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Shovel Knight launch trailer dreams of excavation
Even when things are at their darkest, the brave and noble Shovel Knight doesn't throw in the trowel. Yacht Club Games' nostalgic 2D platformer gets shovelin' into Steam, Wii U and 3DS on Thursday, June 26, priced at $15. [Image: Yacht Club Games]
Here's the scoop: Shovel Knight arrives later this month
Ace of spades Shovel Knight is coming to Wii U, 3DS, Windows PC, Mac and Linux on June 26, and for realsies this time. The game was originally due on March 31 but dev Yacht Club delayed it close to release so the team could apply some extra polish. The new date is international for Steam, but on eShop it's only for North America. Yacht Club says it's working through region-specific processes on the Nintendo systems, but it hopes to have "good news" to offer Europe soon. There's no word yet on final prices, but PC pre-orders are currently available for $15. Shovel Knight takes its cues from NES classics like Mega Man, Castlevania and DuckTales, but Yacht Club is amping the nostalgic vibe beyond the actual game. The Californian studio is sending out real retail boxes to qualifying Kickstarter backers - check out the excellent box art below the break - along with a printed version of an old-school manual. All that's missing is blowing into the cartridge for 10 hours, and we don't really miss it - that much.
Diggable platformer Shovel Knight looks ready to resurface
Retro-inspired platformer Shovel Knight was lurking underground after developer Yacht Club Games delayed it two months ago. However, the studio says it's done polishing the game to satisfaction, and it now has a final build that's it's hopefully ready to submit and perhaps imminently release. We've reached out to Yacht Club to find out when to expect the game on Wii U, 3DS, and Steam. If you hadn't already guessed, Shovel Knight takes its inspiration from classic 2D platformers like Castlevania and Mega Man. The game even has its own roster of knightly bosses and themed stages, including the likes of Propeller Knight, Mole Knight and Tinker Knight. We're keeping our fingers crossed for the reveal of Saturday Knight Fever. [Image: Yacht Club Games]
Shovel Knight staying underground for a few more weeks
Yacht Club Games announced a short delay for retro platformer Shovel Knight so it can make sure the final version is polished to satisfaction. The Wii U, 3DS, and Steam game was due on March 31, but it's now expected to surface a few weeks after that. "This isn't a major delay, or a long one," reads an update on the Kickstarter page, "it's simply a stretch of time to get everything polished and aligned. While major development is quickly drawing to a close, there are still some external factors, like submission preparation, which need a little bit more breathing room before the game goes live." The delay should see Shovel Knight arrive close to exactly a year after it was crowdfunded, when it received more than four times its asking amount. Backers clearly bought in to the game's 8-bit aesthetic, as well as the clear nods to classics like Castlevania, Mega Man, and DuckTales. Let's hope the delay helps the final game to deliver on its potential in spades. [Image: Yacht Club Games]
Scoop up Shovel Knight in March
A spade is a spade is a spade, unless it's a shovel in which case it can be a mighty weapon of heroes. Shovel Knight will prove just that when it rocks its 8-bit vibe on Wii U, 3DS, and Steam on March 31, as announced via a new trailer. While Yacht Club Games pinned a date this week, it noted there may be slight variations in "the exact day" across platforms. The crowdfunded platformer was due in 2013, but after raising more than four times its $75,000 goal, Yacht Club Games said the extra time has been put to good use. "And if you're wondering why it took so long," reads an update on the game's Kickstarter page, "let's just say the game got a lot bigger than we originally intended, and we think everyone will be happy with that!" It doesn't take a Mega Man or a Scrooge McDuck to spot the NES era inspirations in Yacht Club's debut, but we're hoping it'll dig deeper than sheer nostalgia. As Kat Bailey put it in her October 2013 preview, "Shovel Knight isn't a rehash or collection of ill-fitting parts to feed off nostalgia in the modern era. It is its own game and could stand in the pantheon of respected 8-bit platformers."
