Vapourware

Vaporware (also spelt vapourware) is software or hardware which is announced by a developer well in advance of release, but which then fails to emerge, either with or without a protracted development cycle. The term implies deception, or at least a negligent degree of optimism; that is, it implies that the announcer knows that product development is in too early a stage to support responsible statements about its completion date, feature set, or even feasibility.

Two notable examples of vaporware are GenRogue and ShockFrost. GenRogue is supposedly being worked on currently, with its prequel Carceri currently under development. Given the recent history of the creator, Kornel Kisielewicz, it can safely be assumed that GenRogue may very well see a release.

Unreleased roguelike projects can be found in the Talkie talkie projects section. The use of the term Vaporware is avoided as Vaporware has a strong negative connotation.