{"id":41704,"date":"2023-12-12T17:19:09","date_gmt":"2023-12-12T16:19:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/?p=1943032"},"modified":"2023-12-12T18:43:52","modified_gmt":"2023-12-12T17:43:52","slug":"what-happened-to-the-day-before-sudden-shutdown-explained","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/rss_feed\/what-happened-to-the-day-before-sudden-shutdown-explained\/","title":{"rendered":"What happened to The Day Before? Sudden shutdown explained"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"rssexcerpt\"> More trouble for The Day Before. <\/p><p class=\"rssauthor\">By Toby Saunders\n                \t\t<\/p><p class=\"rssbyline\">Published: Tuesday, 12 December 2023 at 16:19 PM<\/p><hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/><?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"UTF-8\" standalone=\"yes\"?>\n<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\">\n<html><body> <p>You\u2019ve probably seen the news doing the rounds about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/technology\/gaming\/the-day-before-release-date\/\">The Day Before<\/a>, its overwhelmingly <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/en_au\/news\/gaming-news\/the-day-before-10000-negative-reviews-3557533#:~:text=The%20Steam%20review%20for%20the,that%20we%20had%20been%20scammed.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">negative user reviews<\/a>, and now the fact that its development studio has shut its doors for good.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s been a bit of a whirlwind, and if you need it all explaining, we don\u2019t blame you.<\/p>\n<p>Developer Fntastic has closed down just days after the disastrous launch of The Days Before, with cries of t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/paultassi\/2023\/12\/12\/the-day-before-disaster-mass-refunds-developer-ghosting-scam-accusations\/#\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">he whole thing being a scam<\/a> thrown around by many online.<\/p>\n<p>Simply put, the game launched after years of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/technology\/gaming\/the-day-before-trailer-backlash-explained\/\">suspicious development journey<\/a>, was seemingly in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/the-day-before-review\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">no way whatsoever worth the price people paid for it<\/a>, and now the developer is no more.<\/p>\n<p>What is it exactly that happened to The Day Before? We\u2019re here with an explainer of the situation and a strong recommendation to ask for a refund if you bought it.<\/p>\n<h2><b>What happened to The Day Before? Sudden shutdown explained<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>The Days Before launched in early access on 7th December 2023, and was shut down by the developer and publisher just four days later, on 11th December.<\/p>\n<p>Those who played the game <a href=\"https:\/\/store.steampowered.com\/app\/1372880\/The_Day_Before\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">panned it<\/a> in just about every department as the dubious nature of its protracted development cycle was revealed to the world \u2013 players and critics alike questioning the validity of the release.<\/p>\n<p>Following the launch of the game, its developer Fntastic was unceremoniously shut down, and took to X (formerly Twitter) to reveal its statement:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Official statement. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/fntastic?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#fntastic<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/thedaybefore?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#thedaybefore<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/propnight?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#propnight<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/AKcRHeIaIW\">pic.twitter.com\/AKcRHeIaIW<\/a><\/p>\u2014 Fntastic (@FntasticHQ) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/FntasticHQ\/status\/1734265789237338453?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 11, 2023<\/a><\/blockquote><script async=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"\/>\n<p>Just a quick look down the comments and in the quote posts of that statement will tell you what many people thought of the game. DayZ <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/DayZ\/status\/1734292204758126892?s=20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">had some fun with it<\/a>, too.<\/p>\n<p>Mired in controversy since its reveal, many were surprised that a game from a relatively unknown development studio could <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gamesradar.com\/from-steams-most-anticipated-mmo-to-a-flop-that-shuttered-a-studio-in-4-days-the-bizarre-history-of-the-day-before\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">become the most wishlisted title<\/a> on Steam.<\/p>\n<p>Accusations of the multiplayer extraction shooter survival horror overpromising and even flipping assets from other titles have been thrown around since its reveal back in 2021 \u2013 something the developer has always refuted.<\/p> <div class=\"brightcove embed\"> <div class=\"embed__intrinsic\"> <div class=\"brightcove__player vjs-playlist-player-container\"> <video data-video-id=\"6342161071112\" data-account=\"69912529001\" data-player=\"ByeOf0VZEl\" data-embed=\"default\" data-application-id=\"\" controls=\"\" class=\"video-js\"> <\/video> <\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<script src=\"\/\/players.brightcove.net\/69912529001\/ByeOf0VZEl_default\/index.min.js\"\/> <p>As industry expert <a href=\"https:\/\/insider-gaming.com\/signs-the-day-before-was-a-scam\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Insider Gaming reveals in a damning report<\/a>, though, there are several indicators that suggest The Day Before may indeed have been a scam.<\/p>\n<p>Accusations have been hurled left, right and centre since day one. Claims of AI-generated scripted \u201cgameplay\u201d videos, unpaid workers, no actual gameplay being shown, delays \u201cwithout showing anything tangible to prove that the game even existed, constantly farming impressions and building hype and a sense of mystery around the title\u201d (as per the aforementioned Insider Gaming report) and more raised eyebrows.<\/p>\n<p>The final nail in the coffin was the game\u2019s launch. When people finally played the game they paid full price for, they weren\u2019t happy. As Insider Gaming put it, \u201cit looks as though most of The Day Before was built on the back of flipped assets\u201d from other popular games, including The Division and The Last of Us.<\/p>\n<p>Before the game launch, developer Fntastic had defended its process, countering accusations against it.