Metroid Prime 4 Developer Retro Studios Is Seeking New Team Members

Honestly I could see this being cancelled 75 percent through development. This thing is in development hell.

A... Tools Engineer? I'd assume they're replacing someone who left, cause that's one of the first things you'd need.

EDIT: I wouldn't say it's developmental hell? It's only been 3.5 years since Retro started, and the average game these days takes 5 years to make...

I can wait for this game, its going to be great!

(And my first prime game)

I can make a hell of a cup of coffee

At this point Prime 4 is either going to be Ghost of Tsushima (which took 6 long years to make but it was worth every dime Sucker Punch and Sony spent) or it’s going to be Duke Nukem Forever.

Considering Retro’s pedigree, I’m expecting the former.

@Snatcher you should def try out the Trilogy, all 3 are superb games, Echoes being my favorite.

I think that we should give Retro all the time they need to make a great game. However, if it's only a mediocre game, I'll be disappointed.

@Arkay Echoes is probably my favourite too. Although the first one runs it very very close.

Switch successor launch title maybe. But I’m expecting all next gen launch titles to be cross gen with Switch

This reminds me that Tropical Freeze is 8 years old. >_>

I don't mind waiting. The Prime Trilogy and Retro's DKC were all great-amazing games, they know what they're doing. Hiring later in development is quite common if I'm not mistaken.

So which will come out first Bayonetta 3 or Metroid Prime 4?

At this point they may as well delay this game til the Switch 2 launch. I don't see this hitting 2023 any time soon when they still hadn't gotten their proper dev team in place. I'm more excited for Crysis 4 and Dragon Quest III remake than this now.

Considering this game won't come out for a long time, Nintendo should release the Metroid Prime Trilogy on Switch. I know we already have a Metroid game available, but everybody's waiting for the Prime version, why not give a taste of what's coming?

@NinChocolate
Probably not unless it comes out alongside a Mario game or Mario kart.( Zelda too but it is not likely we get a new one that quick after botw2)

@Specter_of-the_OLED I don't think you can delay a game without a release date, and I'm pretty sure that's what they're trying to do. They are being very quiet and not giving significant updates or empty promises

@Arkay Would I have to emulate those? if so I will just do so.

But I'm totally going to try to play them before 4.

@JeanPaul The question is the pricing. They don't want to charge 20$ for it I'm sure, but the game is 20$ on the Wii U eshop and this is metriod, not a zelda game; they can't rely on the name to sell the game, even if the game is great (which it is)

@Snatcher Unless you have a Wii U, in which case you can just buy it on the virtual console. I wouldn't bother trying to get the OG game with wii pricing. I mean I got the game for 20$ at a gamestop years ago and now the standard price is 100$ + and even gamestop is charging 60$

@OnlyItsMeReid Don't have a wii, nor a u, so I guess i'm emulating, thanks!

It's funny to think that Metroid Prime 4's development (and not the game itself) would be how Nintendo aims to extend the Switch's lifespan.

They must be feeling pressure from their investors, not to mention that the success of Dread put Metroid back in the spotlight.

@OnlyItsMeReid
60 dollars
This is the way

I can make a badass sandwich, so I might apply for Technology Engineer.

There's has been nothing but hiring news for MP4 but nothing to show gamewise. I'm not worried, but it just raises the expectation bar higher and higher. Personally I didn't ask for MP4, but since I enjoyed the MP trilogy, I'm stuck on this wait and see journey. Sigh...

@Arkay Fellow Echoes fans unite

@Snatcher You can play on Dolphin with a Mouse and Keyboard. I've tried it and it plays really well. It's called Primehack

I think they are in a state of perpetually starting development.🙃

@link3710 I feel like this means things aren’t going well and I would be surprised if Metroid Dread was popped out of the dusty development folders because of the fact that Retro knew they were in a pickle. I’d rather take another 2d Metroid at this point.

3 years into development, and they are still hiring tools engineers. That could mean 2 things:
1. MP4 is indeed in development hell, and they are changing engines/tools to see what works
2. They are making a version for a new, stronger Switch (yes, I know it's wishful thinking)

@OnlyItsMeReid Good point, if the game's still on the Wii U eshop and at that price, people would riot if they sell it at a bigger price on the switch. But come on, who wouldn't pay $40-$50 buck to play the trilogy on the go?
Guess time will tell what will happens next.

