Topic: Playtonic Games Announces Project Ukulele

[Shaymin]

The Banjo-Kazooie team returns with a project that aims for the Wii U.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/39852/playtonic-games-announces-project-ukulele

Playtonic Games held a livestream today at Eurogamer's Rezzed Expo (EGX Rezzed) to announce the development of Project Ukulele, the oft-rumored 3D platformer developed by veterans of the Banjo-Kazooie games and Donkey Kong 64.

The 3D platformer runs on Unity and will have collectable elements, though the team did confirm after that they would not extend the number of items to collect to DK64 levels. One of the main items to collect will be pages that expand the world when collected.

The characters have not been revealed, but Playtonic mentioned that the aim is to have the characters in multiple roles for multiple games.

Although crowdfunding will be available through Kickstarter, Playtonic is self-funding the game and aims to use Kickstarter as a means of gauging demand. The Kickstarter campaign itself will begin in May once the rewards and tiers are locked down, and suggestions can be made on the company forums. Veteran Rare composers David Wise and Grant Kirkhope have been confirmed as contributors to the project.

Speaking to Eurogamer, Playtonic's Gavin Price said “And out of about 500 emails we receive every week, probably about 499 of them are shouting Wii U! Wii U! As a games fan, I've been a Nintendo fanboy since the NES days. Most of are fans are Nintendo fans as well. So while we can't confirm what platforms we will be on - some of that is beyond our control - but we are developing on Unity and we don't want to leave anyone out. And we'd try to ship simultaneously to make the biggest splash possible when the game comes out.�

[SonofMrPeanut]

Since the game is being build in Unity, combined with the demand, I'd say Wii U is a safe bet as a platform for this game.

[Stratos]

I would be willing to support a crowd fund if it guaranteed Wii U support.

[broodwars]

Well, I love 3D platformers and no one makes them anymore, so I'm in provided the reward tiers are decent (the game's being made regardless of how the Kickstarter goes. Like the Book of Unwritten tales 2 Kickstarter, this is just crowdfunding to add polish).

[ClexYoshi]

I'm really not the hugest banjo/DK64 fan (heck, I got on the Telethon in 2013 just to yell about DK64 to TYP, Johnny, Neal, Zack, and James.), The idea of more David Wise will make this worth existing alone.

[ForgottenPearl]

A spiritual successor to Banjo-Kazooie that wouldn't have a ludicrous number of items to find like in Donkey Kong 64...  Man, I hope this game makes it to the Wii U.  B-K is one of my all-time favorites.

[Wah]

Is the Nuts&Bolts team if so BLERGH! www.youtube.com/watch?v=l69BP1uhlMs
Seriously bring back the best game company ever (the original not the Microsoft brought ones)
RARE!

[Triforce Hermit]

Anyone want to enlighten me as to why DK64 collectables are disliked? I loved the game, but I'm just curious.

[Shaymin]

They talked about this in the livestream, but basically there's five playable characters and each one has their own collectables that are required for progress.

[Khushrenada]

Anyone want to enlighten me as to why DK64 collectables are disliked? I loved the game, but I'm just curious.

Some people just can't handle a fun challenge.

[Phil]

They talked about this in the livestream, but basically there's five playable characters and each one has their own collectables that are required for progress.

That and two collectibles required playing two different arcade games. Jetpac is easy enough, but you have to play through the Donkey Kong arcade game pretty much perfectly TWICE. And that's something that you HAVE to do to reach the final boss!

[Triforce Hermit]

The Donkey Kong arcade thing I understand because that took like 5 hours for me, but the rest is enjoyable. Different strokes for different folks I guess.

[Khushrenada]

A game that wants you to play every inch of it. How refreshing. So much better than a game that you can beat in 4 hours or less because of low content.

I like playing the arcade Donkey Kong. Do you know why? Because I hardly play it anywhere else and it is still a fun game so I've always liked that little challenge. The first time the postman and I played DK64, we thought the inclusion of the Donkey Kong arcade game was amazing and played it just to compete with one another in getting the high score. Players today are all about getting to the end credits as fast as possible instead of enjoying the journey.

[Caterkiller]

Not sure how I feel about the 5 playable characters. Still though as long as they are fun and it doesn't go DK64 over board I will be happy.


I think this will be the first Kick Starter I actually back. I was just about to give Might #9 some money and then I felt like they were getting to greedy.