Software:What the Golf

From HandWiki
Short description: 2019 video game
WHAT THE GOLF?
WhatTheGolf.png
Developer(s)Triband
Publisher(s)Triband
The Label
FoxNext
Composer(s)Sune Køter Kølster
EngineUnity
Platform(s)iOS, macOS, Windows, Nintendo Switch
Release
  • iOS, Mac
  • 19 September 2019
  • Windows
  • 1 October 2019
  • Switch
  • 21 May 2020
Genre(s)Sports
Mode(s)Single-player

What the Golf? (stylized as WHAT THE GOLF?) is a sports video game developed by Triband. It was originally released for iOS and macOS (via Apple Arcade subscription) by The Label on 19 September 2019.[1] Microsoft Windows and Nintendo Switch versions, published by Triband, followed.

Gameplay

A level in which the golf ball is replaced by a couch.

The game revolves around completing levels to progress on the world map. The goal of each level is to reach the hole. Every level of the game has a twist on traditional golf. Each section of the world map has its own theme, which the level's unique mechanics follow.

Development

What the Golf? was crowdfunded through American crowdfunding website Fig.[2] The developers chose golf as the sport to ridicule, saying that it was "mostly played by rich people, so it seemed like a safe target". The levels in the game were designed to be short, to be able to try as many jokes as possible. Much of the game's humor is based around slapstick, as it was seen as a form of comedy that would work regardless of where the player was. The game's crown system was designed to make players revisit levels and for people who wanted to complete everything. The developers considered having unlockable skins for the golf ball, but the idea ended up being scrapped. The slow-motion feature was originally intended for the game's soccer level, but it was added to the rest of the game.[3]

Release

What the Golf? released on 19 September 2019 for iOS, iPadOS, and MacOS on Apple Arcade. A macOS version separate from Apple Arcade and a Windows port launched through the Epic Games Store on 1 October 2019.[4] A Nintendo Switch port was released on 21 May 2020.[5] A physical Nintendo Switch release was sold through Iam8bit alongside a vinyl soundtrack.[6] A Steam version was released on 22 October 2020.[7]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
MetacriticiOS: 79/100[8]
PC: 83/100[9]
NS: 84/100[10]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Destructoid8.5/10
GameSpot8/10
PC Gamer (US)88/100
TouchArcade4.5/5 stars[11]

What the Golf? received "generally favorable" reviews, according to review aggregator Metacritic.[8][9] Sergio Velasquez of TouchArcade praised the element of surprise the game presented.[11] Jordan Devore of Destructoid appreciated the game's comedic value.[12] Christopher Livingston, writing for PC Gamer, while also praising the comedy, enjoyed both the soundtrack and the challenge each level brought.[13] However, James O'Connor of GameSpot did not enjoy the differences between the Windows and Apple editions.[14]

Awards

Year Award Category Result Ref
2019 SXSW Gaming Awards 2019 Gamer's Voice: Video Game Nominated [15]
Independent Games Festival Awards 2019 Excellence in Design Nominated [16]
Golden Joystick Award Best Mobile Game Nominated
The Game Awards 2019 Best Mobile Game Nominated [17]
2020 23rd Annual D.I.C.E. Awards Outstanding Achievement for an Independent Game Nominated [18]
Portable Game of the Year Nominated
Game Developers Choice Awards Best Mobile Game Won [19]
16th British Academy Games Awards EE Mobile Game of the Year Nominated [20]
2020 Webby Awards Best Game Design Nominated [21]
Best User Experience Nominated

References

  1. Frushtick, Russ (2019-09-17). "Here's the full list of games coming to Apple Arcade on launch day" (in en). https://www.polygon.com/apple/2019/9/17/20870210/apple-arcade-line-up-full-list-release-date-november-19. 
  2. Alvarez, Edgar (2018-03-22). "'What The Golf?' is the perfect game for people who don't care about golf". https://www.engadget.com/2018/03/22/what-the-golf-demo/. 
  3. Harris, John (November 2019). "What the Golf? is going on in this Q&A" (in en). https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/353206/What_the_Golf_is_going_on_in_this_QA.php. 
  4. "What the Golf? - The golf game for people who hate golf" (in en-US). https://www.epicgames.com/store/en-US/product/what-the-golf/home. 
  5. "If Utterly Bonkers Multiplayer Games Are Your Jam, Check Out What The Golf? On Switch". 12 May 2020. http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/05/if_utterly_bonkers_multiplayer_games_are_your_jam_check_out_what_the_golf_on_switch. 
  6. "WHAT THE GOLF? (Nintendo Switch Physical Edition)" (in en). https://www.iam8bit.com/products/what-the-golf-nintendo-switch-physical-edition. 
  7. "WHAT THE GOLF? on Steam" (in en). https://store.steampowered.com/app/785790/WHAT_THE_GOLF/. 
  8. 8.0 8.1 "WHAT THE GOLF? for iPhone/iPad Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/what-the-golf/critic-reviews/?platform=ios-iphoneipad. 
  9. 9.0 9.1 "WHAT THE GOLF? for PC Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/what-the-golf/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. 
  10. "WHAT THE GOLF? for Switch Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/what-the-golf/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch. 
  11. 11.0 11.1 Velasquez, Sergio (2019-09-25). "Apple Arcade: 'What The Golf?' Review – The Best Golf Game not related to Golf". https://toucharcade.com/2019/09/25/apple-arcade-what-the-golf-review/. 
  12. Devore, Jordan (2019-09-21). "Review: What the Golf?". https://www.destructoid.com/review-what-the-golf--567523.phtml. 
  13. Livingston, Christopher (2019-10-02). "What the Golf? review". https://www.pcgamer.com/what-the-golf-review/. 
  14. O'Connor, James (2019-10-09). "What The Golf Review - Swing And A Hit". https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/what-the-golf-review-swing-and-a-hit/1900-6417335/. 
  15. Trent, Logan (2019-01-29). "Announcing the 2019 SXSW Gamer's Voice Award Nominees!". https://gaming.sxsw.com/news/2019/announcing-the-2019-sxsw-gamers-voice-award-nominees/. 
  16. Fogel, Stephanie (2019-01-03). "'Return of the Obra Dinn' Leads IGF Awards Nominees". https://variety.com/2019/gaming/news/igf-awards-2019-nominees-1203098551/. 
  17. Makuch, Eddie (2019-12-13). "All Winners From The Game Awards 2019". https://www.gamespot.com/articles/all-winners-from-the-game-awards-2019/1100-6472169/. 
  18. Chalk, Andy (2020-01-13). "Control and Death Stranding get 8 nominations each for the 2020 DICE Awards". https://www.pcgamer.com/control-and-death-stranding-get-eight-nominations-each-for-the-2020-dice-awards/. 
  19. Makuch, Eddie (2020-03-18). "Untitled Goose Game Wins Another Game Of The Year Award". https://www.gamespot.com/articles/untitled-goose-game-wins-another-game-of-the-year-/1100-6474953/. 
  20. Stuart, Keith (2020-03-03). "Death Stranding and Control dominate Bafta games awards nominations". The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/games/2020/mar/03/death-stranding-and-control-dominate-bafta-games-awards-nominations. 
  21. "Webby Awards: Games". 2020-05-19. https://winners.webbyawards.com/#/winners/games. 

External links