WayForward Technologies

"Wayforward" redirects here. For the fictional company, see Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency.
WayForward Technologies, Inc.
Private
Industry Video game industry
Founded 1990
Headquarters Valencia, California, United States
Key people
 Voldi Way (founder)
John Beck (CEO)
Matt Bozon (creative director)
Products Video games
Website http://www.wayforward.com

WayForward Technologies, Inc. is an American independent video game developer based in Valencia, California. Founded in 1990 by technology entrepreneur Voldi Way, WayForward started by developing games for consoles such as the Super NES and Genesis, as well as TV games and PC educational software. In 1997, they relaunched their video games arm, placing the company as a contractor for publishers and working on a variety of licensed assets.

The company has created a variety of original game properties such as the Shantae series, including the first title Shantae which appeared on the Game Boy Color and was published by Capcom. Currently, WayForward Technologies works on games for the Nintendo 3DS and PlayStation Vita handheld consoles, WiiWare games for Nintendo's Wii and Wii U consoles, games for personal computer and other licensed titles for PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade.

History

WayForward Technologies was founded in 1990 by Voldi Way as an independent videogame design company, following on from a previous company he started that specialised in software for sheet metal fabrication.[1] The name WayForward Technologies may refer to the novel Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency by Douglas Adams, where a character named Gordon Way had founded a company by the same name.[2] Early on, the company focused on producing software for the Super NES, Genesis, Sega CD, Game Gear and Game Boy Color. They also branched out into educational computer games for the Personal Computer and Leapster.[1] During this time, many of the staff were doing other jobs in order to support their ambition to become game developers.[3]

In 1994, WayForward Technologies entered into a partnership with American Education Publishing in order to focus on developing further educational computer games.[4] The partnership was successful, with the company winning awards for innovation at the 1995 Consumer Electronics Show. During this time, WayForward focused on licensed assets such as the Muppets for their educational games or Godzilla or The Scorpion King for their more traditional games.[3]

WayForward restarted their videogame development business in April 1997, working as a "developer for hire" by providing services to software publishers.[1] John Beck, CEO, stated that by providing services on small projects the company has managed to remain a stable level of work. In mid-2002, WayForward released their first internally developed game based on their own intellectual property called Shantae. While it achieved critical acclaim, it was one of the last games to be released for the Game Boy Color and as a result only enjoyed limited success.[1]

When Nintendo announced the dual-screen handheld console that became the Nintendo DS in early 2004, WayForward began examining the various options the new console offered. Work started on a sequel to Shantae using the two screens. Despite presenting the concepts to a number of publishers, they were ultimately unsuccessful at securing a deal.[3] Because of the large number of Shantae related assets that were produced, including 3D models, WayForward frequently uses them when trying out new technology or development platforms.[1] Later in 2004, the company was contracted by THQ to produce a new chat game called Ping Pals for the Nintendo DS. Despite the tight timescales involved in developing the game, WayForward used the opportunity to obtain development kits for the platform.[3] The game met unfavourably with the majority of critics and gained only a single positive review.[5] In 2006, the company produced and released Justice League Heroes: The Flash just as the Game Boy Advance was reaching the end of its commercial life cycle, which met with largely positive reviews.[6] Since then, WayForward has gone on to develop further titles for the Nintendo DS. Looney Tunes: Duck Amuck, based on the 1951 Warner Bros. cartoon Duck Amuck was highly anticipated[7] at the E3 trade show but also received mixed reviews upon release.[8]

On February 19, 2008, John Beck and Matt Bozon were speakers at the Independent Games Summit, part of the 2008 Game Developers Conference, discussing a range of issues facing independent games companies.[9] Currently, WayForward are developing titles for Nintendo's Wii console involving the use of internally developed intellectual property. LIT was announced on March 5, 2008 and was released on February 9, 2009 for the WiiWare online shop platform.[10] A new game in the Shantae series is also being considered for the platform.[11]

According to the Spring 2009 entry of the Shantae Fan Club online newsletter, WayForward introduced a new character named Alta, who is a pink-haired girl that wields a scepter. She represented a brand-new original franchise. This was revealed on March 9, 2009 to be a DSiWare exclusive game called "Mighty Flip Champs!". WayForward would create Mighty Milky Way, another puzzle platformer with a new character named Luna. Its sequel, Mighty Switch Force!, was released exclusively on the 3DS eShop on December 22, 2011, with a sequel two years later called Mighty Switch Force! 2 on the Nintendo 3DS' eShop.

