Since Kaido-san didn't have his own wiki page yet, I went ahead and started one. You can find it here. If you have additional information about him I encourage you to add it to the article.
Photo, courtesy of GameInformer.com
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Profile: Fumito Ueda
Fumito Ueda is the Director of the Sony Computer Entertainment Japan's Product Development Department. He graduated from Osaka University of Arts, where he studied oil painitng. After graduating, Ueda taught himself computer graphics and joined the development studio Warp as a CG Animator in 1995.
After working as an Animator for "Enemy Zero", Ueda joined Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. in 1997.
He assumed the main development roles of Director, Lead Game Designer and Art Designer in 2001 for "ICO", winner of three 2002 GDC Awards and the AIAS's 2002 Game of the Year Award.
Most recently he has worked on "Shadow of the Colossus" where he assumed the main development roles of Director and Lead Game Designer. "Shadow of the Colossus" is the winner of five 2006 GDC Awards, voted as AIAS's 2006 Console Game of the Year, was awarded for "Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction" at DICE Summit 2006 and given the Excellence Award at CESA 2006.
Photo, courtesy of GameInformer.com
After working as an Animator for "Enemy Zero", Ueda joined Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. in 1997.
He assumed the main development roles of Director, Lead Game Designer and Art Designer in 2001 for "ICO", winner of three 2002 GDC Awards and the AIAS's 2002 Game of the Year Award.
Most recently he has worked on "Shadow of the Colossus" where he assumed the main development roles of Director and Lead Game Designer. "Shadow of the Colossus" is the winner of five 2006 GDC Awards, voted as AIAS's 2006 Console Game of the Year, was awarded for "Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction" at DICE Summit 2006 and given the Excellence Award at CESA 2006.
Photo, courtesy of GameInformer.com
Saturday, December 30, 2006
New features and a new look
I've added a couple of things to the journal:
At the bottom of the page you'll now find a list of links related to ICO and Shadow of the Colossus. At the time of writing this post I've only listed the official international and Japanese websites of both games. I'll be adding more links as they come in handy. If you have any suggestions please leave a comment and let me know.
Below that you can also find the new Google search bar and the Google Translate link. As you may know a lot of information related to ICO and Shadow of the Colossus is only available in Japanese. I'll be doing my best to give an accurate translation of the most relevant parts, but for anyone who'll want to get the full picture, this link will come in useful.
Finally, I gave the journal a new look. In my opinion, this layout looks cleaner and is more accessible.
At the bottom of the page you'll now find a list of links related to ICO and Shadow of the Colossus. At the time of writing this post I've only listed the official international and Japanese websites of both games. I'll be adding more links as they come in handy. If you have any suggestions please leave a comment and let me know.
Below that you can also find the new Google search bar and the Google Translate link. As you may know a lot of information related to ICO and Shadow of the Colossus is only available in Japanese. I'll be doing my best to give an accurate translation of the most relevant parts, but for anyone who'll want to get the full picture, this link will come in useful.
Finally, I gave the journal a new look. In my opinion, this layout looks cleaner and is more accessible.
Ebay Listings: Japanese Posters & NICO DVD
These three posters were used for pre-release promotion in Japan and are now availabe from some re-sellers. I've seen one signed by Ueda-san some days ago, but unfortunately I had already spent all my money on the Shadow of the Colossus premium box.
I've tracked down the Special NICO DVD as well. It's going for cheap and it's quite worth getting, considering it contains all official Shadow of the Colossus trailers (two of which are hosted on projectnico.net), concept art and a special ICO development video.
I've tracked down the Special NICO DVD as well. It's going for cheap and it's quite worth getting, considering it contains all official Shadow of the Colossus trailers (two of which are hosted on projectnico.net), concept art and a special ICO development video.
Understanding: The language in ICO
Ever wondered what sort of language is the one used in ICO? This website may hold some answers.
The concept behind this linguistic mystery is quite simple. You take a word, write it backwards and then replace everything with hieroglyphics.
Look at the example below:
(1) Take the phrase: "Kimitachi ga ite boku ga iru."
↓
(2) Put it backwards. It becomes: "Ihcatimik ag eti ukob ag uri."
↓
(3) Now write it using hieroglyphics. You take the original phrase's syllables and replace them with the corresponding symbol from this table.
In other words, you write the phrase using hieroglyphics (3) and read it in backwards Japanese (2).
Try it yourself. You may download the ICO font for your PC from here. If you're looking for the MAC version you may find it here.
