Ubisoft Announces New Mascot Platformer: A Send-Up of the Games Industry

In a surprise move, Davide Soliani, the creator of Mario + Rabbids, has announced his next game. The new title, titled "Bradley the Badger", promises to be a send-up of the games industry and its mascot platformers.

The Creator's Vision

Soliani, known affectionately as Ubisoft Cryin'… (due to his numerous past projects within the Ubisoft franchise), has hinted that Bradley the Badger will be a game that "sabotages" the typical formula of mascot platformers. In an interview with Game Developer Magazine, Soliani explained:

"We've all been there - you're playing a game, and suddenly you're transported to the world of mascot platforming. It's like we're stuck in some kind of never-ending loop of Mario, Sonic, and Donkey Kong… So, I wanted to do something that pokes fun at that formula."

Bradley the Badger: A Mascot Platformer with a Twist

While the game's title suggests that Bradley is the main character, Soliani has revealed that the game will actually feature a variety of playable characters. However, instead of being typical mascots, these characters will be "bad" versions of themselves.

"For example," Soliani explained, "our protagonist, Bradley the Badger, isn't just a hero - he's a bit of an anti-hero. He's got a few screws loose and loves to cause chaos wherever he goes."

The game's story follows Bradley as he navigates through levels filled with "bad" versions of other mascot platformer characters. These enemies will try to stop him from reaching the goal, and Soliani has hinted that the gameplay will involve some level of combat.

Gameplay Mechanics

While Soliani hasn't revealed too much about the gameplay mechanics just yet, he has promised that Bradley the Badger will feature a unique blend of platforming and combat elements. In an interview with IGN, Soliani explained:

"We're not just going to throw you into a level and say 'run'… We want to give players the tools they need to take down these bad guys. It's going to be a mix of platforming, combat, and maybe even some puzzle-solving."

Art Style and Music

Soliani has hinted that the game will feature a unique art style that pays homage to classic mascot platformers. In an interview with Game Informer, Soliani explained:

"We want the game to look like it's been ripped straight from the 90s… Think Super Mario World, Sonic 3 & Knuckles - those games were classics for a reason. We're going to bring back that nostalgic feel with our art style."

The music for the game will also be inspired by classic mascot platformers, with Soliani promising that the soundtrack will feature catchy, upbeat tunes.

Release Date and Platforms

While an official release date has not been announced just yet, Soliani has hinted that Bradley the Badger is likely to launch on PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.

"We're aiming for a release window of early 2025," Soliani explained in an interview with GameSpot. "But we want to make sure the game is ready before we launch it. We don't want to rush out a product that's not up to our standards."

Conclusion

Bradley the Badger promises to be a send-up of the games industry and its mascot platformers. With its unique blend of platforming, combat, and puzzle-solving, Soliani has hinted that the game could be a hit with fans of classic mascot platformers.

While an official release date remains to be announced, it's clear that Ubisoft is committed to delivering a high-quality game that will delight both old and new fans. With its catchy music, colorful art style, and unique gameplay mechanics, Bradley the Badger is shaping up to be one of the most exciting games of 2025.

Key Features:

• A send-up of mascot platformers with a twist
• Unique blend of platforming, combat, and puzzle-solving
• Colorful art style inspired by classic mascot platformers
• Catchy music and soundtrack
• Release window of early 2025 for PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch