The Worst Game Launch Disasters in History
The Worst Game Launch Disasters in History
The gaming industry has seen its fair share of triumphs, but some titles have become infamous for their catastrophic launches. Whether due to technical failures, unmet expectations, or outright deception, these games left players frustrated and companies scrambling to recover. Below are some of the most disastrous game launches in history—cautionary tales that developers and publishers still reference today.
Cyberpunk 2077 (2020) – The Fall of a Hyped Masterpiece
CD Projekt Red’s Cyberpunk 2077 was one of the most anticipated games of all time, promising an immersive open-world RPG set in a futuristic dystopia. However, upon release, players discovered a bug-ridden mess—especially on last-gen consoles. The PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions were nearly unplayable, with frequent crashes, graphical glitches, and broken AI. Sony even removed the game from the PlayStation Store, an unprecedented move. Though CD Projekt Red eventually fixed many issues, the damage to their reputation was severe.
No Man’s Sky (2016) – Overpromising and Underdelivering
Hello Games’ No Man’s Sky was marketed as an infinite, procedurally generated universe where players could explore unique planets, encounter alien life, and engage in deep space exploration. However, at launch, the game lacked promised features like multiplayer, varied ecosystems, and meaningful progression. The backlash was immediate, with accusations of false advertising. To their credit, Hello Games spent years updating No Man’s Sky into a much better experience, but its disastrous launch remains a textbook example of hype gone wrong.
Battlefield 2042 (2021) – A Military Shooter That Missed the Mark
EA and DICE’s Battlefield 2042 was meant to be a triumphant return to the franchise’s large-scale warfare roots. Instead, players were met with a game plagued by performance issues, missing features (like a proper scoreboard), and baffling design choices. The lack of a single-player campaign and the poorly received “Specialist” system alienated long-time fans. While patches have improved stability, Battlefield 2042 remains a shadow of what the series once was.
Anthem (2019) – BioWare’s Biggest Misstep
BioWare, known for beloved RPGs like Mass Effect and Dragon Age, ventured into live-service gaming with Anthem. Despite its stunning visuals and flying mechanics, the game suffered from repetitive missions, a shallow loot system, and a lack of endgame content. Development troubles, including constant reboots, led to a rushed and unfinished product. EA eventually abandoned plans for a major overhaul, leaving Anthem as a cautionary tale of mismanagement.
SimCity (2013) – Always-Online Disaster
Maxis’ SimCity reboot was supposed to modernize the classic city-building franchise. Instead, it became infamous for its mandatory online requirement, which led to server crashes, lost progress, and unplayable launch days. Even when servers stabilized, the game’s small city sizes and questionable AI frustrated fans. The backlash was so severe that it paved the way for competitors like Cities: Skylines to dominate the genre.
Conclusion: Lessons Learned the Hard Way
These disastrous launches highlight the dangers of overhyping, poor management, and releasing unfinished products. While some games (No Man’s Sky, Cyberpunk 2077) eventually redeemed themselves, others (Anthem, Battlefield 2042) serve as reminders that even the biggest studios can falter. For players, these failures underscore the importance of patience—waiting for reviews and patches before diving into the next big release.
For developers, the message is clear: a smooth launch is just as important as ambitious vision.
