History WhatCouldHaveBeen / VideoGamesGToM

** Owing to being ScrewedByTheNetwork, most of the online story of ''VideoGame/UruAgesBeyondMyst'' never saw the light of day. Some ages that were intended for multiplayer had to be recycled into singleplayer content for the To D'ni and Path of the Shell expansions, and even more were recycled for use in ''VideoGame/MystVEndOfAges''. While some content was restored when the online servers were restored, the content from ''Myst V'' remained unavailable, along with ages that had been mentioned both in in-game journals and development lists like Rebek.

* Originally, the cast of ''VideoGame/LunarEternalBlue'' were going to be [[SpinOffspring the kids of the couples from the first game]]. This idea was nixed and the plot set [[ExtyYearsFromNow 1000 years later]]; this does explain why everyone is pretty much a 50/50 mix of the previous crew.

* ''[[VideoGame/LegoAdaptationGame LEGO Star Wars]]'' was originally supposed to have a Wheelbike chase in Episode 3, and a level for Zam Wessel, but they were cut due to not being to able properly program them. Zam finally made her ''LEGO Star Wars'' debut in ''The Complete Saga'', but the Wheelbike chase never resurfaced, probably not to throw off the "one-vehicle level" balance.

** According to Tetsuya Nomura in a [[NoExportForYou Japan-only book]], Axel was originally supposed to die in the Prologue of ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsII''. However, his popularity [[SavedByTheFans with both fans]] and the staff caused him to stick around for most of the game [[BreakoutCharacter and beyond.]] Additionally, he stated that his original idea for a weapon that became the Keyblade didn't start as a key, but something more like a ''[[ChainsawGood chainsaw]]'', but that got an ExecutiveVeto. Also, at the same time that weapon design was there, Sora was originally designed as a [[http://vignette4.wikia.nocookie.net/lostmedia/images/d/de/Lion-Sora-Chainsaw.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20150910020651 lion-type character,]] reminiscent of [[Characters/FinalFantasyIX Zidane]].

** Older trailers of the first game showed many things that didn't get into the final release. For example, Riku having a scene at the top of Big Ben in Neverland, Kairi having a larger role at the end of Hollow Bastion, and Donald and Goofy using their classic cartoon outfits in battle, though those outfits eventually did show up in the game's epilogue. Strangely, despite being DummiedOut, the scene of Riku at Big Ben is still considered canon, being shown in later games such as ''[[VideoGame/KingdomHeartsCoded Kingdom Hearts Re:coded]]''.

** ''VideoGame/MarvelVsCapcomClashOfTheSuperHeroes'':

** The "Birth by Sleep: Volume Two" secret ending of ''Birth by Sleep Final Mix'' hinted at a sequel for the PS Vita...that Nomura has now confirmed will not happen, as [[ExecutiveMeddling executive producers]], for better or worse, thought there had been more than enough portable KH games, so the project was scrapped and focus was put solely on developing ''Dream Drop Distance'' and ''Kingdom Hearts III''.

** There were plans for a ''Videogame/SamuraiShodown'' team in ''[=KOF95=]'' consisting of Nakoruru, Haohmaru and Galford. This idea was axed due to SNK not knowing if the characters would become popular enough to include, as ''Shodown'' was still a relatively recent release when ''95'' was being planned. Nakoruru at least made it into the Gameboy port of ''95'', and eventually joined the mainline series in ''Videogame/TheKingOfFightersXIV''.

** There were plans for a ''Videogame/SamuraiShodown'' team in ''[=KOF95=]'' consisting of Nakoruru, Haohmaru and Galford. This idea was axed due to SNK not knowing if the characters would become popular enough to include, as ''Shodown'' was still a relatively recent release when ''95'' was being planned. Nakoruru at least made it into the Gameboy port of ''95'', and eventually joined the mainline series in ''Videogame/KingOfFightersXIV''.

** Artbooks for some of the series sometimes display possible alternate looks for characters, but there's also a spite sheet of possible looks for the characters that debuted in ''[=KoF99=]'' - notable because one shows Bao could have been a girl.

** ''The King of Fighters XIII'' has a few of these. [[http://game.snkplaymore.co.jp/official/kof-xiii/blog/archives/2010/08/post_28.html Chang, Malin, Momoko, and Oswald]] intended to be in the game. Chang became part of the background in the India stage. The other three are still MIA.

** ''VideoGame/{{Halo 3}}''. Guardian Level. Ripping out its eye and killing it with it. Yes, The Guardians, [[CutscenePowerToTheMax Really Killed By Us]]. ''The Art of Halo 3'' also showed a weapon that later became the DMR from ''Reach'', meant to replace the Battle Rifle.