Recently, WayForward Technologies developed a game for the Nintendo DS and 3DS based on the popular Cartoon Network show Adventure Time. The show's creator, Pendleton Ward, confirmed the news of the game's development on his personal Twitter account on the 23rd of March, 2012, and Adventure Time: Hey Ice King! Why'd You Steal Our Garbage?! was released on November 20, 2012. A sequel, Explore the Dungeon Because I Don't Know!, as well as a Regular Show video game, Mordecai and Rigby in 8-Bit Land, were released in 2013.[12] On February 24, 2013 WayForward Game Director & Designer Austin Ivansmith confirmed that a sequel to Mighty Switch Force! was in development on the 50th episode of "Sup, Holmes?" on Destructoid,[13] which was released on June 13, 2013. A new Shantae title was revealed via Nintendo Power,[14] Shantae and the Pirate's Curse, which was released in October 23, 2014 on the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U eShop. Another game in the series, Shantae: Half-Genie Hero, is currently in development.[15]

Games developed

Year Title Platforms
1994 Mickey's Ultimate Challenge Genesis, Super NES, Game Boy, Game Gear, Master System
2000 Xtreme Sports Game Boy Color
2000 Bear in the Big Blue House: Bear’s Sense of Adventure PC
2000 Sabrina: The Animated Series: Zapped! Game Boy Color
2001 Sabrina: The Animated Series: Spooked! Game Boy Color
2001 Pearl Harbor: Defend the Fleet PC
2001 Wendy: Every Witch Way Game Boy Color
2001 WWF Betrayal Game Boy Color
2002 Shantae Game Boy Color
2002 The Scorpion King: Sword of Osiris Game Boy Advance
2002 Godzilla: Domination Game Boy Advance
2003 Rescue Heroes: Billy Blazes Game Boy Advance
2003 Nickelodeon Toon Twister 3D PC
2004 The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie Game Boy Advance
2004 Ping Pals Nintendo DS
2005 Sigma Star Saga Game Boy Advance
2005 SpongeBob SquarePants: Lights, Camera, Pants! Game Boy Advance
2006 Justice League Heroes: The Flash Game Boy Advance
2006 American Dragon: Jake Long – Attack of the Dark Dragon Nintendo DS
2006 American Dragon: Jake Long – Rise of the Huntsclan Game Boy Advance
2006 SpongeBob SquarePants: Creature from the Krusty Krab Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS
2006 Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS
2007 Looney Tunes: Duck Amuck Nintendo DS
2007 Contra 4 Nintendo DS
2008 Space Chimps Nintendo DS
2009 LIT WiiWare
2009 Mighty Flip Champs! DSiWare
2009 A Boy and His Blob Wii, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Xbox One, PC, OS X, Linux
2009 Where the Wild Things Are Nintendo DS
2010 Galactic Taz Ball Nintendo DS
2010 Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem Nintendo DS
2010 Batman: The Brave and the Bold – The Videogame Nintendo DS, Wii
2010 Shantae: Risky's Revenge DSiWare, iOS, PlayStation 4, PC
2011 SpongeBob SquigglePants Nintendo 3DS, Wii
2011 Centipede: Infestation Nintendo 3DS, Wii
2011 Thor: God of Thunder[16] Nintendo DS
2011 Mighty Milky Way[17] DSiWare
2011 Mighty Flip Champs! DX PlayStation Minis
2011 BloodRayne: Betrayal[18] Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC
2011 Aliens Infestation[19] Nintendo DS
2011 Mighty Switch Force! [20] Nintendo 3DS
2011 Happy Feet Two: The Video Game Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS
2012 Hotel Transylvania Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS
2012 Double Dragon Neon Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC
2012 Silent Hill: Book of Memories[21] PlayStation Vita
2012 Adventure Time: Hey Ice King! Why'd You Steal Our Garbage?! [22] Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS
2012 Mighty Switch Force! Hyper Drive Edition Wii U, PC
2013 The Smurfs 2: The Video Game PlayStation 3, Wii, WiiU, Xbox 360
2013 DuckTales: Remastered [23] Wii U, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC, iOS, Android, Windows Phone
2013 Regular Show: Mordecai and Rigby in 8-Bit Land Nintendo 3DS
2013 Adventure Time: Explore the Dungeon Because I Don't Know![24] Wii U, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC, Nintendo 3DS
2013 Mighty Switch Force! 2 Wii U, Nintendo 3DS
2014 Drawn to Life iOS
2014 Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark[25] Nintendo 3DS
