Eurogamer.net reported today that Microsoft has once again turned down developer Just Add Water’s HD re-release of Oddword: Stranger’s Wrath.
Many gamers eager to play Stranger’s Wrath in HD have continuously asked whether or not the game will be made available on Xbox Live Arcade (XBLA). And JAW has made several efforts to make that happen. All of which have failed. The company has pretty much ruled entirely out the possibility of the game ever hitting the 360.
The game, which is set up to receive a patch next week enabling 3D and Playstation Move support, did not meet Microsoft’s requirements for their online store.
When asked on the Oddworld site when the game would be arriving for the 360, a company rep had this to say:
The boat has really passed on that one. We’re winding up development on Stranger’s Wrath HD and Munch’s Oddysee HD. Blame Microsoft for not letting us publish on Xbox 360.
So what was so important to Microsoft that they would refuse the royalties from Stranger’s Wrath? The game’s size for one. Microsoft has a policy allowing games no bigger than 2GB in size. JAW scaled down the game’s size but was unable to satisfy Microsoft.
It’s a full circle of Odd. Stranger’s Wrath was originally released as an XBox exclusive and now Microsoft is refusing to allow the HD remake to hit the 360. If you’re looking for a western-themed Oddworld adventure in HD, you’ll have to check it out on the PS3 or PC.
Here’s an old Penny Arcade strip poking fun at Oddworld Inhabitants founder, Lorne Lanning and Oddworld’s Xbox exclusivity:
