View source for Abandoned (video game)

{{Other uses|Abandoned (disambiguation)}}

{{Infobox video game
| image = Abandoned text logo (bold version).svg
| developer = Blue Box Game Studios
| publisher = Blue Box Game Studios
| platforms = {{Unbulleted list|[[PlayStation 5]]|[[Windows]]}}
| genre = [[Survival horror]]
| released = 
| engine = [[Unreal Engine 5]]
| director = Hasan Kahraman
| modes = [[Single-player]]
}}
'''''Abandoned''''' is the [[Working title|tentative title]]<!--DO NOT EDIT: According to Blue Box company website faq https://blueboxgamestudios.com/--><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jackson |first=Lara |date=2021-09-01 |title='Abandoned' Isn't Actually the PS5 Game's Real Title |url=https://screenrant.com/abandoned-ps5-not-real-title-2022-release/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616142209/https://screenrant.com/abandoned-ps5-not-real-title-2022-release/ |archive-date=June 16, 2022 |access-date=2022-06-16 |website=ScreenRant |language=en-US}}</ref> for an upcoming [[survival horror]] game being developed and published by Blue Box Game Studios, an independent [[Video game industry|video game company]] based in [[Netherlands|The Netherlands]]. Described as a "cinematic [[Survival horror|horror survival]] [[Shooter game|shooter]]" featuring "realistic" gameplay mechanics, ''Abandoned''{{'}}s premise centres around Jason Longfield, who must escape a forest after being kidnapped. A playable teaser of ''Abandoned'', titled ''Abandoned: Prologue'', is also in development and is planned to be released before the main game.

Originally announced as a [[PlayStation 5]] exclusive title in April 2021, ''Abandoned'' drew significant media attention and hype due to the game trailer's stylistic similarities to ''[[Silent Hill]]'' and ''[[Metal Gear Solid]]'', leading to speculation that [[Hideo Kojima]] was involved in the game's development. These rumours were discredited by Blue Box, its CEO Hasan Kahraman and later by Kojima himself.

''Abandoned''{{'}}s development has been troubled, with the game's concept and design being changed multiple times, and its gameplay trailer and release date were both repeatedly [[Development hell|pushed back]] before Blue Box indefinitely suspended any tentative release dates for ''Abandoned'' and the ''Prologue'' in March 2022. Despite this, Blue Box has stated that ''Abandoned'' is not cancelled, and both games will be released "when [they are] ready". A [[Windows]] version of ''Abandoned'' is intended to be produced "eventually".<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Carson |first=John |date=June 21, 2021 |title=Blue Box's PS5 Exclusive Abandoned Coming To PC 'Eventually' |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/news/2021/06/21/blue-boxs-ps5-exclusive-abandoned-coming-to-pc-eventually |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616220350/https://www.gameinformer.com/news/2021/06/21/blue-boxs-ps5-exclusive-abandoned-coming-to-pc-eventually |archive-date=June 16, 2022 |access-date=2022-06-16 |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Skrebels |first=Joe |date=2022-04-04 |title=Abandoned Director Explains Tweet Takedowns, and How the Prologue Is a Whole Separate Game |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/abandoned-interview-prologue-standalone-not-cancelled |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616175741/https://www.ign.com/articles/abandoned-interview-prologue-standalone-not-cancelled |archive-date=June 16, 2022 |access-date=2022-06-16 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref> However, the lack of substantive updates have led to accusations that the game is [[vaporware]].<ref name="pslifestyle smith">{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Rebecca |date=2022-04-01 |title=Blue Box Denies Abandoned Is Canceled, Insists It's Just Delayed Again |url=https://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2022/03/31/blue-box-says-abandoned-not-canceled/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006192815/https://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2022/03/31/blue-box-says-abandoned-not-canceled/ |archive-date=October 6, 2022 |access-date=2022-10-06 |website=PlayStation LifeStyle}}</ref><ref name="techspot jeffrey">{{Cite web |last=Jeffrey |first=Cal |date=April 5, 2022 |title=Blue Box assures fans PS5 horror/shooter Abandoned was not canceled |url=https://www.techspot.com/news/94067-blue-box-assures-fans-ps5-horrorshooter-abandoned-not.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006182806/https://www.techspot.com/news/94067-blue-box-assures-fans-ps5-horrorshooter-abandoned-not.html |archive-date=October 6, 2022 |access-date=2022-10-06 |website=TechSpot |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Synopsis and gameplay ==
<!-- Section features text originally written by User:DecafPotato, used with permission by User:Chchcheckit  -->{{Quote box
| quote = This is no fast-paced shooter in which you just run, aim and shoot. ''Abandoned'' requires you to hide and plan every shot before pulling the trigger. We want you to be nervous come each and every enemy encounter. To be aware that a wrong move can be the deciding factor between surviving a combat scenario or not.
| source = — ''Abandoned''{{'s}} initial [[PlayStation Blog]] announcement, April 7, 2021<ref name="psblog kahraman" />
| align = left
| width = 25%
}}

