Shocking Deaths in New TMNT Game: Developer Reveals How Paramount Approved Major Character Losses

by

Over time, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have graced numerous video games on a variety of systems. Generally, they’ve been featured in fighting games reminiscent of arcades, but there have been instances where this isn’t the case. For instance, a new game titled Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tactical Takedown, scheduled to release on Steam next month, marks a departure from the norm. This is the very first turn-based strategy game inspired by the Paramount franchise. In a recent chat with Inverse, Xalavier Nelson Jr., founder and director of developer Strange Scaffold, shared some behind-the-scenes details about their collaboration with Paramount, and how certain innovative concepts were given the green light.

Strange Scaffold, known for crafting small yet highly respected video games such as “I Am Your Beast” and “Space Warlord Organ Trading Simulator,” has garnered significant acclaim from both players and critics. This recognition caught the eye of Paramount, leading to discussions about potential partnerships. One idea was a TV show adapted from a Strange Scaffold game that had been canceled, but they ultimately opted for a new project – a game inspired by the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) franchise.

At some stage, I took out a collection of all our ongoing projects to clearly demonstrate them. This was quite nerve-wracking given that I was speaking with ViacomCBS, but Doug Rosen, who heads their gaming division, reacted positively when he saw “Teenage Demon Slayer Society” and I discussed transforming our strategy game into a beat ’em up in the Turtles universe. His expression immediately brightened up.

In contrast to its earlier versions, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tactical Takedown stands out not only due to its gameplay but also because of its unique narrative. The storyline unfolds in a world where Splinter and Shredder are deceased, leaving the Turtles more split than ever. Unlike some games that use storylines as mere backdrop, this one is intricately woven into the overall gameplay design. Interestingly, the engine for Tactical Takedown permits only one character to be played at a time, meaning although you’ll control all four turtles at different instances, it won’t offer the cooperative play style found in games like Shredder’s Revenge. Even more intriguing is that Strange Scaffold was uncertain about how Paramount would react to this concept.

Nelson stated that they were asked some questions about various aspects of the plot, and upon hearing the answers, everything was immediately approved without any conditions. This moment stood out as particularly gratifying in his professional career because it reminded him of a successful heist – getting to narrate the story following the deaths of Splinter and Shredder.

With its unique twist on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise, it’s intriguing to see how well Strange Scaffold’s “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tactical Takedown” will be received. This game represents a significant departure from previous titles in the series, and it has the potential to captivate both longtime enthusiasts of the brand as well as newcomers who haven’t played a TMNT game yet. The wait for fans won’t be much longer, as the game is set for release on May 22nd.

Read More

2025-04-08 23:41