Almost 20 years after the closure Argonaut Games has returned.
The British studio is now a “boutique publisher” that wants to release remasters of its previous works and create original titles for “current and retro platforms”. The first on the agenda is a remaster for the well-known classic Croc: Legend of the Gobbos.
“I’m delighted to see the Argonaut name back after twenty years,” wrote founder Jez San. “We’ve always been about pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in gaming, and I’m excited to see how the relaunched Argonaut Games builds on that legacy.”
The history and legacy of the original Argonaut
Argonaut was first launched in 1982 and debuted in 1984 with Skyline Attack for the Commodore 64. Besides the two Croc games, his best known works are the original Star Fox and his Consequenceand the Starglider series.
The studio’s reputation also rests on how it has integrated 3D technology into 2D games. Its Brender toolkit and graphics engine have been used in several of its games, including Carmageddon, and was finally made Open-Source in 2022.
The original crocodile was first released in 1997 and became one of Argonaut’s best-selling titles. Although it only spawned one major sequel, the series lived on through mobile spinoffs and a Game Boy Color remake in 2000.
At one point, publisher Fox Interactive reportedly considered turning the game into a TV showbut that never happened.
San first revealed the existence of the remaster in June 2023when it was in “early development.” According to the press release, the remaster will include a “carefully curated digital museum” that includes design documents, concept art, and animation tests.
Gary Sheinweld, co-CEO of the new Argonaut, said he will lead the studio after serving as designer and producer of the first Star Glider “This brings things full circle for me.” He also announced that the future of the studio would be outlined in more detail “in the coming months.”