''Abandoned'' has been described as a [[Survival horror|survival horror game]] that follows a man named Jason Longfield, who awakens stranded in a forest.<ref name="psblog kahraman" /> Through exploration, he realizes that he was kidnapped and brought to the forest for a "dark purpose". He is tasked with fighting against a cult and its leader, who is Jason's estranged older brother, and finding his way out of the forest. Jason meets up with other characters throughout the game, but the player must ultimately decide at the end of the game whether Jason will fight against, or join, the cult and his brother.<ref>{{Cite web |last=VanDervoort |first=Oliver |date=2022-04-09 |title=Abandoned Developer Reveals Story and Character Details |url=https://gamerant.com/abandoned-game-story-characters/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220414194423/https://gamerant.com/abandoned-game-story-characters/ |archive-date=April 14, 2022 |access-date=2022-08-11 |website=Game Rant |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Onder |first=Cade |date=April 8, 2022 |title=Abandoned Creator Reveals First Story Details for Game |url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/abandoned-ps5-game-story-details-revealed/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811133139/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/abandoned-ps5-game-story-details-revealed/ |archive-date=August 11, 2022 |access-date=2022-08-11 |website=ComicBook.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name="psblog kahraman">{{Cite web |last=Kahraman |first=Hasan |date=2021-04-07 |title=Abandoned, a cinematic survival sim, hits PS5 later this year |url=https://blog.playstation.com/2021/04/07/abandoned-a-cinematic-survival-sim-hits-ps5-later-this-year/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221012170137/https://blog.playstation.com/2021/04/07/abandoned-a-cinematic-survival-sim-hits-ps5-later-this-year/ |archive-date=2022-10-12 |access-date=2022-12-21 |website=[[PlayStation Blog]] |publisher=[[Sony Interactive Entertainment]] |language=en-US}}</ref>

''Abandoned'' makes use of [[Horror game|horror]], and some [[first-person shooter]] elements, and requires tactical use of weapons to survive.<ref name="psblog kahraman" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Valentine |first=Rebekah |date=2021-04-07 |title=Abandoned, a New Cinematic Horror Shooter, Announced Exclusively for PS5 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/abandoned-a-new-cinematic-horror-shooter-announced-exclusively-for-ps5 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221117080217/https://www.ign.com/articles/abandoned-a-new-cinematic-horror-shooter-announced-exclusively-for-ps5 |archive-date=2022-11-17 |access-date=2022-12-21 |website=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name="nme leston-1">{{Cite web |last=Leston |first=Ryan |date=2021-08-16 |title='Abandoned' creator Hasan Kahraman: 'It's not really a horror game – it's not what people think' |url=https://www.nme.com/features/gaming-features/abandoned-creator-hasan-kahraman-its-not-really-a-horror-game-its-not-what-people-think-3020184 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816235010/https://www.nme.com/features/gaming-features/abandoned-creator-hasan-kahraman-its-not-really-a-horror-game-its-not-what-people-think-3020184 |archive-date=August 16, 2021 |access-date=2022-10-06 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref> The game utilizes a "realistic approach" to survival gameplay, whereby every action the player performs in the game has an effect; for example, sprinting can exhaust Jason and reduce his aim accuracy.<ref name="nme leston-1" /> It also uses [[Motion capture|motion-capture technology]] to determine how Jason will take damage in-game.<ref name="nme leston-2">{{Cite web |last=Leston |first=Ryan |date=2021-08-16 |title='Abandoned' is definitely not a Hideo Kojima game – even with that eyepatch |url=https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/abandoned-is-definitely-not-a-hideo-kojima-game-even-with-that-eyepatch-3020344 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616181038/https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/abandoned-is-definitely-not-a-hideo-kojima-game-even-with-that-eyepatch-3020344 |archive-date=June 16, 2022 |access-date=2022-06-16 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref>

