Wattam

Wattam
Developer(s)Funomena
Publisher(s)Annapurna Interactive
Designer(s)Keita Takahashi
Platform(s)
ReleaseDecember 17, 2019
Genre(s)Puzzle-platform
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

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

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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

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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

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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

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  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ McWhertor, Michael (August 31, 2017). "Wattam is still alive, coming in 2018". Polygon. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
  3. ^ "Wattam - Wattam, il nuovo gioco del creatore di Katamari Damacy, non è più esclusiva PlayStation 4". Multiplayer.it (in Italian). Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  4. ^ Seppala, Timothy J. (August 31, 2017). "'Katamari Damacy' creator's next game will be released in 2018". Engadget. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
  5. ^ McWhertor, Michael (August 31, 2017). "Wattam is still alive, coming in 2018". Polygon. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  6. ^ Chalk, Andy (March 18, 2022). "Two reports paint a troubling picture of workplace abuses at acclaimed indie studios". PC Gamer. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
  7. ^ Bryant Francis (March 18, 2022). "Funomena co-founder Robin Hunicke accused of workplace emotional abuse". Game Developer. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
  8. ^ a b Khan, Imran (May 6, 2022). "The Hopeful Beginning and Abrupt Shuttering of Funomena". Fanbyte. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  9. ^ a b "Wattam for PC Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved January 17, 2020.
  10. ^ a b "Wattam for PlayStation 4 Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved January 17, 2020.
  11. ^ Devore, Jordan. "Review: Wattam". Destructoid. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  12. ^ Cork, Jeff (December 17, 2019). "Wattam A Charming Little Storybook". Game Informer. Archived from the original on December 18, 2019. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  13. ^ Joseph, Funké (January 8, 2020). "Wattam Review - Forever Wondering". GameSpot. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  14. ^ Marks, Tom (December 16, 2019). "Wattam Review". IGN. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  15. ^ Watts, Rachel (December 16, 2019). "WATTAM REVIEW". PC Gamer. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  16. ^ 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.
  17. ^ McCarthy, Caty (December 16, 2019). "Wattam Review: Cool Hat Trick". USgamer. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  18. ^ Stuart, Keith (March 3, 2020). "Death Stranding and Control dominate Bafta games awards nominations". The Guardian. Retrieved March 5, 2020.

Further reading

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