2014 Shantae and the Pirate's Curse[26] Nintendo 3DS, Wii U, PC
2014 Adventure Time: The Secret of the Nameless Kingdom[15] PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, Xbox 360, Nintendo 3DS, Microsoft Windows
2014 Wonder Momo: Typhoon Booster No longer available (was on Nvidia Shield, PC, Macintosh)
2014 Scooby Doo! & Looney Tunes Cartoon Universe: Adventure PC, Nintendo 3DS
2014 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Danger of the Ooze PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo 3DS
2015 Mighty Switch Force! Hose It Down! iOS, PC
2015 Watch Quest! -Heroes of Time- Apple Watch
2015 Til Morning's Light iOS, Android (Kindle Fire models only)
2015 Adventure Time: Puzzle Quest iOS, Android
2015 Mighty Switch Force! Academy PC
2015 Goosebumps: The Game Playstation 3, Playstation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Nintendo 3DS, PC[27]
2015 Marvel Puzzle Quest: Dark Reign Playstation 3, Playstation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
2015 Descendants iOS, Android
2016 Shantae: Half-Genie Hero[15] Wii U, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Brandon Sheffield (2004-11-17). "WayForward To The Handheld Future". Gamasutra. Retrieved 2008-06-14.
  2. ↑ Simon Carless (2008-02-08). "WayForward Technologies Vs. Dirk Gently?". GameSetWatch. Retrieved 2008-06-14.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Stephen Totilo (2007-08-21). "The Flop That Inspired 'Contra 4' And 'Duck Amuck'". MTV. Retrieved 2008-06-14.
  4. ↑ "WayForward Technologies - The Company". WayForward Technologies. Retrieved 2008-06-14.
  5. ↑ Geoffery Winter. "Ping Pals". Nintendojo. Retrieved 2008-06-14.
  6. ↑ "Justice League Heroes: The Flash". Game Rankings. Retrieved 2008-06-24.
  7. ↑ Guy Cocker (2007-07-13). "E3 '07: Duck Amuck Impressions". GameSpot. Retrieved 2008-06-14.
  8. ↑ "Looney Tunes: Duck Amuck". metacritic. Retrieved 2008-06-14.
  9. ↑ "Games Developers Conference - Independent Games Summit". CMP Media. Archived from the original on 2008-03-12. Retrieved 2008-06-14.
  10. ↑ Damien McFerran (2008-03-06). "WayForward Developing Exclusive Horror Puzzle Title for WiiWare". WiiWare World. Retrieved 2008-06-14.
  11. ↑ James Ransom-Wiley (2008-02-22). "GDC08: Shantae summoned for WiiWare". Joystiq. Retrieved 2008-06-14.
  12. ↑ http://www.screwattack.com/news/adventure-time-ben-10-and-regular-show-are-all-getting-new-games
  13. ↑ Johnathan Holmes (2013-02-24). "Mighty Switch Force 2 announced for 3DS!-Sup, Holmes?". Destructoid.
  14. ↑ Shantae And The Pirate's Curse for 3DS Announced! (SPREAD THE NEWS!)
  15. 1 2 3 WayForward (2013-09-04). "Shantae: Half-Genie Hero". Kickstarter. Retrieved 2013-09-04.
  16. ↑ Richard George. "Thor: God of Thunder Review - Nintendo DS Review at IGN". Au.ds.ign.com. Retrieved 2012-03-24.
  17. ↑ "Mighty Milky Way is your new planet-hopping puzzle game". Destructoid. Retrieved 2012-03-24.
  18. ↑ "BloodRayne: Betrayal | Majesco Ent". Bloodraynebetrayal.com. Retrieved 2012-03-24.
  19. ↑ Dutton, Fred (2011-05-25). "Aliens Infestation outed by ratings board News • News •". Eurogamer.net. Retrieved 2012-03-24.
  20. ↑ "Mighty Switch Force – Coming to the 3DS eShop". Nintendocharged.com. Retrieved 2012-03-24.
  21. ↑ Kietzmann, Ludwig (2011-06-10). "Silent Hill: Book of Memories developed by WayForward". Joystiq. Retrieved 2012-03-24.
  22. ↑ "Adventure Time Heading to Nintendo DS Later This Year - News". Nintendo World Report. Retrieved 2012-03-24.
  23. ↑ http://kotaku.com/5991930/capcom-is-bringing-ducktales-back
  24. ↑ "New Adventure Time game announced for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii U, PC, and 3DS; Regular Show game for 3DS". Gematsu. 2013-05-14. Retrieved 2013-05-14.
  25. ↑ Brenna Hillier (2014-02-16). "Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark announced". vg247. Retrieved 2014-02-16.
  26. ↑ "Latest Nintendo Power cover reveals Shantae and the Pirate's Curse". GoNintendo. 2012-11-06. Retrieved 2012-11-06.
  27. ↑ http://blog.us.playstation.com/2015/10/07/goosebumps-the-game-coming-to-ps4-ps3-october-13th/

External links


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