Two Crowdfunded Games, Godus and Godus Wars, Removed from Steam
22cans, the studio behind the crowdfunded games Godus and its spin-off Godus Wars, has announced that both games have been removed from sale on the Steam platform. The studio cited an upcoming technical change to Amazon Web Services as the reason for the removal.
Both games had been in Steam Early Access since their initial launch in 2013 and 2016 respectively. However, they have received few updates since their release and have garnered mostly negative reviews from players.
The original Godus raised £526,563 on Kickstarter in 2012, with promises of a “delightful reinvention of the god game” from industry veteran Peter Molyneux. However, upon its launch in 2013, the game fell short of the expectations set during the crowdfunding campaign. It was criticized for being barebones and lacking the features that were promised to backers.
Godus Wars, a combat-oriented spin-off released in 2016, also faced similar issues and failed to live up to expectations. Both games have now been withdrawn from the Steam store, although existing players will still be able to enjoy the games without interruption.
Peter Molyneux has admitted to overpromising on the games, acknowledging the pressure to secure funding during the Kickstarter campaigns. Despite the failures of Godus and Godus Wars, 22cans has released their latest game, Legacy, a business management and invention sim. The studio has also hinted at upcoming projects, including a fantasy RPG set in Albion.
While the removal of Godus and Godus Wars from sale may not come as a surprise to some, it serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by crowdfunded projects and the importance of delivering on promises made to backers.