Fans of the beloved video game franchise Banjo-Kazooie have taken to social media to fervently express their desire for a sequel, in response to recent comments made by the franchise’s original development team. Grant Kirkhope, the game’s composer, lead programmer Chris Sutherland, and character designer Steve Mayles, expressed doubt regarding the potential audience for a Banjo-Kazooie return, citing the passage of time since the release of the original games.
Kirkhope stated in an interview with VGC that finding a team capable of replicating the humor of the original games would be challenging. He also expressed skepticism about the existence of a large enough audience for a new Banjo-Kazooie game. While Kirkhope found the character’s appearance in Super Smash Bros. to be heartwarming, he doubted that this support would translate into a financially viable project.
Sutherland echoed Kirkhope’s sentiment, acknowledging the existence of an audience for the franchise but questioning whether it would be sufficient to justify the scale of a new game. Mayles also expressed concerns about the financial investment required for a new Banjo-Kazooie game, suggesting that a remaster might be a more cost-effective option for developer Rare to pursue.
Despite the development team’s reservations, it appears that enthusiasm for the Banjo-Kazooie franchise may not be as niche as initially assumed. The inclusion of Banjo and Kazooie in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate was met with overwhelming support. Fans also eagerly anticipate the release of Banjo-Kazooie on Nintendo Switch Online in 2022. Additionally, the launch of the game Yooka-Laylee in 2017, which was designed as a spiritual successor to Banjo-Kazooie, received significant attention and acclaim.
Following the publication of the VGC interview, Kirkhope, Sutherland, and Mayles’ comments sparked considerable controversy online, with thousands of Banjo-Kazooie fans taking to social media to contest the notion that there is a lack of audience enthusiasm for the franchise. Many fans argue that the reaction to Banjo and Kazooie’s inclusion in Super Smash Bros. was overwhelmingly positive and that the enduring strength of the Banjo-Kazooie community indicates a strong demand for a new game.
A post on NextGenPlayer’s platform, which aimed to gauge fan interest in a potential sequel, received hundreds of supportive comments in favor of a new Banjo-Kazooie entry. Similarly, fans responding to Banjo-Kazooie’s birthday celebrations on the official Rare Twitter account expressed their desire for ports, remasters, or sequels to preserve and elevate the franchise’s legacy.
While the original development team expressed doubts about the potential success of a new Banjo-Kazooie game, the reaction from fans on social media suggests that there is a passionate and dedicated audience eagerly awaiting a sequel. The enduring popularity of the franchise, as demonstrated by the enthusiastic response to Super Smash Bros. and Yooka-Laylee, indicates that the demand for a new Banjo-Kazooie game may be more significant than initially perceived.
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