In a surprising turn of events, Fntastic, the developer behind the notorious open-world survival game The Day Before, has resurfaced after a brief but tumultuous hiatus. Just four days post-launch of their much-anticipated title, which failed to meet financial expectations, the studio announced its closure, citing a lack of funds to continue operations. However, the team is now seeking to reinvent itself and has turned to Kickstarter to fund their next venture, Escape Factory, a multiplayer co-op escape game.
Reviving the Studio
Fntastic, which previously developed the now-defunct Propnight, faces an uphill battle in achieving its modest funding goal of ,535. Given its recent history, skepticism looms large among potential backers. Yet, the unpredictable nature of crowdfunding—where even a potato salad garnered over ,000—leaves room for optimism.
The saga began in 2021 with a captivating announcement trailer for The Day Before, which quickly ascended to the top of Steam’s wishlisted titles. The allure of an open-world survival game set in a zombie-infested landscape, reminiscent of The Last of Us, captured the imagination of PC gamers. However, as delays mounted, doubts about the game’s potential began to surface.
When The Day Before finally launched in 2023, it was met with disappointment, revealing itself as a janky extraction shooter that diverged sharply from the MMO experience many had anticipated. The reality was stark; players had arrived expecting a spectacle, only to witness a disheartening misfire. The game’s visuals, while not entirely different from the trailers, failed to deliver the promised experience.
In the aftermath, Fntastic issued an apology, acknowledging their shortcomings: “We did everything within our power, but unfortunately, we miscalculated our capabilities. Creating games is an incredibly challenging endeavor.” Refunds were processed for disappointed customers, seemingly marking the end of the studio’s journey.
Allegations surfaced regarding the studio’s management practices, including claims that the founders, Eduard and Aisen Gotovtsev, had employed volunteer labor and imposed fines on employees for perceived inadequacies. Following the launch, the brothers reportedly became unresponsive, only to announce the studio’s closure via a conference call.
A New Approach
Now rebranded as “Fntastic 2.0,” the studio asserts that it has undergone significant changes. While maintaining that the core team remains intact, they promise a more professional approach, having purportedly ended the reliance on external volunteers. However, some ambiguity lingers, as they mention that “some team members are helping out on a goodwill basis.”
The studio’s introspection regarding The Day Before’s failure highlights a combination of “overly ambitious goals on a low indie budget, a team without AAA tech experience, and embellished marketing.” They express regret for these missteps and emphasize a commitment to honesty in future development and marketing efforts.
If Escape Factory successfully secures funding, Fntastic plans to explore a new prop hunt game as a spiritual successor to Propnight. Conversely, should the Kickstarter campaign falter, the studio may retreat once again into obscurity. “We’re asking for a second chance, and we believe that with your support, we can create your future favorite games,” the company states, inviting gamers to join them on this new journey.
