As is likely common knowledge now, Kickstarter campaigns don't always have the Hollywood endings that we wish they could have. Occasionally, unfortunate events occur along the way that effectively make it impossible for the studio to continue development, leaving the eager backers standing in the lurch. It's frustrating, but there's really little that can be done, and it seems that misfortune has now befallen a particularly promising game and brought it to an early end.
Originally revealed all the way back in 2011, Lynn and the Spirits of Inao was an ambitious 2D action adventure game by Bloomylight Studio that took heavy visual inspiration from Hayao Miyazaki films. The official Kickstarter for the game only opened earlier this month, and it was planned to release on consoles – including the Wii U – following a PC launch, but it seems that will likely never happen now.
A few interns at the studio recently came forward and stated that they did not receive compensation for their work on the game, something that – in this case – is against the law in France, where the studio is based. Whether or not the sudden cancellation of the game is related to this is still unclear, but the studio issued a full statement (which you can read here) that mentions "various stories for the past few days" and "violent declarations" against certain members of the team. The real reason may never be made clear, but it's nonetheless somewhat poignant to see a project that's been in development for so long to come to a sudden stop. For those of you that are curious, here's the concept trailer for the game:
What do you think? Did you back this game? Do you think the unpaid interns are what brought it down? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
[source kickstarter.com, via nintendoeverything.com]
Comments 29
Cancelled games are always so sad. It looks like it would have been a great game.
Game looks interesting, but I've said it before and I'll say it again. Never support anything on Kickstarter. This kinda thing has happened too many times and the spender never gets anything back.
This is a damn shame. It was a good-looking project with passionate developers, but it was killed by devious labor practices. When are game developers going to unionize?
"If you keep up the great work, you'll make Unpaid Intern in no time." - Major Monogram.
Never heard of it til now.
That looked quite lovely. Such a shame that circumstances are as they are, then. May amends be eventually made to those affected so that we may someday see this game completed.
Damn it, interns!
Why must you rise up against your unpaid wages?!XD
In all seriousness, I hope someone else picks up the trade-mark for this.
Hopefully, someone who can actually afford to pay the sla-err, interns they employ.
@Radbot42 Shovel Knight, Undertale, Mighty No. 9 (despite delayed release) Oculus Rift, the Ouya (despite the post-launch run...). Shantae 1/2 Genie Hero, CHIP, etc.
There are some success stories, but I can agree that there should be more protection for backers. And a bit more advising to those looking for crowdfunding (as to avoid disappointing backers).
Sad to see the project killed, but glad to see that the interns got some kind of justice. They probably wouldn't have been able to do much of anything if this were in the USA.
@PlywoodStick Ha, I was thinking the same thing. It seems like most internships here are unpaid rather than paid; I didn't understand what the big deal was until I saw that this was in France.
Kickstarter doom.
Unpaid interns, hum? And this happens right in the middle of the protests against the new labour law. How amusing.
Honestly, upon seeing the 1st screenshot, I thought that it was a game for Fairy Tail.
Again the golden rule with Kickstarter is don't back things by unproven developers because they are 'inspired' by something you like.
"Do you think the unpaid interns are what brought it down?"
In the prevailing climate, yes. Youth unemployment at 24% and reforms pushed through by special decree that make it easier for firms to hire and fire. The whole of France seems mobilised, carrying on the tradition of Mai '68. I'm not offering any opinion here, save that anything concerning labour laws is a hot topic right now and rebellion by this game's interns is an absolutely understandable outcome considering the background of general unrest.
Exploiting workers is not on, shame it results in a game being shut down but totally understandable, as others have said.
That should be a loud message, you can't and shouldn't fob people off.
Credit where credit is due, and pay your damn staff.
Love the art style and the platforming element reminds me a bit of Child of Light (which is a good thing). Shame we're never likely to see this come to fruition...
As soon as I read the title and saw the pic I just somehow knew this was another failed Kickstarter game.
So, any word on Yokaa-Laylee, it's supposed to release in 5 months but we haven't seen a video or screenshot in a long while. Wouldn't mind an update.
Me: looks at picture
Me: Oh! What a handsome whale—
NintendoLife: Lynn and the Spirits of Inao Has Been Cancelled[.]
Me: http://data.whicdn.com/images/217903134/large.jpg
I know that this is better because the interns were unpaid illegally in France, but... that game... still...
@DTFaux I definitely add Undertale to that list.
Well ain't that a crying shame. Kinda reminded me of Child of Light too. Man that game looked amazing
@rjejr A couple of weeks ago, Playtonic teased backers about a huge update in the near future, while reiterating that development is progressing according to plan. Hopefully it'll come any day now.
@ricklongo Thank you very much, good to hear. I wasn't at all worried about that project falling thru - well maybe getting moved to NX rather than Wii U - but the Oct 2016 date always seemed more wishful than actual so I've been wondering when they would give a little news.
A little delay wouldn't be too unexpected, I've been waiting to play Rainbow Skies on my PS3 since it was supposed to release in 2014, and that's not kickstarter, it's a company with a previous game.
http://blog.us.playstation.com/2013/08/02/rainbow-skies-new-worlds-new-quests/
Didn't know about this game but it looks cool! Shame it's not gonna happen.
so, aside from the usual comment on how they should have paid their interns..
wow. uhm... I don't know how to feel about this game. On one hand it looked very cool. But on the other, this seems like it's straddling the line of homage and "borrowing" pretty hard. Not only are many of the settings very Studio Ghibli "inspired" but even the music has some refrains that are too close to some of Studio Ghibli's soundtracks. And a pretty noticeable one that practically lifts Princess Mononoke in there that kept taking me out of the experience.
(o_O )
This is the kind of game project I wish success for as it's original and new not like those many fan made stuffs that always ripped on Nintendo IPs all the time.
Kind of reminds me of Child of Light by Ubisoft... I do like the greens, nice forest colours, but something about the game seemed a bit stiff to me.
A pity. This looked quite promising!
Show Comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...