Wattam
2019 video game
Wattam is a 2019 puzzle-platform game developed by Funomena and published by Annapurna Interactive . It was designed by Keita Takahashi , better known for creating the Katamari Damacy series, and was released for PlayStation 4 and Windows on December 17.
Gameplay
The game is played either solo or co-op , and consists of befriending other inhabitants of the world, including trees, flowers, rocks, toilets, poop, mouths, and more by holding hands, uncovering secrets, playing minigames , and solving puzzles. Characters each have unique melodies, which can be combined.[ 1]
Development
Originally revealed in December 2014 as a PlayStation 4 exclusive, Wattam was to be published by Sony Interactive Entertainment and developed jointly by Funomena and Santa Monica Studio .[ 1] [ 2] However, it was revealed in October 2016 that Sony were no longer involved with the game.[ 3] In August 2017, Annapurna Interactive was announced as the new publisher, and that it would additionally be released for Microsoft Windows .[ 4]
Regarding Wattam , designer Keita Takahashi said that he was "always" trying to make a game that makes people notice how "our ordinary life is great".[ 5]
Wattam had a troubled development at Funomena.[ 6] [ 7] [ 8] Takahashi quarreled with studio co-founder Robin Hunicke over the game's design and production. Hunicke withdrew from active involvement in the game's development to focus on running the company. After Sony ended its co-development with Funomena, the studio announced layoffs. The game would ultimately spend over five years in development.[ 8]
Reception
Wattam received "mixed or average reviews" from critics upon release according to review aggregator Metacritic .[ 9] [ 10]
The game was nominated for "Family", "Game Design ", and "Music" at the 16th British Academy Games Awards .[ 18]
References
^ a b Horti, Samuel (September 2, 2017). "Make colourful blobs hold hands in bizarre puzzler Wattam, out next year" . Rock Paper Shotgun . Retrieved November 30, 2018 .
^ McWhertor, Michael (August 31, 2017). "Wattam is still alive, coming in 2018" . Polygon . Retrieved November 30, 2018 .
^ "Wattam - Wattam, il nuovo gioco del creatore di Katamari Damacy, non è più esclusiva PlayStation 4" . Multiplayer.it (in Italian). Retrieved November 22, 2023 .
^ Seppala, Timothy J. (August 31, 2017). " 'Katamari Damacy' creator's next game will be released in 2018" . Engadget . Retrieved December 22, 2019 .
^ McWhertor, Michael (August 31, 2017). "Wattam is still alive, coming in 2018" . Polygon . Retrieved December 20, 2020 .
^ Chalk, Andy (March 18, 2022). "Two reports paint a troubling picture of workplace abuses at acclaimed indie studios" . PC Gamer . Retrieved March 20, 2022 .
^ Bryant Francis (March 18, 2022). "Funomena co-founder Robin Hunicke accused of workplace emotional abuse" . Game Developer . Retrieved March 20, 2022 .
^ a b Khan, Imran (May 6, 2022). "The Hopeful Beginning and Abrupt Shuttering of Funomena" . Fanbyte . Retrieved May 25, 2022 .
^ a b "Wattam for PC Reviews" . Metacritic . CBS Interactive . Retrieved January 17, 2020 .
^ a b "Wattam for PlayStation 4 Reviews" . Metacritic . CBS Interactive . Retrieved January 17, 2020 .
^ Devore, Jordan. "Review: Wattam" . Destructoid . Retrieved April 25, 2021 .
^ Cork, Jeff (December 17, 2019). "Wattam A Charming Little Storybook" . Game Informer . Archived from the original on December 18, 2019. Retrieved June 16, 2021 .
^ Joseph, Funké (January 8, 2020). "Wattam Review - Forever Wondering" . GameSpot . Retrieved June 16, 2021 .
^ Marks, Tom (December 16, 2019). "Wattam Review" . IGN . Retrieved June 16, 2021 .
^ Watts, Rachel (December 16, 2019). "WATTAM REVIEW" . PC Gamer . Retrieved June 16, 2021 .
^ L'avis de izokay (January 4, 2020). "Test Wattam : L'ovni de Keita Takahashi (Katamari Damacy) entre dans la ronde" . Jeuxvideo.com . Retrieved June 16, 2021 .
^ McCarthy, Caty (December 16, 2019). "Wattam Review: Cool Hat Trick" . USgamer . Retrieved June 16, 2021 .
^ Stuart, Keith (March 3, 2020). "Death Stranding and Control dominate Bafta games awards nominations" . The Guardian . Retrieved March 5, 2020 .
Further reading
Frank, Allegra; Oh, Ashley (April 9, 2018). "Wattam will make you ask WTF, and it's wonderful" . Polygon . Retrieved September 23, 2018 .
McCarthy, Caty (September 21, 2018). "Keita Takahashi on Wattam and the Superfluousness of Video Games" . USgamer . Retrieved September 23, 2018 .
Summers, Nick (June 15, 2018). " 'Wattam' is a wonderfully weird game about friendship" . Engadget . Retrieved September 23, 2018 .
External links
Released/Published Upcoming Related