The alphafunding/Early Access model has given us some of the biggest games around, but it’s still a gamble – especially in bustling genres like the Minecraftbut. Hidden Path Entertainment, the Defense Grid and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive folks, took to Steam Early Access last February with Windborne [official site]. It was Minecraft but prettier, with quests and treasure and things to befriend. Now they’ve stopped development and pulled the 20 game from sale.
Hidden Path simply didn’t have enough money to finish it, they say, claiming they invested ten times more money into development than the game ever made back. That means they can’t give refunds, but they are offering more copies of Winborne to owners so they can share it.