== Background ==
{{Redirect-distinguish-text|Blue Box Game Studios|[[Black Box Games]]}}<!-- Section features text originally written by User:DecafPotato, used with permission by User:Chchcheckit  -->
[[File:Blue_Box_Game_Studios_logo.svg|thumb|The logo of Blue Box Game Studios|232x232px]]
Blue Box Game Studios, founded in April 2014 by Hasan Kahraman,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-03-27 |title=Blue Box Game Studios company |url=http://www.indiedb.com/company/blue-box-game-studios |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150327030617/http://www.indiedb.com/company/blue-box-game-studios |archive-date=March 27, 2015 |access-date=2022-06-15 |website=Indie DB}}</ref> is a small Dutch [[Video game developer|video game development studio]] with roughly 10 [[Full-time job|full-time employees]] as of 2021.{{Efn|Including [[freelancers]] and [[outsourcing|outsourced developers]], the ''Abandoned'' development team is composed of roughly 50 people.<ref name="ign skrebels" />|name=Employ}}<ref name="ign skrebels">{{Cite web |last=Skrebels |first=Joe |date=2021-08-18 |title=Abandoned Creator Explains Blue Box's Release History, Promises a Free New Game |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/abandoned-blue-box-history-free-game-the-haunting |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607074915/https://www.ign.com/articles/abandoned-blue-box-history-free-game-the-haunting |archive-date=June 7, 2022 |access-date=2022-06-15 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref> The studio's first project, titled ''Rewind: A Paranormal Investigation'', held a [[Kickstarter]] campaign to garner funding, though the campaign was cancelled, as the studio had secured outside investment, allowing the game to be reworked into ''Rewind: Voices of the Past''. However, after the scope of the project grew without further investment, the game was cancelled.<ref name="ign skrebels" />

The prospect of a game centering around [[Ghost hunting|paranormal investigations]] continued into ''The Lost Tape'', another cancelled project, and ''The Whisperer'', which was cancelled on [[Personal computer|PC]] but saw a [[free-to-play]] release on [[mobile device]]s, though it was delisted shortly after. A mobile [[Japanese role-playing game]] titled ''Tales of Six Swords'' saw a similarly short-lived mobile release, though Kahraman claims that Blue Box plans to revisit the concept in the future. ''The Haunting: Blood Water Curse'', a ''[[Fatal Frame]]''-inspired [[horror game]], was released into [[early access]] in 2020. After poor reception, the early access release was removed from digital storefronts, and Kahraman claims that development will be completed by outside studio CreateQ, with Blue Box acting as the [[Video game publisher|publisher]].<ref name="ign skrebels" />

According to Kahraman, the repeated cancellations of projects were due to lack of staff and fan interest—in an interview with ''[[IGN]]'', he said that the team's inexperience was largely to blame, and that the announcement of projects served to gauge a potential audience, and those projects were cancelled when the audience was too small.<ref name="ign skrebels" />

== Development and marketing ==

=== Initial announcement and Hideo Kojima involvement rumours ===

''Abandoned'' was first announced as an [[open world]], "cinematic [[Survival horror|horror survival]] [[Shooter game|shooter]]" game on April 7, 2021 via the [[PlayStation Blog]], along with a minute-long teaser trailer.<ref name="psblog kahraman" /> The trailer contains various shots of a winter forest, including shots featuring an abandoned building with graffiti stating "Kill the Trespasser", and a sign reading "God's town".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leung |first=Ambrose |date=2021-04-08 |title=Box Game Studios Teases First-Person Horror Survival Game 'Abandoned' |url=https://hypebeast.com/2021/4/sony-playstation5-abandoned-game-annoucement-trailer |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006182933/https://hypebeast.com/2021/4/sony-playstation5-abandoned-game-annoucement-trailer |archive-date=October 6, 2022 |access-date=2022-10-06 |website=Hypebeast}}</ref>{{Efn| It was later discovered by internet users that the announcement trailer for ''Abandoned'' was largely an [[asset flip]], composed of assets bought from the [[Unreal Engine Marketplace]] for an estimated $100. It is believed to have taken Kahraman an hour to produce.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rose |first=Erina |date=2021-06-24 |title=Abandoned PS5 trailer made in an hour with Unreal assets |url=https://poptopic.com.au/news/abandoned-ps5-trailer-made-in-an-hour-with-unreal-assets/ |access-date=2023-09-04 |website=POPTOPIC |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="psquare croft-2" />|name=Assetflip}}

