WayForward Technologies

WayForward Technologies

__NOTOC__Infobox Company
company_name = WayForward Technologies
company_
type = Private
foundation = 1990
location = Valencia, California U.S.
key_people = John Beck (CEO)
Matt Bozon (creative director)
industry = Video game industry
products = Video games
revenue =
operating_income =
net_income =
num_employees =
homepage = [http://www.wayforward.com wayforward.com]

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 releaunched 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 more recently the WiiWare online shop for Nintendo's Wii 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.cite web |title=WayForward To The Handheld Future |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/2164/wayforward_to_the_handheld_future_.php |author=Brandon Sheffield |publisher=Gamasutra |date=2004-11-17 |accessdate=2008-06-14] The name WayForward Technologies may refer to the novel "Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency", by Douglas Adams, where a character named Gordon Way had founded a company by the same name.cite web |title=WayForward Technologies Vs. Dirk Gently? |url=http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2008/02/wayforward_technologies_vs_dir.php |author=Simon Carless |publisher=GameSetWatch |date=2008-02-08 |accessdate=2008-06-14] 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.cite web |title=WayForward Technologies - The Company |url=http://www.wayforward.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=83&Itemid=108 |author= |publisher=WayForward Technologies |date= |accessdate=2008-06-14 ] The partnership was successful, with the company winning awards for innovation at the 1995 Consumer Electronics Show. During this time, WayForward focused on licenced assets such as the Muppets for their educational games or "Godzilla" or "The Scorpion King" for their more traditional games.cite web |title=The Flop That Inspired 'Contra 4' And 'Duck Amuck' |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1567550/20070821/id_0.jhtml |author=Stephen Totilo |publisher=MTV |date=2007-08-21 |accessdate=2008-06-14 ]

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 relased 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.cite web |title=Ping Pals |url=http://www.nintendojo.com/reviews/NDS/view_item.php?1115429686 |author=Geoffery Winter |publisher=Nintendojo |date= |accessdate=2008-06-14 ] In 2006, the company produced and released ' just as the Game Boy Advance was reaching the end of its commercial life cycle, which met with largely positive reviews.cite web |title=Justice League Heroes: The Flash |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages4/933902.asp |author= |publisher=Game Rankings |date= |accessdate=2008-06-24] Since then, WayForward has gone on to develop further titles for the Nintendo DS. ', based on the 1951 Warner Bros cartoon "Duck Amuck" was highly anticipatedcite web |title=E3 '07: Duck Amuck Impressions |url=http://uk.gamespot.com/ds/action/looneytoonsduckamuck/news.html?sid=6174914&mode=previews |author=Guy Cocker |publisher=GameSpot |date=2007-07-13 |accessdate=2008-06-14 ] at the E3 trade show but also received mixed reviews upon release.cite web |title=Looney Tunes: Duck Amuck |url=http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ds/looneytunesduckamuck?q=duck%20amuck |author= |publisher=metacritic |date= |accessdate=2008-06-14 ] By contrast "Contra 4", a game developed for Konami and based on the popular series of "Contra" games, was almost universally praised by critics.cite web |title=Contra 4 |url=http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ds/contra4 |author= |publisher=Metacritic |date= |accessdate=2008-06-14 ] On February 192008, 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.cite web |title=Games Developers Conference - Independent Games Summit |url=http://www.gdconf.com/conference/igs.htm |author= |publisher=CMP Media |date= |accessdate=2008-06-14 ] Currently, WayForward are developing titles for Nintendo's Wii console involving the use of internally developed intellectual property. "LIT" was announced on March 52008 and is planned for release on the WiiWare online shop platform.cite web |title=WayForward Developing Exclusive Horror Puzzle Totle for WiiWare |url=http://www.wiiware-world.com/news/2008/03/wayforward_developing_exclusive_horror_puzzle_title_for_wiiware |author=Damien McFerran |publisher=WiiWare World |date=2008-03-06 |accessdate=2008-06-14 ] A new game in the "Shantae" series is also being considered for the platform.cite web |title=GDC08: Shantae summoned for WiiWare |url=http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/22/gdc08-shantae-summoned-for-wiiware/ |author=James Ransom-Wiley |publisher=Joystiq |date=2008-02-22 |accessdate=2008-06-14 ]

References

External links

* [http://www.wayforward.com WayForward Technologies website]
* [http://games.ign.com/objects/026/026846.html WayForward] developer listing at IGN
* [http://www.mobygames.com/company/wayforward-technologies WayForward] entry at MobyGames


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