Gameloft, the people behind a whole host of mobile games as well as the XBLA and PSN version of Prince of Persia Classic, are bringing back Earthworm Jim. And this time he’s coming to PSN, XBLA and WiiWare. Details in the press release (see below) are scarce, other than the game will be getting a one week exclusive on XBLA when it’s released at the end of this year.
Given that Sega started a poll a few days ago to see what they should release next on XBLA (with Earthworm Jim coming very high in the list the last time we checked before the site got pulled) people are speculating that this is little more than official confirmation about what Sega are releasing next. However others are rightly pointing out that the poll by Sega wasn’t due to close until 21st August, making the announcement premature if this is little more than a straight forward port. The further suggestion is that it could be an all new outing for the wriggly adventurer or a HD remake.
As usual, more details when they’re available but in the meantime here’s the press release for you to pour over.
Gameloft, a leading developer and publisher of downloadable video games, today announced a multi-year licensing agreement with Interplay to develop, distribute and publish Earthworm Jim, a popular run and gun platform video game featuring an earthworm who dresses up in a Super Suit to fight evil. The game will make its way to mobile, WiiWare(TM), PlayStation Network, with an exclusive one month run on Xbox Live Arcade.
“We are delighted to partner with Interplay to bring Earthworm Jim to multiple downloadable platforms,” said Gonzague de Vallois, senior vice president, Gameloft. “The game, with its humorous and edgy style, is a great fit for today’s gamer who craves a fully immersive experience that is fun and easily accessible. We look forward to delivering a fantastic game.”
“Earthworm Jim resonates with millions of people worldwide and we are excited to have one of the best developers in the industry create this game for a new audience,” said Herve Caen, CEO, Interplay. “Gameloft’s creativity coupled with its innate knack for innovative games, makes us 100% confident that the result will be nothing short of stellar.”
Initially released in 1994, Earthworm Jim’s games garnered such a cult following that the character’s popularity took him far beyond video games into an animated TV series, Toys and Comic books. Earthworm Jim centers around an ordinary earthworm who engages in normal worm activities- eating dirt, crawling and fleeing from hungry birds- that is until he comes across a high tech indestructible space suit. Jim takes refuge in the space suit while fleeing from hungry birds. The suit’s powerful atomic particles cause him to grow and obtain newfound powers.
The game will be available in the last quarter of 2009.
