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It’s been a crazy few days for studio Fntastic since the launch of The Day Before. Once the most wish-listed game on Steam, it’s now one of the lowest-rated games by users on the platform, and the developer has shut down. According to a report from IGN, a spokesperson from the publisher, Mytona, has stated that they will work with Steam to provide refunds to all players, and the studio will not profit from game sales.
Mixed Reactions
In a year where contenders for the “worst game of all time” title include Gollum, Rise of Kong, and Walking Dead: Destinies, the backlash against The Day Before is particularly strong. Initially teased in 2021 as an open-world zombie apocalypse survival MMO set for release in 2022, the game’s trailer generated excitement among potential players.
However, after multiple delays, doubts emerged among followers of the development process, with some speculating that the game might not be real. Accusations of plagiarism in subsequent trailers further fueled skepticism about the project.
Disappointing Reality
Contrary to expectations, The Day Before turned out to be a buggy, nearly unplayable extraction shooter lacking many of the promised features, notably melee combat. Released for early access on Steam for $40 on Dec. 7, the game was swiftly taken off the market as the studio folded. Steam’s refund policy, which allows returns within 14 days of purchase or under 2 hours of gameplay, proved crucial as over 200,000 players had potentially acquired the game.
Fntastic has pledged to coordinate refunds with their publisher and Steam, emphasizing that the team will not profit from sales. Despite accusations of being a “scam” or asset flip, the primary criticism revolves around the game’s misleading advertising.
When asked about the intense reaction to the game’s release, Fntastic’s response was simply: “Shit happens.”