After the game's announcement, ''Abandoned'' attracted significant media attention from users and media outlets, as it was believed that Japanese video game designer [[Hideo Kojima]] and his company [[Kojima Productions]], was involved in the creation of the game, rumoured to be a new ''[[Silent Hill]]'' entry. This theory, also known as the "Blue Box Conspiracy" or "Kojima Conspiracy",<ref name="pcgamer taylor">{{Cite news |last=Taylor |first=Mollie |date=2021-10-19 |title=Blue Box Game Studios says it's getting death threats over Kojima conspiracy |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/blue-box-game-studios-says-its-getting-death-threats-over-kojima-conspiracy/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808185209/https://www.pcgamer.com/blue-box-game-studios-says-its-getting-death-threats-over-kojima-conspiracy/ |archive-date=August 8, 2022 |access-date=2022-08-08 |work=PC Gamer |language=en}}</ref> was pushed by the fact that Hasan Kahraman's name shared the same first initials as Hideo Kojima, leading to the belief that Blue Box and "Hasan Kahraman" was a pseudonym for Kojima, in the vein of the promotional stunt Kojima performed for the 2015 game ''[[Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain]]'', where he went under the pseudonym "[[Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain#Marketing|Joakim Morgen]]" and had a fake Swedish game company called "Moby Dick Studio",<ref>{{Cite news |last=Schreier |first=Jason |author-link=Jason Schreier |date=2021-06-21 |title=What Is Blue Box? A Vast Conspiracy Grips the Video Game World |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-06-21/what-is-blue-box-gamers-believe-it-s-hideo-kojima-s-silent-hill |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220526182451/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-06-21/what-is-blue-box-gamers-believe-it-s-hideo-kojima-s-silent-hill |archive-date=May 26, 2022 |access-date=2022-06-16 |work=Bloomberg.com |language=en}}</ref> and also to "7780s Studio", another fake company of Kojima's, which created the ''[[P.T. (video game)|P.T.]]'' demo teaser for the cancelled 2015 game ''[[Silent Hills]]''.<ref name="polygon mcwhertor">{{Cite web |last=McWhertor |first=Michael |date=2021-04-08 |title=Studio announces new survival game, forced to deny Hideo Kojima is involved |url=https://www.polygon.com/22373680/abandoned-blue-box-game-studios-hideo-kojima-rumor-ps5-trailer |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616175501/https://www.polygon.com/22373680/abandoned-blue-box-game-studios-hideo-kojima-rumor-ps5-trailer |archive-date=June 16, 2022 |access-date=2022-06-16 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}</ref> Furthermore, it was discovered that "Kahraman" translated into Turkish as "Hideo".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Croft |first=Liam |date=2021-06-18 |title=Hideo Kojima Fans Investigate PS5 Exclusive Abandoned, Reads Like Conspiracy Theories |url=https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2021/06/hideo_kojima_fans_investigate_ps5_exclusive_abandoned_reads_like_conspiracy_theories |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616175459/https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2021/06/hideo_kojima_fans_investigate_ps5_exclusive_abandoned_reads_like_conspiracy_theories |archive-date=June 16, 2022 |access-date=2022-06-16 |website=Push Square |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Thier |first=Dave |date=June 18, 2021 |title=Blue Box, Abandoned, Kojima And Silent Hill: A Dumb, Fun, Mystery |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidthier/2021/06/18/blue-box-abandoned-kojima-and-silent-hill-a-dumb-fun-mystery/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616164613/https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidthier/2021/06/18/blue-box-abandoned-kojima-and-silent-hill-a-dumb-fun-mystery/ |archive-date=June 16, 2022 |access-date=2022-06-16 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref><ref name="pcgamer macgregor">{{Cite news |last=Macgregor |first=Jody |date=2021-06-21 |title=Silent Hill fans have convinced themselves a new game is going to be announced |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/silent-hill-fans-have-convinced-themselves-a-new-game-is-going-to-be-announced/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808185209/https://www.pcgamer.com/silent-hill-fans-have-convinced-themselves-a-new-game-is-going-to-be-announced/ |archive-date=August 8, 2022 |access-date=2022-08-08 |work=PC Gamer |language=en}}</ref>

