Gamers of the newly launched Donkey Kong Nation Returns HD found authentic creators at Retro Studios aren’t featured within the credit. As a substitute, the remaster’s credit acknowledge the way it’s “based mostly on the work of the unique improvement workers.”
We have seen higher scrutiny over crediting (and their omissions) inside video games these days. Credit for latest high-profile titles like Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, The Callisto Protocol, and Cranium & Bones didn’t correctly listing translators or workers who left the studio earlier than the sport’s launch.
Nintendo has beforehand come below fireplace for this follow. The music app it launched final yr options soundtracks from its first-party video games and does not credit score their respective composers. Exterior translators additionally beforehand alleged they repeatedly weren’t credited correctly by what was described by sources as Nintendo coverage.
Not the primary Retro Studios crediting gaffe
Just like the Donkey Kong remaster, the credit for 2023’s Metroid Prime Remastered say it is “based mostly on the work of Metroid Prime (authentic Nintendo GameCube and Wii variations) improvement workers.” Zoid Kirsch, a former Retro engineer on the unique Prime, stated on the time he was “let down” by the shortage of correct crediting. “I labored with so many superb folks on the sport and everybody’s title must be included within the remaster, not only a single card like this.”
In an announcement about Donkey Kong Nation Returns HD, Nintendo advised Eurogamer it “believes in giving correct credit score for anybody concerned in making or contributing to a recreation’s creation, and worth the contributions that each one workers make through the improvement course of.”
At time of writing, it has not defined why it omitted the unique Retro crew from the remaster’s credit. Likewise, it has not stated if it is going to replace the credit, which earlier builders like Obsidian have accomplished.
