Scribes - November 5, 2008

It's the stupid Rare letters page! Send us your mail! Don't be scared, we're just misunderstood – like Jason Voorhees!   Dear Rare Scribes,      Last week you made a joke about Captain Falcon's first name. He actually has a first name which appears in a few newer games. His full name is Captain Douglas Falcon.      Now that's that, did you guys know that creating Krystal in Star Fox Adventures would cause such a massive array of... fan "items" for people's "enjoyment"?      Balladofwindfishes I don't know which is funnier, Captain Falcon being called Doug or you saying the last edition of Scribes was 'last week'.      As for Krystal, well, she was still hanging around the Star Fox team in the last game I saw, so she's clearly got some sort of staying power. If people want to pay tribute to that by featuring her lovely friendly face on cross-stitch patterns or commemorative thimbles, who are we to disapprove? Dear Rare,      Hi! I have a question about Banjo-Kazooie's moves and one about Grunty. It really crushed me when I heard that Kazooie's moves had been taken away. So I was interested in how she actually lost her moves. I read somewhere that Grunty had taken them away. Is this true? Now, about Grunty. Does Grunty still have her magic at hand, or not because she has a robot body. The reason I ask this is because I noticed in the new videos that in Showdown Town she just stands there with paper and pencil in her hand with sunglasses on. If Grunty does have her magic still, why doesn't she try to blast Banjo-Kazooie when they get near her? One more thing about Grunty. Have we seen her new assistant before?      I have always been a Banjo fan. I think I even liked it better than Mario 64. I am really excited about Nuts & Bolts.      Michael Sorcery isn't a big theme of Nuts & Bolts, to be honest. It's mostly mechanical (hence the name), including Grunty's new body. Also, L.O.G.'s in charge and he ain't up for no foolin', yo. Should you require slightly more detail, here's Shaun from the N&B design team.      "Kazooie's moves are actually taken from her at the start of the game by a new character known as L.O.G. (a.k.a. Lord of Games). L.O.G. is tired of the old-school platforming moves and so decides to rob them from her in exchange for a magical wrench (a trade she's not overly happy with!). In all seriousness, the decision to remove the characters' moves was a very important one. The emphasis of this game is on the vehicle components and the huge amount of ways the player can combine them to progress through the game. Once the new direction for the game was decided it soon became obvious that the fewer moves the characters had, the more importance shifted over to the components. It may take some old-school fans a while to get used to the new structure but after a short time with the game we hope everyone will see that Nuts & Bolts is a true Banjo game, just approached a little differently.      "As for Grunty, L.O.G. firmly believes in a fair fight so she will also have to rely on the abilities provided by the components to thwart Banjo. To help her this time around she is accompanied by a cute pink kitty (with razor sharp teeth) going by the name of Piddles."   Dear Rare,       If BK:N&B is a success, will there be Banjo Pilot 2 for DS?      I think if there is a sequel it should have almost EVERY SINGLE banjo character in it as a player. Also using all the tracks. and some new glowbos :) pink, yellow, blue, green, mega. I think that there should also be some kind of Mario like game like the stages that are either left or right like Super Mario Wars but with banjo characters, banjo levels and different objectives than that of a mario game, not to copy a mario game      The #1 BK fan You started out well, then seemed to lose control of the English language towards the end. Grammar can be a treacherous serpent, my friend. If you don't straddle it and grip it firmly by the neck, you lose the right to protest when it fangs you squarely in the eyehole.      Nevertheless, requests for Banjo Pilot 2 don't come along every day, even wholly impractical ones. Let's see what someone who worked on the original game has to say on the matter:      "No."      I'm afraid I can't clarify whether that's "no" to the inclusion of every single Banjo character, "no" to any possibility of a sequel whatsoever, or just a "no" of quiet horror at your typing.   Dear Scribes,      This is a link to our Banjo-Kazooie's 10th year anniversary film.      