Undertale Creator Open To Nintendo Port, But Wouldn't Be Able To Code It Himself

TIL that Undertale was made with Game Maker. That is incredible!

https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2016/01/feature_our_staffs_hopes_and_dreams_for_nintendos_2016

Y'all guffawed at my Hopes and Dreams. Well... well you can still guffaw because there's nothing official yet, but just do it a bit quieter!

make it happen and I'll buy it twice.

make it happen and I'll buy the pc version, and I don't even have a computer!

It would be cool, though I can imagine certain events would be hard to code, especially 2 of them which I won't spoil for those who haven't played yet.

I haven't played Undertale yet since I haven't been that much into PC gaming lately, but I definitely want to check it out.

If it comes to Wii U, even better.

Though a fan project is recoding the game on Unity engine so there's still hope!

The programming in that game for Game Maker is just incredible!

It doesn't sound like this is too likely unless Nintendo hire people to do the port, and I'm not sure that's their style. If he's going to take the time to build it from scratch on a console... well.. you could either spend the time and get it running on Xbone and PS4 with a user base of over 50 million... or the Wii U with 12?

This game really deserves being on Nintendo platforms, and Nintendo gamers owe it to themselves to play it.

It's a great little game. Funny and surprising.

I've used Game Maker: Studio myself. People like to crap on it, but there are good projects. Just as much rubbish, if not more comes out of Unity and RPG Maker, and the jewels are never brought up.

Unless Yo-Yo games starts selling a Wii-U license (Which they won't, considering it's pretty much a dead console at this point, always has been, actually. I love mine, don't get me wrong but it's a sales wasteland for third parties.) he won't be able to port it. No exceptions.

I friggin' love Undertale, it's easily the most creative game of 2015. I'd love to see it ported to as many systems as possible, but it just isn't possible. Literally, the ONLY, ONLY criticism I have of that game is the mortal sin of 30fps in 2015/2016. And "that" section of the fanbase... You know, that one section most fanbases have.

Already got it on steam, I liked it a lot (probably my GOTY runner-up for 2015), but don't really feel the need to play it a second time, it's just one of those games you only play for the story and characters and not the gameplay, which really doesn't translate well to good replay value.

He just needs to stay DETERMINED!...I'll go see myself out. But in all seriousness, while it probably won't happen any time soon, it would be nice, especially since it has been influenced a little by Earthbound. Plus, it's actually a pretty good game. The fanbase can get annoying at times, but the game itself is still good.

I haven't played it but I heard a lot about it, too much about it (kind of irritating thb). I wouldn't mind trying it if it came out on a Nintendo system.

Thought about getting this mainly because the similarities it has with Earthbound. But yeah, got other games to deal with first, so this game is on hold right now....if a Wii U version shows up before I get around to buying it, I'll get that version instead. owo

I have a love-hate relationship with UT, but it would absolutely fit on a Nintendo platform since it's basically a love-letter to the Mother series, so I hope it goes through.

It's on my to-play list, and would rather play it on Wii U than on PC (since I don't have a suitable one). Hope the port gets made one way or another.

Loved it on Steam. I hope it comes to Nintendo platforms, even though a few of the sections might need some tweaking (especially the final boss).

I think Toby should talk to Yacht Club about porting it. Their 3DS and WiiU versions of Shovel Knight were spot on, especially the 3DS version that included some of the nicest use of 3D Sprite work I've seen. Imagine Lesser Dog, but with 3D effects. Imagine the Neutral Route's final boss with 3D effects!

As much as I liked Undertale (though not my 2015 GOTY), I think it's best it stays on PC only. If the port happens to go through, cool, but it's just me.

I think a cool solution would be to bring out GameMaker on Wii-U most likely. I don't know that GameMaker would run on 3DS. I bet they could get a 29.99 to 49.99 price on GameMaker if they made a retail copy. But wouldn't that make sense. I know this guy didn't create GameMaker but maybe it would be easier to talk them into porting it to Wii-U. Heck the play stations got the RPG maker software why shouldn't Nintendo get a exclusive of GameMaker. I've used it before it's super easy to make games on. I actually got a decent game up and running unlike SmileBasic and petit computer which btw do require quite a bit of programming knowledge. GameMaker require nada and you will get something cool working.

Someone already made AN Undertale demonstration to 3DS homebrew. There is also the Unitale battle engine.

