18,700
edits
Oni: Difference between revisions
some rearranging, and addition of the "related companies" stuff; note that the "eight members" are not necessarily = the number of Oni guys that went to Bungie East
(still not happy with this page at all, and it took way too long to edit, but at least I fixed some inaccuracies) |
(some rearranging, and addition of the "related companies" stuff; note that the "eight members" are not necessarily = the number of Oni guys that went to Bungie East) |
||
| Line 2: | Line 2: | ||
::''Even though the final logo is a stylized "O<small>N</small>i", the name of the game is generally spelled "Oni". | ::''Even though the final logo is a stylized "O<small>N</small>i", the name of the game is generally spelled "Oni". | ||
The game "Oni" was developed by [[Bungie West]], a division of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bungie_Studios Bungie Studios], and released in January 2001. It was Bungie West's first and only game, as it was disbanded after Oni's release | The game "Oni" was developed by [[Bungie West]], a division of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bungie_Studios Bungie Studios], and released in January 2001. It was Bungie West's first and only game, as it was disbanded after Oni's release. | ||
[[Image:Oni_logo.png|right|180px]] | [[Image:Oni_logo.png|right|180px]] | ||
=Influences= | =Influences= | ||
A major influence of Oni's universe [[wikipedia:Masamune Shirow|Masamune Shirow]]'s manga series [[wikipedia:Ghost in the Shell|Ghost in the Shell]] ([[Konoko]] and Commander [[Griffin]] resemble [[wikipedia:Motoko Kusanagi|Motoko Kusanagi]] and [[wikipedia:Daisuke Aramaki|Daisuke Aramaki]]). Early development even presented Konoko as a [[cyborg]] (see: [[1998#Trailer]]), which together with the tech-crime-fighting context amounted to near-plagiarism of GITS. The final version of Oni abandons the cyborg heroine and instead develops the original [[Daodan]] and [[SLD]] concepts. | A major influence of Oni's universe [[wikipedia:Masamune Shirow|Masamune Shirow]]'s manga series [[wikipedia:Ghost in the Shell|Ghost in the Shell]] ([[Konoko]] and Commander [[Griffin]] resemble [[wikipedia:Motoko Kusanagi|Motoko Kusanagi]] and [[wikipedia:Daisuke Aramaki|Daisuke Aramaki]]). Early development even presented Konoko as a [[cyborg]] (see: [[1998#Trailer]]), which together with the tech-crime-fighting context amounted to near-plagiarism of GITS. The final version of Oni abandons the cyborg heroine and instead develops the original [[Daodan]] and [[SLD]] concepts. | ||
=Gameplay= | =Gameplay= | ||
:''Main article: [[Gameplay]] | :''Main article: [[Gameplay]] | ||
The developers achieved a unique blend of third-person shooting and hand-to-hand combat, with full freedom of movement and a context-independent camera control. The complex melee component has flaws, but even so it makes for one of the most varied and rewarding gameplay experiences in the beat-them-up genre (see also: [[Lugaru]], [[State of Emergency]], ...). As for the gunplay, AI dodging skills were implemented, but not (yet?) set up in the final release, leaving it to the modders to reveal that part of Oni's potential (see: [[Anniversary Edition]]). | The developers achieved a unique blend of third-person shooting and hand-to-hand combat, with full freedom of movement and a context-independent camera control. The complex melee component has flaws, but even so it makes for one of the most varied and rewarding gameplay experiences in the beat-them-up genre (see also: [[Lugaru]], [[State of Emergency]], ...). As for the gunplay, AI dodging skills were implemented, but not (yet?) set up in the final release, leaving it to the modders to reveal that part of Oni's potential (see: [[Anniversary Edition]]). | ||
=Hype= | =Hype= | ||
| Line 21: | Line 24: | ||
Trailers and screenshots were analyzed eagerly for evidence of Oni's ground-breaking features. Ultimately, the game would look quite different in some parts from what was seen in the trailers. Characters were altered in appearance (not always for the better), and levels were redesigned and re-textured. The [[pre-beta content]] overview provides many before-after comparisons. | Trailers and screenshots were analyzed eagerly for evidence of Oni's ground-breaking features. Ultimately, the game would look quite different in some parts from what was seen in the trailers. Characters were altered in appearance (not always for the better), and levels were redesigned and re-textured. The [[pre-beta content]] overview provides many before-after comparisons. | ||
=Reception= | =Reception= | ||
The general reaction to the game was inconsistent; Oni did receive some high praise, most notably the E3 1999 Game Critics Award for "Best Action/Adventure Game" (even though the game was still only entering beta stage at that point). | The general reaction to the game was inconsistent; Oni did receive some high praise, most notably the E3 1999 Game Critics Award for "Best Action/Adventure Game" (even though the game was still only entering beta stage at that point). | ||
Upon Oni's release, many felt cheated because the game did not deliver on all of its promises (a [http://games.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=04/10/01/1651219&tid=211 | Upon Oni's release, many felt cheated because the game did not deliver on all of its promises (a [http://games.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=04/10/01/1651219&tid=211 not uncommon issue] in game development. The most notable shortcoming was the absence of LAN [[multiplayer]], revealed at the E3, then removed at beta stage on account of latency issues. | ||
Some of the previously announced features were missing, such as smart gunfire dodging and alarm behaviour on the part of the AI. On {{OCF}}, [[Credits|Hardy LeBel]] blamed this on [http://www.quinndunki.com/ Quinn Sandra Dunki], saying "She made a lot of boastful claims about what the AI would end up being able to do that she couldn't deliver on". (Actually, these features mostly ''are'' in Oni's engine, either implemented by Dunki or by her followers; however, the game content and level mission scripts don't take advantage of those features. So it would look like LeBel&Co underdelivered at least as much as Dunki in the end ^_^.) | Some of the previously announced features were missing, such as smart gunfire dodging and alarm behaviour on the part of the AI. On {{OCF}}, [[Credits|Hardy LeBel]] blamed this on [http://www.quinndunki.com/ Quinn Sandra Dunki], saying "She made a lot of boastful claims about what the AI would end up being able to do that she couldn't deliver on". (Actually, these features mostly ''are'' in Oni's engine, either implemented by Dunki or by her followers; however, the game content and level mission scripts don't take advantage of those features. So it would look like LeBel&Co underdelivered at least as much as Dunki in the end ^_^.) | ||
| Line 32: | Line 36: | ||
[[Reviews]] diverge over Oni's gameplay and storyline. Fans may object to Oni's dystopian architecture, or to the vastly understated plot punctuated by more or less digest/relevant [[console|data terminals]], but they are essentially conquered by the hand-to-hand combat. Professional critics, however, tend to dislike the ambitious melee element, easily blaming the counter-intuitive or unresponsive controls (if they found the game too hard), or the redundantly rich array of combos (if they found the game too easy). Also, by lack of modding tools and multiplayer, Oni's replay value is not obvious. The overall consensus of the reviews was that the game was good, but not great: many 6s and 7s out of 10. | [[Reviews]] diverge over Oni's gameplay and storyline. Fans may object to Oni's dystopian architecture, or to the vastly understated plot punctuated by more or less digest/relevant [[console|data terminals]], but they are essentially conquered by the hand-to-hand combat. Professional critics, however, tend to dislike the ambitious melee element, easily blaming the counter-intuitive or unresponsive controls (if they found the game too hard), or the redundantly rich array of combos (if they found the game too easy). Also, by lack of modding tools and multiplayer, Oni's replay value is not obvious. The overall consensus of the reviews was that the game was good, but not great: many 6s and 7s out of 10. | ||
=Post-release= | |||
When Bungie was bought by Microsoft in 2000, they sold [[Myth]] and Oni to [http://www.take2games.com/ Take-Two Interactive] (that was before T2 got a reputation of sitting on franchises such as Max Payne). In the case of Myth, Take-Two had a sequel done by MumboJumbo, and granted NDAs after the source code for all Myths was leaked. As for Oni, Take-Two intended to make an Oni 2 (for PS2) in the wake of Bungie's Oni; the game was [http://sttnw.blogspot.com/2007/10/18-canceled-games-you-never-knew.html canceled] at an early stage of development, possibly because Oni itself sold poorly and didn't gather a sufficient fanbase. | |||
The acquisition of Bungie by Microsoft also coincided with the dissolution of Bungie West. Some Oni developers went on to work on the Halo series, while others ended up at independent game studios: [http://www.wideload.com/ Wideload] (Seropian), [http://www.giantbite.com/ Giant Bite] (Chu, Evans), [http://www.tyrantstudios.com/ Tyrant Studios] (LeBel), [http://www.certainaffinity.com/ Certain Affinity] (Hoberman). | |||
=The future of the property= | =The future of the property= | ||
Take-Two has been selling off some dead franchises to motivated developers, although there is no evidence that Oni is one of them. With the recent "separation" of Bungie and Microsoft (MS still having much leverage as a publisher), there has been fervent speculation about new games based on Bungie's old properties (since, after all, Bungie could buy back an IP from Take-Two if they desired). In an [http://nikon.bungie.org/misc/trans/4players_hr_sk_interview.html interview], Bungie's CEO, Harold Ryan, was asked specifically about Oni: | Take-Two has been selling off some dead franchises to motivated developers, although there is no evidence that Oni is one of them. With the recent "separation" of Bungie and Microsoft (MS still having much leverage as a publisher), there has been fervent speculation about new games based on Bungie's old properties (since, after all, Bungie could buy back an IP from Take-Two if they desired). In an [http://nikon.bungie.org/misc/trans/4players_hr_sk_interview.html interview], Bungie's CEO, Harold Ryan, was asked specifically about Oni: | ||
| Line 45: | Line 54: | ||
One thing is certain: the current Bungie staff has little in common with the Bungie West that produced Oni (there are eight members<sup>2</sup> still working at Bungie at the time of this writing). There is probably little sentimental or monetary incentive for Bungie to produce a sequel. | One thing is certain: the current Bungie staff has little in common with the Bungie West that produced Oni (there are eight members<sup>2</sup> still working at Bungie at the time of this writing). There is probably little sentimental or monetary incentive for Bungie to produce a sequel. | ||
However, there are [[Oni2|fan projects]] which may or may not become unofficial "Oni 2"s.<br><br><br> | However, there are [[Oni2|fan projects]] which may or may not become unofficial "Oni 2"s. | ||
=Companies involved with Oni= | |||
The following information is to the best of our knowledge. While some agreements for distribution may have lapsed since the time period of Oni's release, this was the arrangement at that time. | |||
<u>IP Rights</u><br> | |||
Take-Two - IP Rights, PS2 distribution | |||
<u>Publishing/Distribution Rights</u><br> | |||
Feral Interactive - Mac distribution in Europe<br> | |||
Gathering of Developers - PC distribution worldwide | |||
<u>Developers</u><br> | |||
Bungie West - PC/Mac versions<br> | |||
Rockstar (part of 2K Games (part of Take-Two)) - PS2 version<br> | |||
OmniGroup - Mac OS X port | |||
<br><br><br> | |||
---- | ---- | ||
<sup>1</sup>[http://marathon.bungie.org/story/newmay-june98.html MARATHON'S STORY : WHAT'S NEW]. Marathon fans talking about the newly announced Oni (and the E3 1998 trailer) back in May-June 1998. | <sup>1</sup>[http://marathon.bungie.org/story/newmay-june98.html MARATHON'S STORY : WHAT'S NEW]. Marathon fans talking about the newly announced Oni (and the E3 1998 trailer) back in May-June 1998. | ||
<sup>2</sup>The eight employees from Bungie West are Butcher, Dunn, Wu, the McLees, O'Donnell, Sinclair, and Staten. Oni's Story Lead, Hardy LeBel, is now president of his own company, [http://www.tyrantstudios.com Tyrant Studios]. | <sup>2</sup>The eight employees from Bungie West are Butcher, Dunn, Wu, the McLees, O'Donnell, Sinclair, and Staten. Oni's Story Lead, Hardy LeBel, is now president of his own company, [http://www.tyrantstudios.com Tyrant Studios]. | ||