WayForward Technologies
Encyclopedia
WayForward Technologies is a game development company based in Valencia, California
. Founded in 1990 by technology entrepreneur Voldi Way
, WayForward started by developing games for consoles such as the Super Nintendo Entertainment System
and Sega Genesis, as well as TV games and PC educational software. In 1997 they relaunched their video games arm, placing the company as a contractor for publishers and working on a variety of licensed assets.
The company has created a variety of original game properties including Shantae
, which appeared on the Game Boy Color
and was published by Capcom
. Currently, WayForward Technologies works on games for the Nintendo DS
handheld console, and WiiWare
games for Nintendo's Wii
console.
", by Douglas Adams, where a character named Gordon Way had founded a company by the same name. Early on, the company focused on producing software for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System
, Sega Genesis, Sega CD, Sega Game Gear
and GameBoy Color. They also branched out into educational computer games for the Personal Computer
and Leapster
. During this time, many of the staff were doing other jobs in order to support their ambition to become game developers.
In 1994, WayForward Technologies entered into a partnership with American Education Publishing in order to focus on developing further educational computer games. The partnership was successful, with the company winning awards for innovation at the 1995 Consumer Electronics Show
. During this time, WayForward focused on licensed assets such as the Muppets for their educational games or Godzilla
or The Scorpion King
for their more traditional games.
WayForward restarted their videogame development business in April 1997, working as a "developer for hire" by providing services to software publishers. John Beck, CEO, stated that by providing services on small projects the company has managed to remain a stable level of work. In mid 2002, WayForward released their first internally developed game based on their own intellectual property called Shantae
. While it achieved critical acclaim, it was one of the last games to be released for the Game Boy Color
and as a result only enjoyed limited success.
When Nintendo announced the dual-screen handheld console that became the Nintendo DS in early 2004, WayForward began examining the various options the new console offered. Work started on a sequel to Shantae using the two screens. Despite presenting the concepts to a number of publishers, they were ultimately unsuccessful at securing a deal. Because of the large number of Shantae related assets that were produced, including 3d models, WayForward frequently uses them when trying out new technology or development platforms. Later in 2004, the company was contracted by THQ
to produce a new chat game called Ping Pals
for the Nintendo DS. Despite the tight timescales involved in developing the game, WayForward used the opportunity to obtain development kits for the platform. The game met unfavourably with the majority of critics and gained only a single positive review. In 2006, the company produced and released Justice League Heroes: The Flash
just as the Game Boy Advance
was reaching the end of its commercial life cycle, which met with largely positive reviews. Since then, WayForward has gone on to develop further titles for the Nintendo DS. Looney Tunes: Duck Amuck
, based on the 1951 Warner Bros.
cartoon Duck Amuck
was highly anticipated at the E3 trade show but also received mixed reviews upon release. By contrast Contra 4
, a game developed for Konami
and based on the popular series of Contra games, was almost universally praised by critics.
On February 19, 2008, John Beck
and Matt Bozon were speakers at the Independent Games Summit, part of the 2008 Game Developers Conference
, discussing a range of issues facing independent games companies. Currently, WayForward are developing titles for Nintendo's Wii
console involving the use of internally developed intellectual property. LIT
was announced on March 5, 2008 and was released on February 9, 2009 for the WiiWare
online shop platform. A new game in the Shantae series is also being considered for the platform.
According to the Spring 2009 entry of the Shantae Fan Club online newsletter, WayForward introduces a new character named Alta who is a pink-haired girl that wields a scepter. She will be representing a brand-new original franchise. This was revealed on March 9, 2009 to be a DSiWare exclusive game called "Mighty Flip Champs!".http://ds.ign.com/articles/960/960734p1.html
Valencia, California
Valencia is an affluent planned community located in the City of Santa Clarita, California and Los Angeles County, California, U.S. in the northwestern corner of the Santa Clarita Valley, adjacent to Interstate 5. In 1987, it was one of the four unincorporated communities that merged to create the...