* ''VideoGame/MarvelVsCapcom''

*** Comicbook/IronMan and Comicbook/DoctorDoom were meant to appear, but had to be omitted because of rights issues.
*** Comicbook/{{Mephisto}} was planned to make a {{Cameo}} appearance during one of Blackheart's super moves; seemingly it would have involved grabbing the opponent and breathing fire on them. Incorrectly colored sprites of this move can still be found in the game's code.
*** Likewise, Comicbook/{{Apocalypse}} had an unfinished new attack where he would've turned one of his hands into a giant pincer.

*** Hiroto Ishikawa wanted to include Comicbook/SpiderMan in his black symbiote costume from ''Comicbook/SecretWars1984'', but this proved unfeasible due to the amount of time and effort it would've taken to alter the patterns on the existing sprite work. This is why Armored Spider-Man was included as a hidden character instead, since that costume could be achieved with a simple recolor.

*** Some of the Capcom staffers wanted Comicbook/{{Galactus}} to appear as the boss, but Marvel denied this request because they felt he was too powerful to be defeated in a physical confrontation.
*** Comicbook/HowardTheDuck and Comicbook/SheHulk were considered for the roster. Tomita shot them down because he did not want another JokeCharacter in the series after Norimaro, and it was felt that She-Hulk's FourthWallObserver tendencies wouldn't translate well to a fighting game. When Capcom USA heard that Howard was in consideration, they argued against his inclusion, citing the massive failure of [[Film/HowardTheDuck his live-action movie]] as a stain on the character's reputation. They presented Comicbook/SpiderHam as an alternative, but again, Norimaro killed any chance of more gag characters for the time being.

*** Comicbook/MisterFantastic, Comicbook/DoctorStrange and Comicbook/SilverSurfer were all considered for the game, but were dropped for various reasons. Doctor Strange because it was felt he'd be too similar to Doctor Doom, Silver Surfer because it was hard to adapt his board and high speed movements to a fighting game, and Mr. Fantastic because capturing his stretchiness with hand-drawn sprites would've been difficult and time-consuming.
*** Other proposed characters were Comicbook/{{Daredevil}} and Comicbook/BlackWidow (rejected due to worries their movesets wouldn't be compelling enough), Comicbook/{{Hawkeye}} (rejected due to the perception that his abilities were too limited) and Comicbook/ScarletWitch (rejected due to fears she'd be too overpowered).

*** Comicbook/BlackPanther, Comicbook/{{Blade}}, ComicBook/SilverSurfer and Comicbook/DoctorOctopus were all scheduled to appear early on, but ended up being excluded. The first two due to worries that they'd be too similar to other characters from a gameplay perspective (specifically Comicbook/{{Taskmaster}} and Comicbook/{{Deadpool}}), and the last two because it turned out that Doc Ock's robotic tentacles and the Surfer's board were very difficult to implement in the game's fighting system.

*** Capcom reportedly considered the entire ComicBook/FantasticFour, but each one had complications: Comicbook/HumanTorch's fire effects gobbled RAM, Comicbook/TheThing was too similar to the Hulk, and they couldn't come up with good movesets for Mr. Fantastic and the Comicbook/InvisibleWoman. Eventually Marvel stepped in and suggested they use the Super Skrull, who has all of the FF's powers in one, neatly solving all their problems.

*** Fou-Lu from ''Videogame/BreathOfFireIV'' was considered, but Niitsuma claimed that the amount of work the character would've required made him a no-go, especially since the BOF series is very obscure in America. A few BOF cameos ''did'' eventually happen in the form of power-up cards for the "Heroes and Heralds" mode of ''Ultimate Marvel Vs. Capcom 3'', but to date ''Breath of Fire'' is one of the most notable Capcom series to never have had a playable character in any ''VideoGame/CapcomVs'' fighting game.

*** Nina from ''Videogame/BreathOfFireI'' almost made the cut, and would've had a Super where she summoned all of the other Ninas from the various installments of the series.
*** Arieta from ''Videogame/{{Cyberbots}}'' and Rouge from ''Videogame/PowerStone'' were considered but discarded due to fears they'd hurt the game's chances at a T rating (as Arieta is basically nude and Rouge's transformed look is rather {{Stripperific}}).
*** Niitsuma heavily pushed for Tessa from ''Videogame/RedEarth'', who he felt would've made a good rival for Doctor Strange. A grown-up Anita from ''Videogame/{{Darkstalkers}}'' was another possibility for the Capcom side's spellcaster.
*** Black Widow and Comicbook/TheHood were considered, but it was decided they were too similar to other gun-wielding characters like Chris and Dante.
*** Comicbook/CarolDanvers (as Ms. Marvel) was considered, but it was felt that Marvel's other female heroes like Storm and She-Hulk made her redundant.
*** Comicbook/TheKingpin was strongly considered, and it came down to a choice between him and Comicbook/{{MODOK}}, with the latter ultimately chosen because he seemed more fun.
*** Comicbook/{{Mystique}} was discussed, but her impersonation gimmick was considered a poor fit for a fighting game.
*** Comicbook/TheVision was another potential candidate, but was deemed too powerful.
*** Gene from ''Videogame/GodHand'' was a possible choice for the Capcom side, but it was felt there was too much overlap with Frank West. Since ''Videogame/DeadRising'' is much more popular than ''God Hand'', Frank ultimately made the cut over him.
*** Soki from ''Videogame/{{Onimusha}}'' was considered, but the staff wanted Samanosuke from the original game instead. Unfortunately, the rights issues involved (as Samanosuke was [[InkSuitActor modeled after]] Creator/TakeshiKaneshiro) [[ExiledFromContinuity made this impossible]].

