10 Blatantly Unfinished Video Games (That Were Released Anyway)

By Chris Lynch /

"No other sector has experienced the same explosive growth as the computer and video game industry. Our creative publishers and talented workforce continue to accelerate advancement and pioneer new products that push boundaries and unlock entertainment experiences. These innovations in turn drive enhanced player connectivity, fuel demand for products, and encourage the progression of an expanding and diversified consumer base." €” Michael D. Gallagher, president and CEO, Entertainment Software Association The video game industry in the USA alone was worth nearly $15 billion dollars in 2012, heralding a stark rise in value since the 2002-2006 era, when it was only worth half that amount each year. With such huge sums of money being spent, expectations have understandably risen amongst gamers that the finished articles released hot off the shelves are 100% complete and playable. With new titles costing £40-45 each, it is a sizable outlay, considering many game titles (excluding RPG/Strategy) are often completed in under 20 hours. Sure, many gamers out there like to take their time, but many have a fascination with "speed runs" and blitzing the main storyline in record time. One only needs to look to YouTube to see a modern trend of videos highlighting such quick finishes and hint walkthroughs. The question remains - why do developers release such prized games, knowing full well that they are not 100% finished or polished? Every modern game in existence goes through Alpha and Beta phases, which to the uninitiated are ways that the developers can find bugs and issues with their content, and have plenty of time to fix them to ensure a fully finished end article. More and more gamers are being left frustrated by the fact that they are buying products which still have issues and problems with them. Sure, a few little bugs always sneak through, but in the case of some, they leave the game totally and utterly unplayable. The list you find herein isn't highlighting the "most" unfinished games or necessarily the highest profile ones which could make the list, it is simply 10 titles which failed to make the grade amidst a wash of similar titles. If you have had any experiences with games not on this list, then please comment with the title/platform and your thoughts on them... Click "Next" to begin the list...