Identity (video game)

Identity was supposed to be a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) developed and published by Asylum Entertainment, Inc. for Microsoft Windows and macOS.[1][2] In the game, players will have the freedom to do a variety of activities in an open world setting, including karaoke and paintballing. In the game, players will also have the ability to have their own jobs and careers, ranging from a variety of different careers.

Identity
Developer(s)Asylum Entertainment, Inc.
Publisher(s)Asylum Entertainment, Inc.
Director(s)John VanderZwet
EngineUnreal Engine
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows, macOS
Genre(s)Massively multiplayer online role-playing game
Mode(s)Multiplayer

The game was also supposed to allow players to customize their own homes and place various pieces of furniture in the home, including couches, televisions, and computers.[3] The developers had announced that the Town Square, an early version of the game with limited features, would be available to those who pledged on the game's Kickstarter campaign or paid a set fee before the Town Square's release.[4]

Scam and development abandon

Although Identity developers kept face for several years by promising progress to their backers and late pledgers, in 2019 they sent out an official newsletter in which they claimed their obligations toward any of their backers was filled and budget was lacking, thus rendering further progress either slow or impossible, depending on potential additional backers/buyers. In another official newsletter, Asylum Entertainement claimed to be contracted as publishers to a video-game called Furballs, developed by Phony Games Inc., declaring they were "not contributing to the development of Furballs" and calling on their supporters to back the then new kickstarter campaign of Furballs.

As it happened, later investigations revealed that Asylum Entertainment Director[5] John VanderZwet occupies Phony Games Inc. Director's position[6] as well, thus posing serious questions about their involvement in both companies and possibly revealing schemes for immoral money-grabbing strategies.

Final footage and play-test of Asylum Entertainment's IdentityRPG reveals an empty shell of 3D game assets barely interactible and providing no gameplay or playing potential for backers and buyers, thus joining -so far- the ranks of countless video-games kickstarter campaigns that ended up in supporters being robbed of their hard earned money for a total of 1.6 million dollars, as showed many play-tests independently published on youtube.com to this date.

References
  1. "Identity". www.asylumentertainment.ca. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
  2. "New Kickstarter sandbox Identity promises 'complete freedom and a focus on player interaction'". www.engadget.com. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  3. "Identity". Kickstarter. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
  4. "Town Square". www.identityrpg.com. Retrieved March 6, 2018.
  5. "Asylum Entertainment Inc. Director John VanderZwet". opencorporates.com. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
  6. "Phony Game Inc. Director John VanderZwet". opencorporates.com. Retrieved March 5, 2020.


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