. Founded in 1990 by technology entrepreneur Voldi Way
Voldi Way
Voldi Way is an American technology entrepreneur and founder of WayForward Technologies, a Valencia, California based videogame development studio. In 1980, at age ten, he starred in the film The Changeling.-External links:...
, WayForward started by developing games for consoles such as the Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Super Nintendo Entertainment System
The Super Nintendo Entertainment System is a 16-bit video game console that was released by Nintendo in North America, Europe, Australasia , and South America between 1990 and 1993. In Japan and Southeast Asia, the system is called the , or SFC for short...
and Sega Genesis, as well as TV games and PC educational software. In 1997 they relaunched their video games arm, placing the company as a contractor for publishers and working on a variety of licensed assets.
The company has created a variety of original game properties including Shantae
Shantae
Shantae is a platform video game developed by WayForward Technologies and published by Capcom for the Game Boy Color.-Plot:From the official website:...
, which appeared on the Game Boy Color
Game Boy Color
The is Nintendo's successor to the 8-bit Game Boy handheld game console, and was released on October 21, 1998 in Japan, November 19, 1998 in North America, November 23, 1998 in Europe and November 27, 1998 in the United Kingdom. It features a color screen and is slightly thicker and taller than...
and was published by Capcom
Capcom
is a Japanese developer and publisher of video games, known for creating multi-million-selling franchises such as Devil May Cry, Chaos Legion, Street Fighter, Mega Man and Resident Evil. Capcom developed and published Bionic Commando, Lost Planet and Dark Void too, but they are less known. Its...
. Currently, WayForward Technologies works on games for the Nintendo DS
Nintendo DS
The is a portable game console produced by Nintendo, first released on November 21, 2004. A distinctive feature of the system is the presence of two separate LCD screens, the lower of which is a touchscreen, encompassed within a clamshell design, similar to the Game Boy Advance SP...
handheld console, and WiiWare
WiiWare
WiiWare is a service that allows Wii users to download games and applications specifically designed and developed for the Wii video game console made by Nintendo. These games and applications can only be purchased and downloaded from the Wii Shop Channel under the WiiWare section...
games for Nintendo's Wii
Wii
The Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo on November 19, 2006. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of the two others...
console.
History
WayForward Technologies was founded in 1990 by Voldi Way as an independent videogame design company, following on from a previous company he started that specialised in software for sheet metal fabrication. The name WayForward Technologies may refer to the novel "Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective AgencyDirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency
Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency is a humorous fantasy detective novel by Douglas Adams, first published in 1987. It is described by "the author" on its cover as a "thumping good detective-ghost-horror-who dunnit-time travel-romantic-musical-comedy-epic".The book was followed by a sequel,...
", by Douglas Adams, where a character named Gordon Way had founded a company by the same name. Early on, the company focused on producing software for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Super Nintendo Entertainment System
The Super Nintendo Entertainment System is a 16-bit video game console that was released by Nintendo in North America, Europe, Australasia , and South America between 1990 and 1993. In Japan and Southeast Asia, the system is called the , or SFC for short...
, Sega Genesis, Sega CD, Sega Game Gear
Sega Game Gear
The was Sega's first handheld game console. It was the third commercially available color handheld console, after the Atari Lynx and the TurboExpress....
and GameBoy Color. They also branched out into educational computer games for the Personal Computer
Personal computer
A personal computer is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator...
and Leapster
Leapster
The Leapster Learning Game System is an educational handheld game console aimed at 4 to 10 year olds , made by LeapFrog Enterprises. Its games teach the alphabet, phonics, basic math , and art and animal facts to players...
. During this time, many of the staff were doing other jobs in order to support their ambition to become game developers.
