The highly anticipated game, The Day Before, has abruptly met its end as the servers were shut down by the publisher Mytona just 45 days after its early access launch. The once top-wishlisted game on Steam descended into controversy amid accusations of copying elements from other popular titles and was fraught with delays and underwhelming gameplay upon release. This unexpected shutdown follows Fntastic, the developer's announcement of ceasing operations. Mytona assured players that Steam would be processing refunds for all purchasers of the game. The game's rocky history and abrupt conclusion have marked it as one of the most infamous video game failures, leaving its early adopters with a game they can no longer play.

What led to the downfall of The Day Before?

The Day Before's downfall was a result of several factors including accusations of plagiarism, trademark disputes, repeated delays, and a disappointing early access launch which diverged significantly from the developer Fntastic's promises. Additionally, the subsequent closure of Fntastic and removal of the game from sale culminated in the shutdown of the game's servers, rendering it unplayable.

The Day Before had garnered significant attention as a survival MMO that promised a blend of combat, scavenging, and survival in a post-pandemic America. Compared to successful titles like The Division and The Last of Us in its aesthetic and gameplay mechanics, it was poised to be a major release for the survival game community. However, the excitement turned to skepticism and then to disappointment as players and critics highlighted the shortcomings and unfulfilled promises that plagued its release. Its sudden disappearance from the gaming landscape exemplifies the volatility of the video game industry, where hype and expectations can quickly transform into cautionary tales of development and marketing missteps.