Steam FPS Game Halted as Developer Incarcerated

The Steam FPS title, Fortune's Run, faces a significant setback. Its sole developer, Dizzie, has been sentenced to a three-year prison term, effectively halting development. This isn't a typical development delay stemming from funding or technical issues; instead, it's a unique circumstance caused by the developer's incarceration.

Prior to this news, Fortune's Run had garnered positive Steam reviews, praised for its retro art style and innovative gameplay, despite being in early access. However, future updates are now indefinitely postponed. While the game's Steam page targets a 2026 release from early access, this is highly unlikely given the circumstances. The precedent of lengthy early access periods for indie titles, such as Satisfactory's five-year journey, suggests that a three-year delay for Fortune's Run wouldn't be unprecedented.

Dizzie revealed the prison sentence in a January 14th Steam update. They disclosed their past violent behavior, emphasizing that the crime predated the game's development. While the specific offense remains undisclosed, Dizzie stated they were a "very violent person" during that time. This situation contrasts with other recent cases involving game developers facing legal issues, highlighting the unusual nature of a prison sentence causing a game's development pause.

The original team consisted of two members, but the other developer departed after a surgical complication and subsequent loss of interest in game development. This leaves Dizzie as the sole developer, rendering development completely inactive during their imprisonment, beginning in February 2025. Despite the setback, Dizzie expressed confidence in completing the game upon release. Players can continue enjoying the current early access version, and numerous other excellent early access shooters on Steam offer alternatives until development resumes.