EDIT: Forgot to add that Komo on ResetERA said that a generic placeholder for the new game was added recently, although they remarked that they will “add anything” to the database, even if its just rumours, as well as “a dozen other games that have never been announced”.
It’s coming, approaching, I can feel it, do you? I certainly do, and some of us have seen it coming and some even say that it is pretty obvious. But, it doesn’t take away from the excitement that is potentially the increasing possibility of finally getting the 8th mainline console game in what has been more than 10 years since the release of the last title, Crash Mind Over Mutant.
A lot has changed ever since, and with the resounding success of this revival, it was only a matter of time before we come in full circle to this point of time. Please note that the last section contains spoilers from a potentially reliable source for this last rumour for details about the new game, so avoid if you want to black out of spoiling the fun. Anyways, let’s get straight to the chase, because things have gotten interesting since last night:
- Judging from career job listings for an “unannounced project“, that the company has been working on this game at least for some time (I assume). The studio hasn’t released a standalone video game that is not tied to another studio, which happens to be “Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy”. Their last major project involving the production collaboration with another studio was with Bungie’s Destiny 2 expansion “Season of Opulence” which was wrapped up after the split on February 13, 2019.
- In a recent livestream, Andrew Carl said that the Alchemy Engine is still being used at the studio for prototypes and game jams at 1:34 (hh, mm), despite what speculation led up in response to the 2016 Instagram picture “Farewell Alchemy” by Benny Raymond. There’s a chance that next game will run on Unreal Engine.
- There’s a good chance that like last year and PSX 2016’s reveal, we could get the new game announced there on December 12, and if you want to vote on the 2019 nominees, you can show your support for Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled as the Best Sports/Racing games against FIFA 20, DiRT Rally 2.0, eFootball Pro Evolution Soccer 2020 and F1 2019.
- The “5-year plan” mention in the GB Eye blurb spread in early 2018 aligns well with the timing of the new game, as well as the continued support and content for CTR: Nitro-Fueled
- Activision has recently talked about the opportunity of going beyond remakes for Crash and Spyro with “new content”, leading to the belief that they are indeed indicating a new game and this is true, because Activision usually hints at new game developments or interest in new projects in this fashion. This could also indicate the recent content push done in Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled with the addition of Grand Prix seasonal updates. Additionally, they also hinted at Spyro’s comeback by releasing new merchandise to places like Hot Topic and First 4 Figures.
- Toys for Bob’s case is fascinating here, as there has been a leak of concept art pieces featuring Cortex, Dingodile, N. Tropy, N. Gin, and monster N. Brio and other pieces showcasing other characters and one environment concept, it seems. Nicholas Kole has been cheeky about it and nor Activision or Toys for Bob have commented or made a statement about it.
- It is also possible that a recent image they posted about “Creative Ops” pitch at DigiPen Institute (also on Twitter) might reveal a wider test level that’s blurred with what might be Crash in the orange bits, alongside platforms and other objects. The text reveals that this is an “innovation” pitch aimed to demonstrate the main idea of the prototype shown, with it being small, focused, quick and dirty. It is also possible that this is something entirely different, we’ll see what could end up here.
- The most interesting bit comes from the new PlayStation “It’s Time to Play” commercial by Sony, where we can see the Mask following the trio while they’re racing in their karts. And there’s been a new render on bus adverts (Double-decker) featuring a modified model with more shaped mouth and eyes. Nicholas yet again does the thing where he teases us about it.
That’s all for now. If there’s any info that’s missing or incorrect, please let me know ASAP.
Unless you want to continue if you’re seeing this from the frontpage, click on the “read more” link then!
Now, for the real kicker…
WARNING: This article contains potential spoilers from “ViewerAnon”, a source who’s presumed to be a reliable “VIP Movies Scoop” person, who has a decent track record of revealing information about movies ahead of time, if you don’t want to be spoiled, then please, do not proceed beyond this point of the post. Also, since this is a rumour, it has been categorized as a “rumour” in the blog’s categories because it is not confirmed or debunked.
ViewerAnon has recently put out information about the new game in a Twitter thread, from what I personally assume is a response to the media frenzy over Gamesradar’s report about the new game, which unfortunately sorta misses the mark with it including the fake 4chan post about “Crash Bandicoot Worlds” or “CRASH8”.
- But despite that, it doesn’t discredit the fact that we’re likely approaching the long-anticipated announcement of the new game soon.
- Here’s what ViewerAnon has described the new game as:
- The new game revolves around masks with “special abilities”, similar to the one we’ve in the new “It’s Time to Play” ad
- You will get to play as Crash or Coco with Cortex reportedly having levels in which tell the “full story” of the Crash levels, where you get to setting up traps to prevent Crash from going further (described as “challenge” levels, and said an example was setting up an explosion)
- Gameplay is Naughty Dog-like and isn’t open world, likely meaning a similar structure to the original trilogy
- It is possible that Vicarious Visions, with its prototype of N. Sane Trilogy, Thumpin Wumpa Islands, and Future Tense, could potentially evolve the level design that way, but I could be wrong still. We’ll see what they show off in that aspect.
- The progression system is described as being similar to Super Mario Bros. 3/World with themed worlds containing individual levels.