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyyHoQCVLkY      As a big Rare and Banjo fan I wanted to create something that old Banjo fans could appreciate. It should also be an intro to new Banjo players. It's been 8 years since the last Banjo console game appeared and a lot of younger gamers who grew up with PS2, Xbox, or Gamecube have not had the chance to play a Banjo game. This video should introduce them to the Banjo universe. To do so I had to include game footage of all 4 Banjo games, namely the original Banjo-Kazooie, its follow-up Banjo-Tooie but also the Gameboy Advance games like Banjo Pilot and Banjo-Kazooie: Grunty's Revenge.      When we were looking for a way how to present these games, we thought it would be cool to have an onscreen character that could tell the story. Instead of using a standard character or real life person we went on to look into the Banjo Universe. We were searching for a character which wasn't a main character, but he had to be able to tell the complete story. And there was that one guy... he had never spoken a word in the games but he was always there... yeah... Mumbo's Wand!      The Story: Mumbo's Wand is really jealous of Banjo and Kazooie's screen time. He thinks that he and his Master Mumbo are the real stars of the show and that is where the story begins... from his point of view.      Mario Paiano Blimey, that must have taken you a while. We're used to getting 15-second stick drawings of men with crude arses for faces in this neck of the woods, so well done. If we're being honest a bit more polish wouldn't have done the text any harm, and Mumbo's wand itself may well give young children nightmares, but the overall package is an impressive labour of love.      Nuts & Bolts does contain something similar by way of introduction to bring the newcomers up to speed and refresh the fuddled old minds of series veterans. We had hoped to get it narrated by Brian Blessed, but he was busy so we got a man out of Casualty instead (I mean the TV series, we didn't just go and abduct someone from a casualty ward).   Dear Scribes,      In Kameo, right after you beat King Thorn and there's that cinema scene, what is the music playing?      It also plays once you reach the first gate in Thorn's Castle at the beginning of the game where you have to put those metal balls in the lava..      Zach Jones Kameo musician Mister Burke goes in-depth in your face!      "Hi Zach. There are several pieces of music (lovingly cobbled together) in that final 'end game' cutscene when you have defeated Thorn. My memory is a bit hazy on this, but I'll give it a shot...      "The track that plays when you're knocking the metal ball Trolls around in Thorn's Castle is a freebie MP3 in the Kameo Downloads section, and is called Castle Fight. The music that was used in Thorn's Castle just after you knock the ball Trolls out of the arena and make your way across the bridge is also used in that final cutscene. It's the orchestra and choral track. That track is on the Kameo soundtrack CD, the final track, called Legend Unfolds."   Greetings and Salutations to the many people at Rare,      I will begin this letter with many words of praise to you, the people at Rare. For you see, Rare is the omnipotent of video game manufacturing. I've got to commend you for your efforts in the game Perfect Dark. I played it for the first time recently and it is AMAZING. The effects, the gameplay, the story, Elvis!!! I almost peed myself with enjoyment, oh, what am I saying, I did pee myself.      But I'm a little saddened by the fact that Rare is no longer affiliated with Nintendo. I don't own an Xbox 360 and don't intend to get one and therefore I may never get the opportunity to play your games. But it sure is great to hear you're making some games for the Nintendo DS (which I do own luckily) which gives me the opportunity to play Viva Piñata. Okay, well, now I have some questions which you will hopefully answer to the complete extent of your knowledge. Okay, here I go...      1. Is there a Rare headquarters in Australia or is it possible to work for Rare from Australia?      2. Would it be possible that Rare will be making any DS only titles and not games that are parts of already existing series?      3. Is there any artwork on the internet that displays the weapons used in Perfect Dark coz I can't find any pictures at all?      4. In the new Banjo-Threeie will Mumbo be a playable character with new abilities different from those of other games?      Well, that's all I gotta say really, it'd be great to hear your comments and answers.      Tom 2 the P We get a warm happy glow every time a Rare game causes someone to urinate against their will. It means we're doing something right.      