Update 2:
Following a rapid progression of events, HullBreach Studios and Cthulhi Games have retracted their claims to the Sadness brand — the details are available in this updated article.
Update:
In follow-up comments to our colleagues at Eurogamer, Cthulhi Games' Jeremy Kleve has stated that the development partnership is currently awaiting formal approval for use of the Sadness IP from the original owners, but confirmed that if permission is denied it won't stop the project progressing.
We very recently have contacted the old developers to obtain rights to the what little IP actually existed and their blessing. Should they work against us we are prepared to change the title of the game and drop any usage of their IP, this however will not slow us down in the least since most of their ideas were just ideas.
Sadness had us intrigued since it began years ago, and we decided recently that we didn't want to let it die off completely. We would have acted sooner if we were capable back then, but as you know the consoles weren't as open to indies as they are now.
Original Article:
Like any console generation, the Wii era had its share of development sagas — projects that were confirmed, teased, ignored and eventually faded to cancellation. Keen Nintendo fans of the early Wii era may, then, remember the trials and tribulations of Sadness. It was the work of Polish developer Nibris and excited gamers through its concept alone.
Pegged as an exclusive for Nintendo's console, it was to use the Wii Remote and Nunchuk in innovative ways to control the character's hands. It captured attention, also, for a promised black and white aesthetic and visuals — utilising the Gamebryo game development platform from Emergent Technologies — along with a horror approach to storytelling. Set before World War One, the limited pitch information stated that players would have to face their fears while avoiding the nightmares of the lead character, with eight endings promised. A black and white psychological horror game utilising the Wii controllers? It's little surprise that fans were keen.
As well as a few screens leaked — pictured below — there was also a live action concept trailer to set the scene.
When assessing the whole saga today, it was a messy affair. The title's development and publication passed through multiple hands, was teased on more than one occasion, while screens that did emerge did so through leaks and mis-communication. Much was written and debated over a game that, in reality, barely existed in a tangible form — we know it was real, was in development, but that it faded and died when the Nibris closed its doors, all rumours of a pick-up by another studio falling flat.
Now, however it is coming back. We can exclusively reveal that independent developers HullBreach Studios — working on HullBreach: Uncloaked for the Wii U eShop — and Cthulhi Games — developing Ex Oblivione for Wii U — are teaming up to collaborate on Sadness as a Wii U exclusive. The project will be discussed and details revealed as 2014 progresses, and it's targeting a 2016 release.
We caught up with HullBreach Studios' Randy Freer and Jeremy Kleve of Cthulhi Games with regards to this reveal and to get some early details.
Nintendo Life: First up, can you give us an initial confirmation and a brief history of your role with Sadness in its past form?
Randy Freer: We're here today to tell you that our two studios — HullBreach Studios and Cthulhi Games — are working together on bringing back the Sadness IP. Your readers are probably looking at their screens in disbelief. Quite understandable! I think we should let them blink a couple more times and let this sink in!
For anybody in your audience who isn't familiar with us or who I am, surprise! I'm the IGN user Twiilight_Prince, who years ago (before starting HullBreach Studios with my brothers Daniel and Robert Gump) released the only three 100% real screenshots of Sadness thanks to Piotr Bielatowicz. I fought trolls for years, proving the game existed across the internet, while nIBRIS regrettably struggled in development with their Gamebryo programmers at Frontline and their graphics partner Digital Amigos, up until Sadness officially went vapor in 2010. Jeremy Kleve and myself have basically been unofficially involved in Sadness across the last 6 years in the background. I have to admit all those years of excitement is probably the foremost reason for me getting more involved in the video game industry today, without a doubt!
So, what are the target platforms?
Randy Freer: This is going to be a Nintendo Wii U exclusive, of course!
Jeremy Kleve: nIBRIS targeted Nintendo exclusively for all of their projects (Raid Over The River, Children of the Night and Sadness) and it just wouldn't do them justice if we made a drastic shift onto another platform holder.
Will it be utilizing the same core plot as the original?
Randy Freer: We really liked the Slavic Mythological concept represented in the original concept. The properties of fear that it would have imposed on players, using psychological methods rather than through mere violent mechanics. It will surely be a challenge to live up these expectations. We hope to include the iconic Sadness characters Maria Lengyel and her troubled son Alex into this new title as the child begins to suffer narcolepsy, nyctophobia and paranoid schizophrenia.
