Sony Hints to PS4 Return of Old and Beloved Characters, Knack Possibly Becoming a Franchise

Yesterday Sony held its 97th General Shareholder Meeting at the Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa in Tokyo and Sony Computer Entertainment CEO Andrew House was asked to report on the games available on PS4 and on the future software plans.

[Robochobo]

Interesting to hear about a possible continuation of Knack. Hopefully the sequel evolves on ideas from the first in a better package for all.

[Abriael]

yeah the ideas were good. I liked the game, mind you, but I'm told I'm easily amused :P

Yet, there definitely were some problems in the implementation.

[morganfell]

I enjoyed it and possibly more than most. The combat was deceptive in its depth.

I would have preferred a different voice actor.

And on a separate note the free companion app was addctive.

[bouzebbal]

i love knack and i can only be happy and excited when i hear this.

[darthv72]

I'd love a new jumping flash. It might not be beloved but it certainly is old...and fun.

[Alexander1Nevermind]

I played Knack, enjoyed the game and beat it. Once you got into the higher levels the game was actually very challenging

[sovkhan]

Knack is clearly, for me, an underated game.

I 've been throught it and it is challenging and fun...

So nice to hear there gonna be some sequels.

[NewMonday]

nice to see some Knack love, a most enjoyable game for me

[minimur12]

Ryder in Knack is Regggie from inFamous Second Son :)

[UltimateMaster]

I'm thinking Crash Bandicoot.
I'd wish they would make new games off other SCE PS1 master-pieces too.

[Kavorklestein]

^ @ Everyone who posted their opinions above me.

Isn't it nice being able to have constructive and positive and varying opinions about games you like/liked on Sony platforms? (with so few disagrees?)
Isn't it nice to say what you want and have your own opinions about things?
I bet it is. :)

That ^ is all we Xbox fans really want and should be able to to do when we talk about the games WE like.

Now all ya gotta do, is remember this simple thing next time you are going to troll Xbox articles, and specific xbox fans like truefan1 and more powerofgreen and various others.
It's pure hatred, and vile-ness, and it's totally un-needed.
If you do have something to say, let's just say it without getting so ugly all the time.
Please and thank you!

-Kavorklestein
An Xbox fan, who likes plenty of Playstaion and Nintendo, and PC games as well.

To those who already DO their best to discuss things rationally and respectfully in xbox articles, I/we thank you, and if you doubt the validity of my comment, please reflect on your agrees and disagrees once more.

Happy Gaming!

[imt558]

Well, Knack were sold around 1 mil. copies, so probably further sequel are reasonable. Knack is a solid platformer, little tiring, but solid and has long SP campaign.

Anyway, i really want Wipeout and Rollcage back on track. I really miss Studio Liverpool ( Psygnosis ).

[NewMonday]

FYI there is a Shadow of the Beast remake

[hardcorehippiez]

yea i want an updated xenon megablast along with an up to date remix of the soundtrack. awesome

[bouzebbal]

how about some Destruction Derby greatness?

[barb_wire]

@hardcorehippiex..

Xenon Megablast was made by The Bitmap Bros. it's awesome soundtrack was by Bomb the Bass.

True, an update could be awesome.. but if we've doing updates I wouldn't mind seeing

SWIV
https://www.youtube.com/wat...

[mediate-this]

Knack was/is a garbage game, 5/10 at best, it sold mill cause there is no games to be play on ps4. Once the install base gets bigger for ps4 it will go through what resistance went through and decline sales each iteration.

Resistance one sold good cause there were no games to play on ps3 at the time

[Dr_Yo]

Omg someone actually remembers rollcage??? I thought it was a lost forgotten game by everyone :/

[buffig]

Image Knack with a Metroidvania kind of structure. But giving the player freedom to explore element combinations and letting them be creative about puzzle solving. I want to be able to grow massive when I dictate, by collecting items, not because the game demands it. Knack has enormous potential and Sony really needs to set it free. Imagine a game which is a cross between Lego Marvel, Arkham City, Katamari and Doodle God. Do it Sony!

[Godmars290]

Given how the first game is considered not to be finished, its nice that they're giving it another chance. Hopefully wont repeat that mistake.

[Dark11]

Knack is one of the worst games ever
why would anyone want that to be a franchise is beyond me.

@badz149
sure there is more games are far worse
but still that doesn't change the fact that knack is piece of shit.

[badz149]

Worst game ever? You clearly haven't played a lot of games then.

[MrSec84]

I can't agree, Knack was a great launch title for PS4, it was lots of fun, challenging on the right settings & it was one of the only platform games available between PS4 & XBox One at launch.

The franchise has a lot of potential & that game was a great base to start from.

[kenshiro100]

Says the troll with two bubbles.

[bouzebbal]

people talking bad about it are those who never touched it just like you... people love to hate for i dont know what reason.
Knack is great, and i hope they focus more on some nice couch co-op in the next one cause i would definitely buy it eyes closed.

OT: i would love me some Crash by Sanzaru Games, they nailed Sly: Thieves in Time!

[MRMagoo123]

I loved knack and continue to do so even the companion app is fun, My son also loves knack and is currently on his 4th play thru to try to get the remaining gems for the rarer knack forms. So no knack was not crap at all.

[sic_chops]

Dark never gave it a chance. I can tell.

[ScorpianusNoir]

Because Knack was a great game. The fact that it had no Nudity, Blood or Profanity seems to lead some people to think that it is a kids game but, this old man found the story to be very engaging and the characters to be likable.

I would really like to get more of this story.

[incredibleMULK]

Time to sell my ps4.

[Majin-vegeta]

You have to own one in the first place.Which you dont ;)

[Edsword]

Knack was okay, I would have to see some real changes to consider a sequel. I think it would have been cool if You could have more control over Knacks size. For example, make the game more open with a free camera, make Knack's size part of the platforming, ex Knack can't access this area unless he reaches this size, the area may not be necessary, and the size you get to might be related to skill or time spent collecting.

[showtimefolks]

ok andrew house, you replaced uncle jack at E3(you got the most on stage time), if you can bring back Crash than i like you more lol

please bring back crash

also how about buying shenmue from sega

[DigitalRaptor]

Ughhh Shenmue.

The holy grail.

[-Foxtrot]

I still have hopes for Crash Bandicoot...even though he wasn't at E3

I really think it was pointless adding that hint in the PS4 launch trailer if they haven't got the rights

[aceitman]

Maybe gamescom announcement. Cross fingers.

[SpadeX]

Andrew House: Ladies and gentlemen... Mark Cerny!

*crash bandicoot insanity beach music plays*

Mark: You guys have been waiting for this.. There you go.

Screen shows: Sony Computer Entertainment America presents.... A Naughty Dog Studio production... CRAAAASH REMASTERED!

I have so much hope for this. :(

@guyman

Didn't they make the HD Collection of J&D a few years ago and ported it last year to the Vita? Why wouldn't they make a Remastered version of Crash Bandicoot?

[guyman]

Naughty dog will never develop a crash remake. Perhaps Japan studio would

[szenkapotamus]

They wouldn't devote their most talented studio to a Crash remastering, if they even get the rights from Activision. They'd have someone like Sumo or a smaller studio do it.

[SpadeX]

Remind me who remastered J&D for PS3 and PS Vita? And who is currently remastering TLOU? Why would you think Crash is something too lame for a big developer to remaster? Even though ND is a highly respected developer, they'd still earn much more respect from those who are waiting for the revival of the original PS mascot. :)

[ChickenOfTheCaveMan]

Let Crash be remade by another team, ND needs to make that realistic Jak and Daxter!

[Emanno]

Crash Bandicoot remastering would be a great idea for PS Vita. I don't think Activision even owns the franchise anymore, since they removed him from their website. Apparently his trademark is in the Bank of America. http://pastebin.com/rRrPhH7...

[RexDD]

You should really read your own links before you post. The link just proves that activision still owns the franchise. You just disproved your own theory...

[Toxic-zombie]

It does take 2-3 years to make a game so it could be at E3 next year for a 2016 release.

[Emanno]

@RexDD You obviously didn't read the whole thing. It clearly states that Activision gave all their trademarks to Bank of America for some extra credit on their account but they still get to use the IP and trademarks, so long as they keep making their bank payments. If Activision messes up, then Bank of America will take all of the trademarks and IP and would probably sell them off to whoever the highest bidder would be.

[Emanno]

@RexDD My point is Activision didn't pay for the IP of Crash. http://tmsearch.uspto.gov/b...

[Emanno]

@RexDD Sorry that link doesn't work. Go on this one http://www.uspto.gov/ and then click on trademarks, then search and click on basic word mark. Then in the search term, type in Crash Bandicoot.

[Majin-vegeta]

Can you imagine all of Sony's great platformers on the PS4?Crash,J&D,R&C and now Knack??Man so much goodness.

[Nine_Thousaaandd]

Yeah...I agree, would be amazing to see them all show up on PS4!

Man I love gaming!

[McScroggz]

In a perfect world, they would have used some of those franchises to bolster the Vita early on so they could then transition between console and handheld iterations. Sadly, it's too late for that to happen.

[MrSec84]

Every Playstation console needs them (home & handheld), there's nothing wrong with bringing back franchises people love.

I was so happy when Andrew House said that Ratchet & Clank will be coming to PS4 in the 1st half of next year.
Sly Cooper has to be on the way sometime in 2016 also with the movie release happening for that game that year.

I think J&D and R&C are the platformers that most gamers want.

[MRMagoo123]

you forgot medievil, who wouldnt want that ?

[XiSasukeUchiha]

Greatness! Thank you Sony.

[OtakuDJK1NG-Rory]

Awaits! meaning you gonna wait longer

[bicfitness]

Since this is in Japan, I hope that they were talking about Legend of Dragoon, or Wild Arms. We've missed a generation, or two, with each, which is shameful.

[Majin-vegeta]

Agree.Just dig up the old LOD 2 files and go from there.

[0P-Tigrex]

I wanna play as Lloyd... anyone?? Dart was cool, but Lloyd was OG status

[MegaRay]

Or Ape Escape 4, or even Jak reboot by Japan Studio perhaps

[user7402931]

croc

[WeAreLegion]

I wish.

[OtakuDJK1NG-Rory]

sorry but that IP died

[Am-No-Hero]

Andrew House is my hero

[Killzoner99]

I wish Sony wouldn't share their plans publicly . Microsoft and Nintendo have been stealing their ideas for years.

[Fireseed]

What idea could anyone possibly "steal" here?

[EcoSos3]

Yeah just like MK is a copy of LBP Kart and Smash Bros. is a copy of PS All-stars/s

[choujij]

Works the other way around too. I for one, think that Yoshi's Wooly World is inspired of LBP.

As I always say, if you're gonna copy something, at least copy something good.

[BitbyDeath]

Mortal Kombat a copy of LBP?

[hello12]

Really Sony E3 this year what was that lol Sony and Microsoft are as bad as each other, they are clueless sometimes.

[breakpad]

you r right ...specially nintendo sabotages anything Sony does and comes from Japan, they just see their games and throw money, publishing help and other crap strategies stealing the games for their inferior machine

[0P-Tigrex]

Knack was a decent game at what it tried to be. Coming from someone who got the Platinum only thing i didn't like was it's insane linearity, story plot holes, and collectable farming. I swear the Diamonds were the most tedious collectables that i've had to get.. right behind the Pure Blade Stones in Demon's souls.

[badz149]

Finding the diamonds almost made me insane! 5 playthroughs!! and the companion app is not helping either. Ohh...how I hated the final guardian before the final fight with the orb!

[Blackleg-sanji]

Hmm I loved knack so a knack 2 would be nice expand on what it had.

[WeAreLegion]

I have been working on a Knack 2 script since the first came out. The concept had such potential. I'm considering sending it in.

[Acquiescence]

A poor game and an even more poorly designed mascot character. It's heart-breaking to think of all those classic Playstation franchises of yore that are so due a revival, like Jumping Flash! or PaRappa or MediEvil or Vib Ribbon or Alundra, yet Sony would rather continue to waste their time and resources on something as mediocre and subject to frequent ridicule as Knack.

If the game sold well, it's only because it was a launch title for a hotly-anticipated piece of tech.

[kenshiro100]

In your opinion.

There's people who think otherwise.

[oODEADPOOLOo]

Its all about that crash son!

[TimeSkipLuffy]

of course you will see the game announced for 2015 and pushed back to 2016 :D

[Bonkerz]

Im sorry but i think we can all agree that Knack only sold well because it was a launch title. The game got awful reviews, Sony is really throwing money down the drain by making Knack a franchise not a good move on their part.

[DigitalRaptor]

The only reason Ryse: Son of Rome sold well was because it was a launch title. It got awful reviews and they're supposed to be considering a sequel to that.

Probably a good idea to you though...

[cruzngta]

Knack was left wide open for a sequel, I hope they continue the same story for the sequel. I love knack and hope we get a sequel soon. I like when you beat the game you unlock all levels and also the arena mode. Great game and I liked the characters in it. Deliver the goods Sony.

[McScroggz]

The idea of Knack is great - and it's a pretty decent game - I just hope they expand on the core ideas and improve the overall story and, especially, the characterization of Knack himself.

Personally, I think it would be a great type of franchise that could function on both home consoles and handhelds (if Sony even makes a new handhelds). Regardless, I do hope Sony gives the IP one more shot to see if it really takes off.

[SaintAlpha101]

Knack is still probably my favorite game on the PS4 and IMO one of the most underrated titles in recent gaming, so I'd love a sequel.
Perhaps make it a non-linear game with optional paths where Knack travels the world and finds out more about the relics and if any creature like him exist out there in the world.
Also completely drop the goblins from the story, they were kinda pointless in the first game and the game would have been just as good if it was just the humans.

As for beloved characters, I think everyone wants the orange marsupial to return, including me.
A new Crash game would be awesome and I'd buy it day one.

[PrinceOfAllSaiyans]

Please do bring back some classics. Sony has like the most characters of the 3 I believe. And many IP that they're just sitting on and not doing anything with. We need Sly 4, Jak 4, new R&C, Syphon Filter, and etc. Jak 4 and Sly 4 don't have to be made by Naughty Dog and Sucker Punch, just get another studio to make them.

[shivvy24]

Jak 4 confirmed

[Paul85]

I want a new tenchu game .

[Blackleg-sanji]

Jak 4 confirmed
Paparapa confirmed
Crash cofirmed
Knack 2 confirmed
Syphon confirmed
Spyro done right confirmed
....in a perfect world that is
Edit: add ape escape 4 and suikoden VI to this list

[DragoonsScaleLegends]

What about MediEvil or The Legend of Dragoon?

[kingdom18]

APE ESCAPE! I completely forgot about that, it would be great if we got a new one.

[TheTwelve]

More Knack please!

[Relientk77]

Bring back the classics

[Gooch_suplex_Hold]

Well there's Ratchet and Clank next year!

[XtraTrstrL]

All I know is, Naughty Dog better be working on a next-gen Jak & Daxter.

[Fel08]

A new Crash game would be awesome.

[cyclindk]

Not to bring down the mood, but I didn't find the Knack "universe" or characters all too endearing.

Just didn't connect with it, or the style.

Personal op

Technically neat though

[TheEternalGamer]

For Knack i feel they should make it more challenging i played it on hard but i didn't even feel like it offered me a challenge a whole lot. still a good game though. But i think they should really focus on bringing back the beloved characters that made PlayStation what it is today from the PS1/PS2 Era.

[DVAcme]

My choices for returning franchises:
-Crash Bandicoot
-Syphon Filter
-Jumping Flash
-Legend Of Dragoon
-Wild Arms
-Medievil
-Twisted Metal
-Warhawk
-Siren
-Parappa The Rapper

[Elda]

I enjoyed Knack wouldn't mind playing a follow up,would definitely buy.

[Tresyn10]

I have yet to play it, hesitated because of reviews, but overall, i heard it was pretty good, i hate when i let ratings determine whether i purchase a game or not, I'm gonna get it, i love platformers, but if they say its linear, maybe the sequel should carry a old school Mario64 open setting ;) run with it Sony borrow some more, if needed to make a good game great!

[MultiConsoleGamer]

Knack was roaming around the show floor at E3 so I kinda figured he would be making a return sometime in the future. I really didn't care for the original title but since I have a lot of respect for Mark Cerny I will give a sequel a chance.

[N4GJD]

Any game not tethered to realism is only beneficial to the industry. Such emphasis on realism is only limiting video games and costs a fortune to develop (due to the 100's of artists needed). Very memorable characters should always be a must. And gameplay should always come first!

[LightDiego]

Sadly, i lost the hope for Crash Bandicoot. How i wish a new game from the series and a remake of the trilogy, looks like that's not gonna happen.
It would be nice more games like Puppeteer, and a new Sly Cooper (Thieves in Time is great), Ratchet & Clank. Let's not forget Jak & Daxter.

[AceBlazer13]

I want Jak to make a return, he's the only one of the trio(Jak,Ratchet, Sly) that didn't make a new PS3 appearance. At least get him on PS4.

[uth11]

Great to see all the Knack love. I thought I was the oddball for liking the game. I see I'm not alone

[RPGrinder]

For the record this site has been banned by neogaf by essentially creating news and rumors. Keep that in mind when reading this

[kingdom18]

Jak! Jak! Jak! Jak! Jak! Jak! Jak!.............

[Themba76]

say what you want but I arguably enjoyed knack more than killzone shadowfall. yes killzone did look amazing but knack was just more addicting and fun.

[Sharingan_no_Kakashi]

I'm thinking Jak

http://replygif.net/i/1271....

[feraldrgn]

Good thing about Knack is it might turn out like Crash & just get better with each game.
The first might not be for everyone, but sequels could introduce better stage layout, better camera, more attacks, maybe do the same as Crash 3 & give him bosses to unlock power-ups.

It could be great.

As for the return of old & beloved characters, my guess is Jak & Daxter.
They were working on bringing them to next gen before, but couldn't come up with any designs that felt right.
Hopefully they keep the same look for Daxter, just HD.

[kingtroy]

personally i wouldn't mind knack but , we need another spyro or crash

[tigertron]

Sony had better buy Crash Bandicoot.

[KakashiHotake]

They should resurrect Spiral the Dragon, and maybe they can do some kind of collaboration with activision to bring back a true Crash Bandicoot game for PS4. I also always thought Parappa the Rappa would have been perfect for the PS Move.

[tulholdren]

Liked Knack was a good game. Hoping they bring back some old games like Wild Arms, Dark Cloud, LoD2, so many other good old game they can you..

[MakiSaad2]

2 Words Crash Bandicoot

[Gigus]

Can't wait for Gamescom!