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It ain’t easy being a video game developer. Their creative vision is often stunted by publishers who prefer to fund the safe bets — sequels and licensed games — rather than take a risk on original ideas. Meanwhile a developer’s future depends almost entirely on demanding players, known for their capacity to immortalize greatness ... or eviscerate something that fails to meet expectation.


Like I said, it’s a tough job. Many don’t make it. Granted, many don’t deserve to make it, because they design and code uninteresting games. But others — the following five studios for example — simply flew too close to the sun, and failed despite their talent.


Tell us: Who are some of your favorite failed game developers?


-- Blake Snow

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In 1996, ION Storm promised to be the next big thing in video games. It was founded by programming rock star and “Doom” co-creator John Romero. It spent top dollar on design talent. And it blew a small fortune on office decor. Despite this, the original company only managed to produce one good game (“Deus Ex”). But what a game it was! Dissolved a few years later, one can only imagine what might have been had hype and arrogance not clouded ION’s judgment. "; games_top5_090702_DefunctDevelopers[i++] = new Array("","Flagship","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/minish%20cap.hmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "Nintendo", "273", "410", "#000000", "", "", "", ""); games_top5_090702_DefunctDevelopers[i-1].body = "

I bet you didn’t know Nintendo, Capcom, and Sega created a joint venture at one time to make games. Well, they did. And it was awesome. Dubbed Flagship, the studio was entrusted with developing successors to several household names in gaming — “Zelda,” “Kirby,” “Resident Evil,” and “Onimusha” to be exact — before being dissolved in 2007. Was it a cat fight that caused the break up? A power struggle? No one knows. Just don't expect a proper sequel to the excellent “The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap” ... ever. "; games_top5_090702_DefunctDevelopers[i++] = new Array("","Broderbund","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/PrincOfPersia.hmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "Broderbund", "206", "330", "#000000", "", "", "", ""); games_top5_090702_DefunctDevelopers[i-1].body = "

Although widely known as the financier/publisher of “Myst,” the deceased Broderbund was no stranger to coding hit games. Remember the beautifully animated “Prince of Persia,” released in 1989? That was developed by Broderbund. And while I won’t get any street cred for saying it, I was enamored with “Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?” another Broderbund favorite. After all, who doesn’t like education disguised as entertainment? Go on, admit it. Geography rocks. "; games_top5_090702_DefunctDevelopers[i++] = new Array("","Shiny Entertainment","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/mdk.jpeg,hmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "Shiny Entertainment", "255", "423", "#000000", "", "", "", ""); games_top5_090702_DefunctDevelopers[i-1].body = "

Shiny Entertainment did everything right. Its first three games were both commercial and critical hits: the lovable “Earthworm Jim 1 & 2,” and the wonderfully difficult “MDK,” which was the first game to popularize sniper mode shooting. What more can you ask for? The studio further proved itself by making a slick licensed game out of the “Matrix” movie, before corporate sharks and multiple ownership changes slowly killed its sense of identity. Life isn’t fair. "; games_top5_090702_DefunctDevelopers[i++] = new Array("","Delphine Software","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/OutOfThisWorld.hmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "Delphine Software", "214", "344", "#000000", "", "", "", ""); games_top5_090702_DefunctDevelopers[i-1].body = "

Video games would be nothing without animation. And it could be argued that video game animation wouldn’t be where it is today without Delphine Software. Known for their fluidity, games such as “Flashback” and “Out of this World” sprang to life on TV sets at a time when other developers perpetuated stickman-like animation. But even pioneering effects and influential games couldn’t keep the small Parisian studio from bankruptcy in 2003.


Adieu, my little French friend. You have been missed.


Tell us: Who are some of your favorite failed game developers?
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