The game world needs a good platformer.
by Chris · in Game Design and Creative Issues · 11/05/2003 (6:56 pm) · 4 replies
Think about it. Not since Mario 64 has there been a killer platformer. (Correct me if I'm wrong.) It was incredibly fun, had an incredibly broad appeal, and the wasnt anything close to it on the market. those are some of the biggest reasons it was such a hit. The market was ripe for just such a hit. And, i think its about time for a nother one of the same genre. So, what would make a good platformer? I think it's the Smurf's. (Stop laughing......now. j/k) Seriously, the are the perfect canidate for a platformer. It has the clasic environment, character style and and fun invironment that a good platformer requires. So, tell me what you think. And, if you think you might wanna work on it, drop me an email...or just post. Whatever. But everone, tell me what you think.
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#2
The definition of "platformer" has been blurred since the early days of the true platformer. I personally think Sly Cooper and Ratchet & Clank kick the ass of Mario any day. Dax is pretty decent, although I can't really get into that gameworld much.
While we are on this retro trip... has anyone else noticed the overwhelming number of retro toys that are coming back to the shelves these days? He-Man, Strawberry Shortcake, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Cabbage Patch Kids just to name a few. So I am fully expecting the Smurfs to make a comeback any day now. Is the toy industry hurting for new ideas, just like the gaming industry?
It appears so, especially if the movie industry is any indication, with their remakes, attempted comebacks and over-used comic book heros.
11/05/2003 (11:40 pm)
First of all, Mario wasn't a killer platformer. On the Nintendo, maybe thats all you got (because they ARE Nintendo), but there are numerous games that can fit into the platformer category that were released at roughly the same time on the Playstation. Most of them were significantly more interesting than anything "Mario" has ever released in the past 3 bajillion years. MSW has named a few that that are even more current for the XBox and PS2 systems.The definition of "platformer" has been blurred since the early days of the true platformer. I personally think Sly Cooper and Ratchet & Clank kick the ass of Mario any day. Dax is pretty decent, although I can't really get into that gameworld much.
While we are on this retro trip... has anyone else noticed the overwhelming number of retro toys that are coming back to the shelves these days? He-Man, Strawberry Shortcake, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Cabbage Patch Kids just to name a few. So I am fully expecting the Smurfs to make a comeback any day now. Is the toy industry hurting for new ideas, just like the gaming industry?
It appears so, especially if the movie industry is any indication, with their remakes, attempted comebacks and over-used comic book heros.
#3
After all, it's 10x easier to sell an existing property than to develop, market, and sell a new one. The videogame industry isn't the only one stuck in that rut :) While I'm no fan of Spongebob Squarepants, at least it's something original.
More to the original topic - if you can do an ORIGINAL platformer, one that looks and plays up-to-date, I'm all for it. Just don't go so retro that you are just a clone of a game I already have. It probably wouldn't take too much. Hey, on the PC I was a big fan of Jazz Jackrabbit & Jill of the Jungle... and Crash Bandicoot was a great game on the Playstation. I think there is room for another class act game of ANY genre. Just not a retread of what's already been done.
11/06/2003 (11:49 am)
Quote:While we are on this retro trip... has anyone else noticed the overwhelming number of retro toys that are coming back to the shelves these days?It's because we children of the 70's and 80's are coming of age, having disposable income, and having our own children who we of course wish to introduce to the joys of our own youths.
After all, it's 10x easier to sell an existing property than to develop, market, and sell a new one. The videogame industry isn't the only one stuck in that rut :) While I'm no fan of Spongebob Squarepants, at least it's something original.
More to the original topic - if you can do an ORIGINAL platformer, one that looks and plays up-to-date, I'm all for it. Just don't go so retro that you are just a clone of a game I already have. It probably wouldn't take too much. Hey, on the PC I was a big fan of Jazz Jackrabbit & Jill of the Jungle... and Crash Bandicoot was a great game on the Playstation. I think there is room for another class act game of ANY genre. Just not a retread of what's already been done.
#4
11/06/2003 (7:28 pm)
Granted, I left out a few of the more popular platformers, but there aren't many games that hold the replayability of games such as the above mentioned, and thats why when they are good, they sell for a really long time. As for a huge retro come back, Jay is right. If its good, why not? A finished, ORIGINAL game based on the smurfs with a new edge would rock. The old smurf games sucked, i rember it. It was BAD. But, with the torque engine, and its terrain capabilities I think it would be way cool. And, it wouldnt look to bad on a demo real either..... keep the comments flowing. 
MSW
2) Licenseing issues - even if you never intend on selling a single copy, if the owners of the Smurfs don't want you to release such a game (even if you make no $$$ doing so), they have the legal power to stop you (hint: get their permission FIRST...see what 20th Century Fox has done with all the fan made Aliens themed games and mods)
3) Why not just make up your own cast of characters to build a game around? This is exactly what has happened with Rayman, Dax, Bolt & Crank, Spiro, Crash Bandicoot, hell even Lara Croft...Just take all your objects/games/characters of inspiration and blend them together, add a twist or two, and out pops something reasonably new - and the best part is that you own these characters.