Note: If you'd like to read the article on the featured page, you can use Google Translate, linked at the bottom of the page to translate the website into English.
The concept behind this linguistic mystery is quite simple. You take a word, write it backwards and then replace everything with hieroglyphics.
Look at the example below:
(1) Take the phrase: "Kimitachi ga ite boku ga iru."
↓
(2) Put it backwards. It becomes: "Ihcatimik ag eti ukob ag uri."
↓
(3) Now write it using hieroglyphics. You take the original phrase's syllables and replace them with the corresponding symbol from this table.
In other words, you write the phrase using hieroglyphics (3) and read it in backwards Japanese (2).
Try it yourself. You may download the ICO font for your PC from here. If you're looking for the MAC version you may find it here.
Note: If you'd like to read the article on the featured page, you can use Google Translate, linked at the bottom of the page to translate the website into English.
Uploaded: ICO & Shadow of the Colossus Wallpapers
Below you may find the official Japanese ICO and Shadow of the Colossus wallpapers, also available from the games' websites.
ICO
Wallpaper 1
Wallpaper 2
Wallpaper 3
Wallpaper 4
Shadow of the Colossus
Wallpaper 1
Wallpaper 2
Wallpaper 3
Wallpaper 4
Wallpaper 5
Courtesy of:
http://www.i-c-o.net
http://www.playstation.jp/scej/title/wander/
ICO
Wallpaper 1
Wallpaper 2
Wallpaper 3
Wallpaper 4
Shadow of the Colossus
Wallpaper 1
Wallpaper 2
Wallpaper 3
Wallpaper 4
Wallpaper 5
Courtesy of:
http://www.i-c-o.net
http://www.playstation.jp/scej/title/wander/
Friday, December 29, 2006
Uploaded: Shadow of the Colossus Development Video
I have uploaded the Shadow of the Colossus development video from the NICO DVD.
The video contains early versions of some of the Colossi and ones which never made it. Watch the scrapped Gaius sweeping attack, or a sand-diving Phalanx being pursued by a horned horseman!
Again, I'd appreciate that if you'll want to share this video you'd link to this post instead of the direct link.
Download Link: Here
Decompressing Password: projectnico
Those interested in the NICO DVD may have some luck finding it on Ebay.
The video contains early versions of some of the Colossi and ones which never made it. Watch the scrapped Gaius sweeping attack, or a sand-diving Phalanx being pursued by a horned horseman!
Again, I'd appreciate that if you'll want to share this video you'd link to this post instead of the direct link.
Download Link: Here
Decompressing Password: projectnico
Those interested in the NICO DVD may have some luck finding it on Ebay.
Ebay Listings: Shadow of the Colossus Shirt
For all those who'd like to get their hands on an official Japanese Shadow of the Colossus shirt, here's a link. These shirts were only available for purchase prior to the release of the game in Japan and were only produced in limited quantities.
ProjectNICO around the world
This blog has been online for less than a week and it has already been visited by people coming from ten different countries!
In no particular order:
United States
Canada
England
Mexico
Hungary
Germany
Philippines
Belgium
Spain
Thailand
A big thank you to all those who decided to come and take a look. I hope you come back again.
In no particular order:
United States
Canada
England
Mexico
Hungary
Germany
Philippines
Belgium
Spain
Thailand
A big thank you to all those who decided to come and take a look. I hope you come back again.
How to: Make baby Wander cry
*THIS POST CONTAINS PLOT SPOILERS*
I see so many players asking about the ending of Shadow of the Colossus. Most of them ask for a way to change it. Others demand an explanation of what is going on. What no one asks is, if there is something you can do when Wander turns into a baby...
And surprisingly enough there is some toddler stuff you can do.
When Mono wakes up and makes her way to the pool and picks up baby Wander, try pressing any of the face buttons (CIRCLE, TRIANGLE, SQUARE, X) or the R1 button and see what happens.
I see so many players asking about the ending of Shadow of the Colossus. Most of them ask for a way to change it. Others demand an explanation of what is going on. What no one asks is, if there is something you can do when Wander turns into a baby...
And surprisingly enough there is some toddler stuff you can do.
When Mono wakes up and makes her way to the pool and picks up baby Wander, try pressing any of the face buttons (CIRCLE, TRIANGLE, SQUARE, X) or the R1 button and see what happens.
Uploaded: Scarecrow Mono
When playing OPM's Shadow of the Colossus demo some players discovered a climbing glitch which allowed them to climb diagonally without wasting any stamina. They unexpectedly made their way to the Secret Garden and at its entrance there was something which resembled an early in-game model of Mono... with something missing: a head.
