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Toejam and Earl: Back in the Groove (PC) Kickstarter - $400k goal (Up: Funded)
- Thread starter Takao
- Start date
MrCunningham
Member
Dat Big Earl Bump
Big Earl was the original Patrick:
Only more awesome.
It is nice to see that he is upfront about his plans. I know some people are criticizing some of these Kickstarter projects for going to publishers for help, but I have never seen any problems with this. Developing the game independently and then going to a publisher later to put it on multi-platforms is a pretty solid plan. So I hope this turns out well for them.
I still think that the art style needs some tweaking though, I think the 3D environments do work for many reasons, but stylistically things could change a bit.
Shouldn't be too hard really. Assuming they keep the puppet style of the character sprites in the prototype (which they also used in Doki Doki Universe so I suspect they will), it'd be pretty simple to just swap out different parts while reusing the same animations.
Carolina-blue
Member
The game they were making at the time was actually for the Dreamcast, not the Xbox. That beta has leaked online and can be played on a retail dreamcast. It indeed is much more like the original.
terrisus
Member
Agree on all levels!
Yup, I went and backed it right after my post <3
Sega did lots of wacky deals back in the day, it was pretty awesome for getting fringe talent. That's how they became so close to Westone and Treasure, actually, albeit in reverse situations (sega owned those IPs, they owned the games and assets).
"Johnson started creating games in 1981, but he didn't have a serious hit until 1991's ToeJam & Earl. "
Pouring one out for Starflight right now.
B
bomb
Unconfirmed Member
Trending towards ~1.3m which would be freaking fantastic. By the interview, they are definitely planning xbone, ps4, and wiiu versions but do not want to make those stretch goals.
Dangerblade
Member
Turns out shipping costs to the UK are nowhere near as high as I feared. I've gone with the Homey package at $150, and shipping is only $12, which is really low for all the swag you get.
Excited to see this project (hopefully) go all the way!
Excited to see this project (hopefully) go all the way!
Gameboy415
Member
Awesome! Backed!
terrisus
Member
codswallop
Member
Depends which tracking site you're using. Kicktraq currently suggests $1.1m, but Kickspy suggests just under $600k, which I reckon is probably more accurate.
The first and second games (Steam codes) are currently $2 (using coupon B1CYB0-CLSSD1-ARAAGM should hopefully bring it from $2.50 to $2) on GMG right now.
Polioliolio
Member
Haven't backed yet, but definitely will. I don't know if I'm crazy enough to throw money onto those figures...
EASTC0AST_GH05T
Member
so much childhood memories from playing ToeJam & Earl on Sega. I remember running from the baby cupids as they shot arrows at me saying lalala! lol. I also remember putting the radio on the ground and jaming out with toejam. I hope this eventually comes to consoles.
UncleSporky
Member
I wish them every success on this Kickstarter. I hope they didn't shoot themselves in the foot by offering so many physical rewards, I know that can be tough.
I watched an interview with Greg by Sega Nerds on Youtube, and in it he seemed to be aware of the popularity of modern action-roguelikes which I would take to mean Spelunky and Binding of Isaac. While TJ&E has to be its own thing, I think they could gain a lot from the design of those other games, with secrets buried deep, mysteries, and surprising item interactions. People eat that stuff up these days. Regardless I hope they make the game they want to make, and that it's as awesome as the original!
I watched an interview with Greg by Sega Nerds on Youtube, and in it he seemed to be aware of the popularity of modern action-roguelikes which I would take to mean Spelunky and Binding of Isaac. While TJ&E has to be its own thing, I think they could gain a lot from the design of those other games, with secrets buried deep, mysteries, and surprising item interactions. People eat that stuff up these days. Regardless I hope they make the game they want to make, and that it's as awesome as the original!
Update #5:
Humanature Studios said:News Flash! New Video of the Prototype!
We have just added a NEW video to the Kick Start page that shows more footage of our prototype. PLEASE keep in mind that his is all VERY early and under construction.
We appreciate all of the feedback were getting about the look of the world and will be continuing to experiment with this. By all means, keep the feedback coming.
(Thanks to F1NG3RS for the use of his instrumentation of "Alien Breakdown" In this demo)
http://youtu.be/IMcQJfv3DmY
Also, we have a lit-tle favor to ask. Our campaign is doing well, but like most KickStarter campaigns it is experiencing a bit of a dip, and we could use your help in getting the word out to others about it. You may have other channels, but the most convenient one is probably the internet you can help us out by searching for ToeJam & Earl and posting our KS link into comments, or forums, or wherever you think people might be interested. There are a lot of TJ & E fans out there but getting to them is the trick.
Thanks for ALL of your help so far. If you have any ideas for us on how to improve our campaign and make it more tempting, wed love to hear it. Just message us.
We also have a SPECIAL surprise in store for you for tomorrow! (Shhhh! Dont tell)
MrCunningham
Member
$198,287
They are getting close to the half way point, which is encouraging given how much time is left.
I like the music in the prototype, but there are other things that I think ned work. Characters definitely need more animation for walking vertically. The environments could use some improvements. Gameplay doesn't look so bad though. Very true to the original.
They are getting close to the half way point, which is encouraging given how much time is left.
I like the music in the prototype, but there are other things that I think ned work. Characters definitely need more animation for walking vertically. The environments could use some improvements. Gameplay doesn't look so bad though. Very true to the original.
The 3D assets look soooooo bad. This would be a lot easier for me to back if I was confident these guys were truly capable of making an amazing game. I have fond memories of the series but I'm not sure they have what it takes to make this kind of game worth it in this day and age.
