Many of you probably remember Hyper Light Drifter, a 2D Action RPG Indie project that was announced a few years ago. The project was successfully funded via Kickstarter and a Wii U version was confirmed not long after when it passed a certain stretch goal. Obviously, the game was delayed significantly since then; it's missed the initial 'summer 2014' window by nearly two years, and there's still no release date.
Unfortunately, Wii U gamers may be left out in the cold with this one, as Heart Machine detailed in the latest update on the game's Kickstarter page. Interestingly enough, it appears that the holdup is an issue between the creators of GameMaker: Studio – the engine on which it's being built – and Nintendo. Heart Machine isn't going so far as to cancel the Wii U version, but it isn't looking good right now. Here's the full quote:
So what happened? We had information about our engine, two years back, when we announced support for the platform. This had assured us we could port to the Wii U with relatively little hassle by now. However, due to ongoing internal contractual issues beyond our control between the platform holder and engine developer, we just don't know when or if this situation will have a good resolution. We are looking into the options available and doing what we can to help push the issue, including posting about it here.
This means we will still offer the option of Wii U in the Surveys, with the stipulation that if you do choose it as your platform, and we end up unable to support it this year, we will offer you a key on another platform of your choice. We would rather keep this option open, knowing there's still a possibility for it to work, than cancel the port right now.
What do you think? Are you disappointed that this might not make it to the eShop? What are your thoughts on this game? Drop us a comment in the section below.
[source kickstarter.com]
Comments 55
sign
idk,
edit: after reading the last line of "another platform option" at least that's something and instead of keeping the money for the port that you can't seem to do, i hope if you can't get the game work on pc or have no option on that platform they give you the money back instead.
still this is disappointing
sigh
NO! DONT DO THIS TO ME!!!!
I recently read up an article about it after my bud showed me a clip of gameplay. This game looks amazing and I love the concept, idea, and art style. I would without a doubt buy this launch day for the WiiU. I really don't feel like getting it on PC due to my PC gaming retiring days. I really hope this issue gets solved.
DAMN!
So basically Hyper Light Drifter is getting boned because the engine company is being a douche. Lucky for me that I have a PS4 so I can get it either way. This would really suck for people who only have a Wii U. I'd be pretty upset.
Let me just go ahead and say it...
This is THEIR fault and THEIR responsibility. GameMaker did not support Wii U when they were sticking their hand out for donations, pledging Wii U support. So they should've known at the time that they may have to port to a different engine.
You don't stick your hand out for cash and just "hope" your engine adds Wii U support by the time you get around to it. You ask people for money in return for a Wii U version, you better have a fully laid out plan on how to achieve that.
This is bs...
Isn't this the same engine that runs Undertale?
Hmm...
Dude got in Runbow, at least.
While ultimately this doesn't affect me because I'll eventually get either a gaming rig or PS4, still I'm disappointed because I want this game on Wii U, I supported this game to play it on Wii U, and in fact when I did support it Wii U was the only system that it was targeting that I had or wanted, so I was only a change of heart away from being one of those at risk of being unable to play it. I'm also disappointed that the update seems deliberately vague, which leads me to believe that the situation is less about what they can't control, and more about the fact that they made promises without knowing they could keep them, which was in their control.
@JaxonH My understanding of this is that there's something going on between GameMaker and Nintendo. Not saying that Heart Machine is totally off the hook here, but I don't see how we can blame them if they were told from the beginning that Wii U would be doable.
@MitchVogel
I get what you're saying but, they shouldn't ask for money based on the future possibility of the engine being supported.
I mean, when you ask for money you got to be 100% sure you know you can deliver to those donors. So the way I see it, is if the engine was not supported on Wii U (and it's never been) then despite them being told everything would be fine in the future, they should've had a contingency plan. Or at least settle it in their minds that in a worst case scenario, they may have to port to a different engine that is supported
I really do hope they don't cancel the wii u version. I've been to waiting too long for this game and I don't wanna see it end up being canceled.
Well, at least you made a Pacific Rim joke out of it.
Noooooo!
I've so been looking forward to this on the Wii U... and for years!
I'll be so dang bummed if they cancel it.
Yeah, Nintendo royally messed up by neglecting the value of GameMaker developed games. I mean, making ties with Scirra (Construct2) instead? Not even in the same league.
Stuff like this is exactly why I will never support anything on Kickstarter.
"...we will offer you a key on another platform of your choice."
Ok, I'll take mine for the Bandai Pippin then, thank you.
And things going on with undertale. When I heard that need I was like, " but, but,... hyper drifter is making it work somehow" ... Yea about that.
Why can't these indie developers just use unity like myself!
Well that does suck. I was aiming always to look out for this game on Wii U.
Shame that it seems to be one of these Kickstarter projects that looks just amazing in all aspects, but never seems to get finished. It was supposed to be ready accordingly to original plans already a few years ago...
They should just ask Curve Digital to port it. They are the masters in porting everything to Wii U perfectly.
I know this is disappointing news but that Pacific Rim joke made me chuckle.
Look at the bright side guys. The Wii U is still receiving plenty of HTML5 games from RCMADIAX.
This is disappointing. I hope whatever the problem is gets resolved as this has been on my watch list for quite some time now.
What...........did I just read...? I WILL LITERALLY HANG MYSELF WITH MY GAMEPAD CHARGING CORD IF THIS DOESN'T COME TO Wii U. I've literally been waiting for 3 years for this.