The speculation surrounding Kojima's involvement led to the creation of a dedicated subreddit on [[Reddit]], r/TheBlueBoxConspiracy, by fans of ''Silent Hill'' to discuss the rumours.<ref name="pcgamer macgregor" /><ref name="pcgamer taylor" /> In response to the rumours, Blue Box Game Studios released a statement the following day after the game's announcement on April 8, 2021 on their website disavowing their connection to Kojima or [[Konami]], who owns the rights to the ''Silent Hill'' franchise.<ref name="polygon mcwhertor" /> This was further disproved by ''[[VentureBeat]]'' journalist Jeff Grubb, who revealed that Kojima was in talks with [[Microsoft]]/[[Xbox]] for [[OD (video game)|his next game]], and not PlayStation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grubb |first=Jeff |date=2021-04-07 |title=Abandoned for PS5 is not a secret Hideo Kojima game |url=https://venturebeat.com/2021/04/07/abandoned-for-ps5-is-not-a-secret-hideo-kojima-game/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616175741/https://venturebeat.com/2021/04/07/abandoned-for-ps5-is-not-a-secret-hideo-kojima-game/ |archive-date=June 16, 2022 |access-date=2022-06-16 |website=VentureBeat |language=en-US}}</ref> Despite this, rumours persisted due to various tweets from Blue Box linking the game to Kojima's ''[[Metal Gear]]'' and ''[[Silent Hill]]'' game franchises. On June 15, 2021, Blue Box posted a tweet seemingly referring to ''Silent Hill'', which read; "Guess the name: Abandoned = (First letter S, Last letter L)".<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1404890697006784521 |user=bbgamestudios |title=Guess the name: Abandoned = (First letter S, Last letter L). Reveal closing in... #PS5 #Exclusive |access-date=2022-06-16 |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210615200615/https://twitter.com/BBGameStudios/status/1404890697006784521 |archive-date=June 15, 2021 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Blue Box subsequently apologized for the tweet and said it had been misunderstood.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barker |first=Sammy |date=2021-06-15 |title=Blue Box Game Studios Apologises for Misjudged Silent Hill Message |url=https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2021/06/blue_box_game_studios_apologises_for_misjudged_silent_hill_message |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616175501/https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2021/06/blue_box_game_studios_apologises_for_misjudged_silent_hill_message |archive-date=June 16, 2022 |access-date=2022-06-16 |website=Push Square |language=en-GB}}</ref> Similarly, on July 27, 2021, Blue Box shared a teaser for ''Abandoned'' featuring a blurred image of a person with a left-[[eyepatch]] that was compared to [[Big Boss (Metal Gear)|Big Boss]], one of the protagonists of Kojima's ''[[Metal Gear Solid]]'' series.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cooper |first=Dalton |date=2021-07-27 |title=Abandoned Game Posts Blurry Image That Looks Like Big Boss from Metal Gear Solid |url=https://gamerant.com/abandoned-game-ps5-kojima-big-boss-metal-gear-solid/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616220352/https://gamerant.com/abandoned-game-ps5-kojima-big-boss-metal-gear-solid/ |archive-date=June 16, 2022 |access-date=2022-06-16 |website=Game Rant |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gonzalez |first=Oscar |date=August 25, 2021 |title=Abandoned: What to know about this video game theory that may be a bust |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/gaming/abandoned-what-to-know-about-this-video-game-theory-that-may-be-a-bust/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616220354/https://www.cnet.com/tech/gaming/abandoned-what-to-know-about-this-video-game-theory-that-may-be-a-bust/ |archive-date=June 16, 2022 |access-date=2022-06-16 |website=CNET |language=en}}</ref> In an interview to ''[[NME]]'', Kahraman clarified that this was an image of the game's main villain, and not Solid Snake.<ref name="nme leston-2" /> Due to the repeated rumours, Kahraman had to speak to Konami to clear up his involvement.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Liang |first=Lu-Hai |date=2022-04-03 |title=Abandoned Dev Contacted Konami To Clear Silent Hill Comparison Concerns |url=https://www.thegamer.com/abandoned-dev-konami-silent-hill-comparison/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616181038/https://www.thegamer.com/abandoned-dev-konami-silent-hill-comparison/ |archive-date=June 16, 2022 |access-date=2022-06-16 |website=TheGamer |language=en-US}}</ref>

Kojima remained quiet on the rumours surrounding his involvement in ''Abandoned'' until he addressed and discredited them during an interview on his ''Brain Structure'' [[podcast]] with [[Geoff Keighley]] on November 3, 2022. Kojima said that he was "surprised" by the extent of the rumours, which he did not take seriously until users began sending [[Deepfake|deepfaked images]] and messages to him en masse, and described the situation as a "nuisance". Kojima stated that he had continuously been sent these images for "nearly two years". He also stated that he had never met Kahraman, and that he "wouldn't do the same thing twice" with regards to his "Moby Dick Studio" stunt.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bankhurst |first=Adam |date=2022-11-03 |title=Hideo Kojima Responds to the Rumors of His Involvement With Blue Box Game Studios' Abandoned |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/hideo-kojima-responds-to-the-rumors-of-his-involvement-with-blue-box-game-studios-abandoned |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221103215443/https://www.ign.com/articles/hideo-kojima-responds-to-the-rumors-of-his-involvement-with-blue-box-game-studios-abandoned |archive-date=November 3, 2022 |access-date=2022-11-03 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite podcast |url=https://open.spotify.com/episode/1C3a2W2PWMVvtwh81jKSOC |title=#10 Hideo Kojima x TGA Special: The truths behind internet rumors!? [ENGLISH] |website=Brain Structure |publisher=Kojima Productions, FAM inc. |date=2022-11-03 |language=en |access-date=2022-11-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221103215445/https://open.spotify.com/episode/1C3a2W2PWMVvtwh81jKSOC |archive-date=November 3, 2022 |url-status=live |last=Kojima |first=Hideo}}</ref>

