Earthlock: Festival of Magic has been a significant project for Snowcastle Games since it launched its Kickstarter way back in 2014, though the ambitious RPG did eventually arrive on PC and Xbox One last year. The Wii U version was handed over to a third-party and was targeting a similar release window to the PS4 iteration - as the game launched on Sony's system this week, Snowcastle provided an update on progress.
Pleasingly it's not far away on Nintendo's system, alleviating any concerns about progress. A project update makes clear that its Wii U release is just weeks away, though there are still no concrete plans for Nintendo Switch despite interest from the developer.
The Wii U version is giving us some challenges, but we have made great progress. Only the last few scenes remain to be optimised. We hope to enter certification in about 2 weeks. It might be tight, but we are still optimistic about a Wii U launch around the end of February/ beginning of March. I'll keep you posted once we have more precise dates.
Nintendo Switch is still an uncertainty. Nintendo has not given us a clear response on when we may expect to publish on their new console. Feel free to use social media to let Nintendo know that you want Earthlock on the Switch. (https://twitter.com/NintendoAmerica).
It'll be interesting to see how Earthlock: Festival of Magic stacks up on Wii U; here's hoping it'll make its mark on the eShop.
With thanks to DiscoGentleman for the heads up.
[source kickstarter.com]
Comments 44
I supported this Kickstarter almost three years ago. Hats off to Snowcastle for keeping their promise of a Wii U-release!
This probably isn't the first time I've heard about this game, but it's the first time I remember hearing about it. Regardless, it's nice to hear some honesty. I think everyone will still be bitter about projects like Mighty No 9 for years.
I'll be interested to keep my eye out for any Switch development.
Day one buy when they release it.
@polarbear I love your avatar, username, and excitement. I am getting all-around good vibes from you.
This is the first I've heard of this, but cool! Interesting.
No way! I expected to hear something along the lines of due to "unforeseen technical issues that unfortunately mean it will be impossible for us to release the game on Wii U as initially planned." It looks great and I will buy it.
Since I never bought the Steam version, I hope this gets ported to the Switch. The Wii U is officially a dead console now, so I'm understandably hesitant to add to its library.
Thanks for the good news, @DiscoGentleman! Allow me to be a disco gentleman and thank you the proper, groovy way.
@JTMnM I don't understand why you're hesitant
@JTMnM If you like the game, buy it. There's no such thing as a dead console.
@sandman89 Between paying full price for Earthlock on a dead console, the Switch, or on Steam at a discount (because Steam), the Wii U is the least appealing of those options.
Not hating - just how I see it.
@JTMnM pretty fair call. Hats off to the studio for sticking to their promise - but I'm much like you. I love my Wii U but all my money is being funnelled into the Switch and other consoles I'll play more these days.
@JTMnM Unless you intend to sell your Wii U I don't see why you wouldn't buy more games. It isn't a dead console, it will continue to work just fine. You don't have to stop using it, that's your choice.
I know that there will be very few games released now but I find it odd how most people talk about Wii U in the past tense. As if you must stop using it if you buy another console.
I fully intend to get many more years great gaming from mine. Despite its commercial failure it's the best console I've had to date.
Good to see more games coming to Wii U.
I have a huge backlog of Wii U games, between my Indie titles and physical games I have a great list to get through.
I still haven't played Bayo 2 yet, finished 1 about 2 weeks ago, currently playing Book of Unwritten Tales 2 and Project Zero and about to crack open Pokken Tournament.
Will get this too, no such thing as too many games.
Surprised that Nintendo did not closed eShop for new releases.
Developing for the Wii U sounds like a nightmare.
Hey hats off to them for following through on their commitments... If the game holds up, I'll buy it.
@eeyore Why are you surprised Nintendo haven't closed the Wii U eshop for new releases? Doing that might convince some developers to move their games to Switch but it would also alienate some Wii U owners.
There is no harm in allowing Wii U owners new games. They may be future Switch owners so Nintendo would be wise not to make Wii U owners unhappy. If they closed the eshop or online functions they will certainly lose me as a customer.
I'd buy this but I have no plans to keep my Wii U. So I hope a switch version comes in the near future
I would it on the Switch!
@ThomasBW84 From what I read on their website this part you wrote might be inaccurate.
"The Wii U version was handed over to a third-party"
Or it could just depend on what the definition of "is" is. I was looking for the name of the "third-party" so I could tell those lieing morons at Playtonic where to send their code they were too incompetent to finish after giving it all their loving care and attention this summer.
Nov 7:
"We decided to use a third party service to port Earthlock to the WiiU."
"We are simply getting some help from some Wii U experts to speed up the process. Since we have never published a game to Wii U before we risk doing a lot of mistakes that again would make the process take much longer time. Now they are helping us to speed up the process and avoid doing those mistakes."
Dec 1 - "We"
"We are having small issues with our audio transition to the WiiU system, but it’s nothing we can’t handle and are on schedule for a similar launch date as for PS4."
Dec 23 - "We"
"The Wii U version is still requiring some more optimisation, but we are making good progress."
Jan 27 - "Us" "We"
"The Wii U version is giving us some challenges, but we have made great progress."
So this is definitely more your area of expertise than mine, but is there a difference between giving your game to a "3rd party" like Playtonic did w/ Team 17 b/c they themselves were too incompetent to make the game, and hiring in a few people from a "3d party service" into your office, let's call them consultants, and letting them help you make the game?
