We're sure you've already read up on this by now, but The Wonderful 101, previously a Wii U exclusive, is now making its way to PlayStation 4. Developer PlatinumGames took to crowdfunding website Kickstarter in order to raise cash for various ports to modern platforms, and backers have smashed through the initial target and most of the stretch goals. It's planned for release on PS4 in April 2020.
But how come the studio went with a Kickstarter campaign for this project? Couldn't it have managed it without crowdfunding? Video Games Chronicle has just posted an extensive interview with two key Platinum figures, and they answer this very question.
"There are two main factors," says studio head Atsushi Inaba. He explains the first reason is that PlatinumGames is "just a developer" and doesn't "have the ability to self-publish". The Kickstarter helps the team to "bring this opportunity to life and reach a lot of platforms".
The second reason is simply so the studio could gauge interest in The Wonderful 101. "In terms of the stretch goals and how much funding we get, we are able to gauge the public’s opinion of the game," Inaba says. "While we do feel very confident in the game, we’re interested to see exactly how far it can go."
Reading through the interview, it seems this is something Inaba and the team have wanted to do for a long time, and "all the factors seemed to come together for crowdfunding to make sense" in this case. We would expect that, following the release of The Wonderful 101: Remastered, Platinum will begin self-publishing its games on a more regular basis. Whether this means a return to Kickstarter in the future remains to be seen. "Moving forward it’s going to be case-by-case, depending on the reaction to this project," Inaba says.
There's much more information in the full interview over at VGC, so if you're interested in hearing more from Inaba as well as Hideki Kamiya, be sure to give it a look.
[source videogameschronicle.com]
Comments 12
It got one million+ in just 24 hours, I'm glad for platinum first KS success. I hope we're getting more port/remaster of platinum past games
I wonder how they will handle the physical releases, because I don't think they have the capability to produce those.
huge succces this has been, even though its a switch exclusive we might see astral chain especially if this sells well .
think this proves that people want there games on other consoles
I am glad this game is second chance in the spotlight.
There seems to be a lot of concern about how this game would work on other platforms, but I played this game almost entirely on the Wii U gamepad. I didn't have to draw on the screen - the right stick worked just fine - and the "dual screen" portions of the game were handled via a "picture-in-picture" system (which are few and far between anyways).
If you don't know, this game's combat system is actually quite...interesting. If you do get the game, I recommend checking YouTube for some combat guides. While you can certainly get through the game without one, if you want those high ratings, you will need to really grasp Unite Combo's, Juggling, Dodging, etc. Button masher this is not.
@Shirayuki I think that has to do with Platinum buying the rights for the game from Nintendo - I don't know if that's been confirmed (I read it somewhere, but it's hearsay). EDIT: According to the article, Nintendo is fine with Platinum bringing it to other platforms, but that it was on Platinum's dime.
Now hopefully the other 3 games are Bayonetta 2,3 and Astral Chain coming to PS4
@GKO900 GK0900 I would be cautious about holding out hope for those games. As far as I understand, Nintendo were only willing to let W101 go because it was such a sales disaster that they didn't see the value in keeping it anymore. Now that Astral Chain has been confirmed a million seller, I'd imagine Nintendo are going to be less willing to let that one go, same with bayonetta unfortunately.
@GKO900 After the review bombing? I think not. Astral Chain is owned by Nintendo. So that’s their call. As for Bayonetta, Sony wanted nothing to do with it so it was Nintendo who saved it. They published and funded 2 & 3. Let Nintendo have their exclusives while PlayStation has its own exclusives.
@Akurusu @Chocorin1907 Astral Chain is co-owned by Nintendo so it can still happen and Bayonetta even more since it's owner it's Sega and people didn't believe TW101 was going to happen but look now
@Shirayuki I'd imagine that is because the ps4 version will be more desirable and sell better (their thoughts I'd imagine) on ps4 than pc so for all the ps4 owners that want the port they will have to hit the higher tier kickstarter pledge. I'm guessing Nintendo got the lowest for allowing them to offer it up in the first place. Out of good will so to speak.
Why pay for something when you can get for someone else to pay for it?
@johncalmc I dont think platinum wouldnt have been able to fund it off their own back. Especially when you consider they prob had to pay N off aswell. I'm guessing that's where the loan from TC comes in to it.
@GKO900 I don’t think anyone cared about Wonderful 101 because it didn’t sell well. It was actually confirmed by the head of studio that it’s up to Nintendo whether or not Astral Chain goes elsewhere and thanks to those childish review bombs and Nintendo being in charge it’s unlikely. And Bayonetta is still unlikely because like I said, Sony and Microsoft said screw Bayonetta & it was Nintendo who saved the series. Hence the two sequels. Get a Switch if you want to play them so bad. Other wise be quiet.
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