Last week, a significant announcement graced the Steam page for Quantum Lock, an asymmetrical game of cyberspace freeze tag that first captivated players in 2015. This title marked the debut of indie developer Fat Bomb Studios, and the news shared was anything but celebratory. The studio revealed that while Quantum Lock had been a notable achievement, it was developed during a time when the importance of version control software was not fully appreciated. Consequently, Fat Bomb has made the difficult decision to delist the game due to the unfortunate loss of its source code over the years.
Without access to the source code, the studio faces insurmountable challenges in addressing any issues, bugs, or potential security vulnerabilities that players might encounter. In their announcement, Fat Bomb stated, “We do not have access to the source code anymore and cannot make any fixes or changes to the game.” As a result, they have opted to disable the purchase option for the game, leaving some players disheartened.
Reflections from the Developer
Among those expressing disappointment were self-described “dedicated collectors,” who found it frustrating that a game they had little interest in previously was now unavailable for addition to their libraries. One such collector, Leaton, shared his surprise at the reaction to the closure, stating, “I had not expected any reaction whatsoever from the closure.”
When asked for advice to fellow indie developers preparing to launch their first games, Leaton acknowledged the complexities of today’s game development landscape. He noted that the resources available now would be “unrecognizable” to the version of himself that was creating Quantum Lock in 2015. For him, the most crucial takeaway is the value of experience. “Your first game is most likely going to flop,” he advised. “No one is good at anything in the beginning, save for savants. Game development is a skill that has to be developed over time, through a healthy dose of failure.”
Leaton also emphasized the importance of practical solutions, recommending, “Use Google Drive for your backups.” This simple yet effective strategy could prevent future developers from facing similar pitfalls.
Looking ahead, Fat Bomb Studios is set to release their next asymmetrical multiplayer game, Light Bearers 2, in late 2024, signaling their continued commitment to innovation in the gaming industry despite the challenges faced with their earlier title.
