WayForward is working out publishing deals with the intent of bringing their crowdfunded Shantae title to store shelves.

It’s been a few months since the last big progress update from WayForward, however the studio had something new to reveal to Kickstarter backers last week. According to the latest Kickstarter update, WayForward is currently working on securing deals with various publishers to ensure that Shantae: Half-Genie Hero sees a physical release; though the studio is an authorized digital publisher, WayForward themselves cannot bring Shantae to retail stores on their own.

Once the retail publisher deals have been finalized, WayForward will remain as the primary publisher of Shantae: Half-Genie Hero, meaning all digital codes, Kickstarter rewards and “late/slacker-backer” items will be distributed through WayForward. None of the funds contributed by fans will go towards the new publishers, nor will the publisher deals affect the content of the completed game. Because WayForward is acting as the developer and digital publisher, Kickstarter and other backers will not have an option to trade their digital copies for a physical one at launch.

Along with the retail publishing developments, WayForward revealed the new key art for Half-Genie Hero created by Inti Creates and KOU, who provided the character artwork for Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse:

Shantae: Half-Genie Hero is expected to release for 360, PS3, Xbox One, PS4, PS Vita, Wii U and PC this year, though an official release date has not been scheduled. More details are expected to be announced during E3 2016.

Source: Kickstarter
Images courtesy of WayForward