By KEVIN HOOVER
IllFonic and Gun Media’s FRIDAY THE 13TH: THE GAME never had it easy. Crowdfunding $1.2 million in 2017 clearly showed a fanbase ready to backpack out to Camp Blood for the first time since LJN’s purple-clad Jason murdered us and our friends way back in 1989, but the resulting effort was initially a glitch-marred mess. While patches did right most wrongs and eventually steered gamers back into the asymmetrical horror experience they were promised, the copyright entanglement that forced the franchise to a standstill inevitably claimed the video game, with Gun Media stating that not so much as even an in-game rock could be changed.
Aside from previously released DLC, there would be no new maps, skins, or kills. This included a planned Jason X pack, featuring Uber Jason and Grendel map (although the map would be leaked through a YouTube video and hackers were able to unlock the Uber Jason skin on PC). But despite the lack of new content, the horror hit that once stood toe-to-toe with the almighty Dead by Daylight managed to forge a steadfast allegiance with those ready to don the iconic hock and thrash sleeping bags full of counselors to their grisly demise.
But licensing is a tricky widget – perhaps none more than that of Friday of the 13th – and on December 31st, 2023, Gun Media’s rights to the storied franchise will expire once and for all:
As stated, the base game will still be available to purchase for $4.99 USD with DLC packs at just .99 USD, with a promise that although sales will be halted at the end of this year, the title will continue to function until at least until December 31st, 2024.
While Gun Media’s FRIDAY THE 13TH: THE GAME may be wrapping up, the dev had long ago switched their efforts to the forthcoming The Texas Chain Saw Massacre game, currently slated to release on August 18th, 2023. And, in keeping with traditional Friday the 13th fashion and proving the Voorhees name will never truly die, series composer Harry Manfredini recently let slip he’s working on a score for a new game, one that’s shedding the current multiplayer-focused persona.
