactive when they decided to scale back their efforts in the video game industry. Later in 2000, however, the Hunt Valley studio was also closed down and the game was “shelved”.

Thanks to Leo(T.C.K.) and derboo for the contributions!

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Urban Decay [PC – Cancelled]

Urban Decay is a cancelled action game that was in development by Andrew Spencer Studios and it would have been produced / published by Psygnosis for PC. The project was to be an ellipsoid game like Ecstatica, but it was put on hold at one point to focus on Ecstatica 2. When they went back to work on Urban Decay the design switched to a traditional polygonal engine from which no images have surfaced yet. Relationship with the studio went south after this and the game disappeared forever.  Pcloadletter sent an e-mail to Ken Doyle, that graciously replied and says in his own words:

I did work on it. The ol memory’s a bit dim but basically various issues assailed and eventually sunk the project. Firstly the main creative and design force behind the game, a guy called Eamon Butler left to pursue a successful career at Disney. He became frustrated with endless requests for design and style changes. It was originally due to be an ellipsoid game but later changed over to a more regular poly look for the sake of realism. Urban Decay was shelved so work on Ecstatica 2 could begin. We returned to Urban Decay but the studios relationship with Psygnosis soured and that was that. Studio closed and we all moved on. That’s about it. Hope this helps.

Some more info on Urban Decay can be found at Games That Weren’t (web archive, the site is currently down). Also, check the video from Ecstatica to have a better idea about how the game would have looked like in motion.

Thanks to Pcloadletter and derboo for the contributions!

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Video from Ecstatica: