10 Cancelled Video Games That Could Have Been Masterpieces

Despite their potential, these games died before they lived.

By Tom Butler /

For every video game that made it to market, there are hundreds of ideas that never came to fruition. Thanks to budget constraints, organisational issues, or just the state of the market, sometimes even the best game concepts aren't ever made. Even ideas that actually make it into the development process aren't guaranteed to be released commercially. There have been many cases of games that started with high hopes, but weren't actually finished. Occasionally, these projects even had pre-release material released, including gameplay clips and detailed trailers. A cancelled video game can be dispiriting not just for the people that were working on it, but also the fans following the project. Too many times have gamers had their hearts broken thanks to an overly harsh studio decision that results in an inspired idea being squandered. Even worse is in the case of failed MMOs, where more than once an online game has had its servers close within a year of launching. This list takes a look at 10 cancelled video games that for one reason or another had their lives cut short before they began. With unique concepts or incredible ideas on how to rejuvenate existing franchises, these cancelled titles really had the potential for brilliance.