Shantae developer WayForward Technologies launched a Kickstarter campaign today for Shantae: Half-Genie Hero, a new game in the platforming series.
The studio is asking for $400,000 to make Half-Genie Hero, which WayForward says is "already confirmed" for Windows PC via Steam, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One and Wii U. The campaign launched less than 40 minutes ago and has already pulled in more than $15,000 from more than 550 backers.
"Shantae: Half-Genie Hero continues the tradition of action/adventure in the spirit of Metroid, Castlevania and The Legend of Zelda," said WayForward in the Kickstarter pitch. "Our goal is to introduce Shantae to a whole new audience with a fresh art style and a brand spanking new storyline."
The studio's current plan, if the Kickstarter drive is funded, is to release Half-Genie Hero with an opening stage, three chapters and a conclusion. Stretch goals on the Kickstarter campaign — for elements like new modes, characters and chapters — are listed at $100,000 increments all the way up to $1.3 million.
WayForward is known for its licensed games and remakes, such as the recently released DuckTales Remastered, but Shantae is one of the studio's original franchises. The series began with the original Shantae on Game Boy Color in 2002; a sequel, Shantae: Risky's Revenge, was released on Nintendo DSiWare in 2010 and on iOS in 2011, and the third game in the series, Shantae and the Pirate's Curse, is scheduled for release on Nintendo 3DS in 2013.
