Bradley the Badger: Red Dead Redemption Designer's New Meta Platformer

When I first heard that Christian Cantamessa, the lead designer behind Red Dead Redemption, was working on something completely different, I have to admit I was intrigued. Why would someone responsible for one of gaming's most critically acclaimed Westerns suddenly shift gears to create what's being described as a "genre-bending action adventure game"?

But then I thought about it - maybe this isn't as random as it seems. Cantamessa's career has actually come full circle in a way that makes perfect sense. Did you know his first credited game was the Game Boy Color version of Disney's Donald Duck: Goin' Quackers? Before he became known for gritty, mature titles at Rockstar, he actually cut his teeth on platformers!

What Exactly IS Bradley the Badger?

The official description calls Bradley the Badger "a send-up to classic mascot platformers," but it's so much more than that. This isn't just another cute animal jumping around collecting coins - it's actually exploring the game development process itself! Imagine playing through intentionally incomplete levels, experiencing genre shifts mid-gameplay, and breaking the fourth wall in ways that make even The Stanley Parable look conventional.

What really excites me about this project is the creative team behind it. Cantamessa is partnering with Davide Soliani, the creative director behind Mario + Rabbids! That's like getting the minds behind Red Dead Redemption and one of Ubisoft's most innovative strategy games to collaborate on something completely new.

Why Meta Games Are Having a Moment

Remember when Astro Bot won Game of the Year in 2024? That proved there's a huge appetite for platformers that play with meta elements. But while Astro Bot was mostly a celebration of PlayStation history, Bradley the Badger seems to be digging much deeper into the creative process itself.

The press release cites some fascinating influences:

• Wreck-it-Ralph - for its exploration of game worlds

• Who Framed Roger Rabbit - for blending different realities

• Charlie Kaufman - for meta-narrative storytelling

This tells me we're not just getting another platformer - we're getting something that could genuinely push the boundaries of how games tell stories about themselves.

From Westerns to Wascally Wabbits (Well, Badgers)

Cantamessa's career trajectory is actually fascinating when you look at it:

Game	Role	Genre
Donald Duck: Goin' Quackers	Designer	Platformer
Rayman M	Designer	Platformer
Manhunt	Designer	Horror/Action
Red Dead Redemption	Lead Designer/Co-writer	Western/Action
Bradley the Badger	Creative Lead	Meta-Platformer

See the pattern? He started with platformers, went through a dark phase with mature titles, and now he's returning to his roots but with all the experience he's gained along the way. It's actually pretty poetic when you think about it.

Soliani brings his own impressive credentials to the table. His work on the Rayman series and particularly Mario + Rabbids shows he understands how to blend established franchises with innovative gameplay mechanics. Together, these two might just create something truly special.

Why This Matters in 2025

In an era where game development has become increasingly complex and challenging, a game that explores those very challenges feels incredibly timely. How many times have we heard about development hell, creative differences, or projects being cancelled? Both Cantamessa and Soliani have undoubtedly experienced these frustrations firsthand.

Cantamessa was involved with the ill-fated Perfect Dark reboot before leaving years before its cancellation. Soliani has navigated the challenges of working with major IP like Mario while maintaining creative integrity. These experiences could lend incredible authenticity to a game about game development.

Final Thoughts

While Bradley the Badger might not be what Red Dead Redemption fans were expecting from Cantamessa, I think it might be exactly what we need. The gaming landscape in 2025 feels ready for something that's both nostalgic and forward-thinking, both familiar and completely fresh.

What excites me most is the potential for Bradley the Badger to say something meaningful about why we create games and why we play them. In an industry that sometimes takes itself too seriously, a game that can laugh at itself while delivering solid gameplay could be exactly what we need.

I'll be keeping a close eye on this one - it feels like it could be one of those surprise hits that reminds us why we fell in love with gaming in the first place. What about you? Are you excited to see what these veteran developers can create when they're unleashed from franchise expectations?