Support NeoGAF

[Draugoth]

​

While discussing Banjo-Kazooie's 25th anniversary, Grant Kirkhope, a composer who worked on a ton of Rare games in the past, said that he doesn't think there's an audience for Banjo-Threeie.

Mayles said:

"I can't really speak for Gregg (Mayles, Rare's creative director) but he's really the custodian of the franchise. He doesn't really like to look back and tread over old ground, so I don't think he's ever been bothered about doing anything else with the franchise. He'd rather move on to new experiences – as far as he's concerned, he's been there, done that".

Kirkhope was similarly sceptical about a third entry, noting that the team working on it would have to get the humour right, something that he says is hard to replicate. Kirkhope said, "I think Rare would be open to somebody if they found the right team, but I don't feel like that team exists. Also, I'm not convinced the audience is there either."

Although Kirkhope and Mayles both seem to think that it's unlikely to happen in the near future, if at all, they still seem to want a new game in the series. Sutherland was the most positive out of the three, noting that he hopes "somebody is going to bring out something… some kind of sequel or 'next in line' game. At least before a point where I can still remember that the first one existed! But hopefully sooner."

 

[March Climber]

If he means the platforming audience…he might have a point?

If he means the nuts and bolts audience, I think that having a game to feed that ToTk itch(once a few years pass) would be nice, but I guess it wouldn't be a smart business move?

 

[Kilau]

Source: me

 

[worldwithpyramids]

False.

 

[ckaneo]

Hes probably right.

Microsoft should probably just let Playtonic have it and let them make a Banjo vs Yooka game or something.

 

[VectorVictor]

This was the thinking that led us to Nuts and Bolts, a game that was great but because it had Banjo and Kazooie in the name, it was crapped on unjustly. Typically, the ones that had the most problems with the game were typically the ones who weren't creative enough to solve its puzzles, but that's another discussion for another thread.

I disagree about the statement about the audience—3D Mario platform games are still getting tons of sales (e.g. 3D All Stars, Odyssey) and people still give a crap about Sonic (despite their not being a good Sonic game since Mania…)

As for the humor…well, I'm sure Microsoft could get some of the old crew to return if they really wanted to, which would help…but the core games are ~15+ years old now. I just don't think it will happen unless there's a stellar idea they stumble on.

 

[ckaneo]

This was the thinking that led us to Nuts and Bolts, a game that was great but because it had Banjo and Kazooie in the name, it was crapped on unjustly. Typically, the ones that had the most problems with the game were typically the ones who weren't creative enough to solve its puzzles, but that's another discussion for another thread.

I disagree about the statement about the audience—3D Mario platform games are still getting tons of sales (e.g. 3D All Stars, Odyssey) and people still give a crap about Sonic (despite their not being a good Sonic game since Mania…)

As for the humor…well, I'm sure Microsoft could get some of the old crew to return if they really wanted to, which would help…but the core games are ~15+ years old now. I just don't think it will happen unless there's a stellar idea they stumble on.

Sonic and Mario have popularity that exist outside of just their games. I don't think those are good comparisons.

Crash, Spyro, are better. They could remake Banjo 1 and 2 and then do a 3 if it sells well. But Activision tried that with Crash 4 and doesn't look like we'll get a 5

 

[Diddy X]

But Crash sold pretty well.

 

[GHG]

Banjo64

 

[Rhazer Fusion]

He's right, especially on the XBOX unfortunately. There is an audience for practically anything, but most companies only really want the franchises or genres that are literally guaranteed to make millions and that leaves very few choices nowadays. There are exceptions of course, but platformers aren't exactly in full demand now. Banjo will probably be a risk for them financially. There's a reason why we are getting so many sequels, GAAS and remakes. Again, Banjo has an audience, but companies rather dedicate their time and resources to different audiences who will probably make them more money.

 

[VectorVictor]

Sonic and Mario have popularity that exist outside of just their games. I don't think those are good comparisons.

