Treasurenauts has been in development for what feels like forever, with both 3DS and Switch versions planned.
However, 3DS owners might want to look away now because in the latest Atooi video update, Jools Watsham has revealed the development for that version has been cancelled. His reasoning is pretty sound; the market for 3DS is shrinking and, as a small team, Atooi has to focus on what's going to deliver the best reward:
Treasurenauts ... that's progressing really well - yes, we're still making it, yes - it's going to come out eventually. It will definitely, of course, be on the Switch, along with other platforms - not the 3DS, though, unfortunately, because it's just not a market that is particularly fruitful for indie developers.
Watsham also revealed the team was working on a brand new 3D Unity game. In addition to this was the news a free update for Soccer Slammers was on the way and development of the Chicken Wiggle Workshop was progressing well.
Do you think the cancellation of Treasurenauts on 3DS is a smart move? Would you like a 3D game from Atooi? Tell us below.
[source youtube.com]
Comments 35
It's a shame but to be fair you can't blame him after Chicken Wiggle did so poorly, I imagine a small studio like that has to be pretty ruthless with where they use their time and money or they'll go under.
Glad to hear it's still coming. No 3DS version is not exactly unexpected for me.
Would have been nice if they would have concentrated on making Treasurenauts for 3DS ready before all those other games they decided to work on during all these years after the initial announcement. Can't help but feel disappointed, even though I understand how the situation is.
@Tuulenpoika Yeah, they couldn't have done that because of financial reasons. By creating Xeodrifter, Chicken Wiggle, Totes the Goat and so on, they could also fund the development of Treasurenauts.
I'm not surprised, but if they game is in development in an engine that already supports the 3DS, which I would presume is the case, and it's already been largely developed to play on that system anyway, then I'm not sure why it doesn't make sense to just release it anyway. Maybe there's large costs involved in just putting it on the 3DS too that I'm unaware of.
So they wasted their time and resources releasing Chicken Wiggle on the 3DS a game that no one ask for instead of releasing Treasurenauts a game that everyone was waiting for and now they wonder what when wrong and claiming that the 3DS was never a good market place for the game this guy is a joke
@impurekind They actually transfered the project to Unity. It makes the development easier and faster, and makes it easier to port it to future platforms too.
Not surprised. I think I just kind of assumed it had just been passed on to the Switch anyway...
That's too bad, I was really looking forward to this one.
@impurekind He was pretty vocal with his disappointments over Chicken Wiggle sales, kept blaming the eShop platform.
Personally, nothing about the game really grabbed me, so I never bought it. It wasn't the eShop's fault, it just didn't look like my type of game, and I'm sure plenty of other people felt the same.
I thought about grabbing it when he said he was going to put it on a fire sale, but that never happened.
Whatever helps this game release sooner is good in my book. It feels like the last time I heard about Treasurenauts was ten years ago.
I actually get the impression the 3DS would be an interesting platform for many indies right now. I know it's never happening, but there are quite a few Switch hits (Stardew Valley, Golf Story,...) I would get on my 3DS in a heartbeat. Chicken Wiggle looks like a quality game, but only upon close inspection. I feel like that had more to do with it not performing very well. Just my anecdotal 2 cents.
It’s a shame it won’t be making its way to the 3ds but I can live with it. I’ll look forward to the switch version sometime in the distant future when I have kids and grandkids and the game finally releases, lol
Lamesauce, 3DS is still my preferred console for these types of 2d games. Can't blame them though after Chicken Wiggle's sales.
I sit here, waiting, hoping; for any news about TREASURENAUTS. And I get this... At least I know it's other completely dead.
Makes sense. 3DS is pretty much dead for indies now.
@Garo, I completely agree the 3DS is my preferred way to play these types of games the stereoscopic 3D effect looks fantastic on the 8bit 16bit style platformers. I think its a shame and missed opportunity we never got any Nintendo classics past Kirby and Kid Icarus as well those two titles look amazing in 3D. I wanted to play Treasurenauts but only if it comes to my 3DS so its a pass for me there are way to many titles like this on Switch now atleast ten new ones a week there are games on Switch that I've been taking a pass on just because there are so many now its become crowded itself quickly and a person only has so much time to play games unfortunately. The Chicken Wiggle title looks fun but I've always thought the name hurt that title more than anything else thats not a good title for the game,it sounds like a game for a small child .
Logical choice after the Chicken Wiggle sales. Jools was on Colin Moriarty’s podcast recently, and he was very clearly disappointed about how poorly that sold on 3DS.
Switch really destroyed the 3DS eShop. Can’t say I blame people for moving on so fast though - I did too.
Well then I won’t be buying this game. I only play my 3DS. I get why but I am still disappointed. My kids are the Switch players in this family.
@admwllms I was going to said the same thing. Chicken Wiggle was such a huge disaster that they needed to Kickstart the Switch port. So I don't blame him at all.
The 3DS still have a few indies I want to get port over to the Switch. For example: 80's Overdrive and Maldita Castilla.
@GKO900 Does your keyboard not have punctuation marks?
It’s unfortunate they can’t put it on both, but I’ve mostly stopped buying games on 3DS. Just playing my backlog on there before I end up selling it or giving it to my nephew.
I've lost all interest in this game, but if they can convince me otherwise in the coming months I may still consider it.
No surprise here.
The indie market on the 3DS was never big to begin with, while the Switch has been an indie haven from the beginning.
@KoopaTheGamer I take it Unity doesn't support 2DS/3DS then? Seems a bit daft on Unity's part if that's the case.
@impurekind Hmm, I'm not completely sure, but I think Unity is fully supported only on New! 3DS.
That’s unfortunate for 3DS players. Sorry.
@jools now I'm mad at ya! lol oh well hopefully Switch owners will enjoy it. To be honest if I owned a Switch I probably wouldn't buy it as I was looking forward to one of the last releases with Stereoscopic 3D.
People need to brace themselves. I know they don't want to hear it, but development of games for the 3DS is going to start slowly fading away. It is inevitable.
I feel like there’s still a viable market on the 3ds. I’m still checking the eShop for sales and buying games for it. But if it’s still gonna be a while that might not be the case when it comes out. So it’s probably a good decision though this is a game I’d rather have on my 3ds.
I too would rather have purchased it for the 3ds.
I know he states otherwise, but I feel that the game is cancelled all together.
I get it. Jools is still cool in my book.
Disappointment here! Well if I get a Switch I will probably pass on it. Sorry Jools. I'm a huge fan of 3d and Treasurenauts would have been beautiful on 3ds. Good luck though. I won't hold it against you. The 3ds is dead after all. Unfortunate for me and others who still play it.
April 2022... Still waiting... 🤦♂️
Tap here to load 35 comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...