Noooooo thank you.

The Wii-U's run is practically over wouldn't it be cool to have GameMaker on it so you could make some cool Homebrew and import others? I would love it

@ZAZX I was all excited but I'm sure you are 100% right about 3rd parties. Heck people are practically running Renegade Kid out of Nintendo town and they are trying to hang tough and keep making games for us. That's not good enough I guess. 3rd parties have to make something extraordinary on a Nintendo platform or it's just not going to work. It might be a waste of time for him to even consider it for an Eshop release

I loved Undertale and it's influenced by Nintendo games so it would be fitting if it got a Wii U port. I mean, I didn't think they would be able to port Binding of Isaac on 3ds and although it's a bit buggy, they managed it. I think I it would be a smart move for Nintendo to bring it to consoles.

@Windy It's nonsense. Good Wii U indies that get good momentum sell. Renegade Kid is mainly a 3DS developer, and the Wii U game of his simply can't compete with other Wii U indies like Affordable Space Adventures, FAST Racing NEO, Runbow, Teslagrad, Shovel Knight, Stealth Inc. 2, SteamWorld Dig, Guacamelee, and many many more.

FWIW, I guess Toby should talk to the guy that ported Freedom Planet/Knytt Underground/etc. He's using his custom tools to port games. I guess Curve Studios only make ports when they can distribute as well.

One of the best indie games of 2015?
Inspired by Earthbound?
I hope he can strike a deal with a developer wanting to port it. On Wii U.
Gets my support.

If it comes to Wii U I'll most likely give it a go.

Cue the Undertale haters snarking at the game's creator Toby Fox.

This is yet another game that I need to play. I need more free time.

I'm all for it being on the Wii U and/or 3DS. I imagine someone like Curve could make it happen, as they seem very adept at making ports of titles for Nintendo platforms, though I don't know that any of them were made with Game Maker to begin with. For that matter, I'll be stunned if he doesn't get in touch with folks to make ports for Mac, Linux, and more to reach even wider audiences, and I could easily see consoles factoring into that process as well. I imagine PS4/Vita would be the most likely candidate due to the overall market there, but titles like this seem like they'd gain a huge Nintendo following. You never know, though.

The best course of action would likely be seeking out a publisher to handle porting like Nicalis

It'll probably happen at some point. The posts and art posts on miiverse referencing that game is rampant

(Trust me when I say it's RAMPANT!)

and is just too good to the point that the creator mentioned it. We just need a competent porter.

SGUEEE!!

I would buy it for sure. I heard about it being fan made on unity so maybe it could reach wii u and (new) 3ds sometime in the future. Is the whole befriending an enemy system like Shin Megami Tensei or is it different?

I have a copy sitting on my computer but honestly can't be arsed to even boot it up. If a major draw is "befriending monsters instead of killing them" I won't like the game much in the end.

Call me a hateful bloodthirsty mongrel but I play RPGs to slaughter monsters by the thousands, no matter how cute or ugly. Though I suppose it would be interesting to see what kind of outcome the game has if I do just that.

@Peach64 He loves Nintendo though.

I am a PC gamer first, haven't bought this but have been thinking about it, and I would totally buy this on a Nintendo console, first, if available.

As for market base... 3DS blows PS4 and XBOne out of the water. If I had to pick one, I'd put it on 3DS, should be able to handle it.The graphics don't need high-end hardware.

@Browny You can still play the game by being bloodthirsty, but it will destroy you on the inside.

I'm looking for a new project once I get my current 3DS game published... Conversion work would be ideal since I can't do art, level design or audio.

I'd play through it multiple times... Again

Seeing as how it would take a while to port, how about NX launch title?

@amiiboacid
Wouldn't bank on that one, buddy. I'm highly reactive; if the game forces me against a monster and then expects me to let them off for whatever reason following that, that monster is a dead cookie. Such a set up is made to guilt trip the player, and I don't appreciate that.

Undertale isn't exactly a graphics intensive game, why would anybody choose to play it on a console over PC?

@DarkKirby It's been made on a different engine. Regardless of what graphics it uses, the engine is not console friendly, Not just on WiiU.

The game wouldn't be that hard to program in my opinion but it is impossible if you don't know anything about actual programming. I'd say he'd be able to program it from scratch but it would take him a year or so to learn enough about programming first. I'd buy it since I don't have it yet. I prefer playing on console so I've been waiting just in case it ever comes to Wii U.

