When considering studios that might work on a Donkey Kong project, Vicarious Visions, now known as Blizzard Albany, may not have been the first choice for many fans. However, new details have emerged about a now-cancelled DK project at the studio through a video from Did You Know Gaming and prior reporting from DK Vine. It appears that Vicarious Visions was eager to collaborate more closely with Nintendo after their work on Skylanders: Superchargers, which featured characters like Bowser and Donkey Kong on various platforms. The idea was to create something unique for the Nintendo Switch, with the studio receiving developer kits and envisioning a new Donkey Kong game set on an open-world island.
Innovative Gameplay Mechanics
One of the standout features of the cancelled project was the focus on character movement and fluidity. The demo showcased Donkey Kong’s ability to climb walls, swing on vines, and even introduce a grinding mechanic inspired by Vicarious Visions’ experience with Tony Hawk games. Despite initial concerns from Miyamoto about the grinding mechanic causing rope burn on DK’s feet, the studio creatively devised a solution by having DK wear makeshift banana peels while grinding. The game also aimed to include Pauline as a playable character and explore a storyline involving an ecological disaster in DK’s home.
Sadly, the promising Donkey Kong project was never realized, and the blame doesn’t fall on Nintendo. It was Activision, the publisher behind Skylanders, who decided to pull the plug after only six months of development. The initial concept of an open-world island had transformed into a jungle-infested cityscape with momentum-based gameplay, but with declining sales of Skylanders, Activision shifted its focus away from single-player titles. This decision led to the abandonment of the Donkey Kong project, leaving fans wondering what could have been.
Following the cancellation of the Donkey Kong project, Vicarious Visions went on to work on other successful franchises like Destiny and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater. The studio has since collaborated on titles like Call of Duty and Diablo under the Blizzard Albany name. Despite the setback with the cancelled DK project, Vicarious Visions continued to thrive in the gaming industry, showcasing their adaptability and creativity in working on different genres and franchises.
The story of the cancelled Donkey Kong project serves as a reminder of the uncertainties and challenges faced in game development. While the collaboration between Vicarious Visions and Nintendo showed promise, external factors such as shifting industry trends and publisher decisions can impact the fate of a project. Fans of the Donkey Kong series may feel a sense of disappointment that the game never came to fruition, but it also raises questions about what could have been and the potential for innovative gameplay experiences.
The cancelled Donkey Kong project at Vicarious Visions was a missed opportunity for a fresh take on the beloved franchise. Despite the unique gameplay mechanics and creative vision behind the project, external circumstances led to its premature end. The legacy of the project lives on in the gaming industry, serving as a reminder of the complexities of game development and the unpredictable nature of the creative process.
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