Summary
Fntastic, the controversial development studio behind the now-defunct extraction shooterThe Day Before, is asking fans to develop maps for its upcoming prop hunt game,ITEMS. The studio has previously found itself in hot water for using unpaid volunteers during the development process ofThe Day Before, but is now hosting a ‘competition’ with no monetary value, despite the company’s plan for recovery specifically stating it would be moving away from a volunteer-driven approach.
The Day Beforewill undoubtedly go down as one of the most catastrophic failures in gaming history. While Fntastic has since promised to come back with a new approach and apologized for previous mistakes, fans are finding it difficult to believe the studio afterThe Day Beforewas shut downjust 45 days after the game’s launch.
The Day Before Devs Asks Fans to Make Maps for New Game
While many will know Fntastic forThe Day Before, the studio had also developed a popular prop hunt game known asPropnight, which was also shut down earlier this year. AfterThe Day Beforedeveloper failed to secure funding for its new game, it confirmed that it would be going full steam ahead withITEMS, a new prop hunt game that was, apparently, highly requested by fans. Now, in a not-so-shocking twist, the studio has announced via its Discord (and spotted byTheGamer) that it is hosting a competition for players to have their very own map put into the game. While the winning creation will receive a free copy of the game, the studio confirmed to TheGamer that no monetary prize will be given to the winner.
“This contest is a chance for you to unleash your creativity by designing a map card that, if wins, will be added to the game in future updates,” reads the Discord announcement. It then goes on to outline how players simply need to design a map in any way they wish, including a 2D drawing, 3D model, or other, and then submit the design via the studio’s Discord. Fellow users will then be able to vote on the entries, with the map with the most votes being deemed the winner. While this is being termed as a competition, fans are skeptical after the studio found itself in hot water forusing volunteers to developThe Day Before.
According to TheGamer, numerous individuals in the Discord criticized the competition. “Instead of paying for concept artists, they have volunteers instead, in the form of contests,” one user said, while another added, “I thought they’d hire people to make the game? What is with the contest?” Unsurprisingly, this isn’t even the first time the studio has been embroiled in controversy since its return, asEscape Factorywas quickly accused of being an asset flipby some fans.
The Day Before
WHERE TO PLAY
The Day Before offers players a uniquely reimagined journey into post-apocalyptic open-world MMO survival set in the present day on the US East Coast following a deadly pandemic.SURVIVE AT ALL COSTSFight other players for survival. Survive against the deadly infected. Collect valuable loot.DISCOVER THE NEW POST-PANDEMIC WORLDExplore the beautiful and richly detailed New Fortune City. Enter tall skyscrapers, business centers, massive malls, grand stadiums, and more. Uncover distant surroundings of New Fortune City on stunningly detailed vehicles.REBUILD SOCIETYJoin the Woodberry survivor colony on its mission to rebuild society. Trade items in Woodberry and save your wealth in a personal storage room. Build your own home in the safe zone.
