Stephen Dupree, who was credited as the lead designer on the wonderful Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, has reportedly returned to Retro Studios after two years away.
The news comes from VGC, who say that the ex-Retro employee will now return to work at the studio as a principal game designer. At present, the only title known to be in development at Retro Studios is the upcoming Metroid Prime 4; while it's possible that he'll therefore be a key figure for that project going forward, we can't rule out the possibility that Retro has other goodies in the works, too.
Dupree's work doesn't stop at only Tropical Freeze. Recently, he had a hand in the development of Playful Corp's New Super Lucky's Tale on Switch, and he was also credited on both Donkey Kong Country Returns and Mario Kart 7 at Retro.
You might remember that in October last year, it was revealed that Halo series character modeller, Kyle Hefley, had also been snapped up by Retro. It would appear that the studio is working hard to add to its talented workforce as it chips away at Nintendo's latest shooter, which will no doubt come as a positive sign for fans who were left wondering what would come of the game after its development overhaul.
In our eyes, the game can't come soon enough.
[source videogameschronicle.com]
Comments 39
Someday, maybe, we will learn what Retro was working on between Tropical Freeze and Metroid Prime 4.
@LunarFlame17 I wonder what happened to that robot game in Reggie's goodbye picture...
Welcome back Mr Dupree. Hope you (and in turn us!) have a wonderful year
Nice. Super excited for Metroid Prime!
*prays for a 3rd Donkey Kong Country game
This is great news for what has been an extremely tumultuous development cycle for Metroid Prime 4. Let's hope that for once, the game that comes as a result of this is much much better than games under these conditions usually turn out.
I hope that means we'll get a great game!
I can't wait to see Samus bouncing around on frozen jelly!
@nmanifold *links hands and doubles the power of prayer
Maybe one day they’ll learn to walk and chew gum at the same time and can actually work on two projects at once.
Maybe he's helping with a new dkc game too?
@nmanifold it'd be a nice thing to have. TF was great sequel.
please no more 2D Donkey Kong's
Yes given the guys track record I think he's working a platformer which is most likely Donkey Kong related unless there's a 2d style Metroid in the works too which could equally be feasible.
Its crazy to think that for such a well renowned studio Retro's output is very limited.
5 original games, 1 compilation and 2 re-releases in 20 odd years of existence, on average that's one new game every 4 years with a side project every 5-7 years.
I'd really like to see Nintendo place a big focus on these guys going forwards into the next decade as it looking like their heyday was 2000 to 2010
They need to do a new Donkey Kong Country, I have been waiting since February 2014 when the masterpiece of Tropical Freeze came out into the world
The more talent Retro can get back and maintain the better. They should be Nintendo's number one second party. And for crying out loud, just buy Next Level Games already!!!
What we need? Donkey Kong Country!
When we need it? Soon!
@LunarFlame17 I think they had failed pitches and instead assisted on a ton of games like they did on Mario Kart 7 and were basically uncredited because the roles were smaller...I think Nintendo spanked them for some crappy behind the scenes stuff going on at Retro and relegated them to pitches and pickup job on bigger games.
@WhiteTrashGuy You listened to GameXplain last night too, lol. I agree with that comment.
E3 2020 will show metroid
@Dang69 Well that’s a depressing thought lol
All the ingredients are here for a great metroid prime game, lets wait and see how good it shapes up
One of my most anticipated releases
anybody else hoping this means a new 2d metroid for switch?
@Noid
From my understanding, that robot is Retro's internal company mascot. It's not a hint at a new game.
@Jmurray52894
2D Metroid games are not developed by Retro. Most recently, Mercury Steam developed Samus Returns.
Heck, not even all the 3D Metroid games are developed by Retro: Next Level Games developed Federation Force and Team Ninja developed Other M.
@Jmurray52894 After Samus Returns, I'd be completely cool with Mercury Steam giving us a new Switch Metroid.
This is great news. Retro needs to bulk up on talent for a change rather than lose it.
@Dang69
No I didn't. Should I? Was it the talent pool or the Next Level comment?
@WhiteTrashGuy They did a predictions video/discussion about where they see Nintendo in the next decade, and Jon--one of the GameXplain members--predicted Nintendo will buy out Next Level.
New DK game let's go!
Good news good news
@Not_Soos
That is interesting. Ever since STRIKERS they have been top tier when tempered by Nintendo. PUNCH-OUT for Wii was a perfect update. After that I just did not understand why they were not a dedicated 2nd party developer.
Good. Can not shake the feeling that we have a couple more years before Metroid 4. On the bright side, it might mean it will have more robust hardware to run on — at least optionally.
Great. Good to have him back.
@Muddy_4_Ever yeah Samus returns is great. Would love to see them make another one but for the switch. Idk if you played am2r but it's also very good
@WhiteTrashGuy Honestly, until the GameXplain video, I didn't even realize Next Level WASN'T a second party studio. Some of that stuff confuses me a little--like, what was AlphaDream before they went bankrupt? Or HAL and GameFreak, since they do their own projects not related to Nintendo? And if they're not second party, what do you call them, because third party doesn't sound appropriate.
If they do plan to make another Super Donkey Kong Country Land game please bring back the Kremlins. That doesn't mean get rid of the Tikis or Vikings creatures but do add to them. Oh and also the animal buddies as well, seeing Rambi back was cool in Tropical Freeze but we need our friends Enguarde, Squawk, Squitter, Winky, Rattly, and Ellie back as well.
@WhiteTrashGuy Late reply! The Next Level comment, they were making decade predictions and were saying "for god's sake buy Next Level Studio."
@Dang69
It's true!!! They are at their best when the Big-N is behind them!
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