In 1994, WayForward Technologies entered into a partnership with American Education Publishing in order to focus on developing further educational computer games. The partnership was successful, with the company winning awards for innovation at the 1995 Consumer Electronics Show
Consumer Electronics Show
The International Consumer Electronics Show is a major technology-related trade show held each January in the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. Not open to the public, the Consumer Electronics Association-sponsored show typically hosts previews of products and new...
. During this time, WayForward focused on licensed assets such as the Muppets for their educational games or Godzilla
Godzilla (1998 film)
Godzilla is a 1998 science fiction monster disaster film film co-written and directed by Roland Emmerich. It is a loose remake of the 1954 giant monster classic Godzilla. The storyline was conceived from a screenplay written by Emmerich and Dean Devlin. The film relates a tale of a nuclear incident...
or The Scorpion King
The Scorpion King
The Scorpion King is a 2002 American action film directed by Chuck Russell, starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Kelly Hu, Grant Heslov, and Michael Clarke Duncan...
for their more traditional games.
WayForward restarted their videogame development business in April 1997, working as a "developer for hire" by providing services to software publishers. John Beck, CEO, stated that by providing services on small projects the company has managed to remain a stable level of work. In mid 2002, WayForward released their first internally developed game based on their own intellectual property called Shantae
Shantae
Shantae is a platform video game developed by WayForward Technologies and published by Capcom for the Game Boy Color.-Plot:From the official website:...
. While it achieved critical acclaim, it was one of the last games to be released for the Game Boy Color
Game Boy Color
The is Nintendo's successor to the 8-bit Game Boy handheld game console, and was released on October 21, 1998 in Japan, November 19, 1998 in North America, November 23, 1998 in Europe and November 27, 1998 in the United Kingdom. It features a color screen and is slightly thicker and taller than...
and as a result only enjoyed limited success.
When Nintendo announced the dual-screen handheld console that became the Nintendo DS in early 2004, WayForward began examining the various options the new console offered. Work started on a sequel to Shantae using the two screens. Despite presenting the concepts to a number of publishers, they were ultimately unsuccessful at securing a deal. Because of the large number of Shantae related assets that were produced, including 3d models, WayForward frequently uses them when trying out new technology or development platforms. Later in 2004, the company was contracted by THQ
THQ
THQ Inc. is an American developer and publisher of video games. Founded in 1989 in the United States, the company develops products for video game consoles, handheld game systems, as well as for personal computers and wireless devices...
to produce a new chat game called Ping Pals
Ping Pals
Ping Pals is a chat/accessory program developed by WayForward Technologies and published by THQ for the Nintendo DS. It was released on December 8, 2004 in North America...
for the Nintendo DS. Despite the tight timescales involved in developing the game, WayForward used the opportunity to obtain development kits for the platform. The game met unfavourably with the majority of critics and gained only a single positive review. In 2006, the company produced and released Justice League Heroes: The Flash
Justice League Heroes: The Flash
Justice League Heroes: The Flash is a side-story which complements the main events during Justice League Heroes of the PlayStation 2 and Xbox consoles...
just as the Game Boy Advance
Game Boy Advance
The is a 32-bit handheld video game console developed, manufactured, and marketed by Nintendo. It is the successor to the Game Boy Color. It was released in Japan on March 21, 2001; in North America on June 11, 2001; in Australia and Europe on June 22, 2001; and in the People's Republic of China...
was reaching the end of its commercial life cycle, which met with largely positive reviews. Since then, WayForward has gone on to develop further titles for the Nintendo DS. Looney Tunes: Duck Amuck
Looney Tunes: Duck Amuck
Looney Tunes: Duck Amuck is a game for the Nintendo DS. Like the original cartoon short Duck Amuck, it involves an external entity manipulating Daffy Duck's environment....
, based on the 1951 Warner Bros.
Warner Bros.
Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc., also known as Warner Bros. Pictures or simply Warner Bros. , is an American producer of film and television entertainment.One of the major film studios, it is a subsidiary of Time Warner, with its headquarters in Burbank,...
cartoon Duck Amuck
Duck Amuck
Duck Amuck is a surreal animated cartoon directed by Chuck Jones and produced by Warner Bros. Cartoons. The short was released in early 1953 by The Vitaphone Corporation, the short subject division of Warner Bros. Pictures, as part of the Merrie Melodies series...
was highly anticipated at the E3 trade show but also received mixed reviews upon release. By contrast Contra 4
Contra 4
Contra 4 is a 2D action game for the Nintendo DS and the eleventh original installment in the Contra series. The game was released in North America on November 13, 2007...
, a game developed for Konami
Konami
is a Japanese leading developer and publisher of numerous popular and strong-selling toys, trading cards, anime, tokusatsu, slot machines, arcade cabinets and video games...
and based on the popular series of Contra games, was almost universally praised by critics.
On February 19, 2008, John Beck
John Beck
John Dalton Beck is an American football quarterback starting for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
and Matt Bozon were speakers at the Independent Games Summit, part of the 2008 Game Developers Conference
Game Developers Conference
The Game Developers Conference is the largest annual gathering of professional video game developers, focusing on learning, inspiration, and networking...
, discussing a range of issues facing independent games companies. Currently, WayForward are developing titles for Nintendo's Wii
Wii
The Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo on November 19, 2006. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of the two others...
console involving the use of internally developed intellectual property. LIT
LIT (video game)
LIT is a video game by WayForward Technologies for WiiWare. The game is directed by Adam Tierney and co-designed by Tierney and Mark Bozon...
was announced on March 5, 2008 and was released on February 9, 2009 for the WiiWare
WiiWare
WiiWare is a service that allows Wii users to download games and applications specifically designed and developed for the Wii video game console made by Nintendo. These games and applications can only be purchased and downloaded from the Wii Shop Channel under the WiiWare section...
online shop platform. A new game in the Shantae series is also being considered for the platform.
According to the Spring 2009 entry of the Shantae Fan Club online newsletter, WayForward introduces a new character named Alta who is a pink-haired girl that wields a scepter. She will be representing a brand-new original franchise. This was revealed on March 9, 2009 to be a DSiWare exclusive game called "Mighty Flip Champs!".http://ds.ign.com/articles/960/960734p1.html
Games developed
- Xtreme Sports (2000, Game Boy ColorGame Boy ColorThe is Nintendo's successor to the 8-bit Game Boy handheld game console, and was released on October 21, 1998 in Japan, November 19, 1998 in North America, November 23, 1998 in Europe and November 27, 1998 in the United Kingdom. It features a color screen and is slightly thicker and taller than...
) - Sabrina: The Animated Series: Zapped! (2000, Game Boy ColorGame Boy ColorThe is Nintendo's successor to the 8-bit Game Boy handheld game console, and was released on October 21, 1998 in Japan, November 19, 1998 in North America, November 23, 1998 in Europe and November 27, 1998 in the United Kingdom. It features a color screen and is slightly thicker and taller than...
) - Sabrina: The Animated Series: Spooked! (2001, Game Boy ColorGame Boy ColorThe is Nintendo's successor to the 8-bit Game Boy handheld game console, and was released on October 21, 1998 in Japan, November 19, 1998 in North America, November 23, 1998 in Europe and November 27, 1998 in the United Kingdom. It features a color screen and is slightly thicker and taller than...
) - Pearl Harbor: Defend the Fleet (2001, PCPersonal computerA personal computer is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator...
) - Wendy: Every Witch Way (2001, Game Boy ColorGame Boy ColorThe is Nintendo's successor to the 8-bit Game Boy handheld game console, and was released on October 21, 1998 in Japan, November 19, 1998 in North America, November 23, 1998 in Europe and November 27, 1998 in the United Kingdom. It features a color screen and is slightly thicker and taller than...