1) There isn't a Rare headquarters anywhere other than here, 'here' being the middle of the English countryside, surrounded by birds and fields and all that. Of course, Microsoft has regional offices everywhere. If you can't bear to leave the kangaroos and comedy corky hats behind, that might be a better target. Not that we haven't hired Australians in the past, but generally speaking we do ask employees to be present in the building.      2) Anything's possible, except maybe KI3. Ahaha! Only joking. Or am I? We have nothing to disclose on DS projects at the moment, but I'd say big brand spin-offs would be more likely than all-new properties, the DS market being so vast that the extra push of recognisable IP is often needed to help a title stand out. But who knows? One of our designers might come up with a brilliant idea for a stylus-controlled game about wafting aside clouds of cow flatulence, and we'd be off like a shot.      3) Hang on, I'll just check THE ENTIRE INTERNET. Nope, can't see it. I'll have a dig around here and see if I can rustle up the originals...      4) Mumbo's busy in his garage, man. He does have new abilities, if you count his l33t hands-on mechanic skills, but so do Banjo and Kazooie. One thing at a time, you crazy kids with your text-message-style nicknames! Does yours mean you need the toilet?   Dear Scribes,      So I recently stumbled upon an interesting article in a popular gaming website... come to think of it I'm not sure if the site is popular, but that's not the point.      The article was entitled "Quartermann: Rare Readying New Killer Instinct?" and was published back on May 23, 2008. Now don't worry, I'm not writing in to ask about the possibility of a new KI game, or to beg for exclusive media, or any of that rubbish. I just want to know what that little article did to your inbox?      Juan Jose Ruiz      P.S. But seriously if I beg really hard? PLEASE. Well, you know, there's always a KI3 rumour buzzing away somewhere. That one might have been a bit more mainstream than most, but it still didn't end with the concussive blast of a Microsoft mail server meltdown. I'd be more perturbed if the KI3 emails just dried up completely. Even the reaction to the KI Piñata Vision cards has been quite muted in terms of website correspondence... almost as if we have a reputation for avoiding or openly making fun of KI3 queries.      But as always I'll pass on the sentiment to the next random person I bump into. See, you can't say we're disregarding your feedback.   Hey! Just a few questions... (Even though you have answered them a million times I'm sure...)      Hey, I'm Jason Gunn from California and Banjo's #1 Fan... (no really I am... You should see my room... I have Banjo wallpaper, bed, lamps, clothes... etc. I think I should get a medal for that or something ha ha). Here are my questions...      #1 When do you guys think you will be releasing the Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts demo? Any time soon? What will be in it?      #2 Will there be a limit as to how BIG you can make your vehicles?      #3 Will you guys release bits of the soundtrack? I would love to hear the Banjoland Music!      #4 When will the original Banjo-Kazooie come out on XBLA? Will it be the same or have some differences? (Like music changes, color changes, objectives, levels, and stuff like that.)      #5 Do you guys think you will ever release Banjo-Tooie on XBLA?      #6 Will there still be Jinjo Collecting?      I know Rareware is ULTRA SECRETIVE but these are a few things I was wondering, I would LOVE if you would answer my questions!      Jason Gunn Bet you didn't buy It's Mr. Pants though, did you? Exactly. Everyone's all 'Banjo, Banjo, Banjo' with no time for the real heroes. Now I'm too depressed to go through your questions, so it's just as well that Shaun from the team has volunteered his own answers.      "1. Very soon, like now! Head over to the 360 Marketplace, it's there waiting for you...      "2. Vehicles are limited to a 19x19 grid space (which is pretty big) and a total block count of 250 (also flipping huge).      "3. Although releasing a soundtrack sounds like a great idea, no plans are yet in place to do so. I'm sure if enough people ask for it our music guys would love to oblige." (MP3 downloads hopefully coming soon... ish... at some point. - Ed)      "4. Soon, very soon. The game is pretty much identical to the original in everything but the framerate which is extremely slick and really adds to the feel of the whole package.      "5. Yep, it's in the pipeline but no further details as yet, sorry.      "6. Nuts & Bolts is a Banjo game through and through, so our colourful friends return with an even bigger role to play than in the previous games."   Dear Shirley Scribes,      Where oh where are the Trouble in Paradise and Nuts N Bolts MP3 files you promised me over bridge the other day? And you said you'd put on the music from Perfect Dark Zero level 11 that you said categorically would be available during bowls the other day! Your reputation amongst the PFJ is getting soggier, sir!      Your obedient servant,      The Quite-Rightly Reverend Chuck Norris, Deceased We'll get some new MP3s up there sooner or later, but I hope you don't think you're hurrying us along with your demands, Norris. Frankly you should consider yourself lucky you're even allowed onto this site any more, after your drunken attempts to play bridge with Pokémon cards and improve your bowls game by saturating the turf with motor oil.   Dear Chaps at Rare Who Gave Us Our Favorite Bird and Bear,      In honor of Banjo and Viva Piñata being developed and shipped into the arms and systems of us giddy consumers, I believe you fine chaps should consider advertising, like game companies did in the old days. I suggest the soda line, who wouldn't want to drink a flavor like "Banjo Berry" or "Viva Piñata pina colada"? They will sell like hotcakes and those games will skyrocket to the top, and you're the star, baby.      P.S. Why is it called "Scribes"?      With all the love in my heart,      Will Are you trying to suggest that our games aren't extensively advertised? I'll have you know I saw a TV advert for Pocket Paradise a few weeks ago. An actual TV advert. It wasn't cripplingly awful either. That's not to discount the soft drink approach entirely, of course. Maybe something harder is the way forward when it comes to ensnaring the older demographic. I bet they would have killed for a shot of Gin Force Gemini with an It's Mixer Pants back in the day.      PS That's a funny place for a PS. It's called Scribes because the site was meant to kick off with an ancient Egyptian visual theme back when it first went online, which wasn't long after the use of papyrus died out, as it happens.   Dear Scribes guy,      You have probably been getting lots of e-mails from Banjo fans. I have no doubt many people are excited for Nuts and Bolts, and rightly so. It looks like a good game. But it doesn't look like a Banjo game. In fact, it looks nothing at all like a Banjo game. Many loyal fans feel like they have been stabbed in the back and pushed 50,000 feet off of a cliff by Rare. Banjo games didn't need a drastic change. You had a perfectly good formula, and instead of tweaking it, you trashed it. This doesn't look like a game meant for Banjo, this looks like a game made for somebody else with Banjo's name slapped onto the cover. Please, I am not the only one. If you don't want to make another Banjo game, fine! Just don't ruin what all Rare fans have come to know and love. Make this game about a walrus with a banana in his backpack for all I care, just don't throw Banjo into it, because this isn't a Banjo game.      DK from MI Walrus... banana... *puts notepad away*      At the end of the day, we all get where you're coming from, but this IS a Banjo game. It's come directly from the mind of the series' creator, and it's been put together by many of the same core people – more than you'd normally expect to be on the team of a sequel eight years down the line. There's nothing to state that it must follow exactly the same format as previous games to qualify as part of the series. Of course it's not going to please everyone, but with the era of Banjo-Kazooie and its fellow platformers a decade behind us, the team felt the need to try out some new things. It's that simple. And it's not as if they turned it into a dating simulator or survival horror.      Still, apologies for stabbing you in the back and pushing you 50,000 feet off a cliff. Imagine what would have happened if you'd had a flair for melodrama too!   Dear Scribes,      I'm Luiz from Brazil and I am huge fan of you guys, I want to say I love what you guys are doing with Banjo and Viva Piñata and I will always support Rare, I'm sorry if my English is not very good, I hope you understand.      As everyone knows, Kameo had DLC on Xbox Live after launch, but that was a considerable time ago and they still have the same price tag. Maybe you guys don't know, but it is really difficult to get Microsoft Points and the Live signature here, and when we manage to get, is not something we can spend mindlessly, so I would like to know if you guys could contact Microsoft and ask them to make Kameo DLC free, and don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that the content is not worth it, it's just that even if it's just $2,25 or so, for us it comes at a higher price, I hope you guys understand my point.      