Mama Robotnik
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We originally had some hints at this last year, and in a recent Gameindustry.biz article, Denis has once again emphasised that Silicon Knights' next project will be a familiar one:
There are three possibilities really:
(1) Legacy of Kain
This would be Silicon Knights' only franchise with longevity, with their original game spawning four sequels. The Kain IP was originally conceived by Silicon Knights, and following an epic court settlement with their then publisher Crystal Dynamics, became the total property of the latter. The franchise was merged into the development of the Crystal Dynamics third-person action adventure game known as "Shifter", producing the game now known as Soul Reaver.
The persistent rumours that Crystal Dynamics may be returning to the Legacy of Kain are interesting, and considering that Silicon Knights were commissioned to help produce Darksiders with Vigil, it is not impossible (though still unlikely) that Crystal could be engaging in some sort of joint development with Dyack and co.
This seems improbable. The bitter legal history between Silicon Knights and Crystal Dynamics does seem render such cooperation unlikely, and the rumours suggest that a remake of "Soul Reaver" is on the cards - a game that Silicon Knights originally fought against being made. Still, its worth mentioning as a possibility. As Silicon Knights first console game, this would certainly adhere to their comment about the studio going back to "its roots".
(2) Eternal Darkness
The most likely possibility. Eternal Darkness is a highly-regarded gem that appealed to a mature faction of Nintendo's audience. It was a smart, successful title, and gave the Gamecube's early lineup a little more diversity. The IP is now fully owned by Nintendo.
Given that Nintendo and Silicon Knights split on apparently amicable terms, future collaboration could certainly be possible. Nintendo may be eager for a distinct and dark WiiU launch title, and Dyack certainly needs a success to help Silicon Knights survive its recent traumas - revisiting and continuing this successful IP under the supervision of Nintendo might be the best way to achieve this success.
An Eternal Darkness sequel has been requested since the early days of the Gamecube, by fans and the media alike. With the impending arrival of the Wii U, this scenario would also adhere to his "next generation" comment.
(3) Too Human
Too Human does have its fans, and some of those may want a sequel. It is hard to imagine that, compared with the far more sizeable and vocal Eternal Darkess and Legacy of Kain fanbases, that this group would come close to fulfilling the "most requested" criteria.
The move would also make little sense for Silicon Knights. Given the recent difficulties experienced by the studio, making a sequel to a critically-lambasted game would not seem to be the best route to financial success. Overall, Two Human seems very unlikely.
Conclusion
They're working on Eternal Darkness 2 for the WiiU, aren't they?
There are three possibilities really:
(1) Legacy of Kain
This would be Silicon Knights' only franchise with longevity, with their original game spawning four sequels. The Kain IP was originally conceived by Silicon Knights, and following an epic court settlement with their then publisher Crystal Dynamics, became the total property of the latter. The franchise was merged into the development of the Crystal Dynamics third-person action adventure game known as "Shifter", producing the game now known as Soul Reaver.
The persistent rumours that Crystal Dynamics may be returning to the Legacy of Kain are interesting, and considering that Silicon Knights were commissioned to help produce Darksiders with Vigil, it is not impossible (though still unlikely) that Crystal could be engaging in some sort of joint development with Dyack and co.
This seems improbable. The bitter legal history between Silicon Knights and Crystal Dynamics does seem render such cooperation unlikely, and the rumours suggest that a remake of "Soul Reaver" is on the cards - a game that Silicon Knights originally fought against being made. Still, its worth mentioning as a possibility. As Silicon Knights first console game, this would certainly adhere to their comment about the studio going back to "its roots".
(2) Eternal Darkness
The most likely possibility. Eternal Darkness is a highly-regarded gem that appealed to a mature faction of Nintendo's audience. It was a smart, successful title, and gave the Gamecube's early lineup a little more diversity. The IP is now fully owned by Nintendo.
Given that Nintendo and Silicon Knights split on apparently amicable terms, future collaboration could certainly be possible. Nintendo may be eager for a distinct and dark WiiU launch title, and Dyack certainly needs a success to help Silicon Knights survive its recent traumas - revisiting and continuing this successful IP under the supervision of Nintendo might be the best way to achieve this success.
An Eternal Darkness sequel has been requested since the early days of the Gamecube, by fans and the media alike. With the impending arrival of the Wii U, this scenario would also adhere to his "next generation" comment.
(3) Too Human
Too Human does have its fans, and some of those may want a sequel. It is hard to imagine that, compared with the far more sizeable and vocal Eternal Darkess and Legacy of Kain fanbases, that this group would come close to fulfilling the "most requested" criteria.
The move would also make little sense for Silicon Knights. Given the recent difficulties experienced by the studio, making a sequel to a critically-lambasted game would not seem to be the best route to financial success. Overall, Two Human seems very unlikely.
Conclusion
They're working on Eternal Darkness 2 for the WiiU, aren't they?
