Not to be confused with Drawn to Life.
The Drawn to Life series is a line of video games for the Nintendo DS, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo Switch, Steam, and mobile devices. Originally created by 5th Cell, other developers including Altron, Planet Moon Studios, WayForward Technologies, and Digital Continue have all developed titles within the series. In 2013, the series IP was sold to 505 Games after the previous publisher THQ declared bankruptcy.
The series revolves around players creating their own playable characters alongside weapons and other helpful tools. The games are 2D platformers with a focus on collecting additional items to aid the Raposa.
Initial Concepts
When developer 5th Cell transitioned from mobile games to the Nintendo DS, series Creative Director Jeremiah Slaczka was inspired by the company's need to make something that would use the DS's features in a unique way. The original concept of drawings coming to life was in Slaczka's head for roughly six months before the company began prototyping it.
From that initial concept, the developers began incorporating the platforming aspect, and tied it to the village and story. Whilst in development 5th Cell wanted playing the game to be an experience deeper than just the gimmick of having drawings come to life, and made sure players were always drawing something new and unique to add to the game world. The biggest technical challenge was making the drawing tool easy to understand yet not limiting how players could draw, although they eventually felt confident with the results.
Drawn to Life
In September 2007, the first game in the series was released exclusively on the Nintendo DS. Developed by 5th Cell and published by THQ, it was received well by critics and went on to sell 820,000 copies by March of the following year. In Japan, the game was published by Agatsuma on December 4th 2008, releasing under the title Drawn to Life: God's Marionette. In Korea, the game launched as: Geuryeora, Touch! Naega Mandeuneun Sesang.
On May 21st, 2014, a port developed by WayForward Technologies and published by 505 Games was released for iOS. This port received harsh backlash from fans for its poor quality, and it has since been delisted.
Drawn to Life: Spongebob Squarepants Edition
During this time, series publisher THQ was looking to produce more games themed around Nickelodeon IPs. When the first Drawn to Life released, they noticed the conceptual similarities between it and the Spongebob Squarepants episode "Frankendoodle." As a result, a Spongebob-themed version of Drawn to Life was envisioned. Due to the fact 5th Cell was busy with other projects at the time, developer Altron was contracted to develop this new spin-off. THQ apparently wanted each level to give players something new to do.
It was released in September 2008 in America, Europe, and Australia. Two months later, it was released in Japan.
Drawn to Life: The Next Chapter (DS)
Following the success of the prior two entries, and the growth of 5th Cell in the time since, a mainline sequel entered development for the Nintendo DS. Being far more ambitious than the previous title, it sought to top the original in every way. Although publisher THQ also contracted a version for the Nintendo Wii by Planet Moon Studios, the DS version is the canon sequel. Released in October 2009, it was received positively by fans.
Due to a content complaint from the ESRB, the game received a revision which controversially altered the game's ending. This revised ending was later confirmed to be non-canon.
Drawn to Life: The Next Chapter (Wii)
While 5th Cell was busy developing the Nintendo DS version of the game, publisher THQ contracted Planet Moon Studios to develop a version of the game for the Nintendo Wii. Despite sharing the same name, the game is completely different from its Nintendo DS counterpart, and is considered non-canon. The development process was particularly tough, and the developers were forced to crunch during the final six months of development.
It was released in October 2009, alongside the Nintendo DS version. It is often considered by fans to be the weakest entry in the series.
Drawn to Life Collection
In 2010, a compilation of both the original Drawn to Life and the Nintendo DS version of Drawn to Life: The Next Chapter was released for the Nintendo DS. It makes use of the controversial revision of the latter.
THQ Bankruptcy
In 2013, THQ declared bankruptcy and subsequently auctioned off their remaining IPs to top bidders. The Italian game publishing company, 505 Games, bought the rights to the Drawn to Life series in April of that year.
On May 21st, 2014, the original Drawn to Life was ported to iOS by 505 Games and WayForward Technlogies. After this, the series sat dormant for six years.
Drawn to Life: Two Realms
Drawn to Life: Two Realms is an upcoming, canonical, addition to the Drawn to Life series. The game will be released as a digital download for Nintendo Switch, Steam, iOS, and Android on December 7th, 2020. The game takes place several years following the events of Drawn to Life: The Next Chapter and takes place in the Raposa and Real worlds. The game is developed by Digital Continue (with many of the same creators working on it as the first two Nintendo DS games) and published by 505 Games. It is available in English, French, Italian, German, Spanish (Spain), Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian, and Simplified and Traditional Chinese.