Seriously, Game Maker? Why not use Unity (which is widely supported, yet rather 'easy') instead?
@JaxonH
Preach it brother, PREACH IT.
SOOOOO pissed right now. No matter whose fault any of this is, it's crazy how fast I can go from a new supporter of the Heart Machine team, waiting for literally years for this game, to a hater and just walking away. Justified or not, I just can't help it. If it doesn't come to the Wii U, they have lost all support from me. SOOO glad I never supported them on Kickstarter (even though until this point, I wish I had).
I know the Nintendo crowd is the minority in this game's release audience, but I would imagine they will get a lot of heat for this from crazy people like me.
@andrea987
I'll take the N3DS version, please.
Oh Kickstarter...
So they basically said, "ScreWii U!"
Lucky I bought a PS4 this is one of my most anticipated games of 2016! Though I'd like to have it on Wii U :/
NX, of course.
That's a pity, hopefully they'll release it on the NX.
And for Kickstarter, this is the third time this happens. I'm done with this platform, can't stand this behaviour.
@DiscoGentleman @MitchVogel @JaxonH There's a company called Abstraction Games, that are specialists porting GameMaker natively to the Wii U using their own technology "GameBaker".
@MadAussieBloke Yes, one can never have too much plastic.
I was planning on getting this for Wii U but since I happen to have an Xbox One I suppose I will just pick it up for that. Not going to let an issue like this stop me from playing the game since it looks really cool and I have been waiting for it for quite some time.
I am not surprised.... Glad I got a PS4 but otherwise I'm sure it'll hit the NX sometime in the future (and I'll be buying one of course)
This is some of the worst news in months. I've been looking forward to this game since it was announced and the cameo in Runbow made me even more optimistic.
Super LAME. I donated to support Wii U...
@Splatburst No not at all
Now indies are treating Wii U like the AAA Western devs do?
So happy I didn't pledge, but I feel for the ones who did. I am still waiting on Lobodestroyo, Shantae, Mighty No9, Hive Jump, etc.
@mowerdude indeed.
Sup mower? It's me killer7
I'd be rather disappointed if this ended up not making it to Wii U. I only backed the game because they basically made the promise of making it happen. I do understand the complications, though.
Ps4 version it is.
Yeah, I call BS, sounds like a lame excuse to not put in effort into it.
yeah watch this happen to bloodstained ritual of the night for wii u due to by the time it comes out the wii u will be old by then. im calling it now
That's ashame.
@JaxonH
There's no such thing as "100%" certain on anything, be it indie and Kickstarter games or even major AAA titles from major companies. To demand such a thing is foolish at best and deliberately ignorant at worst.
Whatever reason, over the years, GameMaker has not come to the Wii U, though that's really no surprise. Supporting Kickstarter jobs comes with risks, and these guys seem to have followed through on those best they could. Indeed, offering a code for a different platform is a very good solution, as almost no one owns just a Wii U and nothing else as that's a silly thing to do unless the only games you want to play are a few Nintendo franchises and next to nothing else.
Supporters of Kickstarter can be disappointed, but it's wise to be understanding that they aren't getting screwed over. The developers are still trying to support them. At this point, it's on the Kickstarter supporter to grasp the olive branch, or turn up their noses.
@Quorthon
To demand the results promised when they had their hand out asking for money is neither foolish nor ignorant.
If you ask for donations on the premise of a Wii U version, then you better have a solid plan on how to achieve that.
Providing a code for another platform may well be ok for many, but that's not the point.
It's the principle of the matter, Smokey
God sake! The WiiU version was the sole reason I funded this kickstarter
Two years late, STILL no release date, and now it might not even come to the WiiU?
First and last time I fund a kickstarter tbh.
I don't want this on any other system, it's so suited to the WiiU.
Very disappointed.
@Quorthon Actually, philosophically speaking there is at least one thing everyone can be 100% certain of and that is their own existence
Bummed about this game, it looks really cool. Fingers crossed for it coming to WiiU somehow B/c PC gaming is lame
I remember this game. Despite its simple graphics, it's locked at 30 fps (even on PC). I wouldn't want to play it for that reason alone. 2D action games should always run at 60 fps.
Well surprise, surprise. Another game not coming to Wii U.
@SMEXIZELDAMAN
Ha, you have evidently not seen the philosophical arguments I have. Nor the Outer Limits episodes!
@JaxonH
They asked for support for a variety of things, and its really your own fault if you don't understand there is risk involved. They are making it happen to their extent. Be it miscommunication, failure on the part of GameMaker, or failure on the part of Nintendo to get the GameMaker engine working, you would be best to approach any situation with understanding than the crazed black and white you're exhibiting here.
Kickstarter is not a guarantee. Nothing on there is. Every single other person using the site understands this--apparently except you. Even things that deliver may not be successful (like Ouya or GameStick), and some Kickstarters may fail, but come to fruition anyway--for instance, my team failed Kickstarter twice, but later released our game on three platforms.
@Quorthon
It is black and white.
I fully understand some games just don't come to fruition for whatever reason, but at the same time I'm not inclined to just bend over and say "la di dah, it's ok, after all there are no guarantees"
Forget that nonsense. Just because not coming to fruition is a reality doesn't exempt them from any and all responsibility.
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