Key Takeaways
1. Neostream Interactive, founded by Kody and J.J. Lee in 1998, shifted from a multimedia firm to game development, launching a successful Kickstarter campaign for Little Devil Inside in 2015.
2. The game has faced consistent delays, missing multiple launch deadlines set for 2016, 2018, 2021, and 2022, with the latest update suggesting a lack of regular communication.
3. Development challenges, including a transition to Unreal Engine and a downsized team, have contributed to the protracted timeline for the game’s release.
4. The game is currently available as a limited-time exclusive on PlayStation 4 and 5, with uncertain plans for releases on other platforms, including Steam.
5. Backers have expressed frustration over the lack of updates and clarity regarding the game’s status, leading to feelings of being “scammed” by the developers, and raising doubts about the potential release in the future.
Back in 1998, two brothers named Kody and J.J. Lee started a business called Neostream Interactive Pty Ltd. Initially, it was a multimedia firm, but it eventually shifted its focus to game creation. In 2015, they kicked off a Kickstarter campaign for their game, aiming to collect AUD 250,000; remarkably, they managed to raise over AUD 300,000. Based in Seoul, Korea, the company reached its goal within days and aimed for a late 2016 launch. Fast forward nearly a decade, and the game Little Devil Inside is still in development, which is a bit ironic, as it makes Star Citizen look like a well-behaved scout in comparison.
Consistent Delays
Neostream has failed to meet every deadline they set over the past decade, including their original launch dates of 2016, 2018, 2021, and 2022. In an update from April last year, the developers discussed the reasons behind the delays, such as downsizing their team to a “smaller, bonded team.” They mentioned that the game is currently available for a limited-time exclusive release on PlayStation 4 and 5, with plans for Xbox One and Nintendo Switch ports, but didn’t say anything about a release on Steam. The game was once featured on Steam Greenlight, which was shut down in 2017 and replaced by Steam Direct, a much easier process.
Updates and Feedback
The developers continued to update their website with more information leading up to the game’s release, providing “periodic updates” until April 2024. They acknowledged the delays, stating: “We know this doesn’t and shouldn’t justify for all the delays and lack of news but we’re still here, have been and always will be.” This sparse update marked the first real official news since 2020. Many backers expressed their frustration, especially those who couldn’t have their pledges honored due to the company’s change in direction.
Development Challenges
According to the developers, various challenges encountered throughout the years have caused the delays, including a transition to Unreal Engine. The best way to catch a glimpse of the game is through a PlayStation-hosted showcase trailer here and a more recent one here, while the PlayStation store page is still active, indicating the title as ‘announced’ for those interested. This might clarify the game’s unclear status on Steam, where its landing page has been removed, hinting at possible exclusivity on PlayStation, even though the (unsecured) Neostream site still displays a Windows logo.
Currently, the Kickstarter page for Little Devil Inside still lists a ‘fall 2016’ release date. However, the developers stated, “We have genuinely started discussions regarding publishing, and once this clears out, hopefully we’ll be able to answer what everyone wants to know.” This was followed by their last known dev update (April 2024), suggesting that while future updates may occur, they probably won’t be regular, with numerous user comments on Kickstarter complaining about feeling ‘scammed’ by the developer staying unanswered.
While some may hold on to hope for a release in 2026, if the developers’ history continues, it’s possible that some backers might never see a launch in their lifetime, as skeptics on the Kickstarter page have hinted.
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