1. Initial Concept and Crowdfunding (2012-2013):
- Camelot Unchained was conceived as a spiritual successor to Dark Age of Camelot (DAoC), focusing on large-scale Realm vs Realm (RvR) battles.
- Mark Jacobs, the lead designer of DAoC, headed the project at City State Entertainment.
- The game’s Kickstarter campaign in 2013 successfully raised over $2.2 million, with Jacobs contributing an additional $2 million.
- Later funding rounds and investments brought the total funding to approximately $17 million.
2. Early Development and Alpha Testing (2014-2016):
- Development began in earnest, focusing on a custom-built engine to handle the large-scale battles.
- Camelot Unchained entered Alpha 1 testing in March 2015.
- Beta 1 was initially scheduled for July 2015 but faced significant delays.
- A major setback occurred in early 2016 when flaws were discovered in the ability system, leading to a complete rebuild.
3. Beta Testing and Development Challenges (2017-2020):
- Beta 1 finally launched in July 2018, three years after its initial target.
- The game’s development faced numerous challenges, including failed tests, scope creep, and delays.
- A controversial side project, Final Stand: Ragnarok, was also developed using the same engine, which drew criticism from backers who felt it diverted resources from Camelot Unchained.
- The studio rebranded itself to Unchained Entertainment and sought additional investment.
4. Continued Development and Uncertain Future (2021-Present):
- Development continued, but the game faced mounting skepticism due to the long development time and lack of substantial updates.
- The studio experienced layoffs, further raising doubts about the game’s future.
- In 2025, the developers released new gameplay footage, demonstrating progress but also revealing a scaled-back scope compared to the original vision.
- The game’s release date remains uncertain, with some questioning if it will ever see a full launch.
In summary, Camelot Unchained has faced a long and tumultuous development history marked by delays, setbacks, and controversies. While recent updates suggest progress, the game’s future remains uncertain after more than a decade in development.