I was lucky enough to see an image of "Scarecrow Mono" posted again some days ago. A big thank you goes to the player who took the picture. If you happen to see this post, let me know the picture's yours.
Now all that's left to do is to reach the Secret Garden in the PAL demo and see if Scarecrow Mono is still there. The only problem is there is no diagonal jumping glitch in that build.
NOTE: Scarecrow Mono is only available in the NTSC demo!
I was lucky enough to see an image of "Scarecrow Mono" posted again some days ago. A big thank you goes to the player who took the picture. If you happen to see this post, let me know the picture's yours.
Now all that's left to do is to reach the Secret Garden in the PAL demo and see if Scarecrow Mono is still there. The only problem is there is no diagonal jumping glitch in that build.
NOTE: Scarecrow Mono is only available in the NTSC demo!
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Listening to: ICO - Melody in the Mist
Although not as prominent as the score of Shadow of the Colossus, the music in ICO adds to the subtle atmosphere and brings out that sense of ethereality during some of the most emotional moments in the game.
In case you didn't get the OST yet, you should start thinking about what you're missing. And if it helps you make up your mind here's a sample song: the amazing "You were there" (Decompressing Password: projectnico).
Below you'll find the tracklist and the lyrics of the sample song. They may help you whet your melodic appetite till I upload the full ICO Soundtrack Guide, which hopefully will be online early next week.
Tracklist
01 - prologue
02 - coffin
03 - impression
04 - Castle in the Mist
05 - beginning
06 - Who are you?
07 - darkness
08 - heal
09 - The Gate
10 - Queen
11 - continue
12 - déjà vu
13 - Shadow
14 - Entity
15 - collapse
16 - ICO ~ You were there ~
Total Running Time: 25'35''
Lyrics: ICO ~ You were there ~
Composed by Michiru Oshima
Words by Lynne Hobday
Performed by Steven Geraghty
The island bathes in the sun's bright rays
Distant hills wear a shroud of grey
A lonely breeze whispers in the trees
Sole witness to history
Fleeting memories rise
From the shadows of my mind
Sing "nonomori" - endless corridors
Say "nonomori" - hopeless warriors
You were there
You were there
Am I forever dreaming
How to define the way I'm feeling
You were there
Countless visions they haunt me in my sleep
You were there
Though forgotten all promises we keep
Slaves to our destiny
I recall a melody
Sing "nonomori" - seasons lit with gold
Say "nonomori" - legends yet untold
You were there
You were there
Happiness follows sorrow
Only believing in tomorrow
You were there
Countless visions they haunt me in my sleep
You were there
Though forgotten all promises we keep
The island bathes in the sun's bright rays
Distant hills wear a shroud of grey
A lonely breeze whispers in the trees
Sole key to this mystery
Useful Links
Official Michiru Oshima Website: http://www.michiru-oshima.com
Official ICO Japanese Website: http://www.i-c-o.net
Those interested in the CD may leave a comment and I'll gladly give a link or two.
In case you didn't get the OST yet, you should start thinking about what you're missing. And if it helps you make up your mind here's a sample song: the amazing "You were there" (Decompressing Password: projectnico).
Below you'll find the tracklist and the lyrics of the sample song. They may help you whet your melodic appetite till I upload the full ICO Soundtrack Guide, which hopefully will be online early next week.
Tracklist
01 - prologue
02 - coffin
03 - impression
04 - Castle in the Mist
05 - beginning
06 - Who are you?
07 - darkness
08 - heal
09 - The Gate
10 - Queen
11 - continue
12 - déjà vu
13 - Shadow
14 - Entity
15 - collapse
16 - ICO ~ You were there ~
Total Running Time: 25'35''
Lyrics: ICO ~ You were there ~
Composed by Michiru Oshima
Words by Lynne Hobday
Performed by Steven Geraghty
The island bathes in the sun's bright rays
Distant hills wear a shroud of grey
A lonely breeze whispers in the trees
Sole witness to history
Fleeting memories rise
From the shadows of my mind
Sing "nonomori" - endless corridors
Say "nonomori" - hopeless warriors
You were there
You were there
Am I forever dreaming
How to define the way I'm feeling
You were there
Countless visions they haunt me in my sleep
You were there
Though forgotten all promises we keep
Slaves to our destiny
I recall a melody
Sing "nonomori" - seasons lit with gold
Say "nonomori" - legends yet untold
You were there
You were there
Happiness follows sorrow
Only believing in tomorrow
You were there
Countless visions they haunt me in my sleep
You were there
Though forgotten all promises we keep
The island bathes in the sun's bright rays
Distant hills wear a shroud of grey
A lonely breeze whispers in the trees
Sole key to this mystery
Useful Links
Official Michiru Oshima Website: http://www.michiru-oshima.com
Official ICO Japanese Website: http://www.i-c-o.net
Those interested in the CD may leave a comment and I'll gladly give a link or two.
