Ghost Bike’s Rename Explained

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Ghost Bike's Rename Explained

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades under my belt, I’ve witnessed the ebb and flow of the gaming industry like a tide. The recent transformation of Annapurna Interactive’s Ghost Bike to Wheel World is an intriguing turn of events that reflects the dynamic nature of this ever-evolving landscape.

A game published by Annapurna Interactive, previously known as “Ghost Bike,” has recently changed its name. This title originates from the creators of the “Nidhogg” series, who first unveiled it in 2023.

Renowned for creating games like Stray and Outer Wilds, Annapurna Interactive has become a significant player in the indie gaming world. Originally established in 2016 as a branch of Annapurna Pictures, this publisher has, in numerous aspects, outshone its parent media company. This growing popularity peaked in September of this year, when all employees of Annapurna Interactive resigned due to the stalemate in negotiations aimed at making Annapurna Interactive an independent company.

Annapurna Interactive’s Ghost Bike Has Been Renamed Wheel World

Amidst the dispute between Annapurna Interactive and Annapurna Pictures, several video games have unintentionally become caught up in the fray. One of these games is “Ghost Bike,” a cycling game that was initially scheduled for release in 2024 but has now been postponed to 2025. Originally titled “Ghost Bike,” this game features a charming cel-shaded art style and was set in the fantasy racing genre. However, due to some changes in direction, the developer, Messhof, announced on October 17th that the game has been renamed to “Wheel World.” This name change is intended to better represent the new tone of the game.

Wheel World’s Name Change Demonstrates A Shift In Tone And Sensitivities

Messhof, the creator of the fencing game series Nidhogg, has revealed the rationale behind the name change from Wheel World. The primary reason is a shift in tone; originally, Wheel World’s narrative revolved around the protagonist dying in a bike accident and waking up in a realm for cyclists similar to Valhalla. Interestingly, the description for the original Ghost Bike trailer had already referred to this setting as ‘Wheel World’. However, the game’s Steam page now focuses more on a tale about performing a cycling ritual to save the universe (with the help of ancient cycling spirits), rather than an afterlife for cyclists.

The Steam page for Wheel World revealed that the game’s original title was inspired by Ghost Bike memorials, which are white bikes placed at sites where cyclists have been tragically killed by cars. These memorials serve as tributes to the deceased and remind drivers to drive cautiously. The original title aligned better with the initial plot, but a shift towards lighter themes resulted in its discontinuation. Name changes in gaming are sometimes necessitated by sensitive topics, as seen in cases like World of Warcraft, though the adjustments made in this game were far less extreme compared to some other examples.

Wheel World Is Being Delayed Into 2025

Messhof has been less forthcoming about the delay of the game “Wheel World”, but the reasons for it are not difficult to infer. The shift towards a lighter narrative in “Wheel World” seems to be deeply connected to the game’s mechanics, as hinted at in Messhof’s announcement on Steam. In this announcement, it is mentioned that the story and tone have evolved ‘as changes occurred in the gameplay’, indicating that “Wheel World” has undergone significant modifications beneath its surface.

Additionally, while this is only conjecture, internal turmoil at Annapurna Interactive could potentially have contributed to the delay. Although some developers claim that all agreements will be upheld, Annapurna has barely had over a month to regroup since the mass departure of its entire 25-person staff. Such drastic changes might not have directly affected the development of Wheel World, but it’s plausible that they may have played a role. Regardless, the shift in the release date of Wheel World to 2025 won’t hinder its status as a day one title on Xbox Game Pass.

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2024-10-22 20:43