=== ''Realtime Experience'' app and ''Abandoned: Prologue'' ===
On June 20, 2021, Blue Box revealed plans to release a "''Realtime Experience''" app (originally "''Realtime Trailers''") to the [[PlayStation Store]]. The app was touted as ''Abandoned''{{'}}s hub for "interactive trailers", where [[Teaser (trailer)|teasers]] and [[Trailer (promotion)#Video game trailers|trailers]] of ''Abandoned'' and its gameplay would be revealed, with reveals to take place during Summer 2021.<ref name="pushsquare croft-1">{{Cite web |last=Croft |first=Liam |date=2021-06-21 |title=Weird PS5 Game Abandoned Delays Trailer App to Friday |url=https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2021/06/weird_ps5_game_abandoned_delays_trailer_app_to_friday |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616164610/https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2021/06/weird_ps5_game_abandoned_delays_trailer_app_to_friday |archive-date=June 16, 2022 |access-date=2022-06-16 |website=Push Square |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1406631870809489411 |user=bbgamestudios |title=The app covers all trailers and gameplay reveals. Each of them will be available in de app once they are individually available. I can confirm that this summer some of them will be available. |access-date=2022-06-16 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616175508/https://twitter.com/bbgamestudios/status/1406631870809489411 |archive-date=June 16, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> It was designed to render the cutscenes "in real time", and act as a showcase for the game's graphics and use of [[Unreal Engine 5]].<ref name="psfanatic">{{Cite web |date=2021-05-31 |title=Abandoned Developers Announce Realtime Trailer App For PS5 |url=https://www.psfanatic.com/abandoned-developers-announce-realtime-trailer-app-for-ps5/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928033737/https://www.psfanatic.com/abandoned-developers-announce-realtime-trailer-app-for-ps5/ |archive-date=September 28, 2022 |access-date=2022-06-16 |website=PlayStation Fanatic |language=en}}</ref>

The ''Realtime Experience'' app was scheduled for release on June 20;<ref name="psfanatic" /> however, due to localisation issues, it was delayed to June 25<ref name="pushsquare croft-1" /> and then to August 10, 2022. Due to technical issues, the app immediately crashed and was unusable on day one, with a patch for the app being uploaded three days later.<ref name="psquare croft-2">{{Cite web |last=Croft |first=Liam |date=2021-06-25 |title=Abandoned Trailer App Delayed Yet Again, This Time to August |url=https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2021/06/abandoned_trailer_app_delayed_yet_again_this_time_to_august |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616141949/https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2021/06/abandoned_trailer_app_delayed_yet_again_this_time_to_august |archive-date=June 16, 2022 |access-date=2022-06-16 |website=Push Square |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bitner |first=Jon |date=2021-08-13 |title=Abandon's Realtime Experience Officially Live On PlayStation Store |url=https://www.thegamer.com/abandon-realtime-experience-live-playstation-store/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616220355/https://www.thegamer.com/abandon-realtime-experience-live-playstation-store/ |archive-date=June 16, 2022 |access-date=2022-06-16 |website=TheGamer |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Onder |first=Cade |date=2021-08-10 |title=PS5 Game Abandoned's Realtime Experience App Isn't Working |url=https://screenrant.com/abandoned-realtime-experience-ps5-app-trailer-check-back/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616220354/https://screenrant.com/abandoned-realtime-experience-ps5-app-trailer-check-back/ |archive-date=June 16, 2022 |access-date=2022-06-16 |website=ScreenRant |language=en-US}}</ref> After being patched, the ''Realtime Experience'' app was criticised for only containing a five-second render of a man walking on a wooden floor, and the fact this render had already been teased on Blue Box's Twitter account a few days prior to its release.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gerblick |first=Jordan |date=2021-08-13 |title=After all that, the Abandoned reveal app is totally empty |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/uk/after-all-that-the-abandoned-reveal-app-is-totally-empty/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616175501/https://www.gamesradar.com/uk/after-all-that-the-abandoned-reveal-app-is-totally-empty/ |archive-date=June 16, 2022 |access-date=2022-06-16 |website=[[GamesRadar+]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Croft |first=Liam |date=2021-08-13 |title=Abandoned App Patch Drops, Trailer Is the Same as Twitter Tease |url=https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2021/08/abandoned_app_patch_drops_trailer_is_the_same_as_twitter_tease |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616175500/https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2021/08/abandoned_app_patch_drops_trailer_is_the_same_as_twitter_tease |archive-date=June 16, 2022 |access-date=2022-06-16 |website=Push Square |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Tassi |first=Paul |date=August 14, 2021 |title=Blue Box's PS5 Abandoned App Finally Arrives, Annoying Fans Even More |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2021/08/14/blue-boxs-ps5-abandoned-app-finally-arrives-annoying-fans-even-more/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616181758/https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2021/08/14/blue-boxs-ps5-abandoned-app-finally-arrives-annoying-fans-even-more/ |archive-date=June 16, 2022 |access-date=2022-06-16 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Foster |first=George |date=2021-08-15 |title=Gamers Aren't Happy With The Abandoned Realtime Experience App |url=https://www.thegamer.com/gamers-arent-happy-with-abandoned/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616220351/https://www.thegamer.com/gamers-arent-happy-with-abandoned/ |archive-date=June 16, 2022 |access-date=2022-06-16 |website=TheGamer |language=en-US}}</ref> In an interview with ''[[NME]]'' six days later, Hasan apologized for the "big disaster" of the ''Realtime Experience'' app release.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leston |first=Ryan |date=2021-08-16 |title=A new 'Abandoned' trailer and demo is 'coming soon' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/a-new-abandoned-trailer-and-demo-is-coming-soon-3020313 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616225830/https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/a-new-abandoned-trailer-and-demo-is-coming-soon-3020313 |archive-date=June 16, 2022 |access-date=2022-06-16 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref> He blamed its failures on the team's use of Unreal Engine 5, which he felt was "not recommended" for use due to its [[early access]] state. In the same interview, Hasan also said he would be showing the trailer at [[Gamescom]] on August 25, 2021; however, this appearance never materialised.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Das |first=Meghashree |date=2021-08-27 |title='Abandoned' game theory might be a bust for developers |url=https://micky.com.au/abandoned-game-theory-might-be-a-bust-for-developers/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221221220405/https://micky.com.au/abandoned-game-theory-might-be-a-bust-for-developers/ |archive-date=December 21, 2022 |access-date=2022-06-16 |website=Micky |language=en-US}}</ref>

