Mighty Coconut, the creator of Walkabout Mini Golf, has partnered with Aardman, the franchise creator of Wallace & Gromit, to introduce a new course for the VR golf title. This collaboration has been instrumental in keeping Walkabout Mini Golf popular as a VR game since its launch in 2020. The goal of this partnership is to push the boundaries of technology, create a unique low-poly art style, and spark players’ imaginations. According to Daniel Efergan, the creative director of interactive at Aardman, the collaboration between Mighty Coconut and Aardman has resulted in an interactive course that combines the animation expertise of both studios.
Wallace & Gromit’s Nostalgic Setting: 62 West Wallaby Street
The latest collaboration brings players to the iconic 62 West Wallaby Street, the home of Wallace and Gromit. This setting allows players to explore the beloved home and garden of the characters. The choice of this location reflects the independent studio’s commitment to innovation and creativity. Efergan emphasizes that the animation and tech skills of Mighty Coconut have been pushed to their limits in the development of this course, resulting in a visually stunning and engaging experience.
Insights from Previous VR Experience with Wallace & Gromit
This is not the first time Wallace & Gromit have ventured into the world of VR. They were previously featured in Wallace & Gromit in The Grand Getaway, a title that debuted on the Meta Quest in December. Efergan mentions that the previous VR experience provided valuable insights for the development of the new course. One of the challenges faced was ensuring that objects in VR were scaled correctly, such as the size of a coffee mug to fit Wallace’s hands.
The Collaboration between Aardman and Mighty Coconut
Mighty Coconut, originally an animation studio, entered the virtual reality games space in 2014. Their success can be attributed to their animation and storytelling roots, as well as their episodic TV production discipline. With their partnership with Aardman, they have been able to push the boundaries of animation and technology even further. The game currently has hundreds of thousands of active users, with many playing on a regular basis. The community that has formed around the game is a testament to its engaging and cooperative nature.
A Real Part of the Wallace & Gromit Cinematic Universe
Both Aardman and Mighty Coconut are excited about the prospect of the mini golf adventure feeling like an authentic part of the Wallace & Gromit cinematic universe. Aardman has not only licensed the rights to the characters and gadgets from the films but also had Wallace & Gromit creator Nick Park contribute sketches for mini golf hole ideas. The course features the voice of Ben Whitehead, the voice actor for Wallace since 2009. Players can expect a plethora of ingenious contraptions that will appeal to both die-hard fans and newcomers.
Continued Expansion of Walkabout Mini Golf
The release of the Wallace & Gromit course is part of Mighty Coconut’s efforts to add more content and experiences to each release. This includes new game modes, avatar packs, and surprise features. The game has received positive reviews and has become a top-selling title on platforms such as Meta Quest, Steam, and PlayStation VR2. The engagement of players is high, with many playing for extended periods of time. Mighty Coconut plans to continue releasing new courses and introducing licensed cosmetic packs in the coming years.
Development Details and Challenges
The development of the Wallace & Gromit course took approximately 15 months and involved a team of dozens of people. The collaboration between Aardman and Mighty Coconut was initiated after the Aardman team attended a launch event for Meow Wolf. The course features ten times the amount of animation seen in previous courses, thanks to the inclusion of gadgets, creatures, and gags from Aardman’s films. The team also incorporated hole designs inspired by sketches from Nick Park. The layout of the home at 62 West Wallaby Street posed a unique challenge, as it had never been done before. The collaboration between the two studios allowed them to create a truly immersive and visually stunning experience.
The Future of Aardman’s Gaming Endeavors
Aardman has recognized the potential of gaming as a medium for storytelling and engaging with audiences. They have shifted from creating Flash games as marketing tools to developing console, PC, and XR games. While Efergan acknowledges that the XR space is still finding its audience, he believes that the collaboration with Mighty Coconut will help take storytelling into the future with interactive experiences.
In conclusion, the collaboration between Aardman and Mighty Coconut has resulted in a highly engaging and visually stunning VR golf course featuring the beloved characters of Wallace & Gromit. The course offers a nostalgic trip to 62 West Wallaby Street, allowing players to explore the iconic home and garden. The success of Walkabout Mini Golf as a VR game can be attributed to its unique art style, interactive elements, and the strong community that has formed around it. With the release of the Wallace & Gromit course and plans for future expansions, Walkabout Mini Golf continues to captivate players and push the boundaries of VR gaming.
