The Untold Story of STAMP: A Bizarre PSP Adventure That Never Was

The gaming industry often sees a multitude of projects being announced, only to fade away during development or shortly after being launched. However, it is less common to learn about concepts that are pitched to publishers but never evolve beyond prototypes. Today, we delve into an intriguing case involving a title referred to as STAMP, which was intended to be an exclusive offering for the PSP, developed by Japan Studio.

STAMP was envisioned around gameplay mechanics linked to the four action button symbols of the Sony handheld. Each button was assigned a unique function: the Square Button represented "create," the Triangle Button denoted "destroy," the Circle Button was for "bounce," and the X button signified "erase." The development timeline for the game spanned 14 months, occurring between 2009 and 2010, with plans for simultaneous releases in Japan, America, and Europe.

For unknown reasons, the project did not earn approval from Sony and was subsequently shelved. It remained unreleased until it resurfaced on Reddit, where a user shared a trailer and visuals from the studio's pitch to promote the game. The aesthetic and gameplay elements of STAMP evoke a vibe reminiscent of Loco Roco, and many would have enjoyed the opportunity to experience this unique creation.

What are your thoughts on this unreleased title?