) - WWF BetrayalWWF BetrayalWWF Betrayal is a beat 'em up on the Game Boy Color based on the World Wrestling Federation. It was the third and last WWF game released to the Game Boy Color and one of only two WWF/E games that was of a different genre than the regular professional wrestling games usually produced .The game's...
(2001, Game Boy Color) - ShantaeShantaeShantae is a platform video game developed by WayForward Technologies and published by Capcom for the Game Boy Color.-Plot:From the official website:...
(2002, Game Boy Color) - The Scorpion King: Sword of Osiris (2002, Game Boy Advance)
- Godzilla: Domination (2002, Game Boy Advance)
- Rescue Heroes: Billy Blazes (2003, Game Boy Advance)
- Ping PalsPing PalsPing Pals is a chat/accessory program developed by WayForward Technologies and published by THQ for the Nintendo DS. It was released on December 8, 2004 in North America...
(2004, Nintendo DSNintendo DSThe is a portable game console produced by Nintendo, first released on November 21, 2004. A distinctive feature of the system is the presence of two separate LCD screens, the lower of which is a touchscreen, encompassed within a clamshell design, similar to the Game Boy Advance SP...
) - Sigma Star SagaSigma Star SagaSigma Star Saga is a hybrid science fiction role-playing game -space-shooter for the Game Boy Advance. The player explores a standard 2-D overworld but is transported into space for side-scrolling shooter random battles...
(2005, Game Boy Advance) - Justice League HeroesJustice League HeroesJustice League Heroes is a console video game for the Xbox, PlayStation 2, Nintendo DS, and PlayStation Portable systems. It is based on DC Comics' premiere superhero team, the Justice League of America. It was developed by Snowblind Studios and published and distributed by Warner Bros...
(2006, PS2PlayStation 2The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
, PSPPlayStation PortableThe is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Corporation Development of the console was announced during E3 2003, and it was unveiled on , 2004, at a Sony press conference before E3 2004...
, Nintendo DS, XboxXboxThe Xbox is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Microsoft. It was released on November 15, 2001 in North America, February 22, 2002 in Japan, and March 14, 2002 in Australia and Europe and is the predecessor to the Xbox 360. It was Microsoft's first foray into the gaming console...
) - Justice League Heroes: The FlashJustice League Heroes: The FlashJustice League Heroes: The Flash is a side-story which complements the main events during Justice League Heroes of the PlayStation 2 and Xbox consoles...
(2006, Game Boy Advance) - American Dragon: Jake Long - Rise of the Huntsclan! (2006, Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance)
- SpongeBob SquarePants: Creature from the Krusty KrabSpongeBob SquarePants: Creature from the Krusty KrabSpongeBob SquarePants: Creature from the Krusty Krab is a video game for the Nintendo GameCube, PlayStation 2, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, and Wii developed by Blitz Games and published by THQ. It stars SpongeBob SquarePants, his best friend Patrick Star and their enemy Sheldon J. Plankton as...
(2006, Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance) - Looney Tunes: Duck AmuckLooney Tunes: Duck AmuckLooney Tunes: Duck Amuck is a game for the Nintendo DS. Like the original cartoon short Duck Amuck, it involves an external entity manipulating Daffy Duck's environment....
(2007, Nintendo DS) - Contra 4Contra 4Contra 4 is a 2D action game for the Nintendo DS and the eleventh original installment in the Contra series. The game was released in North America on November 13, 2007...
(2007, Nintendo DS) - LITLIT (video game)LIT is a video game by WayForward Technologies for WiiWare. The game is directed by Adam Tierney and co-designed by Tierney and Mark Bozon...
(2008, WiiWareWiiWareWiiWare is a service that allows Wii users to download games and applications specifically designed and developed for the Wii video game console made by Nintendo. These games and applications can only be purchased and downloaded from the Wii Shop Channel under the WiiWare section...