Jeremy Kleve: Without a doubt, the original concept is a huge inspiration to us. We will be sticking to the original idea pretty closely, but don't be surprised if there are some changes here and there in terms of characters, mechanics, and setting. Visually, the new Sadness will retain the Gothic noir scheme with a few exceptions.
Will any of the original source code be included, or is it ground-up development?
Randy Freer: The original Sadness was running on Gamebryo from Gamebase USA, which actually was one of the first companies to pledge support for Wii U with their own engine this gen. However, this new title will most likely make use of the Unity engine.
Jeremy Kleve: Since this is our own realization of the game, it would not feel right if we did not start from scratch. Besides, we are introducing new elements that were never intended in the original brief, including RPG and puzzle-based mechanics.
Randy Freer: Not to mention the shift to 2D.
Jeremy Kleve: Yup, that's the plan thus far.
So this a formal collaboration between Cthulhi and HullBreach?
Randy Freer: Most definitely! We will be closely working together from our respective studios side by side as equal partners on Sadness.
We are confirming both of your studios are actively working to bring this back? Forgive the scepticism, but this is a project that's had many false dawns.
Jeremy Kleve: Yes, without a doubt.
Randy Freer: There are a few gameplay concepts we are working hard to hammer out quickly on the new project, once we have those nailed down, we can then accurately complete our concept submission forms Nintendo requires before development, and at that point we will acquire a product code (WUP) officially verifying the game for development. This won't become the fiasco everybody remembers from years before!
Jeremy Kleve: Looking ahead, as we move forward, one thing is for sure: you can expect Sadness-related revelations at Indie Sanctum 2014 this October!
Randy Freer: Indeed! We will probably update the public on our adventure to bring the IP back to life on Nintendo Wii U via our Twitter now that the cat's out of the bag! So please feel free to scream your Sadness support there as the world watches!
Jeremy Kleve: Don't forget to stay tuned here at Nintendo Life for future follow ups too!
Randy Freer: Thank you for your support!
We'd like to thank Randy Freer and Jeremy Kleve for their time. Let us know what memories you have of the original Sadness saga on Wii, and whether you're excited by the prospect of its revival for Wii U. Be sure to check out @indiesanctum on Twitter as the year progresses for more updates, while we'll also keep you posted here on Nintendo Life.
Comments 138
Well. Can't say I expected this. Hope it works out. It looked very promising.
Holy cow! This is a blast from the past! If it ever actually does come out, I'll totally buy it just for its historical value. Like Duke Nukem Forever. If it turns out to be a good game, then all the better.
"we are working hard to hammer out quickly on the new project, once we have those nailed down"
Hammering it out and then nailing it down? Sounds counter-intuitive and... carpentry related?
A psychological horror game that doesn't hinge on violence AND is a platformer? Count me in.
OMG! This are absolutely awesome news for me! I remember the b/w screen shots and I absolutely loved the idea of a terror game like that. I always related that kind of art like a lovecraftnian tale. Geez, even my favorite lovecraftnian movie is black and white (the call of cthulhu). I felt very saddened when they canceled the game. Can't wait to hear more about about it! Gaming miracles do happen!
I'll probably be getting this, if it sees the light of day this time!
I thought Sadness was all revealed to be a hoax? Is May 20th the new April Fools?
"Not to mention the shift to 2D." WHAT?!?! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!
Don't care about the horror genre, but it looks innovative.
http://www.ign.com/games/mr-t-the-videogame/wii-14344285
If only this made a return!
I'd buy it!
I thought this was another April's Fool's day joke at first.
I was excited until I read: "Not to mention the shift to 2D."
So basically, it's not going to be anything like how sadness was originally intended to be.
Haha wow, I thought that was long gone never to be seen again.
Never heard of this title but glad to hear that it's alive. If only other games got the treatment.
2016 and Wii U exclusive?
Not even Nintendo will be making games for it by then....
I don't see how 2D is going to work with the original motion controls...
