Third World (video game)

Third World is an unreleased and largely undocumented action-adventure video game project, rumored to have been in development during the 1990s. Information about the game is scarce and primarily derived from scattered mentions in defunct gaming magazines and online forums. The project is believed to have been under development by a small, independent studio, the name of which is often debated, with "Digital Dreams" or a similar variation being the most frequently cited.

The supposed premise of Third World involved a protagonist navigating a fictionalized, dystopian representation of a developing nation, grappling with themes of poverty, political corruption, and societal inequality. Gameplay was purportedly intended to blend platforming elements with melee combat and limited resource management.

Due to the lack of verifiable sources and concrete evidence, the existence and actual state of Third World remain largely speculative. No playable builds or substantial screenshots have ever surfaced, fueling skepticism surrounding its authenticity. Many believe the "game" may have been an ambitious concept pitch that never progressed beyond the initial planning stages, or possibly even a hoax. The term "vaporware" is often used in discussions regarding Third World.

The potentially controversial nature of the game's subject matter, coupled with the lack of demonstrable progress, likely contributed to its eventual abandonment. Despite its obscurity, Third World occasionally resurfaces in online discussions as a lost media curiosity and a cautionary tale about the risks associated with ambitious indie game development.