2D stuff looks great.
2D stuff looks great.
I hope there's a way we can get the original music in this game. I still occasionally fire up the music in NoiseES on my phone (it's a console music player), it's that damn good.
Wouldn't hate a live version, either:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJEnz6k1j_8
(Was going to post a link to the KS on there, but found Greg Johnson's already appeared!)
Wouldn't hate a live version, either:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJEnz6k1j_8
(Was going to post a link to the KS on there, but found Greg Johnson's already appeared!)
afternoon delight
Member
Yeah but those posters are great though.
they have continually pointed out that this is very very rough and just a prototype
Hopefully the textures are nowhere near final.
The original TJ&E was like a huge, funky treasure hunt with survival elements. I'm worried that these pulled-back camera angles will ruin the point of the game. Obviously, the game is still in early development but this is something that will eventually need to be addressed.
The original TJ&E was like a huge, funky treasure hunt with survival elements. I'm worried that these pulled-back camera angles will ruin the point of the game. Obviously, the game is still in early development but this is something that will eventually need to be addressed.
SatoAilDarko
Member
I'm personally not interested in the game but I what to say how impressed I am with this kickstarter. The game look like a great return to form and I think the graphics looks nice. The reward tiers seem super generous with amazing physical rewards. I'm glad to see it supported.
If ever a game I loved was to have a sequel kickstarted this is how I would love it to be done.
If ever a game I loved was to have a sequel kickstarted this is how I would love it to be done.
codswallop
Member
Halfway!
Fixed2BeBroken
Member
Halfway!
WHERE THOSE DOUBTERS AT FROM EARLY IN THE THREAD?!?!
yea baby! almost there
UncleSporky
Member
To be fair it has slowed down a lot. It's trending well enough to succeed but really, they won't make it on a couple thousand a day.
And even if it does "succeed" with only 400k, that's not really what they need, they're obviously hoping for more than that.
afternoon delight
Member
I just hope its funded, that's a lot to go.
Fine Ham Abounds
Member
I'm not warming to the art at all, but I really hope this gets funded. Gonna play some TJ&E classic to celebrate if it succeeds
UncleSporky
Member
They just posted their update for being half funded, and included the live action music video of the song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfbMdtxwOyM&feature=youtu.be
I gotta say, while it's really goofy it's not half bad. Actually the production is surprisingly good for a still unfunded game.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfbMdtxwOyM&feature=youtu.be
I gotta say, while it's really goofy it's not half bad. Actually the production is surprisingly good for a still unfunded game.
MaverickHunterX
Member
Thanks for the codes, but wait, I thought both TJ&Es were included in one of the Genesis Collections on PC?
codswallop
Member
I've bought the five collections, and neither of the games were included in those. Apparently there's one collection that has them, but I've never seen it myself.
New update, this time regarding the visual style!
Tone down the shadows just a little bit more and New Concept A is looking fantastic IMO. Hopefully this gets some folks concerned about the look back on board!
older screenshot
New Concept A: with Shadows
New Concept B: No Shadows, even brighter pallette
Tone down the shadows just a little bit more and New Concept A is looking fantastic IMO. Hopefully this gets some folks concerned about the look back on board!
B
bomb
Unconfirmed Member
love how they are so devoted to fan feedback. This is going to be so good. please everyone back!
Yeah, I really want all ToeJam & earl fans to be aware of this and get on board.
With that said I think the brighter colours in the screenshots chosen there are better than what was originally displayed. It's tj and earl! Colour and funkify that place up! No washed out drab looks for them.
With that said I think the brighter colours in the screenshots chosen there are better than what was originally displayed. It's tj and earl! Colour and funkify that place up! No washed out drab looks for them.
So much this. I got a Sega Genesis for Christmas the core bundle which came without a game. My parents bought me Toejam and Earl though to go with it. Classic!
This was 1993.
Wow, that middle screenshot looks so much better. Like, it's incredible how much better it looks just by adding a little more color.
Oh, that's much nicer looking. If they can improve it that much in a week, I've got no worries at all about the end product's art.
I am a huge fan of the series and even thought 2 for Sega was pretty good, so I am backing this.
With that said, the pitch video was horrible and cringeworthy. I was so confused about the voice thing for most of the video and that is not what you want to do for a 'pitch'. It is scaring people away.
Also, where's the stretch goals?
I mean I read the quote from the creator saying he felt they were not necessary because he has options to put the game on consoles but come on. Every kickstarter has STRETCH goals meaning there likely not going to happen. Stretch goals are used to energize the project and can help it exceed expectations.
They could not have come up with any?
With that said, the pitch video was horrible and cringeworthy. I was so confused about the voice thing for most of the video and that is not what you want to do for a 'pitch'. It is scaring people away.
Also, where's the stretch goals?
I mean I read the quote from the creator saying he felt they were not necessary because he has options to put the game on consoles but come on. Every kickstarter has STRETCH goals meaning there likely not going to happen. Stretch goals are used to energize the project and can help it exceed expectations.
They could not have come up with any?
MrCunningham
Member
Previous screen shot of Level 0 Hole Scene
vs.
Newer Concept of Level 0 Hole Scene (no shadows, bright palette, heavier outlines)
Hmm... The brighter colours and more pronounced outlines do make a difference here. There's a lot less monochrome going on with the shadow maps in the bottom image too. Though I do kind of like the shadows present, though maybe tones down a bit.
Also...
Sounds great.
UncleSporky
Member
Stuggernaut
Grandma's Chippy
backed and ready
Gonna go play the original right now!
Gonna go play the original right now!