Another Earthbound clone. No thank you.

@KillerIsDead EDGY

@KillerIsDead I don't mean to sound like an obsessive fanboy, but Undertale isn't an Earthbound clone. The way enemies attack is similar to in Touhou, and you can choose to attack with a bar system that looks like something from Mario Golf, or you can click on commands that do things that possibly turns the tide of your adventure on the ACT button. You don't just press attack and instantly attack, with the enemy doing the exact same but controlled by a bot. You also have to level up to get anywhere in Earthbound, but in Undertale you can beat the game at Level 1. There's a difference. Do a little research before commenting, please.

I would love for it it come to consoles. I have been meaning to play this game for a while, but I just haven't been playing too many games on my PC recently.

@Browny You have to talk to the monster and once it spares you, you can spare it. It doesn't guilt you that much unless you fight a boss. The bosses all have complex personalities and have a lot of character. In the genocide route, you will be destroyed, especially if you did the true pacifist route before hand.

@Thatguywhoeats nah I just don't care for this indie filth.

@NoirUsernameHere I've done my research. And when you say, "I don't mean to sound like an obsessive fanboy" obviously you're an obsessive fanboy for this game.

Remember, folks, the best way to shut up obnoxious edgelords is to just ignore them. They get bored eventually.

The game is superb, and I'd totally support a console release, but I'm not sure how certain... aspects of the game would even work on a console.

Undertale is the first game I've enjoyed this much since Papers Please. It is amazing and despite having played it already I would buy the crap out of it again on Wii U.

I beat the Pacifist Route of Undertale a couple weeks back...and I'd love to play the game again..., but I can't do it.

Yes. If this game came out on the Wii U or 3DS, I'd buy it instantly just so I could go back and experience it all again (never Genocide, though).

@DarkKirby Just choice, I guess.

I set up GlovePIE so I could play the game with my Wiimote (sideways...NES style) because I like it that way. I'd have bought it on a console if the option was available to me.

@Shazirah I don't think the problem is graphics necessarily... Undertale is a game that fully utilizes the medium. There are specific...things the game does that I don't think would be easy to pull off on a console. At least, the closest I can think console games have come to pulling such things off would be Eternal Darkness's sanity...things and Metal Gear Solid's Psycho Mantis fight.

@kyuubikid213 That's too bad. Genocide has some amazing boss fights. It's also turns a charming and sweet story into a nihilistic nightmare with some relatively minor changes. VERY interesting.

@Ralizah I can't do it. I love the characters too much to kill them. I'll listen to the music on soundtrack and read story synopses to see what I missed, but I can't do it myself...and Flowey knows that.

@Captain_Toad About Game Maker being not console friendly:
You can export natively to PS3, PS4, PS Vita, and Xbone. Basically anything but Nintendo systems. Mainly because Nintendo hasn't decided to partner with them.

@Kimyonaakuma
The "befriending" system in Undertale is everything Shin Megami Tensei's conversation wishes it were. Although it plays a different role here than in SMT. It's basically an alternative to fighting in a battle. IMO it's just as - if not more - engaging.

@Damo It seems the Nintendo staffer has deleted his twitter post. Also, developer Broken Rules (who worked on Guacamelee, And Yet it Moves, Blek and Chasing Aurora) have just offered to help Toby with the port:
https://twitter.com/brokenrules/status/695336912995770369

@KillerIsDead Then wouldn't you know how different the games are? If you did your research about Undertale and you still call it a clone of Earthbound, then I would probably do a little more research or something. Just a thought. But, you know, I guess games like LISA and Citizens of Earth are all automatically Earthbound clones.

I'm just gonna take @Ralizah's advice now and stop taking the obvious bait, because you love it when I take that bait, don'tcha? You love it when I do that, don't lie.

@kyuubikid213 @Ralizah I started over my save where everyone was happy and I did the Genocide route because I'm a sadistic asshole. I gave up at Undyne, not only because I was already having a bad time 3 seconds into the run, but the difficulty of the Undyne Genocide fight was too much for me. And if Undyne gave me a lot of trouble, another boss would've definitely given me a run for my money...or in this case, gold, I guess.

@nacho_chicken Huh that's interesting to know.

Game Maker exports to HTML5, which is supported by the Nintendo Web Framework.

