Velocity 2X developer FuturLab has posted a candid tweet thread concerning the difficulties of getting funding for critically-acclaimed game sequels.
We all know the way it’s purported to work. You publish a critically-acclaimed game that tens of millions of individuals play, then you’ll be able to construct on that success by greenlighting an improved sequel. Sadly, that’s not what at all times occurs. Take it from FuturLab, who developed Velocity 2X for PS4 and Vita earlier than it was ported to PC and Xbox One.
Velocity 2X is an action-game combining top-down house taking pictures with Metroidvania action-platforming. Missions start as your spaceship takes out enemy targets, solely to dock with aims – or enemy bosses – to sow chaos from inside. It’s a novel idea that appears totally realized, and appears like a blast to play.
And but, a depressingly candid tweet thread from the studio (thanks Eurogamer) explains that whereas Velocity 2X established an enormous playerbase due to a free PS Plus deal, these downloads by no means materialized into precise gross sales.
“Velocity 2X on PS4 and Vita was released for free on PS Plus. Great for downloads (well into the millions) and so there’s a big playerbase, but publishers for a sequel want to see actual unit sales,” FuturLab wrote. “We’ve tried, again and again and over to get a sequel signed. It’s the identical each time. It seems and feels wonderful, so everyone seems to be . Until they see the precise gross sales of 2X.
“Pretty a lot any writer you’ll be able to consider has seen it. Sequel to a 90 Metacritic? Wow. Does it look nice? Yep. Does it play nice? Yep. Does it do new issues? Hell sure. Ok, we’re . How many gamers of the earlier game? Over one million. Great! How did it promote? Oh…”
FuturLab provides that the PC version launched alongside Windows 10, prompted a game-breaking bug that took roughly a 12 months to repair. A bodily version produced by Badland additionally turned out to be “a disaster” for the developer.
The excellent news is Velocity 2X has a Switch version within the works, which could change every part if it sells effectively. “TRUTH BOMB: if you want to see the bells and whistles sequel to Velocity 2X that we have been working on in secret for years, you need to go out and buy Velocity 2X on Switch,” FuturLab writes. “This is probably your last chance to see a fully deserving sequel happen. I wouldn’t be doing this if not.”
Velocity 2X is anticipated to launch for the Nintendo Switch this month. If followers are fortunate, a sequel titled Velocity Supernova will probably be launched at a later date.
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