The collaboration between Mighty Coconut and Aardman Animations was born by chance. Lucas Martell, creator of Walkabout Mini Golf, says it all started at a South by Southwest event. Aardman Animations came along by chance and this unique collaboration was born.
Nick Park, creator of Wallace & Gromit, is a huge golf fan. He saw this collaboration as an opportunity. Dan Efergan, Executive Creative Director at Aardman, explains that Nick wanted to play more golf in the Wallace & Gromit universe.
Design challenges
Designing the course in Wallace and Gromit’s house at 62 West Wallaby Street proved complex. Animated films often change the spaces for the action, which made the task of creating a coherent route difficult for Mighty Coconut.
A dense and detailed route
The Wallace & Gromit course is recognised as one of the densest in Walkabout Mini Golf. Lucas Martell points out that stop motion requires a profusion of detail in very small spaces. This challenge of density has been met in the design of the course, where every nook and cranny is filled with references, jokes and secrets. Players discover minute details with every move, enriching their experience and encouraging them to explore the world of Wallace & Gromit even further.
Wallace & Gromit’s living house
Wallace & Gromit’s house on this mini-golf course is more alive than ever. Lucas Martell says this course has more animation than any previous Walkabout Mini Golf project. Every one of Wallace’s inventions, from the Autochef to the mechanical trousers, offers players total immersion. This wealth of animation brings the house to life, allowing fans to feel that they are really navigating the whimsical and inventive world of Wallace and Gromit.
The importance of exploration
Finbar Hawkins, Creative Director at Aardman, emphasises the importance of exploration in this journey. Players are actively rewarded for their curiosity and desire to discover. Every corner of the house is full of hidden details and humorous references. Paintings, books with zany titles and unique gadgets create a rich, playful experience. It encourages players to revisit and thoroughly explore the detailed environment of 62 West Wallaby Street.
Difficult mode
The course’s Difficult mode adds a captivating narrative dimension. In this mode, the sheep have escaped and caused havoc at 62 West Wallaby Street. Players must help Wallace round up the sheep using his invention, the Autoshepherd. This quest adds an extra level of challenge and engagement that turns every game into an interactive adventure. The clues and specific objectives make the game more intriguing and immersive for players.
Favourites and Future
Every member of the design team has a favourite hole on the Wallace & Gromit course. Dan Efergan mentions a particularly enjoyable jam mechanic, while Finbar Hawkins enjoys the Wrong Trousers hole, where he managed a memorable hole-in-one.
Lucas Martell expresses his satisfaction at the progress made in terms of animation and storytelling thanks to this project. He emphasises that each collaboration pushes them to excel, and they are already looking forward to exciting new collaborations in the future.
Availability
Walkabout Mini Golf: Wallace & Gromit is now available on Meta Quest 2, 3 and Pro. Players can immerse themselves in this richly detailed and challenging world. They can celebrate the heritage of Wallace & Gromit in an innovative and fun way.