The other question is, do you guys plan to make past games like Grabbed by the Ghoulies – which I never had the opportunity to play – and Conker (same here) available anywhere else than the Xbox itself? (Xbox Originals for example.) Ebay sellers are most of the times hard to trust for me, and it is quite hard to make them send it to Brazil, plus, it comes with a high price because of elevated taxes. High price is not a big problem when talking about such good games, but it's not always possible to see if the game comes complete or not, and it is the only source with these games available.      I'm not asking it just for myself, since even Americans have problems buying these games, you guys must know that you have a huge fanbase that likes to support the company and that would like to play most of Rare's games, so, I hope you guys consider it, and even if you can't make it, I would be glad that you guys tried to do something for the fans.      Thanks for reading and keep the good work,      Luiz As far as I know we still haven't heard anything about Conker or Ghoulies joining the unpredictable Xbox Originals line-up. Let's check on other possibilities with Shaun from Banjo: "Don't worry Luiz, your grasp of the English language is better than most of the guys I work with! Currently no plans are in place to bring back the games you mention. It's perfectly feasible that classic Rare titles could appear in some guise or another at some point in the future, just no plans as yet."      And on the way back we'll swing past Chris from Kameo: "Sorry to hear about your DLC woes, but I'm afraid we haven't got any news on a price drop as it's something that requires action by a lot of different people, many of whom are now busy with other things. There are a few free DLC packs up for Kameo, including the Co-Op pack and the Design-A-Skin costumes, so hopefully they'll tide you over. Blimey, that was a depressing answer. How come we get questions about international trading standards and Gregg gets to answer easy ones about the Kremlings house-sharing with Grimshaw in their University days?"      Two teams. Two designers. Two quotes. The lingering threat of actual information. STOP THIS MADNESS. Hi everybody,      I hope I reach the right people for this question, but I'll try.      Over here in Germany, we are all playing Viva Piñata on DS and are having a lot of fun with this brilliant game BUT: nobody seems to find a Jeli over here.      So since there are a lot of really good players who already achieved everything else and still didn't get one, maybe the developers might tell us what we have to do to make this piñata appear. Please. Because this is driving some people up the wall.      Or did they take it out of the European version? I don't think that's it, so please help!      K. Hoppe Hmm, let's see. The main thing: it is possible. But a combination of low odds from the outset and the Jeli's very specific requirements (and camera-shy nature) mean that not every garden is 'eligible' for Jeli visits. One thing to look out for is an unexpected house becoming available in Willy's shop, then at least you know you've successfully passed the random chance stage. From there, it's up to you. If you don't see the Jeli house, chances are you ain't getting a Jeli so you might want to find someone who has, or use your progress to fast-track another garden in a separate save slot. If you still can't find the Jeli, see if you can find Uncle Tusk instead and ask him.   Dear Scribes,      First I want to say a big "thank you" for finally bringing the original Banjo to XBLA. I have a few questions regarding this release and Rare's future plans.      1) I noticed that the XBLA Banjo will feature connectivity to Banjo 3 through swap feature. Would that mean you have to change the ending for the XBLA version since the N64 Banjo ending states connectivity through Banjo-Tooie?      2) With Banjo 1 coming out for XBLA, can I safely assume that Banjo-Tooie will follow along with other N64 Rare games such as Blast Corps, Perfect Dark, and Jet Force Gemini for XBLA release?      3) When do you think we can expect the announcement of the inevitable Banjo-Tooie: Nuts and Bolts (sequel to Banjo 3)?      I'm sure other fans of Banjo and N64 Rare games are wondering the same thing that I'm asking you. So if you post this, it will prevent tons of other emails asking the same questions that I'm asking now.      