Scribblenauts: Fighting Words (lost build of cancelled iOS adaptation of emergent puzzle-action video game series; 2014-2016)

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ScribblenautsFightingWords.png

Beta sign-up picture for the game showing its logo.

Status: Lost

Scribblenauts: Fighting Words was supposed to be the iOS adaptation of Scribblenauts but was cancelled by Warner Bros, resulting in 45 employees of 5th Cell, the game's developer, to be laid off. It was the working title of a mobile game planned as part of the innovative Scribblenauts franchise, which allowed players to conjure solutions to problems by typing any word that comes to mind.[1]

Plot and Gameplay

"Scribblenauts Fighting Words is a free-to-play, word-puzzle mobile game from 5TH Cell and Warner Bros Interactive Entertainment. Use your creativity, command of the keyboard, and the magic of Maxwell's notebook to battle creatures across the Scribblenauts universe, recruit characters with their own unique abilities onto your team, and save the world from the devious mind-controlling Blugs." "Maxwell/Lily are recalling back to the start of some Amazing Adventures they’ve had with the Magic Notebook; They’ve time travelled, fought monsters, stopped alien invasions, stormed castles, and everything else in-between. The FTE of the game will work as part of our storytelling mechanism and a way to teach users to play the game."

Development and Cancellation

Scribblenauts: Fighting Words (Codenamed: Project Green)[2] was being developed by 5th Cell for iOS devices. Development started in 2014, and the game was due to be released in 2016. The gameplay would have involved typing up any object that comes to mind in order to solve puzzles, similarly to previous entries in the series. Haydn Dalton, the Principal Designer in 5thcell Media, stated "Project Green is an RPG Word Puzzle Game, with the visual feedback of classic Arcade games. Our goal is to produce a simple game, which is incredibly well-executed, with the primary goal of continually stimulating the player with positive feedback".[3] However, after nearly two years of development, Warner Bros. cancelled the game for unknown reasons, resulting in 45 of 5th Cell's employees being laid off, including lead animator Tim Borrelli. Shortly before the project's cancellation, 5th Cell allowed gamers to sign up for the beta release at scribbeta.wbgames.com, meaning that work on the game was likely almost done before WB pulled the plug. Despite this, no footage or screenshots of the game were made publicly available. Unfortunately, The Wayback Machine does not have the beta sign up page archived. It is unknown if the game was going to be released on Android devices, like the other mobile adaptation, Scribblenauts Remix, as well as the mobile version of Scribblenauts Unlimited were.

Finding the Beta

In a Twitter post, @Steel_Beaver says an e-mail link was sent to users who signed up for the beta to download it.[4] Anyone who downloaded the beta and played it can perhaps release the files or some footage so we can see the game if they still have it. If that is not possible, perhaps WB Games or 5th Cell and its employees can be contacted for more info.

Also, in late 2016. An Instagram user known as super_the_cool posted a picture of the menu from the beta.

In early 2021, 2 people named Zig and Dega met and started a search for the game. They have contacted developers (Jeremiah Slaczka, Marius Fahlbusch, Joseph Tringali, etc.) with mostly no replies from the current 5thCell developers.

Screenshots are available but videos were not allowed by WB.

Gallery

  • Beta sign-up page for the game describing gameplay and plot. Image courtesy of @Steel_Beaver on Twitter.

    Beta sign-up page for the game describing gameplay and plot. Image courtesy of @Steel_Beaver on Twitter.

  • Beta acceptance letter for the TestFlight app.

    Beta acceptance letter for the TestFlight app.

  • Email sent to those who got into the beta. It contains a link to a survey meant for giving feedback.

    Email sent to those who got into the beta. It contains a link to a survey meant for giving feedback.

  • The game's thumbnail, retrieved from the TestFlight email.

    The game's thumbnail, retrieved from the TestFlight email.

  • A Bit of the menu from the beta. Image courtesy of super_the_cool on Instagram.

    A Bit of the menu from the beta. Image courtesy of super_the_cool on Instagram.

  • A screenshot from a story cutscene from the beta. Image courtesy of @lydiaswhispers on Twitter.

    A screenshot from a story cutscene from the beta. Image courtesy of @lydiaswhispers on Twitter.