<\/p>\n<p>It previously said on X, formerly Twitter: \u201cWe all live in a time of disinformation and lack of fact-checking.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAnyone can say anything for views, and everyone will believe it. Disinformation needs to be dealt with as it can harm not only us but also other indies and small\/medium studios. It also has a mental impact on the members of such teams.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAfter the release of The Day before, we\u2019ll think about how to help novice developers deal with fakes and allocate resources for this.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"qme\" dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/thedaybefore?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#thedaybefore<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/indiedev?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#indiedev<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/gamedev?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#gamedev<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/p9hOjONVIa\">pic.twitter.com\/p9hOjONVIa<\/a><\/p>\u2014 Fntastic (@FntasticHQ) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/FntasticHQ\/status\/1623175628282564608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">February 8, 2023<\/a><\/blockquote><script async=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"\/>\n<p>It followed that up with a further statement on the week of launch, adding: \u201cPlease forgive us for not doing the best marketing and teasers. We learn something new and improve ourselves every single day.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPlease don\u2019t accuse us of asset flip; that\u2019s not true also. Our team worked day and night for five years to make our dream game a reality.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"qme\" dir=\"ltr\">\ud83d\udce2 <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/thedaybefore?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#thedaybefore<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/fntastic?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#fntastic<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/nKJ3mqSHnt\">pic.twitter.com\/nKJ3mqSHnt<\/a><\/p>\u2014 Fntastic (@FntasticHQ) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/FntasticHQ\/status\/1731680871856369689?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 4, 2023<\/a><\/blockquote><script async=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"\/>\n<p>Now, though, the game\u2019s publisher Mytona and the development studio are claiming that they will offer full refunds on Steam. Mytona took to X to reveal the plan to \u201cwork with Steam to open up refunds for any players who choose to make a refund\u201d. You can see the full statement below:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"zxx\" dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/0aRSiBgYx4\">pic.twitter.com\/0aRSiBgYx4<\/a><\/p>\u2014 Mytona (@mytona_official) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/mytona_official\/status\/1734359076690362582?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 11, 2023<\/a><\/blockquote><script async=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"\/>\n<p>Developer Fntastic detailed further on <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/FntasticHQ\/status\/1734422905042391160\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">X<\/a> that it is: \u201cCurrently working with Steam to allow refunds for any player who chooses to request one, regardless of game time. Fntastic received $0 and will receive nothing from The Day Before sales.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Whether or not The Day Before was a scam, no matter <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MckKirk\/status\/1734274115958091792\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">how likely<\/a> that may seem, at least people who purchased the game should be able to get a full refund, no matter how long they played it. Get in there quickly and get your money back.<\/p> <p><strong>Listen to our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/technology\/gaming\/one-more-life-podcast\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">One More Life podcast<\/a>, subscribe to our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/gaming-newsletter\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">free newsletter<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/RadioTimesGames\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">follow us on Twitter<\/a> for all the latest gaming intel.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Looking for something to watch? Check out our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/tv\/tv-listings\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">TV Guide<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/streaming-guide\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Streaming Guide<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Try Radio Times magazine today and get 10 issues for only \u00a310 \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/magazine-subscription\/?utm_term=evergreen-article\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">subscribe now<\/a>. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/audio\/podcasts\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The Radio Times Podcast<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p> More trouble for The Day Before. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":41705,"template":"","categories":[1,8],"acf":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2023\/12\/what-happened-to-the-day-before-sudden-shutdown-explained.jpg",1600,1066,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2023\/12\/what-happened-to-the-day-before-sudden-shutdown-explained-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2023\/12\/what-happened-to-the-day-before-sudden-shutdown-explained-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2023\/12\/what-happened-to-the-day-before-sudden-shutdown-explained-768x512.jpg",768,512,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2023\/12\/what-happened-to-the-day-before-sudden-shutdown-explained-1024x682.jpg",800,533,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2023\/12\/what-happened-to-the-day-before-sudden-shutdown-explained-1536x1023.jpg",1536,1023,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2023\/12\/what-happened-to-the-day-before-sudden-shutdown-explained.jpg",1600,1066,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"More trouble for The Day Before.","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/41704"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/41705"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=41704"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=41704"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}