) - Mighty Flip Champs! (2009, DSiWare)
- A Boy and His BlobA Boy and His BlobA Boy and His Blob: Trouble on Blobolonia is a 1989 video game developed by Imagineering for the Nintendo Entertainment System . The game was published by Absolute Entertainment in North America and Europe and by Jaleco in Japan...
(2009, WiiWiiThe Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo on November 19, 2006. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of the two others...
) - Where the Wild Things Are (2009, Nintendo DS)
- Galactic Taz Ball (2010, Nintendo DS)
- Despicable Me The Game: Minion Mayhem (2010, Nintendo DS)
- Batman: The Brave and the Bold – The VideogameBatman: The Brave and the Bold – The VideogameBatman: The Brave and the Bold – The Videogame is a video game based on the comic book character Batman and the television cartoon series Batman: The Brave and the Bold. It was developed by WayForward Technologies and distributed by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment...
(2010, Wii, Nintendo DS) - Shantae: Risky's RevengeShantae: Risky's RevengeShantae: Risky's Revenge is a platform video game developed by WayForward Technologies for DSiWare digital distribution service. It was released in North America on October 4, 2010 and later in all PAL regions barring Australia and New Zealand on February 11, 2011...
(2010, DSiWare, iOSIOSiOS is an operating system for iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, and Apple TV.IOS may also refer to:-Companies and organisations:* Illinois Ornithological Society, American state-based bird club...
) - SpongeBob SquigglePantsSpongeBob SquigglePantsSpongeBob SquigglePants is an action video game based on the SpongeBob SquarePants television series, developed by WayForward Technologies and published by THQ. The game was first announced on March 23, 2011 and was released for Wii in North America on April 12, 2011, April 14, 2011 in Australia,...
(2011, Wii, Nintendo 3DSNintendo 3DSThe is a portable game console produced by Nintendo. The autostereoscopic device is able to project stereoscopic 3D effects without the use of 3D glasses or any additional accessories. The Nintendo 3DS features backward compatibility with Nintendo DS series software, including Nintendo DSi software...
) - Centipede: InfestationCentipede: InfestationCentipede: Infestation is a video game developed by WayForward Technologies and published by Atari, SA for the Nintendo Wii and the Nintendo 3DS. It is a re-imagining of the Centipede video game franchise.- Gameplay :...
(2011, Wii, Nintendo 3DS) - Thor: God of ThunderThor: God of ThunderThor: God of Thunder is a 2011 third person single-player video game based on the film Thor developed by Liquid Entertainment and co-written by Matt Fraction, the Eisner Award-winning writer of the comic book series...
(2011, Nintendo DS) - Mighty Milky Way (2011, DSiWare)
- Mighty Flip Champs! DX (2011, PlayStation Minis)
- BloodRayne: Betrayal (2011, Xbox Live ArcadeXbox Live ArcadeXbox Live Arcade is a type of video game download distribution available primarily in a section of the Xbox Live Marketplace, Microsoft's digital distribution network for the Xbox 360, that focuses on smaller downloadable games from both major publishers and independent game developers...
/PlayStation Network) - Aliens Infestation (2011, Nintendo DS)
- Silent Hill: Book of Memories (2012, PlayStation Vita)
- Mighty Switch ForceMighty Switch ForceMighty Switch Force, the spiritual successor to Mighty Milky Way and Mighty Flip Champs was recently announced for the Nintendo 3DS' eShop in the July issue of Nintendo Power. The game is like the other titles in the series, but focuses more on action than puzzle solving...
(TBA, Nintendo 3DS)
External links
- WayForward Technologies website
- WayForward developer listing at IGNIGNIGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
- WayForward entry at MobyGamesMobyGames-Platforms not yet included:- Further reading :* Rusel DeMaria, Johnny L. Wilson, High Score!: The Illustrated History of Electronic Games, McGraw-Hill/Osborne Media; 2 edition , ISBN 0-07-223172-6...