Canceled Rare SNES RPG Prototype Leaked Online
A user has leaked an alleged playable prototype of Rare's canceled SNES RPG, Project Dream, citing frustration with Xbox's management and the game
An alleged playable prototype of Rare's canceled Super Nintendo fantasy RPG, Project Dream, has been leaked online. The leak was orchestrated by an individual expressing deep dissatisfaction with the current state of the video game industry and Microsoft's stewardship of Rare.
On September 9, an Internet Archive user with the name "FVCKAsha&Phil" uploaded what they claim is a "SNES proof-of-concept alpha" for Dream: Land of Giants. The username appears to reference current Xbox CEO Asha Sharma and former boss Phil Spencer. The leaker provided footage of the build running on original hardware but declined to share specific acquisition details to protect their sources, stating they got it "from someone who got it from someone, who got it from somewhere."
Motive Behind the Leak
The individual behind the leak, FVCKPhil&Asha, explained their reasoning on the Internet Archive page. "With the current state of the industry and Microsoft's current heartless gutting and mismanagement of Rare and other companies it controls, plus with how long it's been, I feel it's more important to make sure this is properly preserved," they wrote. The leaker also cited Xbox's "support and approval of literal genocide in Gaza" as a factor.
Their statement called for broader action within the gaming community. "Let's get the last beautiful things hiding on our hard drives out there for everyone," they continued, urging people to delete Microsoft and Sony software, install Linux, and boycott certain Nintendo purchase methods. The leaker expressed hope that this release would inspire others to leak preserved prototypes, specifically mentioning the Twelve Tales Conker 64 prototype.
History of Project Dream
Project Dream is a legendary canceled game that eventually evolved into the Nintendo 64 classic Banjo-Kazooie. Development began around 1995 as a fantasy RPG for the SNES. The project grew too ambitious for the older hardware, leading to a shift in development for the Nintendo 64. This version transformed into more of a pirate-themed adventure and ultimately replaced its original human protagonist with Banjo, an anthropomorphic bear who was initially a side character.
Further development changes occurred when the team saw early work on what would become Conker's Bad Fur Day. The remnants of Project Dream were then reconfigured into a platformer, a genre the developers felt more confident creating. A remnant of the original concept survives in Banjo-Kazooie as a cameo from the pirate villain Captain Blackeye, who complains about a bear stealing his glory.
For retro gaming enthusiasts, the emergence of this prototype is a significant event, representing a long-sought piece of gaming history. Its authenticity, however, remains a matter for the community to verify through preservation and analysis of the leaked ROM.