Prologue to ICO
ICO is the tale of a cursed boy, lost in a place of shadows and a ghostly girl, consumed by sorrow and loneliness.
Together, they must find a way to escape a vast castle which holds many secrets. Every twisting staircase, every creaking door and towering pillar is part of a larger puzzle. Each torch and shaft of light only serves to illuminate another mystery. The path ahead is dark and treacherous. But somehow, they know they will find a way out, a way back to the light...
Together, they must find a way to escape a vast castle which holds many secrets. Every twisting staircase, every creaking door and towering pillar is part of a larger puzzle. Each torch and shaft of light only serves to illuminate another mystery. The path ahead is dark and treacherous. But somehow, they know they will find a way out, a way back to the light...
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Remembering: The anticipation of a Shadow
Before Shadow of the Colossus was officially announced at the Tokyo Game Show 2004, SCEJ launched a teaser page containing a countdown ending on the 10th of September 2004.
When the wait was over, another page about two games was revealed. One of them was about a wanderer and a giant...
For all those with fond memories and all others who would like to learn a bit more about the history of Shadow of the Colossus, here are links to both pages:
Countdown to the announcement: Link
Announcement Page: Link
When the wait was over, another page about two games was revealed. One of them was about a wanderer and a giant...
For all those with fond memories and all others who would like to learn a bit more about the history of Shadow of the Colossus, here are links to both pages:
Countdown to the announcement: Link
Announcement Page: Link
Uploaded: NICO Concept Video
The NICO Concept video is now available for download.
What is this video, you ask? I'll leave that to Fumito Ueda himself to explain:
"When we decide on a project, what we do is create a pilot movie, sort of like an inspirational video, where we say, well this is the type of game we would like to create, and if the game can be developed the way we want it to, then this is what the end result will be like. And that's what we use to sell this concept internally." (Gamasutra Feature - Climbing the Colossus)
I'd appreciate that if you'll want to share this video you'd link to this post instead of the direct link.
Download Link: Here
Decompressing Password: projectnico
What is this video, you ask? I'll leave that to Fumito Ueda himself to explain:
"When we decide on a project, what we do is create a pilot movie, sort of like an inspirational video, where we say, well this is the type of game we would like to create, and if the game can be developed the way we want it to, then this is what the end result will be like. And that's what we use to sell this concept internally." (Gamasutra Feature - Climbing the Colossus)
I'd appreciate that if you'll want to share this video you'd link to this post instead of the direct link.
Download Link: Here
Decompressing Password: projectnico
Uploaded: Save Point Names & Locations
I decided to compile a quick list of Save Point names and co-ordinates for Shadow of the Colossus.
The PDF file is available for download here.
The PDF file is available for download here.
Katamari and the Colossus *Madness*
Uploaded: Colossi Names
I have uploaded a list of all Colossi names and Latin translations. Note that since the translations are mine they might differ from some other variations floating around the internet.
Download: http://www.projectnico.net/lat_1.0PDF.pdf
Download: http://www.projectnico.net/lat_1.0PDF.pdf
News: DICE Summit 2007 draws near
DICE Summit 2007, which will take place at the Green Valley Ranch Resort, in Henderson, Nevada will hopefully see a speech from Fumito Ueda and Kenji Kaido.
Taking place between the 7th and the 9th of February, the summit will be once again a gathering point for developers worldwide.
At DICE, it's almost a habit for Ueda-san and his team to share what they're up to (read: a great way to show off some development innovation). Back in 2003, one year after the PAL release of ICO, they showed a short video of five horned horsemen chasing and bringing down a huge bull-like monster.
Since the PAL version of Shadow of the Colossus was released in February 2006 we'll hopefully have some news about what to expect from the next game.
Link to the official DICE Summit website: www.dicesummit.org
Taking place between the 7th and the 9th of February, the summit will be once again a gathering point for developers worldwide.
At DICE, it's almost a habit for Ueda-san and his team to share what they're up to (read: a great way to show off some development innovation). Back in 2003, one year after the PAL release of ICO, they showed a short video of five horned horsemen chasing and bringing down a huge bull-like monster.
