Double Fine founder, Tim Schafer has revealed he attempted to pitch a sequel to cult classic platformer Psychonauts "several times" but hasn't been able to find a publisher interested in the project.
"I mean I get a lot of, on Twitter or whatever, daily questions about Psychonauts 2. And I would love to do Psychonauts 2, I've actually pitched that to publishers several times and no-one has taken the bait so far," he said.
"So it is hard because fans often don't know how the business works, with the difference between a developer and a publisher, it's hard to explain that."
Fortunately, it seems even Schafer hasn't given up hope. In the interview he says he's very interested in putting together a sequel; he just needs to get the backing.
"I'd love to do that game, but I'd have to convince someone to just give me a few million dollars, that's all."
Yesterday the outspoken industry veteran said "publishers are scared of new IPs", which has proved to be particularly challenging for his studio.
Comments
14 comments so far...
luttman23 on 7 Feb '12 said:
Dammit publishers! If this many fans are craving a sequel (me included) then you can make a profit! What's not to like?
Barca Azul on 7 Feb '12 said:
Its not a FPS or CoD? I think thats what most publishers are interested in!
maybe he should try Take two?
Villanous on 7 Feb '12 said:
It's not entirely the fault of publishers is it. They produce what the public buys, sadly that appears to be mainly FPS's
Also i don't think the first Psychonauts made much if any profit, even though it was fun and imaginative.
nathar on 7 Feb '12 said:
Who does Tim know who has lots and lots and lots of our money to spend ....
https://twitter.com/#!/notch/status/166838426207924224
gillri on 7 Feb '12 said:
shame I loved the first one!!!
SpandexArmstrong on 7 Feb '12 said:
Awesome news if Notch does fund it!!!
mrlister on 7 Feb '12 said:
Nintendo + Double Fine =
MrPirtniw on 7 Feb '12 said:
A very unhappy me.
luttman23 on 7 Feb '12 said:
Notch has offered to fund Psychonauts 2
kabber on 7 Feb '12 said:
How about an HD remake or just a remake of the first one for PS3 and Xbox owners?
i had it for my ps2 but sadly i dropped it once on the floor and the game just frozze at the same point again and again.
it was a really funny and imaginative game, that stood out from the crowd. very original and wierd in a good way.
or do anybody know if you can get it for PC?
B_G_G on 7 Feb '12 said:
Yes, its on Steam. And of course on PC its already in HD.
silent moose on 8 Feb '12 said:
quick tim bite his hand off! beg if you have to! do the trick thing with your leg! thats it its in the bag
WingZeroSys on 8 Feb '12 said:
Screw Psychonauts 2, I want Brutal Legend 2, although I wouldn't say no to an HD remastered version of Psychonauts for the 360/PS3 and a sequel for that matter, I did prefer Brutal Legend to Psychonauts and never finished the latter.
Some developers aren't finding it that hard to make original IP's, just look at Catherine, Suda 51's Chainsaw Lolipop, Asura's Wrath, Binary Domain, Metal Gear Rising Revengeance (ok so it's Metal Gear, it's still an original IP compared to MGS), Inversion, etc.
If games like Never Dead and Alice: Madness Returns (decent game imo) can get picked up by publishers, I'm pretty sure you wouldn't have any trouble getting Psychonauts 2 picked up.
Maybe ask Atlus or Bamco to publish it.
kabber on 8 Feb '12 said:
ok thanks for that info ^^