The next Banjo-Kazooie game could expand upon the vehicle-building concept of upcoming sequel Nuts & Bolts - provided the new game goes down well with the public, Rare has told CVG.
"[Nuts & Bolts] is like an introduction to what we could do," senior animator Ellissa Miller told CVG. "If we went on and did some more then we could push it. If it was accepted and people enjoyed it then we could definitely push it in a much bigger direction. This is like an opening to a new type of gaming I guess."
Speaking to CVG this afternoon, Miller and lead technical artist Neill Harrison revealed that the Rare team has a few "crazy ideas" for more Banjo mechanic work, and it'll "probably" expand the building concept for future games.
"[lead designer] Greg did have a few crazy ideas [for the next game]... I'll probably get in trouble if I mention them," added Harrison. "I think if [Nuts & Bolts] was successful we've definitely got a load of ideas for what we could do next with the same sort of concept but expand it out.
"But we're just trying to finish this one. People ask us what we're going to do next... I want to go on holiday!"
Sounds good to us. Stern platforming loyalists were getting all hot and sweaty over the vehicle building direction at first, but after a lengthy play session we're convinced it's a winner. Give us more please, Rare.
In the same interview the Rare two-some revealed that Nuts 'N Bolts, in fact, started as a traditional platformer.
"What we didn't want to do was to just do another Banjo Kazooie which was exactly the same and that's actually we started doing at the beginning," explained Harrison.
"We thought well, we'll just do another platform game as Banjo Kazooie. We did that for a bit and as gamers and as developers, it just felt a little bit stale. It felt like it didn't fit in today's market. With the 360, there's just so much more we can do, we thought we'd try something different."
I didn't like the sound of the new one at first, but all these previews by cvg and others are suggesting it could be very good indeed.
I'll be annoyed if it gets a poor rating after the positive preview that cvg have given it. It would be like getting our hopes up only for them to be dashed by poor reviews.
It's got a mountain to climb when faced with Banjo Kazooie and Tooie, that's for certain, but I remain quietly optimistic. C&VGs hands on was quite positive, and most vids I've seen of it does look really fun.
I wonder if slapping Banjo-Kazooie on the game is more of a hindrance than a help though...
I've got a crazy idea for you RARE. Make a straight Banjo Kazooie platformer like the previous two(ie) and lots of people will buy it. It's that simple.
The vehicles look like fun, but only as a bonus section of the main game. That's the way I see it, anyway. I really enjoyed building up the duo's abilities to get further in the levels. That will sorely be missed.
I've got a crazy idea for you RARE. Make a straight Banjo Kazooie platformer like the previous two(ie) and lots of people will buy it. It's that simple.
The vehicles look like fun, but only as a bonus section of the main game. That's the way I see it, anyway. I really enjoyed building up the duo's abilities to get further in the levels. That will sorely be missed.
I've never played the original games but can't people just try and look on the positive side of things for once? Just because it's not like classic Banjo doesn't mean it won't be a great game. If people are so bothered, then why don't you just dig out your N64 and play the first two games? Makes sense to me.
I've never played the original games but can't people just try and look on the positive side of things for once? Just because it's not like classic Banjo doesn't mean it won't be a great game. If people are so bothered, then why don't you just dig out your N64 and play the first two games? Makes sense to me.
I don't have Tooie, but I did actually do this recently with the first one. And even though it's a bit rough around the edges graphically now, it's still a brilliant game. And I think that's what it is - people would love to see more of the same, using next gen technology, rather than a new gimmick. Banjo Kazooie was so good, it really doesn't need a gimmick.
As I said earlier, I'm quietly optimistic about this title, but as Mark said, if Rare such released a next gen Banjo platformer, it would fly off the shelves (and possibly shift some Xboxes too).
I've never played the original games but can't people just try and look on the positive side of things for once? Just because it's not like classic Banjo doesn't mean it won't be a great game. If people are so bothered, then why don't you just dig out your N64 and play the first two games? Makes sense to me.
That's the gist of it though and speaks to what's wrong with Rare's approach, and perhaps the industry's altogether. With the mountain of sequels dominating release charts these days, a game that has mechanics to justify an entirely new concept should in fact be a new game. The number of new IPs coming out is shamefully small, and in the end I guess it's companies responding to consumer buying patterns.
If the belief Rare have in the game is founded on the game mechanics alone, surely they have the minds to create new characters and new universes to better realise those game mechanics.
I think it's sad they're forced to rely on brand to try and sell a game. And in fact it doesn't make sense. If this is successful they will never be able to go back to the roots of old. They could have two perfectly fine IPs instead of one. Two potential audiences. Who makes these retarded decisions?
Anyway, hope the game is good, Rare have had a long hiatus since anything of AAA quality escaped their doors.
This looks f**king awesome and a return to form for Rare, so if the vehicles add to the gameplay then it would be great to release a sequel that builds and expands on the originals ideas.
If RARE are getting good again, do you think there's any chance of a decent Perfect Dark game? The 64 version is so great, it's crying for a decent sequel!!
I am hesitantly optimistic about this game. Hated PDZ, Kameo was 'meh' for me, but Viva Pinata was one of the most compulsive games I have played in a very long time. In my opinion, BK has always played second-fiddle to Mario. They were great games, but relied a bit too much on collectables. I REALLY hope that Rare start justifying the price MS paid for them.
Think I'll wait till I've actually played the game before I decide whether or not its garbage, rather than base an opinion on screenshots and a few video trailers.
Copyright 2006 - 2009 Future Publishing Limited, Beauford Court, 30 Monmouth Street, Bath, UK BA1 2BW England and Wales company registration number 2008885