*** Other characters who were considered but ultimately discarded include Comicbook/SpiderWoman (whose flight and electrical attacks made her too similar to Trish), Comicbook/CloakAndDagger (with Cloak playing similar to a [[Videogame/JojosBizarreAdventureHeritageForTheFuture Stand]]), [[Videogame/{{Darkstalkers}} Donovan]], Comicbook/{{Psylocke}}, Spiral, Comicbook/SquirrelGirl (Comicbook/RocketRaccoon was more popular with the staff), Comicbook/MultipleMan, [[Videogame/CapcomFightingEvolution Ingrid]] and ComicBook/{{Rogue}}.
*** [[https://twitter.com/FrankTieri/status/145923054118256641 According to Frank Tieri]], Comicbook/MilesMorales was strongly considered for the ''Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3'' update, but time constraints (Miles' first official appearance was published only a few months prior to the game's release) made it impossible.

*** Data mining has revealed that 61 characters were initially planned, which lines up with rumors that a second season of DLC content was in the works at one time. Reportedly, the Season 2 DLC characters would've included [[Comicbook/{{Ms Marvel|2014}} Ms. Marvel]] and Comicbook/StarLord on the Marvel side, and [[VideoGame/AsurasWrath Asura]], [[VideoGame/DevilMayCry Lady, Vergil]] and [[VideoGame/StreetFighterIII Gill]] on the Capcom side. The game's disappointing sales led to Capcom pulling the plug on any additional support.
*** Capcom UK pushed for Akira Kazama from ''Videogame/RivalSchools'', but she didn't make the cut.
** Interestingly, around the time the Marvel license was expiring in the early 2000s, their rival Creator/{{DC|Comics}} approached Capcom about making a ''Comicbook/{{Justice League|Of America}}'' fighting game. Katsuya Akitomo was against the idea, arguing that the power gulf at DC was much wider than the one at Marvel, and that with the exception of Comicbook/{{Batman}}, most of DC's properties were floundering at the time. The rapidly changing video game landscape (with arcades losing prominence and 3D graphics rapidly replacing traditional hand drawn sprites) also made Capcom hesitant to invest in a new game involving another company's IP, which likely would have meant paying costly licensing fees.

* ''[[Videogame/MechWarrior MechWarrior Living Legends]]'' had an open UsefulNotes/BetaTest for 1.5 years [[ScrewedByTheLawyers before the lawyers of the new]], AllegedlyFreeGame yanked ''Living Legends'' non-commercial ''Mechwarrior'' license away [[note]]because they didn't want to "double up their efforts" to compete with a NoBudget game ([[DisproportionateRetribution with about a thousand players]]) that, embarrassingly, was pumping out content faster[[/note]]. 0.7.1 was the last release and the developer's swan song, incorporating multiple new vehicles and features along with a plethora of balancing. In a series of posts on the forums, the developers highlighted dozens of features that were in development but they didn't have the time to complete before being shut down, such as the series signature [[CharacterCustomization Mechlab]], over a [[http://forum.mechlivinglegends.net/index.php/topic,18950.0.html dozen new vehicles]] including the cherished ''Marauder'' mech and new PoweredArmor classes, game modes, [[http://forum.mechlivinglegends.net/index.php/topic,18955.0.html soundtrack]], plus {{blooper}}s from [[http://forum.mechlivinglegends.net/index.php/topic,19000.0.html alpha testing]].
* ''VideoGame/MetalSlug''

*** The game was much shorter: Stage 2 did not have an equivalent in the original version, and levels were shorter and simpler (for example, level 3 did not have the climbing portion or a mid-boss battle). The game was lengthened at SNK's instance, their reasoning being that since the NeoGeo was also sold as an home system, the game should be of reasonable length.

* ''VideoGame/MightAndMagic VI'' was originally planned to take place on the world of the novels. When the world was changed to Enroth (the world ''VideoGame/HeroesOfMightAndMagic I and II'' had taken place on), the planned third novel in the trilogy fell through as well. One of the reasons it was specifically 3DO that bought Creator/NewWorldComputing was that Jon van Caneghem wanted to make a ''Might & Magic Online'', and 3DO had just published [[VideoGame/{{Meridian59}} what was probably the first MMORPG]]. For various reasons, the project never managed to get off the ground, and it wasn't until ''years'' after 3DO went under that the fans heard about this.