I was excited for this back in the day, and I'm excited again. I very curious to see what can be done with this concept. I was disappointed never to have played this until I realized Fragile Dreams was probably pretty close to what it would have been like.
@PvtOttobot Haha, my sentiments exactly as soon as I read that bit. The trailer looked great, can't imagine how this game will work in 2d.
@Phantom_R Point and click?
Looking at the concept art....this should be quote sometihing in 2D, Wii U's swansong!
@Phantom_R Point and click?
Looking at the concept art....this should be quote sometihing in 2D, Wii U's swansong!
@craigmoss19 same thing annoyed me, it's not what the game was meant to be at all
....
I had big hopes for "Sadness" when it was first promoted. I hope I won't be disappointed again.
@memoryman3 You troll this site too much. Go back to IGN.
@memoryman3
Welcome back Mr. Troll.
Looks like another cool Wii U exclusive.
But it does seem like it only uses the name of Sadness and the atmosphere most probably.
I hope Rodeo the Sky Soldier doesn't end up axed.
I truly appreciate their passion and vigor, but I really wish they would have put some pen to paper before dropping this announcement. Concept art of the new 2D style at the very least!
That said, I think this is a brilliant move. Resurrect a mythical (vaporware) IP to generate interest in a project that would otherwise be overlooked. Hopefully they can capitalize.
I was intrigued until I read the 2d thing. I was originally excited for Sadness as I'm a fan of survival horror games and I thought it would be along the lines of Sileny Hill. The Wii U could use some more cinematic adventures, and the original concept sounded just like that. There's gonna be a new Fatal Frame on Wii U right? And hopefully Nintendo will do something with te Eternal Darkness franchise. Sadness 2D though? I don't want another indie title which is just more 2d puzzle platforming and ladder climbing to collect keys. That's what I predict this will be if 2d
Could be great! Not very sure about 2D.. but psycho-shockers are very very welcome!!
So... this is Sadness in name only, then.
I'm extremely skeptical, given I've seen nothing of Ex Oblivione, and the aesthetics of Hullbreach: Uncloaked leave a great deal to be desired.
If the Wii U has too much of anything, it's indie 2D platformers in development.
Looks intriguing. I wonder about control methods... I'm really not a fan of motion controls, and would rather not have to touch my wiimote and nunchuck again if at all possible.
Also, I'm a huge fan of sidescrollers, but the shift to 2D here seems like a letdown. This definitely looks like a game that would be better served by 3D graphics.
I don't know man. 3D to 2D?
@SMW Some people just cried louder and louder that it was a hoax, because they didn't seem to understand the complexities of video game development. The game certainly was real (one prove was that other, respectable companies, did actually confirm their involvement or the licensing of their technologies), but the communication was bad, not to say childish. In the times of Kickstarter, even the most inexperienced indy can no longer allow himself thinks like that. Surely, Nibris were the ones having made the mistakes first, but later they were treated rather unfair (but then again, this was not the reason why the development stopped).
I always liked this game, not because I had expected a particularly great game (as the developer seemed to lack experience and budget), but because the ambitions and inspirations behind it were really cool (at least as good as in Eternal Darkness, which, while a great step forward at its time, for today's perspective seems a bit trashy in parts).
By the way, I think the game on the Wii that may come closest to how Sadness could have been is "Cursed Mountain". I great game too, waiting to be rediscovered, not forgotten.
so there's still hope for Project HAMMER!!!!
Wow. Awesome! So, how about The Last Window or Ace Attorney Investigations 2 for 3DS?
2016 is such a long time away
@shigulicious IGN. Those comment sections are pure trash....too much console wars
Ii like the concept, but like many, I'm a bit weary of a 2D version. I don't think they can generate the same level of fear in 2D. But let's wait to see what develops.. Fingers crossed!
Interesting, this makes me think about other wii games that never got completed. Who else remembers The Grinder?
The fact that it's going to be 2D RPG with puzzle-based mechanics makes me think this won't be like the original Sadness at all aside from the aesthetics. Oh well, I still hope this turns out okay!
2016 sounds a bit unreal. Wii U will be long dead by then unless miracle happens and it'll live another few years. Game will be black and white and 2D. I hoped 3D third person game. Sadness indeed.
