Fntastic’s New Map Design Contest Aims to Crowdsource Gameplay Content
genji 
Fntastic's New Map Design Contest Aims to Crowdsource Gameplay Content
Fntastic’s New Map Design Contest Aims to Crowdsource Gameplay Content
Fntastic, the developer behind the widely derided zombie shooter The Day Before, is asking community members to design maps to put in its next game as part of a newly announced “contest”. However, unlike its previous use of unpaid volunteers, the studio is dressing this opportunity up as a competition. Winners will not receive any monetary compensation for their work, but their map will be fully designed and playable in the game.
About Fntastic’s Erratic History
Fntastic’s history stretches back a fair distance, but the studio is perhaps best known for the debacle surrounding The Day Before. The open-world zombie MMO first made headlines with a striking reveal trailer in 2021, but its lustre soon began to fade amid repeated delays, alongside frequent accusations it was a scam. Despite repeated denials, the game’s eventual early access launch last December didn’t exactly do much to dispel player concerns.
The Controversy Surrounding The Day Before
The game that launched bore little resemblance to Fntastic’s initial trailer, and with Steam reviews soon tipping into Overwhelmingly Negative, Fntastic suddenly announced it was shutting down just four days later, saying it had “failed financially”. However, that wasn’t the end of the whole saga. In January, Fntastic resurfaced, blaming The Day Before’s failure on a “hate campaign”, and February brought word of toxic management practices at the studio.
Fntastic’s New Contest
The studio is now asking community members to design maps for its new game, Items. Submissions must include images or artwork, a map name and description, its theme, layout, and balance considerations. Winners will see their map fully designed and playable in the game, with their name displayed on it “somewhere”, and a free copy of Items itself. Despite the opportunity, Fntastic won’t be paying anyone for their work.
Community Response
A little over 24 hours after announcing the competition, four entries have been submitted. However, it remains to be seen whether this contest will be a success, or just another chapter in Fntastic’s turbulent history.
