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This thread is being made to chronicle and clear up any confusion about the Cave Story rights. It does not condone anything done by Tyrone or Nicalis, it is primarily made to clear the air.
In 2008, aftet playing Cave Story, Tyrone Rodriguez, with his new start up NICALis, approached Daisuke “Pixel” Amaya about creating a port of Cave Story to multiple consoles. It is known that it was 2008 due to Tyrone’s post on the Cave Story tribute Forums.
In the directors voice video () Tyrone mentions that he contacted Pixel in Japanese. He is also, from current information, fluent in Japanese.
In March 2010, Cave Story (Wii Ware) was released. In celebration, a interview was done at Destructiod ( https://www.destructoid.com/cave-story-creator-talks-inspirations-sequel-and-more-168541.phtml) Although many things were said, there are two big take aways. Pixel approved the updated graphics and sound, and he did not want to make a sequel
Excerps
In order for the port to be made, a deal had to be signed. Pixel, Tyrone, or anyone at NICALis have never disclosed the deal, so it will not be mentioned. It is important to mention, however, that Pixel kept the rights to the freeware version
The current official home of the freeware port is on the Playism website https://playism.com/ja/product/cave-story
In December 2010, a DSI ware port was released. Little to no info exist, so I am not able to comment on Pixel’s involvement.
The next port was Cave Story 3D. This port was by NICALis, Studio Pixel, and NIS America. Due to NIS America’s involvement (mainly due to them beiny Japenese based), Pixel was able to work the most on this port. This can, inturn, can be used to explain its various differences
Later, on November 22, 2011, Cave Story + (Steam) was released. This was primarily a updated version of Cave Story Wii Ware. It would he updated to add in various features over time.
On August 20th, 2012, the original 2004 version was put on the Playism website. It is now it’s currently resting place.
The next port was the 2012 3DS eShop port. This ports main feature was the inclusion of the previously scrapped Wind Fortress. Confirmed in 2013, Pixel worked on the remade wind fortress
In 2013, Pixel announced his next game, Gero Blaster. NICALis was in the cards to make a 3DS port, but nothing ever materialized. The game would later become Kero Blaster, which was released in 2014.
Tyrone was credited in Special Thanks. It is not known why
Pixel once again did a destructiod interview, in which he confirmed he didn’t want to do a sequel ( https://www.destructoid.com/cave-story-creator-on-wanting-to-quit-working-with-publishers-275541.phtml)
Pixel would make his last official apperance talking about Cave Story in a 2015 or 2016 ad about the 3DS eShop port coming to Japan. () Pikii is the publisber for NICALis products in Japan.
In 2013, Pixel confirmed that he had made money from, at the least, the 3DS eShop port.
In 2017, Cave Story + (Switch) was released. The game has no direct connection to Pixel. He was not credited in the credits. This could be due to the original art and ost not being in it at launch, they decided to not credit him, similar to the Okami Wii port.
No official reason has ever been given
The last mention of Cave Story was by Tyrone in the tribute Forum this year, where he said that Pixel is busy, so he cannot make Cave Story 2 at that time. This is the last comment regarding Cave Story.
This is all of the official information we have. If you have anymore questions, feel free to ask. Hope this cleared up any confusion.
UPDATE: Nicalis themselves have corrected some information. Pixel was in fact credited in +. I am incredibly sorry for this. Please spread this.
UPDATE 2: https://twitter.com/tyronerodriguez/status/1168566899694653442?s=21
Nicalis themselves have alerted me to this. I apologize for any inconvenience. Please spread this around https://twitter.com/tyronerodriguez/status/1168566899694653442
Nicalis themselves have alerted me to this. I apologize for any inconvenience. Please spread this around https://twitter.com/tyronerodriguez/status/1168566899694653442
UPDATE 3: No official statement is in the works. I would appreciate it if anyone who has any evidence what so ever I may of missed would privately approach me, my dm’s are open.
