JAW's 2013 Poll - "What Would You Like to See Next?"

This is just a small utility post so that in case the post needs to be referenced, one won't need to go to the Web Archive.

Background

Between January and (around) August^[1] of 2013, JAW and OWI held a poll where they asked fans what sort of project would they like to see next. This poll ultimately resulted in the creation of Soulstorm as recounted by Lorne Lanning, so I consider it both historically significant and also a good snapshot of the era and people's preferences.

The Poll Itself

Oddworld.com: What would you like to see next?

The team at JAW are hard at work making amazing things happen in Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee New ‘n’ Tasty as we speak. There’s still lots to do, but once it’s out the door, the Oddworld is our oyster! So, we’re interested in your opinion on what should happen next. Obviously, there’s a lot more than just popular consensus for us to take into account, but tell us which concept has you stoked the most.

What game would you like to see after New 'n' Tasty?

1. Oddworld: Abe's Exoddus HD (25%, 3,950 Votes)
2. Something completely new on Oddworld (25%, 3,922 Votes)
3. Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath 2 (14%, 2,278 Votes)
4. The Brutal Ballad of Fangus Klot (9%, 1,486 Votes)
5. "Shut up and take my money!" (7%, 1,148 Votes)
6. Oddworld: Squeek's Oddysee (6%, 991 Votes)
7. Oddworld: The Hand of Odd (5%, 751 Votes)
8. Oddworld: Munch's Exoddus (4%, 601 Votes)
9. SligStorm (3%, 473 Votes)
10. Something on mobile (2%, 269 Votes)

Total Voters: 15,869

The Data

Commentary

With AE HD and "Something completely new" both dominating the results and also being a hair's width from each other, I think it's pretty clear this is where OWI may have gotten the idea to make Soulstorm. I obviously wasn't there, but I think Squeek receiving only 6% of the votes is a fairly clear sign that by 2013 most were at least somewhat burnt out by the idea of the "five hero" concept and would've much rather seen OWI either do something they've proven to be capable of doing before or finally innovate and explore completely new areas.

I do find it fascinating that SligStorm ended up being so unpopular in this poll. In more recent times, I've seen many people think wistfully of the "what ifs" when it comes to that game and wish it was made. My only potential explanation is that I suppose fans may have still thought of OWI as barely back in business and still shaky on its legs. In such a situation wasting what might be OWI's last shot on a dubiously canonical spin-off isn't a wise idea.

In the same vein, I'm a little surprised a followup to Stranger was such a popular idea. While Stranger is definitely Oddworld's second most beloved character (sorry Munch!), his game hasn't sold super well and I would've thought Oddworld's abandoned projects might have more of a pull to them. However, perhaps people thought it getting a second shot might give it a fairer chance at succeeding and one might argue Stranger's Wrath being OWI's last game before their closure could also bias people's wants.

On the other hand, people not wanting mobile games doesn't surprise me in the slightest. While 2013 was past the infancy of smartphones, it was still years before the absolute domination of phone games. Not to mention, Oddworld isn't all that suited for the phone screens. I know mobile ports exist, but from what I've heard they are wonky and bugged. And sure, maybe Oddworld could've made their own Fallout: Shelter or Clash Royale, I think at the end of the day people just didn't want to associate their beloved brand with mobile slop.

Barely anyone wanting Munch's Exoddus is also no surprise. Munch's story was disjointed at best and actively disastrous at worst, with much of the main interesting story beats ending up cut or barely mentioned. Abe's Exoddus ended with a teaser for Munch emphasizing the players finally meeting Sam and even rescuing her, neither of which materialized in the final game.