Now that Sadness has come back, perhaps we might be see "Winter" by n-space, "The Grinder" by HVS and most importantly "Project H.A.M.M.E.R." from Nintendo.
2016? The Wii U is just going to be hitting its stride then
I still remember hearing about the game coming out for the Wii. I was excited then. I'm less excited now. I remember thinking how cool an early 1900's setting would be, and how cool the premise of horror without violence sounded. 2016 is a long way off though and I believe this when it's sitting in the eshop.
I remember this. It looked really cool back when it was first shown.
Sadness
Equals badness!!
The only thing more bizarre than Sadness being brought back to life is the fact that it is now 2D. How can it possibly be anything like the original concept if done in 2D? Maybe it'll have a similar art style, but besides that??
In any case, I still have a piano song from Sadness on the Wii on my PC.
@MussakkuLaden Could be. I remember hearing about it being a hoax back on the IGN Boards, which is well... you know. lol
I'm all for 2D games but the Wii U has a lot of them right now I was excited for a 3D survival horror game...
Although 2D horror could be interesting I look forward to hearing more about the game
Looks sweet! I WANT IT!!! (although i'd rather it be 3D)
Also, I find it funny that this news surfaced on the day Nintendo WiFi Connection kicked the bucket. Sadness indeed.
I remember looking forward to this. Not too happy about the shift to 2D, but it's interesting to see what will become of this.
Will this be a full retail release or only available as an indie on e-shop?
@craigmoss19 @Theober555 @PvtOttobot
My thoughts exactly, basically they are creating an entirely new and completely mechanically unrelated game to the origianl concept and trying to rescue story assets as well as "possibly the main character"?
These guys may have good intentions but unearthing this so early on, yet again is going to lead to exactly the same situation as before.
Please prove me wrong.
@JJtheTexan HB:U has only been in development for roughly 5 months now, and they are always showing progress on twitter. They recently added effects like DOF and some other stuff. They've also been redoing a lot of the textures for the ships and some other stuff IIRC.
2d horrror platformer brought back from the dead? Sounds pretty interesting
2D ???
This goes from one of the most potential Wii games with top production value to just another 2D indie game. In a market highly saturated with "pixel art" lazyness
I'm kind of disappointed to see this turning into a 2D game. To me it seems like that will take away from the mood of the game. I know 2D games can be good (e.x. Limbo) but still, I'd rather this be 3D. Oh well, if this comes out I'll pick it up anyway. Wanted it since it was first announced in '06 or so for the Wii and am very surprised to see it's coming back.
2D? Does this mean the " control the character's hands" thing will disappear? I mean.. i cant imagine how they could do this in 2d... and when this disappears... the core element of the game would be lost... so this would be a huge mistake i think...
but we will see what happens
This all sounds great and all....
But 2D? that's... awful, i don't know how it will work out.
And 2016? This is a 2D game, why would it even take that long? most people will move on eventually...
i really hope this doesn't turn out like The Mystical Journey (TMJ) eh Daniel Gump?, that game has been in development for about 6 years for the DSi browser THEN the 3DS browser, but nothing still.
If the game turns out good i'll get it, but i have no hope
You guys are totally missing the point about this game!!! people were excited about the prospect of interacting with a 3d enviroment with the wiimote...if you guys turn this into a 2d point and click, it will be nothing like what people were expecting from the original Sadness! I went from super excited to completely disapointed after reading this...
I hope all the negative feedback about people's opinions here change the developer's heart so they can switch again from 2D back to 3D, i doubt the development has even started so itcould be a good idea to make it 3D
Likely the most weirdly awesome thing to be announced this year. XDDD
This game was suposed to be a next gen Silent Hill: Shatered Memories
@rbmoura85 2D "de-makes" of projects in the making aren't necessarily a bad thing. Take a look at Mutant Mudds for instance. XD
But even though this revival may not be what many were hoping for I'm still crossing my fingers for a Wii remote control option.
@MamaLuigi i dont mind 2d games, but this guys doesnt seem to understand why people like me were super excited about this game back there...it was great because you were suposed to be able to interact with everything in a 3d enviroment...that was the whole point of the game :/ i hope these guys realize that
Then it's true....sometimes they DO come back!
Looks awesome! The Wii U could use another good horror game!
