Interesting gaming concepts that dissapeared...

[MetalSoup]

... or became so obscure no-one even knows they exist anymore.

The Phantom console

The Phantom was probably the inspiration for what would eventually become the Steam box over a decade later.

The Phantom is a cancelled video-game console whose development was supposedly begun by Phantom Entertainment–then known as Infinium Labs–in 2003. The device was said to be capable of playing current and future PC games, giving the system a large initial game library and making it easier for developers to produce games for the system. The system was said to feature a direct-download content delivery service, instead of the discs and cartridges used by most game consoles.

After delaying the product several times it was eventually cancelled, and the only product Phantom Entertainment sells now is their Lapboard:

Project Offset

A first person shooter set in a fantasy universe, under development by Offset Software. The engine showed some amazing features for its time. Offset Software were eventually bought by Intel, who cancelled the game shortly afterwards. The founders of Offset moved on to start a new company that haven't done much of significance since. A highly modified version of the engine was used for Firefall.


Euclideon's graphics engine

This so called "infinite detail" graphics engine is yet to show any proper animation years after they promised it. Still looks amazing, but the fact that there are still no actual demos after years of them showing off the technology makes me believe it's all just a big scam.

Regarding games:
Euclideon will be releasing two games in 2015 using this technology and are currently open for investors in its games division, if you are interested please contact us.

Clearly that's not happening.


What other projects do you know of that looked exciting but seemingly disappeared of the face of the earth?

 

[HavocXphere]

Still looks amazing, but the fact that there are still no actual demos after years of them showing off the technology makes me believe it's all just a big scam.

Not a scam per se. But completely and entirely unsuited to gaming in its current form.

They should really rather be pitching it to google as a street view replacement.

 

[AlphaJohn]

Illumiroom where for are thou?