Though going that route might cause any number of complications, and means attempting to add Wii U specific features would be rather messy.

@Pod As a certified NWF developer, I can say for a fact that using Game Maker Studio's HTML5 export to try and release for Wii U is a massive pain in the rear end. Mainly because GM is designed to be sandboxed (for safety), and the HTML5 module is primarily designed to work on browsers. You have to go and tear apart the output file, deleting browser-specific routines, replace them, and add in Wii U ones.

All in all, if you try porting to anything not directly supported by Game Maker, you're gonna have a bad time.

@nacho_chicken Isn't Game Maker similar to Construct 2, in that not much programming experience is needed (you pretty much drag and drop objects and apply events to them)? Construct 2 is compatible with Wii U dev kits so would it be difficult to recreate the game using that?

@NoirUsernameHere I can't think of a single time I've given a troll the time of day that I haven't ended up regretting my decision. Live and learn. Some people aren't worth reasoning with.

If you ever redo the genocide route, I recommend saving the pie, at least two snowballs, and the instant noodles for that last fight. It's tempting to spam the best items during the Undyne fight, but doing so will only ensure that the bad time you have later on is infinitely worse. Undyne is tough, but you-know-who is much, much worse. It's one of the most harrowing boss fights I've ever seen in an RPG, and while it took days and days of constant practice to beat it, the sense of accomplishment I felt once I finally realized I'd cleared it was palpable.

@Monkey_Balls Game Maker Studio is pretty much exclusively code. There's a ridiculous amount of things you can't do without it.

At that point, you might as well just learn HTML5 and program directly. Or, you know, Toby could hire someone to port it with the 5 trillion dollars he made off of Undertale's PC release.

@nacho_chicken Thanks for replying, but I'm a bit confused. You said GMS is exclusively code (more or less), yet Toby admits he doesn't know any programming languages - going by that, I was assuming he did very little actual coding while making Undertale (just the mentioned drag and drop/applying events)?

"I don't know any actual programming languages LOL" - Unless he knows how to code using Game Maker Language but doesn't think it's an actual language...

If I didn't have an Xbox One already, I'd be practically begging for this game to come to Wii U!

I would buy the crap out of Undertale on 3DS

@Monkey_Balls Game Maker Language isn't an actual programming language. It's proprietary "faux code" that then gets translated into a C++ executable when you publish the game.

Based on the variety of effects and sheer scope of Undertale, I'd say it would be even harder to use the drag and drop method, since a sizable portion of it would just be code-only functions inside the action blocks. Even adding a functional saving feature is impossible without GML.

@Peach64
He could. But he's a Nintendo fan and already stated that if it ever did come to consoles, it would be Nintendo.

Yay for us

@Dpullam
???

It's not on Xbox One.

Undertale is an incredible indie RPG that every indie RPG fan and creator needs to take note of. Considering how limited and restrictive Gamer Maker is, it's miraculous that he was able to eke out every last trick to make it work for the game's setting, gameplay, and mechanical premise. The game itself is truly a work of art, but the way that Game Maker was coaxed into bringing all of the elements together is as well.

But yeah, I do not see Undertale happening outside of PC, and maybe mobile. It would have to be coded from scratch. Sorry, Nintendo fans.

@nacho_chicken It's a different tone and mechanic, though. Once you know the right answers in Undertale, that's it. You've already won. The game is fun on those first couple of runs, but... Only the Final boss battles and the two real bosses in Genocide Run are challenging at all. Hard mode may have offered some kind of challenge later on, but it doesn't seem to be happening. SMT at least has some challenge interspersed, and enough unpredictability to necessitate keeping on one's toes. The two operate too differently from each other to be directly comparable.

@Monkey_Balls Look up what Game Maker is, and maybe even download it to try it out. It isn't a high level coding language with a console/command line at all, it's just a drag and drop program where you place elements, enter in definitions for how the elements interact, and sift through menus and import items to find what you want to place in. There's literally no coding involved at all, it's like a much more advanced version of something like Mario Maker or Mario Paint, except with the complexities of GIMP or Media Encoding programs. "Game Maker Language" isn't any more a language on the surface than something like RPG Maker's tools are. (Although RPG Maker uses Ruby to translate commands under the hood, while Game Maker just automatically compiles an executable in C++, or also HTML5 for newer versions)

@DarkKirby There as not as many people who own a computer as you think neither does everyone have the same preference as you.