Don 1) That would seem to be the case, squire, judging by the text strings I've seen.      2) Whoa there, Donald! Each one of those is a different kettle of fish, so you may safely assume nothing of the sort! Well, except for Banjo-Tooie, that one's kind of confirmed.      3) It would be a dark day indeed if that was the title. Let's see how this one does before we stagger drunkenly into the spotlight bawling release dates for a string of sequels.      Ah, if only answering emails in Scribes did stem the flow of further emails asking exactly the same question. Alas, the neverending stream of questions about Stop 'N' Swop and Donkey Kong Country 4 and the GoldenEye beta (the latest one of those came in last week, would you believe) rather knackers that theory.   Dear Rareware (aka "the awesomest people ever to exist"),      Thanks for FINALLY revealing details about Banjo: Nuts and Bolts! I don't care what the other fans say, this game looks like it will be awesome. I have a couple questions though (come on, you HAD to have seen this coming!).      1) Will there still be more fantastic weapons, such as eggs, along with the vehicles and squirt guns and the like?      2) Will you be using the original sound effects and voice loops from the first two games, or will you be creating new ones?      3) Will the sub-levels still have specific themes to them (Fire, Christmas, Haunted House, Pirates)?      4) Not much of a question, but more of a request: You've had Pirates in all four previous games, and I heard someone ask for Ninjas (good idea, please listen to him!), but what about robots? They're awesome too, and the technology theme of the game should make them a perfect fit.      5) Any plans for future Banjo games? I'm not asking for details, I just want to know if you guys have any ideas.      Well, with not one, not two, but THREE big Rare games out by the Holidays, it looks like a good time to be a fan! I can't wait!      The Sergeant Which Sergeant? Sergeant Rock? Sergeant Bilko? Sergeant Benton from 1970s Doctor Who? You just haven't given us enough to go on. While I begin the process of stalking you for more information, here's Shaun to handle your transparently diversionary questions.      "1. Nuts & Bolts has a fantastic range of weapons and then some. Both egg guns and liquid squirters are waiting to be discovered as well as a whole host of even more 'off-the-wall' stuff.      "2. Our sound guys have been hard at work creating all-new, super hi-fidelity sounds for this game but rest assured, all of those familiar Banjo FX should be instantly recognisable.      "3. For this game I guess we've tried to theme the levels slightly differently to the previous instalments. Each challenge world exists in something we call a Game Globe. These globes are actually a product of L.O.G.'s imagination, and so have allowed us to create some pretty fantastic and somewhat crazy locations.      "4. You're in luck. Since the last game Grunty has been hard at work creating a whole army of robots known as the Gruntbots. There are over a dozen different kinds, each with their own unique style of attack. These range from Rusters that latch onto your vehicle and cause it to slowly decay to Shouters that literally blow you away with their loudspeaker mouths.      "5. We're always thinking about the next game and hopefully the bear and bird won't be in hibernation for another eight years!"   Dear Scribes,      Quick question: in GoldenEye, Kevin Bayliss is credited for voicing James Bond. When did Bond speak in the game?      Thanks,      Some Schmuck Ah, one of those old chestnuts, the email that would fall under Snippets if it wasn't for the fact that somebody's now replied to it and the reply is too long for the one-line Snippets format. If you see what I mean.      The game's designer Mr. Botwood says: "Bond did not speak in GoldenEye, and so Kevin Bayliss did not provide voice for James Bond. If he had spoken, voice would either have been provided by Pierce Brosnan under contract conditions or by alternate members of the GoldenEye team doing their very best Sean Connery impersonations until corpsing uncontrollably and the next person taking over."   Dear Scribes,      I have a couple of interesting questions to ask you (yes they're about Banjo-Kazooie and Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts but don't worry, they AREN'T hugely important questions that will leave you saying "Erm, we can't really tell..." like usual).      