  • End of a tutorial battle from the beta. Image courtesy of @lydiaswhispers on Twitter.

    End of a tutorial battle from the beta. Image courtesy of @lydiaswhispers on Twitter.

  • A screenshot from a story cutscene from the beta. Image courtesy of @lydiaswhispers on Twitter.

    A screenshot from a story cutscene from the beta. Image courtesy of @lydiaswhispers on Twitter.

  • A screenshot from a story cutscene from the beta. Image courtesy of @lydiaswhispers on Twitter.

    A screenshot from a story cutscene from the beta. Image courtesy of @lydiaswhispers on Twitter.

  • A screenshot from a story cutscene from the beta. Image courtesy of @lydiaswhispers on Twitter.

    A screenshot from a story cutscene from the beta. Image courtesy of @lydiaswhispers on Twitter.

  • Midbattle tutorial explanation from the beta. Image courtesy of @lydiaswhispers on Twitter.

    Midbattle tutorial explanation from the beta. Image courtesy of @lydiaswhispers on Twitter.

  • Explanation of Adventure Map from the beta. Image courtesy of @lydiaswhispers on Twitter.

    Explanation of Adventure Map from the beta. Image courtesy of @lydiaswhispers on Twitter.

  • Template for friend encounters on the Adventure map. Image courtesy of Necklace Zhang. (Non-finalized UI)

    Template for friend encounters on the Adventure map. Image courtesy of Necklace Zhang. (Non-finalized UI)

  • Explanation of the Stamina (or Pages) System from the beta. Image courtesy of @lydiaswhispers on Twitter.

    Explanation of the Stamina (or Pages) System from the beta. Image courtesy of @lydiaswhispers on Twitter.

  • Midbattle Tutorial Explanation of how to heal from the beta. Image courtesy of @lydiaswhispers on Twitter.

    Midbattle Tutorial Explanation of how to heal from the beta. Image courtesy of @lydiaswhispers on Twitter.

  • Screenshot from the Shop in the beta. Image courtesy of @lydiaswhispers on Twitter.

    Screenshot from the Shop in the beta. Image courtesy of @lydiaswhispers on Twitter.

  • Screenshot from a battle in the beta. Image courtesy of @lydiaswhispers on Twitter.

    Screenshot from a battle in the beta. Image courtesy of @lydiaswhispers on Twitter.

  • Screenshot of an early version of the pre-battle menu. Notice how maxwell is traced from the cover of Scribblenauts: Unmasked. Image courtesy of Necklace Zhang.

    Screenshot of an early version of the pre-battle menu. Notice how maxwell is traced from the cover of Scribblenauts: Unmasked. Image courtesy of Necklace Zhang.

  • Screenshot of clue mode. Image courtesy of Necklace Zhang.

    Screenshot of clue mode. Image courtesy of Necklace Zhang.

  • Preview of the 'Did you mean?' menus from Necklace Zhang.

    Preview of the 'Did you mean?' menus from Necklace Zhang.

  • Screenshot from the map in the beta. Image courtesy of @lydiaswhispers on Twitter.

    Screenshot from the map in the beta. Image courtesy of @lydiaswhispers on Twitter.

  • Screenshot of the sticker menu. This image tells us that stickers are used to provide advantages in battles. Image courtesy of Necklace Zhang. (Note: Screenshot taken before UIs were finalized, so this screen may have looked different later in development.)

    Screenshot of the sticker menu. This image tells us that stickers are used to provide advantages in battles. Image courtesy of Necklace Zhang. (Note: Screenshot taken before UIs were finalized, so this screen may have looked different later in development.)

  • A screenshot of the 'Character' menu. Image courtesy of Necklace Zhang, UI Artist for Fighting Words.

    A screenshot of the 'Character' menu. Image courtesy of Necklace Zhang, UI Artist for Fighting Words.

  • A screenshot of a wheel from Necklace Zhang. Notice the 'Basic' and 'Premium' options, this seems to denote that starites are a paid currency while the silver currency is not. (Note: This screenshot was taken before the UI was finalized, so this screen may have looked different later in development.)

    A screenshot of a wheel from Necklace Zhang. Notice the 'Basic' and 'Premium' options, this seems to denote that starites are a paid currency while the silver currency is not. (Note: This screenshot was taken before the UI was finalized, so this screen may have looked different later in development.)

