Crash Bandicoot 5 Reportedly Canceled

As a long-time fan of Crash Bandicoot, I can’t help but feel disheartened by the recent confirmation from game designer Nicholas Kole that Crash Bandicoot 5 has been canceled. The anticipation for another installment in this beloved franchise has been building for quite some time now, and it feels like a cruel twist of fate that it may never come to fruition.


Recently, game designer Nicholas Kole of Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time announced sadly that the production of Crash Bandicoot 5 has been halted. This news has left fans of the cherished franchise feeling surprised and dismayed, as they had eagerly awaited another installment in the series.

People won’t be hearing about Spyro, but someday they’ll discover the untold story of Crash 5 – a tale sure to leave many hearts shattered.

— Nicholas Kole (@FromHappyRock) July 13, 2024

As someone who has closely followed the gaming industry for years and witnessed numerous acquisitions and mergers, I can’t help but feel a pang of sympathy for the team at Toys for Bob. Having been part of a large game development powerhouse like Activision Blizzard and then suddenly becoming an independent studio must be a daunting experience.

According to Nicholas Kole’s comments on X (previously called Twitter), it’s unclear why Crash Bandicoot 5 wasn’t developed, despite Crash’s official social media team being active and commemorating the anniversaries of their latest releases such as Crash Team Racing: Nitro Fueled.

Considering these circumstances, it’s evident that the game remains popular and holds great potential for financial success for its developer. Nevertheless, let’s not forget that devoted fans need not give up entirely.

Is Crash Bandicoot 5 Still Possible?

I’m thrilled to share that Toys for Bob, who have brought new life to Crash Bandicoot in recent years, are now focusing their efforts on revitalizing Spyro the Dragon. Having witnessed the success of Crash’s latest titles, I can’t help but get excited about the prospect of a well-deserved sequel for our beloved purple dragon.

Right now, I’m finding myself excitedly waiting for the indie developers to finish up Spyro 4. Since they’re a small team, they’ve got their hands full with just one project at the moment. That means, unfortunately, that Crash Bandicoot 5 might not be happening right away. However, it doesn’t mean that Crash won’t make another appearance in the gaming world someday.

Beenox and Vicarious Visions Taking the Helm Once Again

Prior to Toys for Bob taking over the project, Beenox and Vicarous Visions were the ones who revived Crash Bandicoot. Specifically, Beenox developed an exceptional version of Crash Team Racing. Meanwhile, Vicarious Visions updated the original trilogy with enhanced graphics and improved gameplay mechanics.

If I’m a passionate fan of Crash Bandicoot, I’d express it like this: With all the excitement surrounding Crash Bandicoot 5, I strongly believe that other studios are fully prepared to step in and continue developing the game if Toys for Bob is no longer able to do so.

Unfortunately, it’s worth noting that both Beenox and Vicarious Visions are currently occupied with various commitments. At present, Beenox is engaged in projects related to the Call of Duty series. As for Vicarous Visions, they have recently been absorbed into Blizzard and are now working on different titles. Despite their busyness, neither studio qualifies as an independent operation. Consequently, there’s a slim chance that they could take on the orange marsupial project.

A Third-Party Studio Takes Over

As a big fan, I’d suggest that instead of solely relying on in-house teams like proven and experienced Crash Bandicoot developers, Microsoft could also consider bringing in external help from third-party studios for certain projects. This isn’t an entirely new approach for them – they’ve done it before. A great illustration of this is when they hired Dala Studios to create Battletoads for them.

As a passionate fan of Crash Bandicoot, I can suggest that Microsoft might want to think about taking on this project. However, there are some aspects to consider before diving in headfirst. Initially, we’ll likely see another redesign for Crash, which could be detrimental if not executed carefully. The franchise holds a special place in many hearts, and any missteps could lead to fan backlash.

Taking all these aspects into account, it’s unlikely that Microsoft will transfer the intellectual property for Crash Bandicoot 5 to a external studio. However, if they are committed to making this game a reality, pursuing this arrangement would be their best option.

Read More

2024-07-15 04:08