by Two developers who worked on the original Metroid Prime criticized the newly released remaster for not fully crediting the original creative team.
Zoid Kirsch, who previously worked for Retro Studios as a Senior Gameplay Engineer on the original Metroid Prime, posted a screenshot of the remaster’s credits on Twitter.
While many studios have done an amazing job on the remaster, I am disappointed. The Metroid Prime remaster does not include the original game’s full credits. I worked with so many amazing people on the game and everyone’s name should be included in the remaster, not just a single card like this. pic.twitter.com/Yvojf9f9Mq
— Zoid Kirsch (@ZoidCTF) February 11, 2023
The message, which appears at the very end of the Metroid Prime Remaster’s credits list, reads: “Based on work by the Metroid Prime development team (Nintendo Gamecube and Wii versions)”. No full credit to the original development team is included; only those who participated in the creation of the remaster are fully credited.
“While many studios have done an amazing job on the remaster, I am disappointed that the Metroid Prime remaster does not include all of the game’s original credits,” said Kirsch. “I worked with so many amazing people on the game and everyone’s name should be included in the remaster, not just a single letter like this one.”
Kirsh’s comment was followed by Jack Mathews, former technical lead on the Metroid Prime series at Retro Studios. “This is a scam,” he said. “Not just to my credit (although most of my code has probably been replaced), but to people whose code and work remain largely unchanged, like Mark HH, Steve McCrea, all improved art and concepts, game design. Shameful.”
This is a scam. Not just to my credit (although most of my code has probably been replaced), but to people whose code and work remain largely unchanged, like Mark HH, Steve McCrea, all updated art and concepts, game design. Shameful. https://t.co/y6tXyCG3N1
—Jack Mathews (@jack_matews) February 12, 2023
The issue of remakes and remasters that don’t credit the original developers isn’t new. Shadow of the Colossus and the Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Triology remakes are just two examples of games that didn’t provide full credit to the original teams.
The issue of credit is also much broader. Last month, The Last of Us co-creator Bruce Straley addressed his lack of credit on the HBO show and noted that it could be a reason for syndication.
Matt Purslow is IGN’s UK news and features editor.