Was excited reading this until I read its switching to 2d. If I remeber correctly Sadness was going for a Silent Hill type of feel. Can't do survival horror in 2d.
I was wondering about this one a few years ago and even a few months ago, hopefully it actually comes out...
Guys he means a switch from 3D to 2D perspectives like Sonic game
games not the whole thing as a sidescroller don't get skeptical i would still work
@memoryman3 My you look handsome in that picture! But man you should shave.
Let me guess, it's gonna be another 4 years of showing artwork and silence until Arkadiusz Reikowski confirms it was cancelled again. Sad indeed.
@Hy8ogen Changing avatar now....
I'll be interested to see how they get on with this. To the people decrying 2D, take a look at the screenshot if the girl going up the ladder: now that is essentially 2D in mechanics, but it doesn't mean it's flat, visually. I could see 2D mechanics working with moving a torch around - it all depends upon how much of the surrounding environment you can see and use of dramatic zooms could increase tension or create frights.
It all comes down to the level of talent these guys have. The one thing I would ask is don't take a story idea and make a game out of it: take a game concept and add story to it. I found Darksiders II very disappointing because it felt like someone had this idea for a story and then couldn't figure out how to make an interesting game out of it so they mashed Zelda and Ninja Gaiden together. Opting for a different solution that would allow for better narrative flow and give players something to genuinely quest for beyond the next key or lever to open yet another room for yet another boss fight would have been far more bold and satisfying.
I waited and waited and waited for this, it was a major reason for me owning a wii in the early days...........so I will believe it when I see it
I was thinking about this game not too long ago!!!
Are you seeing this HVS ?
Now gimme the grinder, and none of that top down rubbish, I want the FPS version.
I remember sadness, I'm willing to give it a chance
I bet this gets released before Mad Men Football
So glad this game is back on track, now if Retro Studio could somehow revived Raven Blade then I'll be a happy gamer.
UGH. Why the shift to 2D? Seriously Indie developers need to explore other genres, 2D platforming with a dark aesthetic environment? Almost as overdone as FPS.
Sorry for being completely off-topic, but I just wanted to update you guys with the fact that a new Mario Kart 8 commercial came out. This time it's a lightning bolt test. You might wanna post it.
Have to wait and see how this one pans out...
Between this, possible Fatal Frame, Resident Evil Revelations, and Zombie U...the Wii U is shaping up to be a decent platform for actual horror games.
The Wii U is in a survival horror of its own at the moment. MK8 is a green herb.
This is... news I never expected. Gosh...
@KLZ My thoughts exactly. Making a 2D sidescroller these days is basically video game designer shorthand for "I'm too lazy to make a game with actual depth and immersion." I'm sorry but you cant scare me in 2D.
I'm so tired of hearing about a game and getting hyped for it until I see actual screens or gameplay and its in 2D. For the love of God, 2D is played out so much! Im tired of playing: 2D platformers, 2D puzzle platformers, 2D shooters, or 2D puzzle platforming shooters a.k.a. Metroid clones. Why are so many people afraid of the Third dimension? This game had me drooling until they turned it into a 2D (Insert whatever here)
Lol. There is no reason to believe this will happen. None.
I was pretty interested in finding out more about this game until as others have mentioned, it's a 2D sidescroller. I am really not that interested in playing another black and white 2D game, but perhaps this one will be unique enough to set itself apart. Only time will tell.
I too was turned off by the 2D idea, but I'm hoping to be surprised. I'm also more interested in how the developers are reacting to reading these comments...
Looks intradesting
@Dak908 i don't want this game to be 2D, but i think the horror can be done in 2D, take a look at Lone Survivor (PS3, Vita, PC) it's scary as hell to play for me
BTW the twitter of these developers doesn't seem to exist anymore!!! this smells fishy..
This is fantastic news, but I really hope for both the developers and the Wii U that it won't end up being an eShop exclusive.
@Zach In understand peoples skepticism, I really do but there is so much negativity around 2D these days, like it has no potential for innovation or to show us something new. Yes we are going with a 2D perspective, this does not mean its going to be a platformer/sidescroller. My development cycle for Sadness and Ex Oblivione will run parallel to each other, much of what is built for one will fit the other, and they will both maintain a pseudo 3D atmosphere. I am aiming for an Alpha build late 2014 early 2015.