Could a "3rd party" be a separate company that makes videogames and a "3rd party service" be a handful of people who come into your office as consultants and help you make your game? Or am I just splitting hairs?
B/c if Snowcastle did hand over the game to another company then they are a bit ingenuous w/ their liberal use of "we" and "us" and it seems unfair they didn't name the other company that is making the Wii U version. At least Playtonic was forthright in saying, hey we can't handle the Wii U, PS4 and X1 versions all at the same time so we are going to give the PS4 and X1 versions to Team 17 so we can focus all of our attention on making the best Wii U version possible. grumble #$%^%^$#@@ grumble
@rjejr i see we feel exactly the same way about playtonic games...preach on! LOL
If I still had a Wii U this would look pretty interesting. Too bad the Switch is uncertain. Oh well.
just cancel the Wii U version and port it to the Switch....
@DiscoGentleman
I tried to put GIFs, disco and Toads in one pic, and somehow did it. I have no regrets.
@WanderingPB "preach on!"
Don't encourage me, I've been trying to forget about it and get on w/ my life but for whatever reason I just can't let it go.
Of course when I get out of here and go out in the real world, well that's just a horrible mess, so I'm back in here.
Strange to hear that something is coming to Wii U, but a Switch port is uncertain. I had to read it a couple times to make sure I was understanding it correctly!
@PGS_71 I can totally see why someone would stop downloading and purchasing Wii U games once the Switch releases. I personally own working versions of all six Nintendo consoles and they're still all hooked up, but not everyone has the space to keep all their consoles actively running. Sure, the Wii U will continue to function but the majority of people will either sell theirs or box it up and put it away once the Switch arrives and gets some momentum.
@thesilverbrick I've got years left for my Wii U. Loads of games to finish and loads still unplayed. Not to mention the evergreen titles like MK8, Smash, CoD, Fifa etc. And of course the Wii U is so small it takes up barely any space.
@PGS_71 And I can see why you'd keep downloading games for Wii U. I also have a back catalog of games to finish on Wii U (Xenoblade X, for example), but much like the Wii and GameCube before it, I know good and well that newer games on a shiny new system with active support will take priority and my Wii U will get next to no use. Unfortunately, you're in the minority as far as your continued Wii U playing goes. And sure, the Wii U alone doesn't take up much space, but for many people it's not just a matter of finding space for a Wii U and a Switch. Some people own a PS4, XBox One, cable box, router, etc. and if they are short on space and have to make room for a new console, the Wii U will be the first to go, being no longer actively supported with new software.
To be clear to anybody on the fence, if you like Jrpgs, buy this game! I made a topic awhile ago detailing a lot of information about this game on X1.
This game is great and one few games I made sure to get every achievement 1000/1000. Even though I beat I am still going buy Wiiu version just for support. I'll probably beat it second time too cause it's just that fun:)
Sorry about that somehow my comment go published gazillion times
Listened to the developer talk about this game on a podcast sometime back in 1986....
No seriously though it looks good and I want to play it.
It would have been nice to have a game like Earthlock available at launch for the Nintendo Switch. I have a feeling it would have done wonders for the sales of the game.
The WiiU will definitely have an active place in our house once the Switch arrives here. Things that hurt previous consoles include batteries (in the Wiimotes) - and no HDMI support.
WiiU will remain active until the hardware fails ... and I hope that isn't anytime soon.
Even when new shiny consoles come out there has been one or two gems that I continued to play long afterwards, ironically the Dreamcast which was concidered a failure is one of them and it looks like the wiiU will continue along side it..
I've been following this game on the side lines since before its first crowdfunding campaign. Looking forward to finally giving it a spin, these people have been at it for years and years.
I still want this game and will buy the WiiU version but, it is starting to feel a little too late. If it would've dropped at Christmas it would have done really well. Now, at the switches launch with Zelda, not such a great timeframe. Hopefully it will get the Switch port it deserves.
This and BotW will be my last WiiU games. I am glad they are still releasing this as announced. I am enjoying the pc version so I will likely triple dip for a possible switch version.
yes will get it for sure. would have liked it to be confirmed for switch though
@Pod It is definitely worth it. It put 50+ hours into it, but completed it 100%. And went back just to play the arena modes cause I loved battling and testing out different Combinations.
@Thaswizz
Thanks for the recommendation.
Great article! I'm glad I read it. Earthlock is a beautiful and mysterious game. It should be on switch. Switch users are curiously waiting for this game. I read something similar about virtual reality horror games, you can take a look at: http://www.techtyche.com/best-virtual-reality-horror-games/
@ThomasBW84: It's almost scary how you have tracked down everything I have said so far
To answer your questions: We are working together with the Nintendo experts to bring Earthlock to the Wii U.
The company is called "Engine Software" and it's an experienced Nintendo developer that worked on more than 60 nintendo titles in 20 years.
The term "We" is used since I'm doing a lot of the optimisation my self. They are doing all that Wii U specific stuff that I have never tried before.
To me this feels very much a team effort between Engine Software and Snowcastle.
Hope that answered your questions. Feel free to ask if there is anything else that is unclear.
Best regards,
Bendik
(CEO Snowcastle Games)
@BendikStang Well I hope it comes successfully to the WiiU because game was excellent on Xbox one! I made sure tell lot of people about it who otherwise said they never would have tried it.
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