Team17 Officially Endorses Project X: Light Years, an Amiga Classic Revival on Kickstarter

Team17, a respected developer and publisher in the video game industry, has given its official endorsement to Project X: Light Years—the long-awaited follow-up to the classic 1992 Amiga side-scrolling shooter Project X.

The new game, helmed by passionate indie developer Retronix, is currently seeking funding through Kickstarter, marking the first time in over three decades that the iconic franchise will get a new, sanctioned installment. Project X: Light Years aims to capture the spirit of the original Amiga classic while updating it for a contemporary audience.

According to Retronix, the developer behind the campaign, this new entry promises "high-octane space combat set in visually stunning environments," letting players take the helm as a space fighter pilot tackling overwhelming enemy swarms and upgrading their arsenal over time. Prior to receiving official support, the Project X: Light Years team operated under the impression that the game's use of generic shoot 'em up conventions and the apparent lapse in trademark protection allowed the project to proceed without Team17’s involvement.

Despite this, Retronix made repeated efforts to contact Team17 for explicit approval, emphasizing a desire to both honor the legacy of the original and to release the follow-up as an authentic, legitimate continuation. That approval has now arrived.

Team17 has formally licensed the rights to Retronix, confirming Project X: Light Years as an official sequel rather than an unaffiliated fan endeavor.

This move ensures the project can proceed to completion without threat of legal takedown and has been welcomed by both backers and retro gaming enthusiasts.

While Team17 will not directly develop or publish the game, they will remain involved in an advisory role.

Notably, the agreement prohibits the use of AI voice acting and AI-generated assets such as those produced by MidJourney, underscoring Team17's commitment to authenticity and quality in the new release. In a statement, the developer said, "In partnership with Team17, this is a massive opportunity to bring a modern reimagining of the Project X series to life.

We’re incredibly honored to receive their blessing, and we’re seeking support through Kickstarter to meet the high expectations set by fans of the original game.

Every contribution counts, whether it helps enhance gameplay, improve visuals, or add new content." The studio further emphasized that community support will be crucial in reaching the game's full potential and upholding Team17’s storied legacy. Funding tiers for Project X: Light Years start at £10, granting a Steam key for the digital edition.

Backers can also choose higher tiers, which offer additional rewards such as a digital or physical soundtrack (including CD and vinyl formats), opportunities to design an enemy wave, and having their name featured in the credits.

The campaign's transparent approach and tangible links to Team17 have already garnered positive attention within the retro and indie game communities. While Project X: Light Years is currently planned for PC via Steam, the team has expressed interest in bringing the revived shooter to additional platforms such as the Nintendo Switch, depending on the success of the campaign.

This partnership between Retronix and Team17 signifies a remarkable milestone in the history of Amiga gaming—a true renaissance for a beloved side-scrolling shooter franchise, powered by new technology and a passionate fan base.

Amiga Kickstarter Team17 X