@OnlyItsMeReid They can't stay quiet for long though cause then interest for the game would dropped over time. They had to give us an update sooner or later or else games like Crysis 4 will completely overshadow it.

@JeanPaul I know, I never had the chance to play those back in the game cube days so I’d love a crack at them on the switch. Beefed up resolution or fps would be a bonus.

@JeanPaul
If people did get mad it would be a very vocal minority. Skyward sword is all the proof you need.

Hurry up and release the Prime Trilogy on the Switch already please.
At least that will keep us happy for a while.

I still own all 3 but having them all in the one place would be awesome.

@blindsquarel Problem is this isn't a Zelda game. The majority of the metriod fanbase is very "hardcore" and won't buy the games for a ridiculous price ecspecially since the games don't have annoying motion controls, but the motion actually makes them better, at least in my opinion so there is less of a reason to play the new version over the old one

@Specter_of-the_OLED
Crysis will overshadow Metroid?

Wat

I'm getting more and more curious about the version of Prime 4 that got canned before Retro took over. That version seemed like it was bound for a late 2019 or 2020 release. Nothing since the restart update has given me much confidence in Prime 4. I have high expectations for this game too since it should have Sylux returning in a major role and will be the events following Federation Force, which is my second favorite game in the series. Most expectations I've had for a new Metroid game, and I don't think they'll be met. The possibility that I may have to get a brand new system just to play Prime 4 at its best also isn't to the game's benefit. Prime 4 will either be well worth it or the most disappointing game in the series.

@OnlyItsMeReid
Metroid prime trilogy would basically be a new game for most new Metroid fans. Would it justify a 60 dollar price? No but the Metroid fan base has expanded past hardcore fans with dread. Honestly for three games 60 dollars ain’t that bad.

@nitrolink And it hasn't aged at all. The best game Retro has ever made.

Take your time. Id rather wait 5- 6 years for Prime 4 and get a great experience than a rush job. Just give me Metroid Prime HD collection, and I'm good.

@StarPoint I've played prime 1& 2 on the og gc and the dolphin emulator (for better resolution) and I have 3 on the wii but was curious is it possible to play 3 with a controller on the emulator?

So, I believe it's safe to assume that the new Metroid will be a cross-gen game. By the time this game is done, they'll be onto new hardware and leaving the current Switch like they did with BotW on Wii U and Switch🤷🏾‍♂️

Seeing an awful lot of pessimism here. Isn't it fairly typical for people to be hired to work on game development throughout the entire production period? It's possible the people that originally fulfilled those roles left and they're not just now starting work involving them. I doubt we're going to see Prime 4 shown off until 2023 at the earliest, but I also doubt that the game's in development hell

@dopey-grin Dread's development under MercurySteam was likely greenlit after Samus Returns released in 2017, since we know it had a 4 year development cycle

Applied. Thanks for the heads up!

I don’t know why this is news every time. Why don’t we do this for all of the other Nintendo studios that are looking for new talent?

@ecco6t9 Given that Bayonetta 3 is coming out this year, and we've seen actual gameplay and story trailers, I'd say that.

@Justifier
Wii’s aren’t that expensive used. Well worth buying a new one with how many great games it has.

@dopey-grin Given that Dread started development before Prime 4 went to Retro (it was immediately after Samus Returns came out) I highly doubt that's why. Dread wasn't made in 6 months or anything, it had a 4 year development cycle (which is longer than Retro's Prime 4 has had mind you).

Obviously needing skills for next-gen graphics technology. So I firmly suspect Metroid Prime 4 will be launched with the Switch 2, or at least be forwards compatible with it.

In the meantime... Metroid Prime Trilogy NOW!

RetroStudios twitter is constantly asking for help or recruiting people with specific things for MP4.
This just leads me to believe it's not coming out any time soon.
It's honestly not that far of a stretch to say it could be the launch title of the Switch's successor.

The hiring announcements only mean one thing.
The company Retro Studio is still aktive.
We should take that for granted.

For Spekulationen, this could mean they are working on multiple games, developing new tools on a new engine or Dev Kit, someone is being replaced or they have a deadline to meet and need man power.
Only one knows…

Not sure why some are perceiving a hiring as a negative thing. This hiring might not have anything to do with MP4…who’s to say Retro arent developing multiple projects right now? I would be more concerned if it was a project manager or director position specifically related to MP4 development being sought after this far into development. No concerns here, we’ll see MP4 when it’s ready. We just got Dread in October…it’s going to be ok lol

@blindsquarel i don’t really think so

I'd settle for trilogy on switch, I had it before and sold it. I'm so annoyed with myself

Fifteen years ago, this would've been a dream job for me.

