Terraria Devs Had Interesting Idea for Game Development. Terraria: Otherworld Could Put Brand on New Track
Terraria is a true phenomenon. This „Minecraft 2D” enjoys unflagging popularity more than a dozen years after its release. There was not much to make this hit live to see a side, strongly different installment.
Terraria is undoubtedly one of the most important games released in 2011. The Re-Logic's game, often referred to as "Minecraft 2D," was a spectacular success and was released on all major platforms - from PCs and consoles to mobiles. Between 2015 and 2018, the title was on track to receive a spin-off titled Terraria: Otherworld. Let's check what went wrong and what was the result of it.
Another world of Terraria
Terraria: Otherworld was supposed to take us to an alternative version of the universe known from the first game. The main role in the story was to be played by a dark force that distorted the local nature. Our primary quest during the gameplay would be to restore the old order and peace in the land before things completely get out of control. We wouldn't have to face the crossing alone, as we would be joined by a small group of other survivors with the same purpose.
As indicated by the above description, the plot in Terraria: Otherworld would have played a much more big role than it did in the original. The devs intended to prioritize quest completion but didn't want to impose any limitations. They aimed to maintain the freedom that characterizes the gameplay in the original Terraria as a fundamental aspect of Terraria: Otherworld.
New opportunities
At first glance, Terraria: Otherworld would not turn upside down the concept developed for the original. During the game, we would traverse a procedurally generated world, gather resources, and build buildings while creating various items using an extensive crafting system.
The new world would mean not only fresh locations but also many opportunities that weren't available in the basic version of the game. The necessity of combating corruption was highlighted among them, which could be eliminated from the area by constructing specialized cleansing towers. Nevertheless, these objects themselves would be defenseless, and consequently - vulnerable to attacks by aggressive creatures. To ensure their safety, it would be necessary to build other towers near them - this time defensive ones, equipped with automatic weapons.
The presence of the latter would enrich Terraria: Otherworld with elements straight from the tower defense genre. What's more, the devs intended to incorporate RPG elements into all of this, which would be evident through the ability to develop weapons, the previously mentioned quest system, and the presence of independent characters with whom we could chat, for example, to learn more about the world presented. Of course, we could have fun playing both alone and in multiplayer mode with other players.
The icing on the cake would be new, smaller content, including items, objects, furniture, and places that were previously unavailable, as well as characters or enemies. These last ones include Crystal Archer, Super Shark, Triffid, and Scavenger. Additionally, the developers intended to focus on the interface, making it more intuitive. Terraria: Otherworld was also supposed to introduce some changes to the graphic design. While it would still be in a retro style, the graphics would undergo various improvements and have a slightly darker aesthetic.
Goals impossible to achieve?
We officially heard that Terraria: Otherworld was in development in February 2015. As Andrew Spinks said, this title was intended to be what the original Terraria could have been, if not for the limited budget:
I've always wondered what Terraria might look like if we changed the main axis of gameplay or if we had a significantly larger budget. Terraria: Otherworld allows all of these scenarios to come true at the same time. I can't wait to see what will come out of this. I think all our fans will be extremely pleased with the result.
The game in question wasn't supposed to be a work developed entirely by Re-Logic, but rather the result of its cooperation with the Engine Software team, which prepared the conversion of the first game for Sony consoles under this banner.
Less than 1.5 years later, however, it turned out that the project had to undergo fundamental changes. After reviewing the progress made, the creators concluded that many of its elements didn't meet their expectations. It was decided to redo the graphic design, the lands (to ensure greater diversity), and the equipment systems, among other things. Moreover, the devs once again focused on artificial intelligence and also decided to further develop the storyline.
We had to wait until April 2017 for the next news about Terraria: Otherworld. Unfortunately, they weren't positive – it turned out that due to delays and the project's condition deviating from its original vision, Re-Logic ended its cooperation with Engine Software. The place of the latter was taken by the Pipeworks Studios team, which had already been in contact with the brand, creating mobile and console conversions of the original.
Unfortunately, it seems that this collaboration also didn't go as planned for the studio, which was led by Andrew Spinks. The announcement of Terraria: Otherworld's cancellation made headlines in April 2018. As you might guess, the reason for this state of affairs was the condition of the project, which, despite the developers' efforts, still deviated from the developers' original assumptions. As the developers explained, dedicating more time and money to this game could negatively impact the company's other projects, and there would still be no guarantee that Terraria: Otherworld would ultimately meet their expectations.
What happened next and what's going on with Terraria?
At the time of writing these words, it's difficult to say what other games Re-Logic company mentioned. In 2017, the title Pixel Privateers saw the light of day, developed by the Quadro Delta team and published by the creators of Terraria... and this is basically the end of the catalog of new projects signed by the studio. Against this backdrop, Engine Software and Pipeworks Studios' portfolios appear to be overflowing. However, it's worth noting that the later catalog of Engine Software mainly consists of conversions, while the achievements of Pipeworks Studios are the results of cooperation with other teams.
Despite everything, this doesn't mean that Re-Logic has rested on its laurels. It's true that the sales of Terraria are excellent (with over 44.5 million copies sold by May 2022). This allows its devs not to worry about finances. However, the developers aren't idle and regularly release subsequent updates to their game, even though they have repeatedly declared the end of support.
Therefore, it can be stated that although Terraria didn't get a spin-off in the form of Terraria: Otherworld, fans of the brand still have no reason to complain. The creators will decide in time whether to make a new game in this universe or continue supporting their first production indefinitely.
