The Troubled Development of Mighty No. 9: A Cautionary Tale for Gamers and Developers Alike

Mighty No. 9, a highly anticipated platformer game, finally launched in June 2016 after years of development struggles. The game's troubled history has been well-documented, with many issues arising from poor communication, mismanagement, and the complexity of its stretch goals.

According to an interview with Egas, a developer who worked on the project, Comcept failed to effectively communicate with Engine Software, the company responsible for developing the game's handheld platform version. This lack of communication led to delays and ultimately, a final build that was not up to par. Egas stated, 'We had a deal in place that partially involved royalties... but the property fizzled and mascot Beck shifted from a hot up-and-coming multimedia commodity to a cameo character and a mere memory.'

The game's development troubles were evident even before its release. In 2015, the company hinted at issues with the project, which only added to the perception of the game being troubled. When it finally launched, Mighty No. 9 received a tepid response from critics and players alike. The game's art style was criticized for being lacking, and many fans felt that the damage had already been done due to mismanagement.

The game's rewards, which were promised to backers through Kickstarter, did not ship until a year after the game's release, further exacerbating the frustration among fans. The company also made the decision to pack every feature from its stretch goals into the 1.0 edition of the game, leading to further delays due to the complexity of the multiplayer modes and ancillary extras.

The failure of Mighty No. 9 serves as a cautionary tale for both gamers and developers. It highlights the importance of effective communication and project management in game development, as well as the dangers of overcommitting on stretch goals and rewards. As gamers, we must be wary of projects that promise too much too soon, and as developers, we must prioritize clear communication and realistic expectations to avoid similar outcomes.

For those interested in downloading Mighty No. 9 for their PS Vita, it is available now through the PlayStation Store. However, fans of the game may want to temper their expectations with the knowledge of its troubled development history.

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