@KillerIsDead You returned from an over a year hiatus just to say that??? Well, whatever floats your boat...

It seems like Toby Fox needs a little more... Determination.

@DarkKirby I think most people just don't understand what's going on with the more... Interesting parts of the game. Not to mention, the game wouldn't work for a console for certain points of the game. What would it do, crash your console at certain points? Or crash to main menu? Or force you to sit for 10 minutes after entering the program while not doing anything else? It's too unwieldly for consoles, but works surprisingly well on PC format. Not to mention, the whole "remember what you've done" part of the game wouldn't work on a console.

@Chaoz That has nothing to do with it, Undertale just wouldn't work on a console because of certain points in the game. Especially the Flowey fight and the Genocide Ending.

Hey, guys...y'know what I just realized? If it gets on 3DS...y'know what that means? The Neutral ending boss in 3d....HOORAY!

Oh god keep it away the fanbase is pure cancer.

This game is in my Steam wish list but I'd much rather have it on a console.

@Damo Apparently, Indie developer Broken Rules is willing to port Undertale for the Wii U.

Source: http://www.gamnesia.com/news/indie-developer-broken-rules-offers-to-help-port-undertale-to-wii-u

@John_Enigma It couldn't rightly be called a port. More accurately, it would essentially be starting all over from scratch, because there is no transportable code at all. Them even referring to it as a "port" is a potential red flag.

NX will already be announced by the time they would start, and NX would have already released by the time a Wii U version would be completed. It's a waste of time and resources.

@PlywoodStick Still, is nice that they would be able to help Toby in, like you said, making Undertale for the Nintendo Wii U.

Now the better question is, for how much?

Bring to consoles and I will give it a go. Not much of a PC gamer nowadays.

@John_Enigma PC version with both a DRM-free copy and Steam copy is $10. Unless console versions come with an extra copy to give to friends as a promotion, $10 would be a ripoff, and $5 would probably lose money. The game was made on a shoestring budget, but it was made in Game Maker. Huge difference from the costs of real coding and SDK.

If they did make it for Nintendo, it might be better to wait until the My Nintendo account system is hammered out and released, then figure out how to make either an NX or mobile version.

@GammaNoises Oh the irony. Lol.

@TheDragonDAFan
I know right? coming from a filthy frank fan & all that jazz...

If the game does come to Wii U, I wonder how the... stuff... that happens near the end of the game will work.

Not my kind of game just like earthbound isn't my kind of game, so glad I didn't actually pay any real money for earthbound go it free from the club nintendo program.

Skipping last the comments to avoid spoilers, yeah I almost got this game on PC but now I'll wait and see!

This for 3DS = Best Game on Best Portable... Make it Happen!

I have friends who are hounding me to play this, and it's all but injected directly into my eyeballs at places I go. Hopefully my playthrough won't end up with me scratching my head and wondering what the big fuss is about.

Would love it! Heard great things about it, and ironically saw some footage on tv just yesterday. It looks highly inspired by Earthbound, wich is good.

Make it happen.

@Shepdawg1 you'd be surprised at how many great games are made in game maker, makes me question why I use unity sometimes

@JaxonH Oops. Must of been a different game I saw on the Xbox Live Marketplace.

@nacho_chicken That sounds a lot better than SMT's demon conversations!

@Shepdawg1
If you think that's incredible, check out Rivals of Aether. It's an indie Smash-like game which even has online play, and was also made with Game Maker.

@SaKo
I was thinking the same thing. I feel like that... stuff... would cause it to fail the certification process for just about any console maker.

Eh, wouldn't be the same, because then Wii U players would miss out on all the content. Unless Nintendo gave everyone the means necessary to edit the data files for the game that is.

How else are the Non PC players gonna learn about Gaster!? Dat face doh.
Also So Sorry

@NintendoFan64 Knowing you have to program from scratch, fills you with DETERMINATION.

@Browny You know there is a "genocide" mode, right?

@kyuubikid213 Did some of the tracks get you into tears, too? I know I did. Especially the Pacifist ending...

@MrPuzzlez I tried the game in the month since the comments you replied to.

Short answer: it was boring. Would not play again.

Please please please please please please please oh my god PLEASEEEE!! If this happened...I WOULD BE SO DAMN HAPPY AUOOOOOOOOOOOOHGYHGGDAEFSHGYGYDYDRFHGHYF