If you’re asking what happened to the Hiveswap game, you’re not alone. This highly anticipated Homestuck adventure game became a case study in prolonged and troubled development. In this article, we’ll explore the full story behind Hiveswap’s journey, from its ambitious Kickstarter origins and the initial developer partnership to the eventual, yet incomplete, release. We will cover the shift in game design, the reasons for its perceived cancellation by some fans, and the notable contributions of Toby Fox to the project, giving you a clear picture of its complex history.
The Ambitious Kickstarter Dream
The story of Hiveswap begins with incredible hype. In 2012, Homestuck creator Andrew Hussie launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund a high-quality adventure game set in the same universe. The campaign was a massive success, raising over $2.4 million from nearly 25,000 backers. The initial promise was for a sprawling 3D point-and-click adventure game that would expand the Homestuck lore, attracting both longtime fans and newcomers. The initial excitement and financial backing set a very high bar for expectations.
Early Development Troubles and a Change of Guard
The initial development of the Hiveswap game was outsourced to a studio called The Odd Gentlemen. However, this partnership became a significant point of contention and delay. Reports and community discussions pointed to a breakdown in communication and a mismanagement of funds, leading to a critical juncture where the project’s future was in jeopardy. After years with little to show for the effort, Andrew Hussie and his company, What Pumpkin, made the difficult decision to part ways with the studio and take the game’s development in-house. This marked a major pivot in the Hiveswap saga.
Key Reasons for the Development Shift
- Creative Differences: Disagreements on the game’s direction and art style.
- Pacing and Progress: The development under the initial studio was reportedly too slow.
- Financial Concerns: Allegations arose regarding the use of the Kickstarter funds.
- Quality Control: The need to ensure the final product met the standards of the Homestuck creator.
A New Direction: The Hiveswap Game Re-emerges
Bringing development in-house at the newly formed What Pumpkin Games studio meant starting over. The most significant change was the decision to abandon the original 3D concept in favor of a more traditional 2D art style, which was more in line with the Homestuck webcomic’s aesthetic and more manageable for the new team. This change, while necessary, added significant time to the development cycle. It was a reset that aimed to finally get the game into the hands of backers, albeit in a different form than originally pitched.
| Feature |
Original Kickstarter Promise (3D) |
Final Released Product (2D) |
| Art Style |
Fully rendered 3D environments and characters |
Hand-drawn 2D animation and backgrounds |
| Engine |
Custom 3D engine |
Unity Engine with 2D tools |
| Development Team |
The Odd Gentlemen (External) |
What Pumpkin Games (Internal) |
| Release Plan |
A single, complete game |
Episodic release (Act 1, Act 2, etc.) |
The Role of Toby Fox
One of the most exciting aspects of the Hiveswap game for many was the involvement of Toby Fox, the creator of Undertale. Before he became a household name for his own game, Fox was a well-known contributor to the Homestuck music scene. He was brought onto the Hiveswap project to compose music, and his signature style is a clear highlight of the released acts. His involvement helped maintain interest and brought a seal of quality to the soundtrack, even as the game’s development struggled.
Release, Reception, and the Long Wait
HIVESWAP: Act 1 was finally released in September 2017, nearly five years after the Kickstarter ended. The reception was generally positive, with praise for the art, music, and writing, but the long wait had soured the experience for some. The real issue became the gap between acts. HIVESWAP: Act 2 was not released until November 2020, over three years later. This staggered and slow release schedule led many to feel the project was abandoned or effectively a cancellation, even though parts of it were delivered. The full, four-act story promised by the Kickstarter remains incomplete, with no official release date or confirmation for Acts 3 and 4.
Conclusion – The Hiveswap Game: What Really Happened?
In summary, what happened to the Hiveswap game is a story of ambition meeting development reality. An initial troubled partnership, a complete project reboot from 3D to 2D, and an ultimately unsustainable development model led to a game that was delivered in a piecemeal fashion and never fully completed. While not an official cancellation, the project is currently in an indefinite hiatus, leaving the full story of Joey and Jude’s adventure untold. It stands as a cautionary tale for crowdfunded projects and a point of bittersweet history for the dedicated Homestuck fandom.
It stands as a cautionary tale for crowdfunded projects and a point of bittersweet history for the dedicated Homestuck fandom. more infoRELATED: How to Create SEO-Friendly Content That Ranks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Hiveswap Act 3 ever be released?
As of now, there has been no official announcement regarding the development or release of Hiveswap Act 3. The project is considered to be on an indefinite hiatus.
Why did the game switch from 3D to 2D?
The switch was made after development was brought in-house. The 2D style was more manageable for the new, smaller team and was closer to the aesthetic of the original Homestuck webcomic.
Is Toby Fox’s music in the game?
Yes, Toby Fox composed a significant portion of the music for both Hiveswap: Act 1 and Act 2, and his work is often cited as a major highlight of the game.
Was the Hiveswap game a failure?
Whether it was a failure is subjective. It failed to deliver on the full, original promise of the Kickstarter in a timely manner. However, two of the four planned acts were released and generally well-received for their quality.