Dark Matter is an indie metroidvania/survival horror video game developed by Interwave Studios and published by Iceberg Interactive for the Windows, Linux and macOS in 2013.[1]
| Dark Matter | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Interwave Studios |
| Publisher(s) | Iceberg Interactive |
| Engine | Unity |
| Platform(s) | Windows, Linux, macOS |
| Release | October 17, 2013 |
| Genre(s) | Platform game, survival horror |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Development edit
Interwave Studios intended the game to be developed by a team of six and completed within a year. It was clear that one year into production, the game was not in a complete state. With funds running low, Interwave launched a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign in June 2013, hoping to raise £50,000. The campaign failed, leading to the development team being laid off that summer.[2]
The game was released in a truncated form in October 2013, offering four levels, and with its ending missing. The intention was that sales of the game could fund the rehiring of the development staff. Both the management team at Interwave and the publishers at Iceberg were unaware that the ending was missing, and temporarily pulled the game from Steam in response.[3] A cinematic ending was patched into the game later that October.[4]
Reception edit
Dark Matter received negative reviews from critics, such as a review score of 4/10 from GameSpot.[5] Reviewers and players criticized the game's abrupt ending, leading to refunds being offered by GOG[6] and the game being temporarily pulled from Steam.[7]
References edit
- ^ McElroy, Griffin (2012-12-10). "Dark Matter gameplay trailer tosses survival horror mechanics into Metroidvania mix". Polygon. Retrieved 2022-12-31.
- ^ Mike Rose (2013-10-22). "Dark Matter pulled from Steam, after team is laid off". Gamasutra. Retrieved 2017-03-14.
- ^ Mike Rose (2013-10-22). "The Dark Matter debacle: Interwave responds". Gamasutra. Retrieved 2017-03-14.
- ^ [ICE]_Beastman (2013-10-31). "New Ending Now In". Retrieved 2017-03-14.
- ^ Matt Cabral. "Dark Matter (2013) Review - GameSpot". GameSpot. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
- ^ Birnbaum, Ian (22 October 2013). "Dark Matter apparently incomplete, GOG offers refunds and revises game description". PC Gamer. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
- ^ "Dark Matter pulled from Steam over abrupt ending". GamesRadar+. 22 October 2013. Retrieved 23 August 2015.