By August 2021, ''Abandoned''{{'s}} gameplay was changed from open world to "a [[Linear gameplay|linear]] story", which Kahraman claimed was done to maintain the game's high-quality graphics.<ref name="nme leston-1" /> He also announced that the game would receive a "playable prologue", which would act as a backstory/introduction to the main ''Abandoned'' game. Hasan intends to use the ''Prologue'' to fund the development of ''Abandoned'' upon its release. While initially plotted as a teaser, Hasan later clarified that the ''Prologue'' was now completely separate from the final game.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Rebecca |date=2021-12-08 |title=Abandoned to Get Playable Prologue at the Start of 2022 |url=https://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2021/12/08/abandoned-playable-prologue/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124202620/https://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2021/12/08/abandoned-playable-prologue/ |archive-date=January 24, 2022 |access-date=2022-06-16 |website=PlayStation LifeStyle}}</ref>

=== Indefinite delay and asset leak ===
On March 31, 2022, Blue Box released a statement to Twitter announcing that ''Abandoned: Prologue'' had been delayed indefinitely, with Kahraman saying that it will come out whenever it is ready.<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1509591396084326413 |user=bbgamestudios |title=Our response to the Cancellation rumours: |access-date=2022-06-16 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616175739/https://twitter.com/BBGameStudios/status/1509591396084326413 |archive-date=June 16, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gerblick |first=Jordan |date=2022-03-31 |title=Blue Box insists Abandoned isn't canceled as it delays playable prologue indefinitely |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/uk/blue-box-insists-abandoned-isnt-canceled-as-it-delays-playable-prologue-indefinitely/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616175500/https://www.gamesradar.com/uk/blue-box-insists-abandoned-isnt-canceled-as-it-delays-playable-prologue-indefinitely/ |archive-date=June 16, 2022 |access-date=2022-06-16 |website=[[GamesRadar+]] |language=en}}</ref> Following this announcement, Blue Box Game Studios deleted a number of past tweets regarding future plans of ''Abandoned'', leading to several publications to believe development on the game has stalled, or that it had been cancelled entirely.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moore |first=Logan |date=March 31, 2022 |title=Abandoned Developer Blue Box Game Studios Deletes Past Tweets Sparking New Fan Theories |url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/abandoned-ps5-game-blue-box-studios-deleted-tweets/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811163525/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/abandoned-ps5-game-blue-box-studios-deleted-tweets/ |archive-date=August 11, 2022 |access-date=2022-08-11 |website=ComicBook.com |language=en}}</ref> Kahraman denied these claims, and said it was due to the game's concept changing, though also stating that he regretted the decision to delete the tweets.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Troughton |first=James |date=2022-04-05 |title=Abandoned Dev Says He Deleted Tweets Because The Concept Has Changed |url=https://www.thegamer.com/abandoned-dev-says-he-deleted-tweets-because-the-concept-has-changed/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220823162652/https://www.thegamer.com/abandoned-dev-says-he-deleted-tweets-because-the-concept-has-changed/ |archive-date=August 23, 2022 |access-date=2022-08-23 |website=TheGamer |language=en-US}}</ref> On May 16, 2022, some of ''Abandoned''{{'}}s assets were leaked via Reddit, showing the game's concept had changed drastically from how it was originally characterized into a political thriller.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Murray |first=Sean |date=2022-05-16 |title=Abandoned's Script Supposedly Leaks And It's About What You'd Expect |url=https://www.thegamer.com/abandoneds-script-leaks/ |access-date=2022-08-23 |website=TheGamer |language=en-US |archive-date=August 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220823162652/https://www.thegamer.com/abandoneds-script-leaks/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Reception ==
Although highly anticipated upon its initial announcement, the lack of substantive updates surrounding ''Abandoned''{{'s}} development have led to accusations that the game is [[vaporware]].<ref name="pslifestyle smith" /><ref name="techspot jeffrey" /> In October 2021, Blue Box staff members were reported to have received increased levels of harassment, [[Doxing|doxxing]] and [[death threat]]s towards them as a result of "The Blue Box Conspiracy".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Suddi |first=Aran |date=2021-10-17 |title=Abandoned developer Blue Box responds to death threats |url=https://www.thesixthaxis.com/2021/10/17/abandoned-ps5-death-threat/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809122642/https://www.thesixthaxis.com/2021/10/17/abandoned-ps5-death-threat/ |archive-date=August 9, 2022 |access-date=2022-08-09 |website=TheSixthAxis |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Taylor |first=Mollie |date=2021-10-19 |title=Blue Box Game Studios says it's getting death threats over Kojima conspiracy |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/blue-box-game-studios-says-its-getting-death-threats-over-kojima-conspiracy/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808185209/https://www.pcgamer.com/blue-box-game-studios-says-its-getting-death-threats-over-kojima-conspiracy/ |archive-date=August 8, 2022 |access-date=2022-08-09 |work=PC Gamer |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Zwiezen |first=Zack |date=2021-10-18 |title=Blue Box Studios Asks Gamers To Stop Sending Death Threats, Please |url=https://kotaku.com/blue-box-studios-asks-gamers-to-stop-sending-death-thre-1847885646 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809122642/https://kotaku.com/blue-box-studios-asks-gamers-to-stop-sending-death-thre-1847885646 |archive-date=August 9, 2022 |access-date=2022-08-09 |website=[[Kotaku]] |language=en-us}}</ref> The game's troubled development has been compared to that of the now-defunct 2023 video game ''[[The Day Before (video game)|The Day Before]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Simelane |first=Smangaliso |date=2023-01-26 |title=The Day Before Might Just Be a Real-World 'Sequel' to Abandoned |url=https://gamerant.com/the-day-before-abandoned-similar-hoax-development-issues/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205205206/https://gamerant.com/the-day-before-abandoned-similar-hoax-development-issues/ |archive-date=February 5, 2023 |access-date=2023-03-16 |website=Game Rant |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Switzer |first=Eric |date=2023-02-06 |title=Well At Least We Know Why They Didn't Want To Show Off Footage From The Day Before |url=https://www.thegamer.com/the-day-before-preview-gameplay-empty-boring/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209191610/https://www.thegamer.com/the-day-before-preview-gameplay-empty-boring/ |archive-date=February 9, 2023 |access-date=2023-03-16 |website=TheGamer |language=en}}</ref>