@Maelstrom
I have to admit that does sound pretty cool. I loved the psychological aspects of ZombiU, but they did rely violence/jump scares quite a bit. I would love to see something master the creepy atmosphere without jump scares and guns.
This could have indeed been something like Cursed Mountain, Fragile Dreams, Project Zero 2: Wii Edition, or Silent Hill: Shattered Memories.
But if the turn to 2D is the only way to get this game, then yeah!
Better something than nothing.
Anyone remember MOTHER 3 on Nintendo 64? It was cancelled and later returned in 2D. All for the best.
@sketchturner Yeah, I had some piano tunes from Sadness too! As long as this great atmospheric music is still in the game I have to get it! Also getting it for the dark story and anti-stereotype human main characters.
This looks interesting i will get it and now to wait for a disaster day of crisis that was a wii game to be made exclusively for the wiiu i can only hope.
Does this make anyone else think of the crowedfunded Monochroma? I'm getting that vibe from the description.
@Dak908 It's not necessarily about laziness, If they are independent developers and don't have the resources or man power to do a 3D game it's ok. The thing that bugs me is that this game was suppossed to be a 3d game and they want to do it now in 2d because they loved the project so much, they could have made a new game inspired in what sadness was going to be and call it different name, because it is going to be a different game. My guts tell me they want to hang from the sadness name (if we can call it that even though it was never a thing) to hype people about this new game and their studios.
I just s*** myself!!
As Dr. Dre would say "today was a good day"
this is for those individuals that are skeptical about 2016 release..you all realize we're already 5 months completed into this year. There hasn't been a release date announced for one of Nintendo biggest franchises. .zelda. That title has to be at least on the shelf for one year. If it is released in january 2015, it's possible other titles will have release dates in early 2016. This is just a damn decent guess.
Here U go, only for Wii U!!! AWESOME!!!!!
I was excited until I read it's going to basically be an entirely different game. I thought I had read somewhere a while back that the original game was basically finished.
I was pretty sad this nvr got released for wii. But VERY excited there bringing it back for Wii U and exclusive! Although, those screen shots dont look 2D to me.
@sugarshack Dre wouldn't have said that because that was Cube's line. (And you have a Lyricist Lounge avatar, my friend...) Just sayin'.
@TulipWaltz Love your avatar, yo!
"Not to mention the switch from 3D to 2D" - Thomas Whitehead - Why didnt you pick up on that comment, those few words are a major game changer and should have been challenged further for an explanation.
I bet this is going to be another cheep looking 90's retro style game which the WiiU can well do without. No longer on my list of titles I'm interested in.
In fact with a 2016 release date maybe the WiiU will no longer be around by then anyway if the lack of sales trend continues..
Wasn't this one of the very first titles to be announced for the Wii before it came out? Bet they're gutted they missed that gravy train. Can't wait to see how it finally turns out.
So Sadness is a Wii U exclusive. Sounds like a joke from a PS4 fanboy...
@CthulhiGames See that's what I was thinking. People read "2D" and think it's going to be Castlevania in B&W - how did people who play with such an imaginative medium come to have such limited imaginations? Here's hoping you can upset expectations!
@3MonthBeef I was just remarking on his conveniently themed choice of words. Although I think hammering out is refering to smithery, where one would hammer out the metal (the basic gameplay concepts) until it resembles an actual weapon (game). And then they will nail them down as a carpenter would secure a separate part (the now completed basic concepts) into the final product (the code/game) creating a solid structural piece of work. Rather than the all but imaginary original project
lol
Anyone who thinks 2D games can't be scary and intense, go play Limbo.
@RantingThespian
Or Sweet Home on NES and Clock Tower on SNES. Those were/are supposed to be pretty "scary" for 2D 8bit and 16bit games.
Its not about 2d not being scary...its about this game not representing what the original Sadness was all about. Back in those days, developers said you would be able to interact with every object in a 3d enviroment, search every drawer or closet, pick up anything and use anyway you want...this mechanic is what make the original idea for Sadness compeling, not its name, story, characters...without this gameplay mechanic, this game will not be what people were expecting from the original game, no matter what its called. Im gonna wait and see how this turns out.
