10 Video Games That Were Scrapped Close to Completion

Remarkably, the world of video game development is often fraught with unpredictability, where immense effort and staggering amounts of money—sometimes tallying up to millions—can be poured into a project, only to see it abandoned before reaching the finish line. This phenomenon is not only bewildering but also disheartening as developers walk away from near-completed projects, leaving behind a trail of lost potential and squandered resources. Here, we delve into the stories of ten video games, each promising yet ultimately forsaken when they were tantalizingly close to completion:

Related: 10 Video Game Secrets We Wish We Never Found

10 Fable Legends

Fable Legends was set to be a major installment in the beloved Fable franchise, blending cooperative multiplayer with classic RPG elements. Developed by Lionhead Studios, the game was announced in 2013 with a cinematic trailer featuring narration by Michael Gambon. Built on a staggering $75 million budget, it was shaping up to be one of the most expensive video games ever.

Unlike its predecessors, Fable Legends adopted a free-to-play model and a 5-to-10-year lifecycle, emphasizing cross-platform multiplayer between Windows 10 and Xbox One. The game also aimed to showcase the power of DirectX 12 and Microsoft’s cloud features. A closed beta launched in October 2014, drawing attention with its asymmetric multiplayer, where a team of four heroes would battle against a player-controlled villain.

Despite years of development, Microsoft abruptly canceled the project in March 2016 and shut down Lionhead Studios, citing strategic shifts in game development. The beta officially ended on April 13, 2016, with all players refunded for in-game purchases. Many fans lamented the decision, as Fable Legends could have revitalized the franchise with its fresh approach to cooperative storytelling. Instead, it remains a fascinating “what could have been” in gaming history.^[1]

9 Star Wars: Battlefront III

Star Wars: Battlefront III was meant to be the pinnacle of the Battlefront series, building on the success of its predecessors. Developed by Free Radical Design, the game was officially in production by 2006, following the massive popularity of Battlefront II. It aimed to revolutionize the franchise with seamless space-to-ground combat, where players could seamlessly transition between aerial dogfights and on-foot battles.

Leaked gameplay footage and screenshots surfaced over the years, showcasing an ambitious vision that was reportedly 90% complete before being canceled in 2008. While Free Radical Design never gave a full explanation, insiders suggested issues with LucasArts’ financial struggles and management changes contributed to the game’s demise.

The cancellation remains one of the most infamous in gaming history, particularly because Battlefront III was so close to completion. Later, Electronic Arts revived the Battlefront franchise, but their version—while visually stunning—lacked the depth and beloved mechanics that made the originals so memorable. Fans continue to speculate about what could have been, and remnants of Star Wars: Battlefront III still circulate in the form of leaked gameplay footage and modding projects.^[2]

8 Propeller Arena: Aviation Battle Championship

A victim of tragic timing, Propeller Arena: Aviation Battle Championship was an aerial combat game developed by Sega AM2 for the Dreamcast. Featuring arcade-style dogfighting action, the game was set to release on September 19, 2001, just days after the September 11 attacks. Due to concerns over its resemblance to real-world events, Sega canceled the game indefinitely.

Propeller Arena had four distinct modes: a story-driven Championship Mode, quick battle skirmishes, a Training Arena, and an online multiplayer mode—a standout feature for the Dreamcast. The game also supported force feedback with the Dreamcast Jump Pack, offering an immersive experience.

Despite being fully developed and ready for launch, Sega never revisited the title, even after the immediate sensitivity surrounding 9/11 faded. This was a significant loss, as the Dreamcast was already struggling in the marketplace. Propeller Arena could have been a much-needed boost for the console’s online multiplayer scene. Today, fan-made ROMs circulate online, allowing curious players to experience what might have been one of the Dreamcast’s best multiplayer games.^[3]

7 Sam & Max: Freelance Police

LucasArts’ Sam & Max: Freelance Police was poised to be a triumphant return for point-and-click adventure games. Serving as a sequel to the 1993 cult classic Sam & Max Hit the Road, the game followed the misadventures of Sam, a wisecracking anthropomorphic dog, and Max, his unpredictable rabbit partner.

Development began in 2002, led by Michael Stemmle, with input from Steve Purcell, the original creator of Sam & Max. The game was intended to feature a fully 3D world, slapstick humor, and traditional adventure gameplay. Fans were thrilled when it was showcased at E3 2003, but just a year later, LucasArts canceled the game in March 2004, citing market changes.

The decision was met with backlash from fans and industry insiders, who saw it as a death knell for the adventure game genre. Fortunately, the cancellation wasn’t the end. Years later, Telltale Games revived the franchise with a new episodic series, proving that Sam & Max still had a dedicated audience. While Freelance Police never saw the light of day, its spirit lived on in later adaptations.^[4]

6 Resident Evil 1.5

Before Resident Evil 2 became one of the most acclaimed survival horror games of all time, there was Resident Evil 1.5—a nearly complete but ultimately scrapped version of the sequel. Developed by Capcom in 1996, this early version dramatically differed from the final RE 2, featuring Leon S. Kennedy alongside Elza Walker, a biker later replaced by Claire Redfield.

Gameplay elements in RE 1.5 were distinct from the final release. It had fewer puzzles, a more realistic inventory system, and armored outfits that visually degraded as players took damage. Instead of the sprawling Raccoon City Police Department fans know today, the game featured a simpler, more modern station layout.

Despite reaching 60%–80% completion, Resident Evil 1.5 was scrapped due to concerns over its lack of atmosphere and tension. Capcom restarted development from scratch, resulting in the legendary RE 2 fans adore today. While RE 1.5 was never officially released, leaked builds have surfaced, allowing die-hard fans to glimpse what could have been. The project remains one of gaming’s greatest lost treasures.^[5]

5 Scalebound

A game featuring dragons, fast-paced combat, and RPG elements sounds like a dream come true—but for Scalebound, it became a nightmare. Developed by PlatinumGames, this action RPG was announced in 2014 as an Xbox One and Windows exclusive, featuring Drew, a warrior who fought alongside a massive dragon named Thuban.

Unlike Platinum’s signature fast-action games like Bayonetta, Scalebound emphasized open-world exploration, cooperative multiplayer, and graphically intensive environments. It was ambitious—perhaps too ambitious. The development team struggled with the Unreal Engine 4, and the game’s promise of seamless action with AI-controlled dragons proved technically challenging.

After repeated delays, Microsoft officially canceled Scalebound in 2017, citing development struggles and resource limitations. Fans were outraged, and PlatinumGames later admitted they had “bitten off more than they could chew.” Despite rumors of a revival, nothing has materialized, making Scalebound one of gaming’s most painful cancellations.^[6]

4 Six Days in Fallujah

Few canceled games have been as controversial as Six Days in Fallujah. Originally developed by Atomic Games, this tactical first-person shooter aimed to depict the Second Battle of Fallujah from the Iraq War. Announced in 2009, it was intended to offer a realistic, narrative-driven military experience, showcasing the brutal urban combat faced by U.S. Marines and Iraqi civilians.

The game immediately sparked outrage, with critics arguing that it was too soon to depict such a tragic and politically charged event. The backlash led publisher Konami to withdraw support, leaving Atomic Games struggling to find a new backer. In 2011, Atomic went bankrupt, and Six Days in Fallujah was shelved indefinitely.

For years, the game remained a cautionary tale about realism in war games. However, in 2021, publisher Victura announced a revival, promising a sensitive and historically accurate depiction of the battle. While a modern version eventually launched, the original iteration of Six Days in Fallujah remains a lost piece of gaming history.^[7]

3 NBA Live 13

NBA Live 13 was meant to be EA Sports’ triumphant return to basketball gaming after the failures of NBA Elite 11. Announced in 2012, it was planned for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, promising realistic gameplay, enhanced physics, and an all-new presentation style.

However, development quickly spiraled out of control. Reports surfaced that the game’s mechanics weren’t up to standard. Internal concerns grew over whether NBA Live 13 could compete with 2K Sports’ dominant NBA 2K series. EA considered releasing the game digitally instead of as a full-priced retail title, but on September 27, 2012, they pulled the plug entirely, admitting the game was “not good enough” for release.

While EA promised to refocus on future NBA Live entries, the franchise never fully recovered. The long-delayed NBA Live 14 (2013) failed to win back fans, and EA eventually discontinued the series in 2019. NBA Live 13’s cancellation signaled the beginning of the end for EA’s once-revered basketball franchise.^[8]

2 Prey 2

Following the success of Prey (2006), a sequel—Prey 2—was announced in 2011, promising an open-world, bounty-hunting adventure set in a neon-drenched alien city. Developed by Human Head Studios, the game ditched the original’s Native American protagonist, Tommy, instead following Killian Samuels, a U.S. Marshal abducted by aliens and forced to become a bounty hunter.

With gameplay reminiscent of Blade Runner meets Star Wars, Prey 2 looked stunning. However, behind the scenes, there was chaos. Human Head Studios clashed with publisher Bethesda, leading to development delays and rumors of mismanagement. In 2014, Bethesda officially canceled Prey 2, stating that it “wasn’t up to our quality standards.”

Instead, Arkane Studios reimagined the franchise, releasing a completely different game, Prey (2017), which bore no resemblance to the original vision. Fans still lament the loss of Prey 2, believing it could have been a revolutionary sci-fi experience.^[9]

1 Thrill Kill

Thrill Kill was the fighting game too extreme for release. Developed by Paradox Development for the PlayStation, it featured ultra-violent, BDSM-themed combat, where players—each a damned soul in Hell—battled for reincarnation.

Unlike traditional fighting games, Thrill Kill used a “kill meter” instead of health bars, filling up with brutal attacks. Once full, players could execute grotesque finishing moves, making Mortal Kombat look tame by comparison. The game pushed boundaries with four-player combat, something rare in fighters at the time.

Despite being 99% complete, the game was canceled in 1998 after Electronic Arts acquired its publisher, Virgin Interactive. EA found the game too violent and morally questionable, refusing to release it. However, the near-finished version leaked online, gaining cult status as one of the most infamous unreleased games ever.

While Thrill Kill was never officially launched, its combat mechanics lived on in Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style (1999), a fighting game built on its engine. Still, the original remains a legendary “forbidden game,” sparking curiosity among fighting game fans.^[10]