=== ''GameSpot'' investigation ===
On June 3, 2022, ''[[GameSpot]]'' published an investigative report which accused Kahraman of "toxic" activities on a private chat room revolving around the game, in which he revealed scant development information but attempted a romantic advance on one of his artists, who later left the group, allowed a 12-year-old to insult other members with no consequences, and forced others to play ''[[Rainbow Six Siege]]'' with him. Leaked development assets also had a ''[[Silent Hill]] 5'' logo on them, indicating that he sought to trick people into believing ''Abandoned'' was part of the ''Silent Hill'' series. Others close to Kahraman claimed that little to nothing of the game exists, with the game shifting genres numerous times, and that even the playable prologue was unlikely to be finished, making it largely a [[hoax]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Delaney |first=Mark |date=2022-06-03 |title=Blue Box Dev Behind PS5's Abandoned Misled Fans, Solicited Business Deals In "Toxic" Chatroom |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/blue-box-dev-behind-ps5s-abandoned-misled-fans-solicited-business-deals-in-toxic-chatroom/1100-6504049/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220611181316/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/blue-box-dev-behind-ps5s-abandoned-misled-fans-solicited-business-deals-in-toxic-chatroom/1100-6504049/ |archive-date=June 11, 2022 |access-date=2022-08-01 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Winslow |first=Levi |date=2022-06-07 |title=OMG, PS5 Horror Game Abandoned Is Mired In Controversy Yet Again |url=https://kotaku.com/abandoned-ps5-silent-hill-hideo-kojima-hasan-kahraman-h-1849030201 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201093418/https://kotaku.com/abandoned-ps5-silent-hill-hideo-kojima-hasan-kahraman-h-1849030201 |archive-date=December 1, 2022 |access-date=2023-03-16 |website=Kotaku |language=en}}</ref>

== Notes ==
<references group="lower-alpha" responsive="1"></references>

== References ==
<references />

[[Category:Indie games]]
[[Category:PlayStation 5 games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Survival horror video games]]
[[Category:Unreal Engine 5 games]]
[[Category:Vaporware video games]]
[[Category:Video games set in forests]]
[[Category:Windows games]]

{{Wikipedia attribution|original_title=Abandoned (video game)|access_date=2026-02-24}}