The Xbox community has been holding onto hope over the years that the Microsoft owned Banjo-Kazooie might eventually make a comeback in some form, but Xbox studio Double Fine has distanced itself from taking the hotseat.
Speaking to IGN, founder Tim Schafer explained that he'd seen speculation that his studio might be in line to create a new Banjo-Kazooie game, but suggested the game's original creators Rare would be a much better fit.
"It's interesting to think about [playing with a Microsoft IP], but I feel like that wouldn't be the best use of Double Fine because I think our whole thing is [about] making stuff up.
People somehow got in their heads that we should do a Banjo-Kazooie game. Why should Double Fine make Banjo-Kazooie? You heard about this company called Rare? Because I think they're still around!"
Schafer went on to nevertheless state that it was "nice that people think about us when they think about that game", but that he instead wanted to "make something new that people like just as much".
"I really like that game, and if they think of Double Fine when they think of brightly coloured platformers that are a joy to experience, then that's great they think of us. But we also like to, you know... we'll make up something new that people like just as much."
Do you think Double Fine would be a good fit for Banjo-Kazooie? Give us your thoughts below.
[source youtube.com]
Comments 14
As long as its nothing like Nuts and Bolts I don't mind who makes it. Surely now though with its presence on Smash Bros it's the perfect time to be bringing the series back
Playtonic would probably be the go to company
For a new Banjo be it 3D or 2D or a mixture.
Both yooka game were good the second one better and they would have learnt lots both about platformers and programming them.
Schafer speaks the truth! Reminds me of all the people hyped about someone other than George Lucas doing Star Wars and then... look how that turned out.
Is Rare still around though? How many of the original Banjo Kazooie developers are still at Rare and how many have moved on to other developers such as Playtonic. Is it really the same developer if the team is not the same? Even if it is considered the same developer, Rare’s last attempt at making a Banjo Kazooie game didn’t turn out so well. I think Double Fine would do a good job with how good Psychonauts 2 is looking, but if they don’t want to do it then that’s that.
@Dezzy70 Playtonic would be a great fit seen as they basically made the originals. I enjoyed the Yooka Laylee games and even the first showed promise, so with a much bigger budget behind them I'd be pretty confident in what they could achieve
I've been waiting for Microsoft to make another Banjo platformer for years now. I have confidence we'll see it eventually, and also confident they'll find the right studio. Double Fine would have been a great choice.
Double Fine would be a terrible choice and the reason why is right there in the article: there's no inclination on Tim Schafer's part to do so.
Do you really want a hypothetical Banjo-Kazooie 3 to be developed by a man - and potentially, by extension, a team - who has no desire to make the game in the first place?
A new Banjo game would be epic..
@carlos82
Somethings things seem so simply and obvious
I guess we just need Microsoft to commission the game and add some cash.
I don't want Double Fine to make Banjo-Kazooie, I want Rare to make it. Banjo-Kazooie's director Gregg Mayles works at Rare and Grant Kirkhope is a freelancer. Playtonic is the only alternative that makes sense but if they joined Rare that would be even better.
@Dezzy70
I completely agree. Playtonic just needs to make it.
And Microsoft could swoop in & buy them & make their Banjo studio, so to speak.
It just makes too much sense.
@VenomousAlbino
You speak knowledge & I like it. 👍🏻
I think the people that were mostly behind Banjo are no longer at Rare, so it would ideally need to be out-sourced.
Double Fine would have been a nice fit, but you can't force them.
The next logical option would be Playtonic.
Either way, the franchise deserves a modern day revival and would suit Game Pass perfectly.
@KelticDevil
Like the sound of Microsoft buying them,
They would have a very good platform making game studio then.
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