Shovel Knight coming in early 2014 - can you dig it?
Sean Velasco of Yacht Club Games has confirmed to Destructoid that Shovel Knight will be shoveling and knighting across your PC, Mac, Linux system, Wii U and Nintendo 3DS "early next year." According to Destructoid, the game is nearing an alpha build, and developers are working "around the clock" to bring everything together. You can pre-order Shovel Knight through the Yacht Club Games website, which will net you a DRM-free copy as well as a Steam key when it's ready for release. Destructoid also notes that when the game releases, it won't feature some of the Kickstarter campaign's stretch goals like local multiplayer or gender swap mode; those will be released as free updates as the game shovels along. We can dig it.
Finding solace in anger with the 8-bit inspired Shovel Knight
Shovel Knight may have a relatively quaint exterior, but don't let its apparent simplicity fool you. At first it appears Shovel Knight is something of a Ducktales clone, with the eponymous knight bouncing about on his shovel like Scrooge with his cane. The knight can only bounce when hitting an enemy or specific in-game objects, however, and most of his attacks are reserved to lashing out and striking enemies with his scooper. Every inch inspired by the traditional 8-bit platformer, Shovel Knight does fall back on established design tropes. Disappearing blocks and bottomless pits abound, for example. But the game is pleasantly distinct.
Shovel Knight digs up new trailer, launch window
Yacht Club Games' platformer Shovel Knight, a mash-up of old-school aesthetics with new school sensibilities, got a fancy new trailer today to show off its 8-bit sound and style. Now, when are we going to get to play it? "We're shooting for winter, but no specific release date to announce," Yacht Club's Sean Velasco told us. "When we know, we'll make sure to let you know too." The game is currently available to pre-order for Steam PC, Mac and Linux for $15. Those interested in the Wii U and 3DS versions will need to wait a while longer and can rest assured it's not shovelware.
Steam Greenlight round 6: Legend of Dungeon, Shovel Knight, Faceless
Steam Greenlight has let loose the sixth round of community-chosen projects, with 20 new games and two new software titles. Freshly Greenlit games include Legend of Dungeon, the roguelike crawler from husband and wife development duo Robot Loves Kitty, Shovel Knight from Yacht Club Games' successful Kickstarter campaign, and Faceless, the horror game that's been at the top of the Greenlight pile since day one, but ran into legal problems with the Slender Man franchise.Other games include Dreamfall Chapters: The Longest Journey, Agarest: Generations of War, Pinball Arcade, Angry Video Game Nerd Adventures, Death Inc. and more. Check out the entire list below. The two Greenlit software titles are game capture program PlayClaw and strategy planner GamePlan.
Shovel Knight Kickstarter campaign raises over $300K
Yacht Club Games' Kickstarter project Shovel Knight raised a total of $311,502 in its crowdfunding campaign, which closed yesterday. The project reached its initial $75,000 goal in late March. It also achieved a number of stretch goals, including the guaranteed addition of a local four-player battle arena mode in which all of the game's bosses will be playable.Shovel Knight is in development for PC, Linux, Mac, Wii U and 3DS, and is also trying to earn community votes on Steam's Greenlight service to make its way on Steam.
Shovel Knight's trowels and tribulations also playable on Mac and Linux
Shovel Knight has dug a tunnel to the Mac and Linux platforms, lined with Kickstarter money, in a tortured metaphor for which we apologize. The point is that Shovel Knight's fundraiser has passed the stretch goal required to ensure ports to those two platforms. Continued Kickstarter contributions have also surpassed the stretch goal for a playable Boss Knight. "We are really excited about this one because it opens up so many gameplay possibilities," developer Yacht Club Games said. "With this NEW character, you can expect different mobility, play style, and a slightly altered story." The character will be chosen from the "Order of No Quarter" group by a fan vote.
