Interesting news breaking this morning, as it transpires that beloved developer Treasure will be making software for Xbox 360. In fact, it’s already started a project.
The studio, famed for Radiant SilverGun, GunStar Heroes, and most recently Ikaruga, will be sticking to its two-dimensional roots, releasing what sounds like an impressively large 2D game.
“There is no major difference in terms of gameplay for the games that we develop regardless of whether it is for console or handheld because they are all based on 2D action,” a Treasure spokesman told EGM, raising hopes of a game being seen within the launch window of the Xbox 360 - hopes that were quickly dashed. “..we take pride in developing our games with an elite and dedicated staff, which is small, so it will take longer to develop an Xbox 360 title,” the man from Treasure concluded.
As Sony was the blight of 2D gaming, Microsoft and Nintendo may well be its saviours. Sony is by far the worst offender, its short-sighted QA and licensing procedures actively removing a publisher’s ability to create in anything but three dimensions. Sony even refused to green-light Team17’s Worms for many months, a game that went on to be one of the biggest-selling first generation PlayStation titles.
Nintendo has offered a 2D outlet for many years, with the various iterations of Game Boy and now the Nintendo DS offering commercially viable platforms for the prolonging of such gaming.
All of which leaves you asking, what does Microsoft have to gain in committing to a super-niche 2D (presumably shooter) from a studio like Treasure? Simple really – for relatively little outlay, Microsoft gains the respect of the hardcore and artsy elements of gaming, as well as being able to boast support from yet another must-have Japanese developer. And the winner is you, the consumer.
The studio, famed for Radiant SilverGun, GunStar Heroes, and most recently Ikaruga, will be sticking to its two-dimensional roots, releasing what sounds like an impressively large 2D game.
“There is no major difference in terms of gameplay for the games that we develop regardless of whether it is for console or handheld because they are all based on 2D action,” a Treasure spokesman told EGM, raising hopes of a game being seen within the launch window of the Xbox 360 - hopes that were quickly dashed. “..we take pride in developing our games with an elite and dedicated staff, which is small, so it will take longer to develop an Xbox 360 title,” the man from Treasure concluded.
As Sony was the blight of 2D gaming, Microsoft and Nintendo may well be its saviours. Sony is by far the worst offender, its short-sighted QA and licensing procedures actively removing a publisher’s ability to create in anything but three dimensions. Sony even refused to green-light Team17’s Worms for many months, a game that went on to be one of the biggest-selling first generation PlayStation titles.
Nintendo has offered a 2D outlet for many years, with the various iterations of Game Boy and now the Nintendo DS offering commercially viable platforms for the prolonging of such gaming.
All of which leaves you asking, what does Microsoft have to gain in committing to a super-niche 2D (presumably shooter) from a studio like Treasure? Simple really – for relatively little outlay, Microsoft gains the respect of the hardcore and artsy elements of gaming, as well as being able to boast support from yet another must-have Japanese developer. And the winner is you, the consumer.
Companies:
Treasure
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Comments
Greg2k 13 Sep 2005 10:40
1/5
I'm glad there are still people out there willing to avoid the 3D bandwagon in favour of tighter gameplay. Isn't it odd how after 10 years of 3D gaming, 2D still attracts so many people? I doubt it's all about retro gaming; it's more the fact that 2D games just generally play better than 3D games.
Pilot13 13 Sep 2005 11:04
2/5
It's totally about retro gaming, which is why only the hard core are that interested. That said however, Gunstar Heroes is up there as one of my favourite games ever. It was the co-op gameplay I think, and some pretty imaginative bosses, but it was all fun.
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king skins 13 Sep 2005 11:27
3/5
Is this going to be a boxed game or arcade?
SPInGSPOnG 13 Sep 2005 14:26
4/5
Does anyone think the transmigration of 'slated' is interesting?
The word used to mean "criticised" now it appears to mean "scheduled". How did that happen?
Oh, it appears that criticised is the English usage. And scheduled (or at least, pleaced on a list) is the American one.
What gives SPOnG? I thought you were brits!
The word used to mean "criticised" now it appears to mean "scheduled". How did that happen?
Oh, it appears that criticised is the English usage. And scheduled (or at least, pleaced on a list) is the American one.
What gives SPOnG? I thought you were brits!
Joji 13 Sep 2005 19:28
5/5
You might be onto something Greg2k, but I also think it's about length and simplicity.
It could be said that Nintendo were right that games are becoming more complex and pushing gamers away and the very bastion of this proof is the DS, a console that is as easy to play as it is to use a pen or pencil. Many games on it are not only 2D but very good too.
When 2D gaming was the cream more played and most likely finished a game. I'm glad that in todays cut throat industry smaller developers like Treasure still put the games first, taking their time and 2D seems to work well for them.
I'm sure 2D could also work wonders for others too but many developers like the ready made cake mixture nature of 3D developemnt tools, and don't want to put in the time for such beautiful 2D animated graphics to enhance a game. Deadlines, money budgets and pressure from suits never helps either. Maybe we or games are suffering due to some developers becoming too big these days.
Perhaps japan just has a better appreciation animation due to it feeding their tv stations with countless anime and this reflects onto their many games. You only have to look as far as the improvements in Capcoms' SF series animation over the years as an example.
Whatever Treasure have planned for 360 (2D or 3D) I'll be watching closely since very few of their games have turned out bad over the years, a promising, parting thought.
It could be said that Nintendo were right that games are becoming more complex and pushing gamers away and the very bastion of this proof is the DS, a console that is as easy to play as it is to use a pen or pencil. Many games on it are not only 2D but very good too.
When 2D gaming was the cream more played and most likely finished a game. I'm glad that in todays cut throat industry smaller developers like Treasure still put the games first, taking their time and 2D seems to work well for them.
I'm sure 2D could also work wonders for others too but many developers like the ready made cake mixture nature of 3D developemnt tools, and don't want to put in the time for such beautiful 2D animated graphics to enhance a game. Deadlines, money budgets and pressure from suits never helps either. Maybe we or games are suffering due to some developers becoming too big these days.
Perhaps japan just has a better appreciation animation due to it feeding their tv stations with countless anime and this reflects onto their many games. You only have to look as far as the improvements in Capcoms' SF series animation over the years as an example.
Whatever Treasure have planned for 360 (2D or 3D) I'll be watching closely since very few of their games have turned out bad over the years, a promising, parting thought.