Question #1: Will Brentilda be returning in Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts? She wasn't in Banjo-Tooie and she was instead replaced with Grunty's two other, haggy sisters, Mingella and Blobbelda (which sort of took out the point of one good sister and one bad in Banjo-Kazooie, and yet added an interesting situation, Brentilda has three other sisters!)      Question #2: What IS Mumbo Jumbo's history?? I mean he obviously has some deal with Gruntilda as in Banjo-Kazooie if you get a game over and Gruntilda sucks the cuteness out of Tooty and into herself, Mumbo Jumbo comes-a-runnin' with a flower and a marriage proposal. Not that he doesn't with any hot girl – I think the end of the game with the girl holding those melons are MORE than enough proof – but he is also among the pictures of Gruntilda's closest friends and henchmen in Mad Monster Mansion. So, this leaves me with one more question: besides Mumbo Jumbo's full history which I know I'm not going to get – is Mumbo Jumbo an old sweetheart of Gruntilda against his will – or an old date willingly – or was he an old henchman of hers? I mean, it wouldn't be the first time one of her henchmen saw the light. (I hear Klungo currently owns his own arcade...)      Hey, I didn't say the questions weren't huge text-wise – just not hugely important.      Joel Bryner 1) As Gregg stated in the last Scribes (which was last week, I believe) that both Brentilda and Tooty had been rounded up and taken away by the 'Rubbish Characters in Video Games' Police, I'm guessing no. Anyway, you know how it is with long-lost/previously unseen siblings in TV and films and games, for all we know Gruntilda's got a dozen sisters and a brother called Anthony who's an estate agent.      2) I don't think Mumbo necessarily has "some deal" with Grunty (apart from the whole skull-face thing) just because he comes running with flowers when she turns all foxy. Maybe he's just your average red-blooded male. Having said that, I've been rummaging through archived website content for the original Banjo-Kazooie and it claims that he used to be Grunty's teacher before she turned to the Dark Side. Are we sticking to that story? No idea. But do pass on our regards to your dad Yul the robot cowboy.   Hullooo, Rare.      This is just a short message inquiring into the current placement of Mingy Jongo in N&B. Will he be making an appearance? Will he have a large role? Small role? Sausage Roll? What will be the fate of our favourite Crafty Shaman Impersonator?      Here for your enjoyment is a picture of Mingy Jongo using my 'l337 ski11z' in Photoshop. Yeah, I stole your concept art for Mumbo and mutilated it, so what?! I don't see your solicitors knocking on my door.      Oh, and before I go, Cinnamon Grahams or Golden Grahams? Go on, I won't pressure you into anything :D      Oh, and one last thing, do you fellows pronounce Shaman 'Shah Mahn' or 'Shaih Mahn'?      Alex (Vect 01)      P.S. The Mingy art is as it stands, I did no work on the body, so enjoy it for what it is ;) There's at least one returning Tooie boss in Nuts & Bolts, but I can neither confirm nor deny that it's Mingy Jongo.      It's 'shay-man' for me but I'm sure there are those here who say 'shah-man', probably throwing in a comment about my rubbish accent at the same time. And while Golden Grahams are borderline inedible, they're still a step up from Cinnamon Grahams, which are strictly for masochists. And they appear to have been renamed 'Curiously Cinnamon' these days, though I fail to see how this makes them any more acceptable. All opinions are personal and do not represent the views of Rare of Microsoft, etc. Back off, Mr. Nestlé! I won't hear a bad word said against your Frosted Shreddies!   Dearest Scribes,      Do you ever plan on updating the picture of L.O.G., or for that matter adding Humba, Trophy Thomas, etc., on the character pages of both the Rareware website and the Banjo-Kazooie website? Everyone who has been paying attention has already seen renders and/or clips of Humba and Pikelet, and people have known what L.O.G. looks like for quite some time. That question mark isn't fooling anybody.      Or maybe it is. I don't really know.      No No No, Wrong Way! Aye. I've blagged some more renders to fill the gaps, and you're right, L.O.G. isn't much of a secret any more (commonly pronounced 'log' rather than 'ell-oh-gee', by the way, we just had to punctuate the acronym to make it stand out from the traditional all-caps game text – exciting Banjo backstage revelation for you there). So consider him updated, and we've got the rest of the in-game nutjobs ready to add at some point. We just have to co-ordinate our cast list updates with those of Microsoft's B-K community site, so you can always check there if for some reason they're not here.