I doubt Prime 4 is even half way through development

@TheRedComet Don't forget, Nintendo is watching, they a have quality standard in their own games. I think Nintendo will launch it, if the quality is in a great state.

It'll get there when it gets there. Not like I intend to play it ahead of the first three anyway.

@Snatcher you can emulate them, they play rather well but personally I'd play them on either the Gamecube or WiiU.

@nessisonett @StarPoint @eternalcube echoes is love, Echoes is life.

At the rates things are moving currently, this game won't be released for the switch console. Will be released for Nintendo latest console when it comes out.

@blindsquarel Um, no. It's only been in development for 3 years. That's nothing for a high quality title. Maybe you should look at your calendar and remember when was the last time we got a new Zelda game and a new Mario game for reference.
Protip: It's been a lot longer than 3 years.

@link3710 Not necessarily. Tools are not exclusively written before production starts. They are worked on throughout the entire development process. They might have simply ramped up production now and figured out they need more hands on deck. This is not a good or bad sign, it's pretty much irrelevant to us. Unless you want to apply.

@blindsquarel I don't see how this is development hell. It hasn't even been that long since they restarted.

@JeanPaul don’t know if EVERYONE is waiting for the Metroid Prime Trilogy. Maybe every Metroid fan is waiting, including myself, so yeah I want to see the trilogy released on the Switch.

If that's the case, I'm gonna assume the game will be released either late this year, or early next year.

@tonyp1987 Yeah, it is possible to hook up a sensor bar and a Wiimote via Bluetooth. There are plenty of tutorials out there if you're interested.

I don't believe MP4 will release on the current Switch hardware.
The wow effect will not be there while oppositions next gen consoles has settled meanwhile.

MP4 could be a launch title on new hardware 2 years from now I imagine.

Still waiting for the inevitable lucrative custodial position to open! I can sweep floors, empty waste baskets and clean toilets like none other! C'mon, Retro post it already!

@BTB20 @Troll_Decimator
Imo it is. Two of the more notable games retro has worked on are the DK country reboots. Those games were great, but they were in development hell the whole time. It is honestly amazing they came out the way they did. Considering their past and the only news we ever hear about the game are job openings, I don’t think it is a stretch to say it is in development hell.

@blindsquarel And in my opinion might be that the Earth is flat, this doesn't make it any less of a dumb, uneducated opinion though. Your opinion on the topic is irrelevant, you don't know the first thing about game development. By your definition, every single game is in development hell.

Case in point: Look up any major game that is releasing in the next 12 months, and you'll find they all have job openings. Metroid might even be 2 years away. You think most games are smooth sailing and only a few have problems? Every single game has problems, that's what game development is, solving problems to get to the final game.

@Troll_Decimator
Dude everybody here is giving their opinion. Never claimed I knew a ton about game development. Just going off info that has been given about their past projects and this one. You got a problem with my opinion say it. But don’t come attack me just because you disagree. Not all of us are as perfect as you are.

@blindsquarel I just don't jump to conclusions based on a job listing. People come and go from jobs all the time, including game development. Maybe someone left, so they are getting in a replacement... normal stuff that every business has to deal with. Only children would think this means trouble for the project.

@Troll_Decimator
I didn’t jump to conclusions. If you look at my original comment you will notice I said “ I could see this being cancelled” not this will be cancelled.

They are still hiring for this? Damn this is a Switch 2 game at this point which is a shame since at least SMT V and soon Bayo 3 came through in the end

@blindsquarel That's still a major overreaction, lol.

Seems pretty clear to me at this point that Metroid Prime 4 is more than likely being developed as a launch title for the as yet unveiled (and with chip shortages, likely delayed) Switch 2.

Although it would remain to be seen if such a game would also be released on the original Switch as it's last hurrah (see also: BOTW and Twilight Princess) - unless Switch 2 end up being a graphical juggernaut or its architecture is radically different from its predecessor, it would seem likely.

Those are my thoughts on it anyway.

Metroid 4 is being Primed!! (Get it) for the next gen Nintendo console in my opinion. This title is at least 2 years away I reckon.

In other words, don't expect Metroid Prime 4 to release on Switch. It will be an exclusive for the New Nintendo Switch Expansion System, launching in 2026.