Mega Man composer Manami Matsumae contributing music to Shovel Knight
Yacht Club's Mega Man-esque Shovel Knight is getting an infusion of genuine Capcom-style music. Manami Matsumae, who composed for the original Mega Man (and Magic Sword, U.N. Squadron, and more) will write two songs for Yacht Club's Kickstarted action game, the developer revealed."She even made the original sound effects. The sound of Mega Man dying? The sound of the boss doors opening and closing? The sounds that have permanent residence in your brain and ours? Manami Matsumae is responsible," Yacht Club said. "And now, she is going to be writing two songs for Shovel Knight. We are beyond excited."The rest of the soundtrack is being done by Jake "Virt" Kaufman, frequent WayForward contributor, Contra 4 composer, and chiptune musician. So expect more than two excellent tracks.
Shovel Knight reaches Kickstarter goal, announces stretch additions
Yacht Club Games' Shovel Knight kickstarter has reached its $75,000 objective, announcing stretch goals for the game inspired by 8-bit platformers. The game's kickstarter still has 13 days to go."We are so appreciative and thankful, we could cry," Yacht Club wrote in an update on its Kickstarter page. "It's been a crazy ride, and we still have a long campaign ahead, but WE'RE FUNDED! Were you worried? We weren't worried. Ok, we were worried."Yacht Club Games founder Sean Velasco recently told us that Shovel Knight will ship as a complete game. The team has also listed its stretch goals for the funding drive, which we've placed after the break.
Shovel Knight launching as a complete product
Shovel Knight will ship as a complete game. We know this sounds discordant with the current era, but once upon a time when you paid for a game you actually got the full game."I almost feel like the game industry has become very cynical. Everything is so microtransactiony. Everything is, like, taking advantage of customers," Sean Velasco, founder of Shovel Knight developer Yacht Club Games told us. He explained that if Shovel Knight is going to make additions, Yacht Club will make a full new sequel.Velasco speculated if the original Mega Man were launched today, it would include a few bosses and then charge players for more downloadable levels. He tells us that Yacht Club doesn't feel good about freemium or "fleecing" people.
Shovel Knight coming to Wii U, 3DS if Kickstarter funded
Shovel Knight will make its way to Wii U and 3DS if it reaches its Kickstarter funding goal. The game was previously announced for PC. Shovel Knight is in development at Yacht Club Games, a group of WayForward (Aliens: Infestation, BloodRayne: Betrayal) expats, who are currently at $32,000 of a $75,000 goal, with 25 days to go.For those who want a Wii U or 3DS copy of the game, they'll have to pledge $15 of more, instead of the $10 that'll net a PC copy. Why? Yacht Club says it's due to the extra costs involved in console development (they aren't fibbing), like paying Nintendo for download codes, along with dev kits and certification requirements.If you're heading to PAX East this week, Shovel Knight should be on display and the devs tell us they are "hopeful" it'll be playable.
Ex-WayForward Yacht Club Games kickstarts retro action game 'Shovel Knight'
Yacht Club Games, the developer formed by Sean Velasco and other WayForward expats, has revealed its first game, Shovel Knight, a "hot mashup of new and old that may remind you of Mega Man, Castlevania, or Dark Souls!" The side-scrolling, "pumped-up 8-bit" action game stars a knight who wields a ShovelBlade against "The Order of No Quarter" on his quest to defeat an Enchantress."When thinking of the initial concept, we started by saying 'what if we built a whole game around a downward sword thrust? It would be great to sink into dirt, attack foes by stabbing from above, and maybe even bounce on hard ground,'" Yacht Club writes. "'Ok, digging as a major mechanic... how about it's a shovel instead of a sword? That way, we can have him use the flat blade of the spade to flip things over and slash!'"Yacht Club seeks $75,000 on Kickstarter to complete the game. Digital copies of Shovel Knight on PC are awarded starting at $10. Other rewards include the official soundtrack album (by Jake "Virt" Kaufman) at $60, an invitation to "design meetings and hangouts" at $75 (really?) and, of course, a yacht party with the Yacht Club at $5,000.