Crash, Spyro, are better. They could remake Banjo 1 and 2 and then do a 3 if it sells well. But Activision tried that with Crash 4 and doesn't look like we'll get a 5

True, good point. Though I though Crash 4 sold well enough to release a spin-off game recently?…

 

[Wildebeest]

They have better mascots like Sabreman and Mr Pants.

 

[kvltus lvlzvs]

The spiritual successor to nuts and bolts just sold gangbusters, what are they talking about

 

[Umbasaborne]

These people are idiots, no offense. Did they not see the reaction to banjo in smash? Or games like crash trilogy, spyro trilogy, and ratchet and clank selling well? If its exclusive to xbox, then Yeah i can I see the argument. But if they made a proper banjo 3 for xbox and switch and pc it would sell gang busters

 

[01011001]

it's true. if a 3D platformer isn't called Mario it won't sell.

and even 3D Mario games usually lose against their low budget 2D counterparts

 

[Umbasaborne]

it's true. if a 3D platformer isn't called Mario it won't sell.

and even 3D Mario games usually lose against their low budget 2D counterparts

Ratchet into the nexus would like to disagree

 

[Varteras]

Banjo64 Fuck you, I guess.

 

[LordCBH]

He's absolutely wrong.

 

[killatopak]

But Crash sold pretty well.

Crash was the mascot of Playstation for a whole gen. Banjo wasn't in any generation. Mario and MC was.

 

[Banjo64]

Banjo64

Nah, my opinion for a while now has been that a sequel has such a minimal chance of meeting the standards of the original game that it's not even worth them trying. I'd rather have nothing than a pale imitation by an average studio like Sumo Digital.

It's ok though, other studios like Gears For Breakfast and Splashteam have made great 3D platformers recently. It's just about finding the devs with the talent rather than pining for a name.

Banjo64 Fuck you, I guess.

 

[TransTrender]

These guys are all sooo out of touch it's crazy.
I wish MS and these fucks would leave the industry and leave it to the professionals.

 

[Apocryphon]

Mario, Crash, Spyro, Ratchet & Clank, It Takes Two, Psychonauts, even Astro….

Who wouldn't take a new Jak and adapter game? I think there is plenty of life in 3D platformers yet, but it's probably true that they don't sell as well as their 2D counterparts.

 

[onnextflix5]

Banjo would be huge, if they could make good game out of it, but his right in saying that it would be difficult too find the right team for it,

 

[TLZ]

Banjo64 Fuck you, I guess.

Man I wanted to f this woman so hard when I was young.

 

[Bridges]

There is for sure an audience. The Yooka-Laylee Kickstarter proves it.

They would just have to be smart with the budget and the team that does it. I feel like Double Fine is the obvious choice but they vocally only want to work on their own IP.

 

[AmuroChan]

Banjo is a perfect fit for Gamepass. People may be hesitant to pay $70 for a Banjo game, but if it's on Gamepass, they would get several million downloads easy.

 

[Power Pro]

Don't yell at me because of how wrong I am, but what I personally think the truth is...gaming used to sell less numbers and it would be considered a success. Now, because gaming is "mainstream" it needs to do X million in sales for it to be worthwhile. Forget that there are still probably hundred of thousands of people, especially enthusiasts like us who browse gaming forums who would eat it up, it's not enough for these big companies to be happy anymore.

It's not that there isn't an audience, it's just we don't matter anymore.

Look at a franchise like Mega Man...at one time I would think Mega Man goes hand in hand with gaming as a whole, on the same level as a Mario was for me back in the day. Now...I heard game store employees refer to Mega Man as a "niche" franchise, and that's why they didn't get many copies of the MM battle network collection.

 

[Varteras]

Man I wanted to f this woman so hard when I was young.

I still do. Wanna go half in?

 

[MagnesD3]

​

While discussing Banjo-Kazooie's 25th anniversary, Grant Kirkhope, a composer who worked on a ton of Rare games in the past, said that he doesn't think there's an audience for Banjo-Threeie.