Since the PAL version of Shadow of the Colossus was released in February 2006 we'll hopefully have some news about what to expect from the next game.
Link to the official DICE Summit website: www.dicesummit.org
Monday, December 25, 2006
Uploaded: Fumito Ueda Interview (OPS2-UK, April 2002)
Back in April 2002, to celebrate the PAL release of ICO, Official PlayStation2 Magazine (UK) had an interview with Ueda-san. Talking about the Grand Canyon and Yorda having a haircut just before release, it is one of the most interesting interviews floating around.
Download PDF version: http://www.projectnico.net/ico_interview_ops2_042002.pdf
Download PDF version: http://www.projectnico.net/ico_interview_ops2_042002.pdf
Uploaded: The Chanting of Guardians
The Shadow of the Colossus Soundtrack Guide is now also available in PDF format.
Download: http://www.projectnico.net/cog_1.0PDF.pdf
Download: http://www.projectnico.net/cog_1.0PDF.pdf
Waiting For: Kotobukiya's One Coin Grande Figure Collection
This February, which will see the one year anniversary since the PAL release of the game, Kotobukiya will release a new set of figures. The seven figures have an amazing level of detail (click) and the special packaged box, which will include ten assorted figures, is pretty much worthy of pre-order.
Official Kotobukiya page: http://www.kotobukiya.co.jp/item/page/1cg_wanda/index.shtml
Collection image (minus the seventh yet-to-be-unveiled *hint: Mono* figure): http://www.projectnico.net/kotobukiya/00.jpg
Official Kotobukiya page: http://www.kotobukiya.co.jp/item/page/1cg_wanda/index.shtml
Collection image (minus the seventh yet-to-be-unveiled *hint: Mono* figure): http://www.projectnico.net/kotobukiya/00.jpg
Uploaded: NICO Famitsu Advert (Tokyopia.com)
Ways back in September 2002, SCEJ placed an advert on Weekly Famitsu with job openings for an untitled PlayStation2 project. This was the first *official* hint that rumours about a potential successor to ICO were indeed true.
Advert Scan: (LINK)
The hi-res scan is brought to you courtesy of Tokyopia.com
Advert Scan: (LINK)
The hi-res scan is brought to you courtesy of Tokyopia.com
Merry Christmas! *Shadow of the Colossus Style*
Merry Christmas, everyone!
Since I decided to build a place where I could upload everything related to ICO and Shadow of the Colossus, I told myself that it would have been better to organize everything through a journal of some sorts. Hence this little blog, which will help me sort everything neatly, and without all the hassle of building a website from scratch.
Anyways, I'll soon start placing links to various articles, both in English and Japanese (I'll provide translations to these) and upload lots of images, videos etc. I have over 100GB hosting space so that shouldn't be a problem.
If you wish you can always reach me via email at alexrowe@projectnico.net.
In the meantime I'd like to wish everyone a merry Christmas and a (soon to come) wonderful new year (which hopefully will bring us some news about the next game from Ueda-san).
Since I decided to build a place where I could upload everything related to ICO and Shadow of the Colossus, I told myself that it would have been better to organize everything through a journal of some sorts. Hence this little blog, which will help me sort everything neatly, and without all the hassle of building a website from scratch.
Anyways, I'll soon start placing links to various articles, both in English and Japanese (I'll provide translations to these) and upload lots of images, videos etc. I have over 100GB hosting space so that shouldn't be a problem.
If you wish you can always reach me via email at alexrowe@projectnico.net.
In the meantime I'd like to wish everyone a merry Christmas and a (soon to come) wonderful new year (which hopefully will bring us some news about the next game from Ueda-san).
Prologue to Shadow of the Colossus
Shadow of the Colossus is the tale of a man set to do what no other man ever did before. Journeying far to the world's edge he reaches a land; desolate and forbidden. For it is said that in this land, if one should wish, it may be possible to break the law of mortals - to bring back the souls of the dead.
Roaming this land, sixteen guardians hold the key to unmeasurable power. If the man's wish is to become true he must find them and slay them, before those set up to stop him trespass the forbidden gate as well.
This is the tale of a lone wanderer. One which will never go forgotten.
Roaming this land, sixteen guardians hold the key to unmeasurable power. If the man's wish is to become true he must find them and slay them, before those set up to stop him trespass the forbidden gate as well.
This is the tale of a lone wanderer. One which will never go forgotten.
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