  • Screenshot of a player unlocking a pirate character from the wheel. This provides evidence that characters were mostly unlocked from spinning the wheel, with rarities denoting how common a character is. (Note: Image taken before finalized UI) Image courtesy of Necklace Zhang.

    Screenshot of a player unlocking a pirate character from the wheel. This provides evidence that characters were mostly unlocked from spinning the wheel, with rarities denoting how common a character is. (Note: Image taken before finalized UI) Image courtesy of Necklace Zhang.

  • Screenshot of a microtransaction store for starites. This image confirms that starites were SFW's premium currency. Image courtesy of Necklace Zhang. (Note: Non-finalized UI.)

    Screenshot of a microtransaction store for starites. This image confirms that starites were SFW's premium currency. Image courtesy of Necklace Zhang. (Note: Non-finalized UI.)

  • Screenshot of the item shop. The slot machine appears to be used for unlocking stickers. Image courtesy of Necklace Zhang. (Note: Non-finalized UI.)

    Screenshot of the item shop. The slot machine appears to be used for unlocking stickers. Image courtesy of Necklace Zhang. (Note: Non-finalized UI.)

  • Screenshot that displays a daily reward system. Image courtesy of Necklace Zhang.

    Screenshot that displays a daily reward system. Image courtesy of Necklace Zhang.

  • Screenshot of profile screen from Necklace Zhang.

    Screenshot of profile screen from Necklace Zhang.

  • Screenshot of the options menu, allowing users to link their game to Game Center, Facebook, Google+, and their WB account. Image courtesy of Necklace Zhang. (Non-finalized UI.)

    Screenshot of the options menu, allowing users to link their game to Game Center, Facebook, Google+, and their WB account. Image courtesy of Necklace Zhang. (Non-finalized UI.)

  • Screenshot of the menu, notice the starter pack in the corner. Once again, image courtesy of Necklace Zhang.

    Screenshot of the menu, notice the starter pack in the corner. Once again, image courtesy of Necklace Zhang.

  • Screenshot of chapter selection. Image courtesy of Necklace Zhang. (Non-finalized UI)

    Screenshot of chapter selection. Image courtesy of Necklace Zhang. (Non-finalized UI)

  • Found banner of Scribblenauts Fighting Words. Made By Chern Fai.

    Found banner of Scribblenauts Fighting Words. Made By Chern Fai.

  • Icons For What Seem To Be The Store.

    Icons For What Seem To Be The Store.

  • Finalized menu navigation icons. Credit: Necklace Zhang.

    Finalized menu navigation icons. Credit: Necklace Zhang.

  • Icons that appear to represent variations of a health bar and an unknown button. Image courtesy of Necklace Zhang.

    Icons that appear to represent variations of a health bar and an unknown button. Image courtesy of Necklace Zhang.


Concepts and early UI

  • Early version of the navigation UI. Image courtesy of Necklace Zhang.

    Early version of the navigation UI. Image courtesy of Necklace Zhang.

  • Early version of the character menu. Image courtesy of Necklace Zhang.

    Early version of the character menu. Image courtesy of Necklace Zhang.

  • Near-final version of character menu. Image courtesy of Necklace Zhang.

    Near-final version of character menu. Image courtesy of Necklace Zhang.

  • Early version of the character wheel. Image courtesy of Necklace Zhang.

    Early version of the character wheel. Image courtesy of Necklace Zhang.

  • An example of a typeface from the game. Credit: Necklace Zhang

    An example of a typeface from the game. Credit: Necklace Zhang

  • Necklace Zhang shows off concept sketches and the final results.

    Necklace Zhang shows off concept sketches and the final results.

  • Necklace Zhang displays quite a few concept sketches for the UI design.

    Necklace Zhang displays quite a few concept sketches for the UI design.


External Link

References

  1. ↑ http://www.ign.com/games/scribblenauts-fighting-words/tba-20051243
  2. ↑ https://www.necklaceee.com/scribblenauts
  3. ↑ https://www.necklaceee.com/scribblenauts
  4. ↑ https://twitter.com/balroggameroom/status/712078550187122688
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