Earthworm Jim 4

Earthworm Jim 4 is a video game in the Earthworm Jim series announced by Interplay Entertainment in 2008.^[1] While series creator Doug TenNapel later denied work on it had ever started in 2010,^[2] Interplay referred to the game as "still in development" as of May 2011.^[3] Lead designer David Perry stated in July 2012 that he was sure that there would be another Earthworm Jim game.

History

Announcement

With Earthworm Jim (PSP) being quietly cancelled by mid-2007,^[4] rumors of a new Earthworm Jim game arose as early as November 2007.^[5] Interplay, who had previously halted game development due to financial trouble, announced they were restarting game development again, and listed Earthworm Jim as a series they would resurrect.^[6] The game was officially announced as Earthworm Jim 4 shortly after this, on April 22, 2008.^[7] Interplay also announced that original Earthworm Jim creator and voice actor Doug TenNapel would return as a "creative consultant".^[8][9] While no details were released in regards to which video game console it would be released on, or a prospective release date, the company did announce the intention to release a new animated television series, and eventually a feature film, to tie in with the game.^[1]

TenNapel's commentary

No news was announced on the game for over two years, until April 2010, when rumors arose that TenNapel had started confirming details about the game, most notably that he was actively working on the game, and that it would be a title for the Nintendo Wii.^[10] TenNapel later addressed all the rumors as false; he had not been working on an Earthworm Jim 4 at all, nor had any work been done on it in general.^[10] TenNapel said in his statement:

Interplay actually wants to do the game right! We've been talking about a game now for two years. They want me to be involved, but times in games are tough right now for everyone. They have to raise a lot of money to fund the game properly... In our early discussions about the game, we had tentatively brainstormed ideas for the Wii. That is NOT a confirmation like the guy posted. We haven't presented the idea to Nintendo... As with anything in the gaming industry, the whole thing could turn on a dime and many of the facts can change about the game. What these fans don’t understand is how squirly things are at the beginning of the game. It would take at least two years to bring out the game and that’s after we’ve confirmed the budget and platform. The game could just as easily go away, get moved to the iPhone or become a Jim Tetris knock off as come out as a game on the Wii. People don’t understand how unstable game design is at the start"^[10]

TenNapel also emphasized the importance of getting the original team members back together (such as David Perry and Nick Bruty) and being able to adapt to the higher production values and demands of the current generation of video game consoles.^[10] Overall, he said that while Interplay was still interested in doing the game, no development, or terms of it, had been completed.^[10]

Interplay's commentary

Another year passed before anything was heard about the game again. In May, 2011, Interplay announced that they were experiencing financial troubles again, including "substantial debt" and continued operating losses, and that could leave many future games in jeopardy.^[3] Despite TenNapel's comments a year prior, in these reports, Interplay listed the game as "Earthworm Jim 4, a project still in development but at an unknown state."^{[3][11][12][13]}

Dave Perry's commentary

At the "Develop" conference in July 2012, Perry released a statement that he's sure there will be another Earthworm Jim game.^[14] He claimed the problem was "when", not "if", as, while the development team members discuss the project actively, they are all busy with their separate projects and companies.^[14] A possible premise he outlined was,

"The thing we had talked about in the past is Jim had been in retirement...So, he's been sitting at home watching movies and eating popcorn. He's grossly overweight now. The plan was to start with him literally getting off the sofa, and it's a disaster because he just hasn't done anything since. But he's got to get back into action again."^[14]

While details regarding just how much Jim being out of shape would affect game design are still up in the air, Perry mentioned being pretty certain that the game would be played in 2D.^[14]

Nick Bruty's commentary

In October 2015, Bruty held a Reddit AMA, where he addressed the issues that the fourth title fell into, stating:

Oh man. A new EWJ game with the original team almost happened about 5 years ago but a deal with the IP owners couldn't get worked out. I think everyone would be up for it sometime. Feels like unfinished business but hard to align everyone. I wouldn't do it without the key players. ^[15]

References