Shadow of the Colossus
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Production exec talks Shadow of the Colossus film, future Team Ico projects
Though the game is back in the spotlight thanks to an upcoming HD re-release, things have been quiet on the Shadow of the Colossus film since we first heard about it in April of last year. Play Till Doomsday and GameNorth's interview with production executive Kevin Ping Chang is a bit light on details about the film, but it's nice to know things are still moving forward. In the interview, Chang talks about the narrative difficulties in bringing the episodic (think: one colossus per episode) structure of the game to a two-hour film, and hints that adaptations of other Fumito Ueda games like Ico and The Last Guardian could be in the cards if this one pans out. Listen, Kevin, we're happy to see you're passionate, but let's take this one movie at a time, okay? Don't want to put the cart before the gigantic, furry dragon horse.
ICO / Shadow of the Colossus collection revealed, not only HD but 3D
Team ICO director Fumito Ueda just took the stage during Sony's TGS presentation and confirmed the consistently leaked ICO / Shadow of the Colossus HD remakes coming to PS3. He didn't share many details – Are they sold separately in Japan? – but did reveal one new addition to the seminal PS2 titles that we didn't know about. In addition to HD graphics, both titles will support 3D on PlayStation 3. When can you gladly hand over your hard-earned money to Sony? Ueda would only say "coming soon" but didn't share a date. In our dictionary, "soon" is a lot earlier than the April 2011 date most retailers have agreed upon. Update: At a follow-up press conference, SCEA confirmed that the disc will be available in "Spring 2011." Update 2: We've added some screens, the boxart, and a trailer to the post. %Gallery-102414%
Ico and Shadow of the Colossus PS3 updates listed in Famitsu, sold separately in Japan
Famitsu has confirmed remastered PlayStation 3 versions of both Ico and Shadow of the Colossus. The PS2 classics will reportedly be released as two separate games in Japan. This differs from the leaked European retailer listing, which showed a single package featuring the two titles on one disc. Presumably, this will all be confirmed during tomorrow's Sony Japan press conference at the Tokyo Game Show. The magazine doesn't offer any additional details on the remakes, but the God of War Collection should give us a good idea of what to expect. The horrible American box art for Ico (seen above) should also give us an idea of what to expect from the packaging.
ICO / Shadow of the Colossus HD bundle pops up in another retail listing, with box art
Following a recent "ICO / Shadow of the Colossus HD bundle" listing on Walmart's site with an April 2011 release date, the unofficial remake package has popped up on Swedish retail website Webhallen. This new listing also cites an April release and even adds box art (larger version after the break), though it's not been verified as authentic. The listing was spotted by a Twitter account named "PlayStationTEAM," which we've verified is not an official Sony account. In response to the listings, Sony has told us it "doesn't comment on rumor or speculation," but with Tokyo Game Show about to pop off this week, we've got all our fingers and toes crossed for news about this HD remake bundle containing two games that are very near and dear to our hearts.
Walmart lists ICO and Shadow of the Colossus pack for PS3
Once again, Walmart has added a product listing for a heretofore unannounced (but heavily rumored) PS3 title: A bundle including (presumably visually updated versions of) ICO and Shadow of the Colossus. The mega-retailer included an April 1, 2011 release date for the game -- hopefully not an indication of an outrageously early April Fools' Day joke -- and a bargain-level price tag of $39.82. We've contacted representatives at Sony and Walmart (again) to try to get a comment on the listing, and will let you know when we hear more. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
A look at ICO and Shadow of the Colossus in HD
With rumors suggesting that Team Ico's art house games, ICO and Shadow of the Colossus, will receive the God of War Collection Blu-ray treatment, Digital Foundry decided to have a look at what the results might be. Using PC emulation -- which reportedly got "very, very close" to looking like the final product with God of War -- the group captured video of the SD version and what the games may look like in HD. God of War's PS3-fication allegedly didn't replace any in-game art "aside from the on-screen text and button graphics." If ICO and Colossus are indeed given the same Blu-ray treatment, the latter is sure to benefit from the PS3's hardware. Shadow of the Colossus pushed the PS2's tech to the breaking point, with a frame rate that could turn the Colossi into Harryhausen monsters.
