In a surprising turn of events, the crowdfunded games Godus and its spin-off Godus Wars have been removed from sale on the popular gaming platform, Steam. The studio behind the games, 22cans, attributes this removal to an upcoming technical change to Amazon Web Services. Despite being in Steam Early Access since their initial launches in 2013 and 2016 respectively, both games received minimal updates and overwhelmingly negative reviews. The abrupt removal from the store leaves many wondering about the future of these ill-fated titles.
Godus, which raised an impressive £526,563 on Kickstarter in 2012, was billed as a “delightful reinvention of the god game” by industry veteran Peter Molyneux. With his involvement in iconic titles like Populous and Black & White, Molyneux was synonymous with the genre. However, when Godus finally launched in 2013, it became painfully clear that the game fell short of its promises. It lacked essential features, had a slow and monotonous gameplay loop, and shared little resemblance to the beloved classics of Bullfrog and Lionhead.
The issues with Godus extended beyond mere disappointment with the final product. Many of the promised elements, such as multiplayer functionality, a Linux version, and independence from a publisher, were unattainable from the start due to limitations posed by the middleware employed by 22cans. Molyneux himself admitted to the pressures of overpromising in order to secure funding, acknowledging the destructive nature of this behavior and its negative impact on the outcomes of their projects.
Following the underwhelming performance of Godus, the spin-off game Godus Wars was released in 2016. Positioned as a combat-oriented addition to the original game, it introduced a new platform with multiplayer support. Promised as a free experience for owners of Godus, players were disheartened to discover that only the first continent was available without charge. Beyond that, a sudden £5 fee was required to progress further. To the disappointment of fans, Godus Wars was left unfinished, leaving players with yet another unfulfilled promise.
Molyneux’s repeated admissions of failure regarding Godus and its spin-off can be seen as an attempt to learn from past mistakes. However, these admissions often coincide with grand proclamations about his next project, leaving many skeptical of his ability to deliver on his promises. Subsequent endeavors by 22cans, such as The Trail and Legacy, have also failed to live up to expectations, further eroding the trust of gamers and raising questions about Molyneux’s creative prowess.
With the recent removal of Godus and Godus Wars from the Steam store, it is evident that these games have finally reached their inevitable demise. The fact that they remained available for purchase for the past seven years is a testament to the enduring hope of fans and the forgiving nature of the gaming community. However, it is evident that this hope was misplaced, as these titles can now be seen as reminders of Molyneux’s exuberant yet ultimately empty promises.
As 22cans moves forward, their latest release, Legacy, presents another opportunity for redemption. A business management and invention simulation game, Legacy operates on the Web3 blockchain and has already sold £40 million worth of NFT land prior to its official launch. Despite this potential, doubts remain about the studio’s ability to create a satisfying and complete gaming experience.
The tale of Godus and Godus Wars serves as a cautionary tale for both game developers and players. It highlights the dangers of overpromising and underdelivering, and the detrimental effect it can have on the reputation and success of a studio. Peter Molyneux’s once-illustrious career now stands as a stark reminder that success in the past does not guarantee success in the future. It is a wake-up call for the industry to prioritize honesty, transparency, and the delivery of quality products in order to regain the trust of disillusioned gamers.
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