Entertainment · Gaming · 4 hrs ago
Wendy’s JRPG deal helps indie studio keep working on its own game
Wendy’s hired indie studio 81Monkeys to make WendyQuest, a role-playing game inspired by classic Japanese RPGs.
The project is part of the burger chain’s push to reach audiences through creative partnerships, including music and video games.
The deal came when 81Monkeys was running short of money for World of Anterra, its ambitious pixel-art game.
The studio had raised money on Kickstarter in 2022, but the game’s scope grew as funding for game developers became harder to find.
WendyQuest’s funding let the studio continue World of Anterra, and 81Monkeys split its team between the two games.
The studio adapted the game’s combat and writing so the retro style would work for modern players.
The project also presents human-made creative work as a response to AI art, though it is part of a corporate marketing campaign.
Wendy’s commissioned the JRPG WendyQuest: Legend of the Four Corner Stones from indie studio 81Monkeys.
The deal gave the studio funding to continue work on its own game, World of Anterra.
81Monkeys had struggled to secure additional funding as the scope of World of Anterra grew.
The studio split its team evenly between the two games.
The team adapted WendyQuest’s concept into a playable game, including revising its battle system.
- Who
- Wendy’s and indie game studio 81Monkeys.
- What
- Wendy’s commissioned WendyQuest: Legend of the Four Corner Stones, helping 81Monkeys continue developing World of Anterra.
- When
- The deal was signed within a week of the studio’s first call with Wendy’s. The date is not stated.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- 81Monkeys needed funding after its ambitious game, World of Anterra, outgrew its available runway and funding discussions went nowhere.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
World of Anterra was successfully funded through Kickstarter.
81Monkeys sought further funding, but Cotichini said 60 prospects did not lead to a deal.
81Monkeys signed the WendyQuest deal.
81Monkeys split its team 50/50 between WendyQuest and World of Anterra.
- Studio
- 81Monkeys
- Wendy’s game
- WendyQuest: Legend of the Four Corner Stones
- Studio’s own game
- World of Anterra
- Kickstarter funding
- World of Anterra was funded in 2022
- Funding prospects
- Cotichini said 60 post-Kickstarter funding conversations went nowhere
- Team split
- 50/50 between the two games
What people are saying
Wendy’s should not have a game that’s this good.
Things were looking “dire,
Nostalgia has to feel contemporary, otherwise it’s just going to feel dated.