New Cancelled Games &#038; Their Lost Media Added to the Archive

Joris le Sans-Pouvoir is a cancelled action adventure set in the cult-following DOFUS universe, that was in development around 2007 by Ankama and Magic Pockets for Nintendo DS. The game was planned to be released along with the animated movie featuring the same protagonist (Joris), but in the end both projects were canned.

Some details about this lost DS game were shared online by former Ankama developers, such as Sachka and Roy:

“Joris was the first Nintendo DS project developed at Ankama (in partnership with Magic Pockets). […] Game design on this project involved boss fight, level design, minigame design, UI… I also designed an original collecting system where collectible items were used in a minigame inspired by the “Grow” series. The developpement has been put on hold to match the release of the animated movie with the same character (scheduled in 2013).”
“Joris Le sans-Pouvoir is the main character from a feature film Ankama due in 2013. It’s a new character IP situated in the DOFUS universe. I had the chance to work on a platform game prototype that was all about delving into the character’s backstory. We wrote a lot of background and had a lot of fun designing and developing a cute and quirky platformer with a hint of metroidvania elements and a dash of Grow gameplay elements in-between levels. It also was a great opportunity to work with Jono Takeshi-san of Radiata Stories fame who worked with me on the art direction.”

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Microsoft, Others, PC / MAC, Xbox

Battle Rigs (Rage Software) [Xbox, PC – Cancelled]

Battle Rigs (AKA Construction Derby) is a cancelled vehicular combat game that was in development by Rage Software Sheffield around 2000 – 2001, planned to be released for the original Xbox and PC. At the time the team was mostly known for their work on Gun Metal and Incoming, proving their skills with first person and third person shooters. In Battle Rigs players would have been able to build their own sci-fi tank / spaceship to fight in single player and online multiplayer deathmatches.

While Battle Rigs was never officially announced before being canned, former Rage developer James Sutherland found a playable prototype of their lost project and shared one screenshot on Twitter.

Images:

Others, PC / MAC

Caravan (Parallax Arts Studio) [PC – Cancelled]

Caravan is a cancelled “Funny Adventure Shooter” that was in development by Parallax Arts Studio around 2004 – 2005, planned to be released on PC. The game was set in a fantasy middle east world, somehow similar to the Arabian Nights, but with a more comical point of view. While at the time Parallax Arts shared some screenshots and footage on Caravan’s official website, today those files seem lost forever (were uploaded in Flash and Archive.org did not save them properly. If you are able to restore those files, please let us know!).

At least some details on the game’s story can still be read:

“Caravan is the adventure of a young sluggard hopelessly fallen in love with a beautiful princess. The game starts at the moment when a fugitive Genie penetrates into the fellow’s head. The Genie has managed to escape from a wicked Magus, a fire-worshipper, who illegally catches magic creatures and turns them into slaves. Having found a refuge in the main hero’s mind (this is the only way for a Genie to feel safe from the Magus and his supernatural servants), the Genie offers a bargain to the fellow. The deal is the following: the Hero has to destroy an alchemical laboratory and set Genie’s friends free. In exchange, the Genie will help him to marry the Princess.”

Thanks to Dan for the contribution!

Nintendo, Nintendo 3DS

Tobe! Dragon [Nintendo 3DS – Cancelled]