Daikatana, a first-person shooter video game originally designed in 1997 by legendary game designer John Romero, is known as one of the greatest flops in video game history. Two rival clans – the Ebiharas and the Mishimas – battle it out in feudal Japan. It was an ambitious game design with “24 levels split into 4 distinct time periods, 25 weapons and 64 monsters.” Romero famously promoted the game with the tagline: “John Romero’s About to Make You His Bitch.” But Daikatana wasn’t well received, at all. Years later, in 2010, Romero apologized for the ad, saying: “That stupid ad. I regret it and I apologize for it.”
Gamers can still play Daikatana. Humble Bundle is now selling Humble Square Enix, a pay-what-you-want deal which includes Thief Gold, Mini Ninjas, Anachronox, Hitman: Codename 47, Hitman 2: Silent Assassin, and (last and certainly least) Daikatana. Average price for each game is $6. The minimum is $1. The promotion ends August 5.
