“This time, we won’t fu it up.”
Update: Added gameplay teaser trailer.
Original Story: Remember Shaq Fu, the basketball-themed fighting game released back in 1994, regarded by many to be one of the worst video games ever made? Well it’s back, and the main man himself – Shaquille O’Neal – is heading the sequel crowdfunding efforts on IndieGoGo. Shaq Fu – A Legend Reborn is looking for $450,000 in funding, in order to produce a PC beat-’em-up in which players step into O’Neal’s size 22 shoes and attempt to defeat the Black Star Ninja and the assassins he commands. “This time, we won’t fu it up,” promised O’Neal in the campaign’s pitch video.
Shaq Fu is what the original game should have been – an instant classic. We’re talking Streets of Rage meets Street Fighter meets Devil May Cry. It’s a modern day take on the classic beat ’em up. Play as Shaquille O’Neal – learn hundreds of moves and battle techniques, take on thousands of enemies with dozens of cool melee weapons, battle bosses in dynamic arenas, master cool finishing moves and play with your buddies in COOP mode or against each other in player vs player combat.
The game is being developed by Big Deez in collaboration with O’Neal, and the Indiegogo campaign is running for 46 days, from today through 2:59 a.m. ET on April 21. Pledges can get their hands on some exclusive Shaq memorabilia, such as a limited edition t-shirt for $55, a basketball signed by O’Neal for $475, or a signed Shaq jersey for $500. For $1,000, Shaq will follow you on Twitter, and for the ultimate Shaq fan, $15,000 nets you and five friends lunch with the man himself, followed by a game of pick-up basketball at his house.
If you just want the game, $15 will get you a copy of the game (which will cost $29.99 at launch) and $25 gets you “free DLC for life,” which Big Deez values at over $200. Stretch goals will bring the game to platforms other than the PC, and O’Neal says he will donate 5 percent of all profits from the game to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.
This is certainly one to keep a close eye on, and may be the first crowdfunder that I will actually contribute to…
Source IndieGoGo