Japanese retailers list PS2 reprint of Shadow of the Colossus
It seems Sony is attempting to drum up interest in Team Ico's upcoming, Griffin-infused adventure, The Last Guardian, by showcasing its earlier opus to poor, unenlightened folks who missed it the first time around. The opus in question is Shadow of the Colossus, which, according to a Team ICO fan site, has been listed by a number of Japanese retailers to be reprinted and sold on February 4. Sadly, it didn't get the God of War Collection treatment -- the game's still on its original platform, the PlayStation 2. If you were the speculatin' type, you might think that The Last Guardian would be released not too much later than this reprint, ensuring that the warm, Team ICO-esque feeling would still be fresh in everyone's minds. We're more the wait-and-see types, so we plan on waiting and, shortly after that, seeing. [Via CVG]
Ico developer digs Half-Life 2, interested in making 'first-person games'
Though the Japanese aren't exactly known for their love affair with first-person shooters, Team Ico director Fumito Ueda can name at least one that he digs: Half-Life 2. Speaking to G4TV (through a translator), Ueda named the Valve-developed sequel when asked which games he has had an emotional reaction to."There was variation in terms [of] locations and also [in] the way of storytelling in the game. Usually, you have to incorporate storytelling with constraints, but the way [Valve] implemented constraints was something different that I enjoyed, compared to other games," observed Ueda. He's even considered making his own first-person game at some point, stating, "I have an interest in making first-person games."If Ueda's previous development cycle lengths are any indication, we tentatively expect to see a Ueda-developed first-person game by 2025 or so ... at the earliest. [Image credit: jeriaska]
LittleBigPlanet Shadow of the Colossus DLC, in pictures
So you saw images from the upcoming Ico costume pack for LittleBigPlanet. But what about Shadow of the Colossus? Ueda's creations are being given the Sack treatment this week as premium DLC for Media Molecule's platformer. Yes, we all lament the lack of new levels inspired by the PS2 classics, but that probably won't stop many of you from rushing out to buy these new costumes.[Via Offworld]
Ico costumes for LittleBigPlanet revealed
This week's DLC pack for LittleBigPlanet is, as teased, related to Team Ico's first two games, Ico and Shadow of the Colossus. The pack will contain costumes, stickers and sound effects and the Ico costumes have already been revealed, with Shadow of the Colossus costumes being shown off tomorrow. You can see Ico himself in the image above and Yorda after the break. It's slightly disappointing that this pack doesn't include new levels a la the Metal Gear Solid 4 DLC, but we'll still take it. Who knows, maybe one of the stickers will show the Kitty Dragon from the Last Guardian trailer.
Team ICO LittleBigPlanet DLC coming next week
Shadow of the Colossus in LittleBigPlanet? It's been done, but not officially. A new trailer, viewable after the break, found on the Media Molecule website suggests that official Shadow of the Colossus DLC is coming to the game next week -- maybe alongside some Ico stuff, as seen in the recently leaked image. It's unclear whether it's just costumes and props, or whether it'll be an MGS4-style pack, with levels and maybe an extra gameplay addition. We know what we're hoping for.[Thanks, Letters2Kay]
Mega64 beats Hollywood to the Shadow of the Colossus movie
We were worried about what kind of horrors Shadow of the Colossus would be subjected to by the movie industry. Luckily, there's basically no need for such a film now (not that there really ever was), because Mega64 just did the live-action Colossus thing! Go home, Justin Marks! Or, if you work on your writing at home, stay home but just stop!The latest Mega64 video, available after the break, is shot in the group's signature style (out in public), but features unusually high production values. The costumes are perfect in every way but scale.[Thanks, Willzay!]
Screenwriter explains why Shadow of the Colossus would make a good film
The response to a potential Hollywood adaptation of Shadow of the Colossus has been rather polarizing. On one hand, fans of the game would love to see Fumito Ueda's vision come to life on the big screen. However, jaded movie watchers fear that a film simply wouldn't do the game justice -- especially in the unproven hands of screenwriter Justin Marks (Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li).Marks understands the pitfalls of adapting a game into a movie. He explained to The Hollywood Reporter that writers are "caught trying to please the fans and the mainstream audience." The balancing act of appeasing fans while holding onto mainstream sensibilities is a difficult one, but one can't help but wonder who Marks was trying to please with Street Fighter. Thankfully, Marks admits Shadow of the Colossus will be an easier film to adapt. "What's so nice about this game is that it's all seen through such an adult lens, so that what pleases the fans also pleases a wider audience."The simple nature of the game's tale should make Marks' job much easier. "What's nice about this game is that it's so sparse so you can start building right away." While he says he'll avoid Hollywood cliches, it'll take masterful writing to carefully construct an experience that resonates as strongly as the original game.
Rumor: Shadow of the Colossus is hitting the big screen
If the Hollywood Reporter's Risky Business Blog is to be believed, Sony's Shadow of the Colossus is coming to the silver screen. The 2005 critical and commercial hit title from developer Team Ico is reportedly slated for a feature film release from producer Kevin Misher and Sony Pictures.Don't get too excited. Justin Marks, the guy responsible for writing Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li, is slated to pen the Colossus script but not before finishing up work on the deliciously ironic film Hack/Slash. Its title is presumably based on one-part his writing skill and one-part what he does with licenses under his care, amirite?This isn't the first time Shadow of the Colossus will be seen on the big screen. In 2007, Adam Sandler starred in Reign Over Me, a film about a man who lost his family during the 9/11 terrorist attacks and played the game to ignore the outside world and escape his deep depression.
GDC09: Team ICO's new game is 'close to ICO' in essense
During this morning's GDC 2009 panel on Eastern vs. Western development philosophies, Team ICO head Fumito Ueda was asked -- by Grasshopper Manufacture boss, Goichi "Suda51" Suda -- what the deal is with his crew's next game. You know, the follow-up to Shadow of the Colossus that everyone (even other Japanese devs!) are eager to know anything new about. Ueda couldn't say much, but we found his comments interesting.After joking (or was he?) that his bosses were in the room listening, Ueda said that his next game -- widely referred to by the nickname "Trico" -- will be "something in-between" ICO and Shadow of the Colossus. "It will be similar to those past games, the essense is close to ICO," he added.Suda51 then excitedly asked if he'd brought screenshots -- anything -- of or about the game. Ueda laughed slightly and conveyed the non-verbal equivalent of "next!" with his face.
Parsons students create 'Shadow of the LittleBigColossus'
"We're not a bunch of gamers here," a faculty member of the Parsons New School told the audience. "A project like this means much more to us than working with a new game. What we're interested in is collaboration, learning in new tools, in testing possibilities with environments and products we haven't worked with before. The experience we had with LittleBigPlanet this weekend is more than that."Over the weekend, students from NYC's Parsons School worked for twenty four hours continuously with LittleBigPlanet. Their challenge? To create a level from scratch using early copies of the PS3-exclusive. With little or no background in the game, the students were able to create a wide assortment of hugely innovative and different levels.There were a number of winners, across multiple categories. In fact, additional prizes were handed out by Sony due to the overwhelming number of great submissions. However, one level stood out as the single best level -- one created by Team Sportsmanship. We've lovingly dubbed the level "Shadow of the LittleBigColossus." Watch the video (above) and see why. %Gallery-32483%
Rumor: Team ICO reveals The Queen, all bow down
The third project from the "Olympic Team" behind both Shadow of the Colossus and Ico looks like it might make its long anticipated reveal next month at the 2008 Tokyo Game Show. What appears to be a newly launched TGS teaser website calls the game ICO 3 The Queen, adding that Japanese PS3 owners will be able to yank the title off store shelves on October 9, 2009.Given the name, as well as the site's reuse of the original game's logo, it remains unclear if the title will be any sort of direct follow up to the original Ico or another stand alone project, but whatever the case we cannot wait to find out more once TGS gets underway.Note: As some have pointed out, the site's validity is suspect, meaning we now wait until next month's TGS to see if in fact the next game from Team ICO will make an appearance or simply break our hearts.[Thanks pico!]
Team ICO's next game may be shown soon
It's been a long time coming, but VG247 quotes Sony Worldwide Studio head Shuhei Yoshida as saying Team ICO's next project may be revealed "soon." The anticipated next project by the team behind Shadow of the Colossus and Ico has merely been teased with some nondescript screenshots.Yoshida tells the site that plans for the Tokyo Game Show have not been finalized -- presumably, the show would be the last major opportunity this year to reveal the project. It's about time this game made its public appearance, don't you think?
Fan's Labyrinth: del Toro approves of Team ICO
In an interview with Edge, Pan's Labyrinth and Hellboy director Guillermo del Toro establishes two very interesting facts: del Toro, who has been enamored with gaming's charming beeps and boops since the days of Pong, lavishes a considerable amount of praise on Sony's Team ICO. "There are only two games I consider masterpieces," he says. "Ico and Shadow of the Colossus." The popular filmmaker has excellent taste in games. Those are far from the only titles he appreciates, however, as he tells Edge that he "absolutely loved BioShock." In addition, he approves of Resident Evil, Devil May Cry and Silent Hill, which he likens in particular to a "Lynch, Polanski or Romero type of horror experience." It seems our only point of disagreement can be found in his "happy" working experience with Konami's Hellboy: The Science of Evil. Nobody's perfect, eh?[Via PS3 Fanboy]
Team ICO has a fan in Pan's Labyrinth director
You know you've got an iconic piece of artistry when an Academy Award winning filmmaker has nothing but praise, respect, and admiration to show. "There are only two games I consider masterpieces: Ico and Shadow of the Colossus," said Guillermo del Toro in an interview with Edge magazine. Both titles are creations of SCEJ's Team ICO, who are currently working on an unnamed title.Guillermo, director of the widely acclaimed Pan's Labyrinth and the Hellboy movies, is himself a gamer since the Pong era. He's even a video game director, having worked with Konami on adapting the Hellboy series ... which unfortunately didn't do too well. With such a prominent figure giving the thumbs up to Team ICO, we're sure they're happy to hear that their hard work is getting noticed outside the realm of gaming. We're also sure, whatever they have in store next would probably be pleasing del Toro -- and us for that matter.
