Of all of the studios to doubtlessly work on a Donkey Kong venture, Vicarious Visions (now identified merely as Blizzard Albany) admittedly wasn’t notably excessive up on our listing.
However, particulars have emerged of a now-cancelled DK venture on the studio through a brand new video from Did You Know Gaming (with prior reporting from DK Vine). According to the analysis, management at Vicarious Visions had wished to collaborate extra intently with Nintendo after the studio’s work on Skylanders: Superchargers (which, if you happen to bear in mind, included the likes of Bowser and Donkey Kong on Wii U, Wii, and 3DS). It had acquired developer kits for the Nintendo Switch and wished to create one thing actually distinctive for the upcoming system.
Walls have been reportedly erected inside the studio with a purpose to permit for a really choose few builders to debate the venture. The demo was mentioned to showcase a brand new Donkey Kong set on an open-world island, with a selected deal with character motion and fluidity. DK may, in fact, climb partitions and swing on vines, however the studio had additionally utilised its expertise with Tony Hawk video games to introduce a grinding mechanic.
Accoridng to the unique DK Vine article, which DYKG was not capable of confirm, Miyamoto himself was additionally reportedly in shut talks with Vicarious Visions and appeared apprehensive concerning the grinding mechanic, seemingly nervous about DK getting rope burn on his toes. As such, Vicarious devised that DK put on makeshift banana peels every time he would grind to alleviate the problem.
Other rumours surrounding the venture embody the concept that Pauline would function as a playable character, together with a storyline during which DK’s dwelling was polluted by some ‘ecological catastrophe’. Although some would christen the sport as ‘Donkey Kong Freedom’ within the years since its short-lived growth, DYKG clarifies that ‘Freedom’ was merely a codename for the venture, and no precise title was determined upon.
So why did not this recreation come to fruition? Well, it was apparently Activision that finally pulled the plug, not Nintendo. Development had solely lasted round six months, throughout which the setting had advanced right into a jungle-infested cityscape during which you possibly can construct momentum to achieve larger ranges. Unfortunately, after gross sales of Skylanders declined drastically, Activision started to pivot away from single-player titles and determined to ditch the Donkey Kong venture fully.
Of course, Vicarious Visions itself would then go on to help Bungie with the Destiny franchise earlier than engaged on the superb Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2. It has since helped out on franchises like Call of Duty and Diablo and has modified its identify to Blizzard Albany.
