Crash Bandicoot Artist Hints at Plans for Cancelled Game

As a long-time Crash Bandicoot fan and avid gamer, I can’t help but feel a pang of sadness upon hearing the news about the cancelled Crash 5 project. The excitement and anticipation that came with the release of Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time in 2020 was palpable, especially given the long hiatus since the last fully-fledged Crash game. The concept art teased by artist Nicholas Kole only adds fuel to the fire of our collective imaginations, leaving us wondering what could have been.

In 2020, Activision and Toys for Bob introduced “Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time.” This game represented the first completely new Crash Bandicoot experience in over a decade. There were indications that a fifth installment was under development, but it appears that plans didn’t come to fruition. Over the weekend, artist Nicholas Kole discussed a canceled project named “Project Dragon” on Twitter. Daniel Barnes, writer for Sonic comics, asked if this could have been a new Spyro game due to the title. Kole clarified that Project Dragon was unrelated but took the chance to mention Crash instead.

Kole mentioned, “Instead of Spyro, there was once a game called Crash 5 that didn’t make it to release. One day, people will learn about this lost gem and be deeply saddened.”

Unfortunateley, Kole did not provide additional information and may currently be barred from doing so. We might gain more insights later, but this news could bring small comfort if the concept art is as emotionally distressing as Kole implies. Regrettably, such occurrences are prevalent in the video game sector, even within established franchises. Recently, Crash Bandicoot titles have seen impressive sales; for instance, “Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy” has surpassed 20 million copies sold globally. However, robust sales do not guarantee success. Following “Crash 4,” Activision opted to reassign Toys for Bob as a support studio on the profitable Call of Duty line (though they also contributed to “Crash Team Rumble’s” online multiplayer).

After Microsoft completed its purchase of Activision Blizzard towards the end of last year, Toys for Bob announced their intention to operate as an independent studio. The specific project they are currently developing is unknown, but Xbox will publish their inaugural standalone game. There’s been buzz that it could potentially be a new Spyro title. Leaving Activision Blizzard may have granted the team more freedom to pursue their creative goals, but it remains to be seen what lies ahead for the studio. Here’s hoping Crash Bandicoot fans won’t have to endure another extended wait for a fresh platformer.

[H/T: Video Games Chronicle]

2024-07-15 16:10

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