*** Comicbook/BlackPanther, Comicbook/{{Blade}}, ComicBook/SilverSurfer and Comicbook/DoctorOctopus were all scheduled to appear early on, but ended up being excluded. The first two due to worries that they'd be too similar to other characters from a gameplay perspective (specifically Comicbook/{{Taskmaster}} and Comicbook/{{Deadpool}}), and the last two because it turned out that Doc Ock's robotic tentacles and Surfer's board were very difficult to implement in the game's fighting system.

*** Capcom reportedly considered the entire ComicBook/FantasticFour, but each one had complications: Human Torch's fire effects gobbled RAM, the Thing was too similar to the Hulk, and they couldn't come up with good movesets for Mr. Fantastic and the Invisible Woman. Eventually Marvel stepped in and suggested they use the Super Skrull, who has all of the FF's powers in one, neatly solving all their problems.

* ''VideoGame/MortalKombat'':

*** Demitri from ''Darkstalkers'' was brought up, but Niitsuma slyly said fans know why he can't be included (seemingly hinting at his infamous "[[GenderBender Midnight Bliss]]" move).

*** Fou-Lu from ''Videogame/BreathOfFireIV'' was considered, but Niitsuma claimed that the amount of work the character would've required made him a no-go, especially since the BOF series is very obscure in America. A few BOF cameos ''did'' eventually happen in the form of power-up cards for the "Heroes and Heralds" mode of ''Ultimate Marvel Vs. Capcom 3'', but to date ''Breath of Fire'' is one of the most notable Capcom series that has never had a playable character in any ''VideoGame/CapcomVs'' fighting game.

*** Comicbook/BlackPanther, Comicbook/{{Blade}}, ComicBook/SilverSurfer and Comicbook/DoctorOctopus were all scheduled to appear early on, but ended up being excluded. The first two due to worries that they'd be too similar to other characters from a gameplay perspective (specifically, Comicbook/{{Taskmaster}} and Comicbook/{{Deadpool}}), and the last two because it turned out that Doc Ock's robotic tentacles and Surfer's board were very difficult to implement in the game's fighting system.

*** Fou-Lou from ''Videogame/BreathOfFireIV'' was considered, but Niitsuma claimed that the amount of work the character would've required made him a no-go, especially since the BOF series is very obscure in America. A few BOF cameos ''did'' eventually happen in the form of power-up cards for the "Heroes and Heralds" mode of ''Ultimate Marvel Vs. Capcom 3'', but to date ''Breath of Fire'' is one of the most notable Capcom series (another being ''VideoGame/PowerStone'') that has never had a playable character in any ''VideoGame/CapcomVs'' fighting game.

*** Ruby Heart and Amingo were originally conceived as ''VideoGame/{{Darkstalkers}}'' characters.

*** Norimaro had an unused animation where he would get down on the ground with a lecherous look on his face. This was presumably intended as a unique win pose for when he defeated a female opponent, and the animation was supposed to show him looking up their skirt. For obvious reasons, this was cut from the game, as were an attack where would get a massive {{Nosebleed}} after thinking about a female Capcom character (including Morrigan and Felicia from ''VideoGame/{{Darkstalkers}}'') and a [[AssShove kancho]] throw (the latter of which Marvel allegedly got angry over after seeing a video clip of the attack being used on Spider-Man).

*** Norimaro had an unused animation where he would get down on the ground with a lecherous look on his face. This was presumably intended as a unique win pose for when he defeated a female opponent, and the animation was supposed to show him looking up their skirt. For obvious reasons, this was cut from the game, as was an attack where would get a massive {{Nosebleed}} after thinking about a female Capcom character (including Morrigan and Felicia from ''VideoGame/{{Darkstalkers}}'') and a [[AssShove kancho]] throw.

*** Arieta from ''Videogame/{{Cyberbots}}'' and Rouge from ''Videogame/PowerStone'' were considered but discarded due to fears they'd hurt the game's chances at a T rating (as Arieta is basically nude and Rogue's transformed look is rather {{Stripperific}}).

*** Other characters who were considered but ultimately discarded include Comicbook/SpiderWoman (whose flight and electrical attacks made her too similar to Trish), Comicbook/CloakAndDagger (with Cloak playing similar to a [[Videogame/JojosBizarreAdventureHeritageForTheFuture Stand]]), [[Videogame/{{Darkstalkers}} Donovan]], Comicbook/{{Psylocke}}, Spiral, Comicbook/SquirrelGirl (Comicbook/RocketRaccoon was more popular with the staff), Comicbook/MultipleMan, and ComicBook/{{Rogue}}.