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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.
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.
WayForward staffers form Yacht Club Games
Sean Velasco, director of WayForward games including Double Dragon Neon, A Boy and his Blob, and BloodRayne: Betrayal, has formed a new studio called Yacht Club Games, along with other "top talent" from WayForward.The studio has yet to announce its first project, but teased it with a silhouetted horned sprite on the background of its Twitter page. "Our serious and solemn goal is to make really awesome original games that fuse modern and retro sensibilities, and we have the pedigree to prove it!" reads a statement on the developer's website.We'll learn more about their progress toward this "serious and solemn goal" at PAX East.