I keep reading NL to find a reason to justify splashing out £299 on another Wii U, after selling mine last year.
When I do read Nl I find re-releases of old Nintendo games, indie games and delayed releases. The announcement that another 2d platformer is coming to Wii U, only puts a tick in the negative box.
I love Mario Kart but I'm not happy spending that amount of money for one game. I love Mario Kart but the biggest problem for Wii U sales and future game development is that MK8, the game Nintendo hopes will shift consoles, launches 3 days after Watch Dogs.
Why is this a problem? Well most gamers have an Xbox or Playstation console and will be enjoying Watchdogs so why would they want to spend money on a new console?
Once the Watchdogs fire burns out, there is the Destiny Beta. Nintendo should have released MK8 at the end of April because there was a dry spell.
I really hope I'm wrong and sales of the Wii U pick up, but I'm not holding my breath.
@Laxeybobby The sales figures are about to take a massive hit because the new consoles are launching a massive amount of AAA and indie titles this summer and into the winter. I went looking for the prices of Wii U deals on our High Street yesterday. I found one row of shelf space in Game and nothing at all in HMV. I also found that the best deals at Argos are all out of stock.
Not looking good for Nintendo and the fact that they are having a big reveal of a new 3DS game at E3, means the Wii U may be frozen out again.
@Monkeyofthefunk My thoughts exactly. 2016 is the end of a lifespan of an already two year old console that is no longer selling enough units in 2014 or being supported by shops let alone AAA devs & publishers.
In 2016 if the WiiU is still around with its online servers still up and running will I believe have a niche following supported by bedroom coders releasing retro 90's 2D platformers, RPG's or puzzlers via eShop.
@Laxeybobby Spot on. The Wii U isn't going to last unless Nintendo come up with something that blows people's minds at E3, even then 1st party titles won't cut it, they need to bring in new gamers who haven't owned a Nintendo product before. They need some 3rd party support.
The delay to Watchdogs on Wii U is a massive kick in the teeth. I honestly think with all the coverage that this game is getting, MK8 will get lost in the melee and the delay could do more damage to Wii U's sales than even the next gen launches.
At first i also was disappointed about the shift to 2D but @Sean_Aaron 's posts made me think of Oddworld New 'n' Tasty. With its use of 3D perspectives while still retaining 2D gameplay it's got the potential to feel way more refreshing than your usual 2D game.
If Sadness delivers on that it might still turn out a fantastic game.
@PvtOttobot Yeah, I don't quite get it, either. We'll see, I guess.
Oh... I kinda lost all the interest I had accumulated thus far when he said it's going to be 2D.
@Frapp £300 because I wouldn't be buying the console without games, I'd be getting a bundle with 4 games and a Wiimote, not a bad deal but I've played 2 of them already.
I just don't have confidence in where the Wii U is going this year.
After the populaces general show of negativity towards us picking up the pieces of Sadness and the situation with the IP coming to light we have decided to drop the project in favor of one of these other 4 development studios that are currently bidding on the IP with Bloober Team, hopefully the studio that comes out on top with this will be able to fully realize the game to its original concept. We have high hopes for the game and wish the winning studio the best of luck.
Ah well, looks like another cancelled game for Wii U.
Sweet, so the Wiimote can now control live people?! Bout time!
...Cause I'm happyyyyyy... oh wait, I can't be...
Sounds good and all, glad to see something so old (man has it been long since the times of sadness on the Wii) but for some reason the whole move to 2d cheapens the view i always had for this game, how can they even get close to what it was supposed to be if it goes 2d? Guess we'll see how it ends up when they start showing it. Good luck till then.
@Sir_Deadly You blind? it even says (wii screens) thats how it looked back when it was supposed to come out for the Wii.
I'd have hoped you guys would clarify this story considering the "Developers" are a bunch of no name guys that do not have the money to make a game like this.
So if I say "I'm going to revive Project HAMMER" will I get an interview and article here?
@MagicEmperor Thanks!
c1pher_c0mplet
haha just got mixed up. glad you pointed that out. Just a full not thinking.
Well, looks like this didn’t turn out well either.
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