Mayles said:



Kirkhope was similarly sceptical about a third entry, noting that the team working on it would have to get the humour right, something that he says is hard to replicate. Kirkhope said, "I think Rare would be open to somebody if they found the right team, but I don't feel like that team exists. Also, I'm not convinced the audience is there either."

Although Kirkhope and Mayles both seem to think that it's unlikely to happen in the near future, if at all, they still seem to want a new game in the series. Sutherland was the most positive out of the three, noting that he hopes "somebody is going to bring out something… some kind of sequel or 'next in line' game. At least before a point where I can still remember that the first one existed! But hopefully sooner."

Yeah they are wrong, why do you think so many people lost thier shit when banjo dropped in smash. It's not gonna do Fortnight numbers but there's definitely an audience.

 

[lh032]

A niche ip under a small userbase platform.

Most they can do is make a game and put it on gamepass day 1

 

[bender]

Budget appropriately for the audience you think you can garner rather than thinking every game needs to be a AAA blockbuster.

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

Man I wanted to f this woman so hard when I was young.

thanks for the info. I was just wandering.

 

[mopspear]

JonTron lied about Nuts and Bolts! It was GOOD, ALL AH-LONG!

 

[01011001]

Ratchet into the nexus would like to disagree

a game that sold less than a million copies? what?

 

[crazyriddler]

The sad thing is to think that if rare belonged to nintendo, we would probably have a banjo kazooie for switch selling millions and being acclaimed by critics and users.
How badly they have mismanaged such a legendary company.

 

[hemo memo]

Well, Kickstarter is there. Create one and let see people vote with their wallets.

 

[Jinzo Prime]

Is it weird that the creators of the series are so hesitant to make another game? They saw how blown away people were by Banjo in Smash, hell Kirkhope composed the trailer theme for the reveal, and they are still just sitting on their hands about it?

It really pisses me off: this isn't a new team trying to make a name for themselves the Malyes created Banjo and Kazooiee, Kirkhope created one of the first ever dynamic soundtracks in gaming history for Banjo, people are hungry for nostalgia, and your just going to let this go? Can't even get a remake? Fuck off.

 

[Ozzie666]

The audience is on Switch and if publishing was handled by Nintendo.

 

[James Sawyer Ford]

If you build it

They will come

 

[Iced Arcade]

Absolutely wrong.

Problem is... While Nuts & Bolts was a great game, it should have been a new IP. People wanted a banjo platformer.

 

[Fake]

Hell no. Banjo still have a fanbase and the only thing you need to worry is about the quality of the sequel.

 

[Umbasaborne]

a game that sold less than a million copies? what?

Sorry, rift apart, cant keep track of the names

 

[Doom85]

 

[Corndog]

These guys are all sooo out of touch it's crazy.
I wish MS and these fucks would leave the industry and leave it to the professionals.

Who are the professionals?

 

[Shifty1897]

A Hat In Time, a new IP from an indie studio, sold over 1 million copies.
Tell me more about how people wouldn't buy a new Banjo Kazooie game.

 

[Raonak]

Mario, Crash, Spyro, Ratchet & Clank, It Takes Two, Psychonauts, even Astro….

Who wouldn't take a new Jak and adapter game? I think there is plenty of life in 3D platformers yet, but it's probably true that they don't sell as well as their 2D counterparts.

I'm not a fan.

 

[01011001]

Sorry, rift apart, cant keep track of the names

that game has the launch window bonus tho. the series as a whole isn't selling like other blockbuster franchises.

 

[S0ULZB0URNE]

Not a fan of it
Would like to see Rare make a new Killer Instinct or Kameo though.

 

[mcjmetroid]

....on Xbox.

 

[simpatico]

If someone outside of Nintendo could make a competent platformer with mass market appeal, they'd be better off using a new IP. B&K doesn't have some crazy high ceiling as a brand, and profitable platformers have proven really hard to make.