Jump to content

Oni: Difference between revisions

195 bytes added ,  6 October 2008
FWIW, practically no one at all in the USA has ever seen the GitS manga, so it's unlikely he knew the manga at all unless he was a hardcore otaku
m (→‎Development: tired... *very* tired, obviously)
(FWIW, practically no one at all in the USA has ever seen the GitS manga, so it's unlikely he knew the manga at all unless he was a hardcore otaku)
Line 6: Line 6:


=Development=
=Development=
The concept for Oni was devised by Brent Pease, whose primary influence was [[wikipedia:Mamoru Oshii|Mamoru Oshii]]'s animé film [[wikipedia:Ghost in the Shell (film)|Ghost in the Shell]] (adapted from [[wikipedia:Masamune Shirow|Masamune Shirow]]'s [[wikipedia:Ghost_in_the_Shell_(manga)|manga series]]). Designs for [[Konoko]] and Commander [[Griffin]] can be seen to resemble the characters of [[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. At some point, Hardy LeBel was brought in to revamp the story<sup>1</sup>. The final version of Oni abandons the cyborg heroine and instead introduces original concepts such as [[Daodan]] and [[SLD]]s.
The concept for Oni was devised by Brent Pease, whose primary influence was [[wikipedia:Mamoru Oshii|Mamoru Oshii]]'s animé film [[wikipedia:Ghost in the Shell (film)|Ghost in the Shell]]<sup>1</sup> (adapted from [[wikipedia:Masamune Shirow|Masamune Shirow]]'s [[wikipedia:Ghost_in_the_Shell_(manga)|manga series]]). Designs for [[Konoko]] and Commander [[Griffin]] can be seen to resemble the characters of [[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. At some point, Hardy LeBel was brought in to revamp the story<sup>2</sup>. The final version of Oni abandons the cyborg heroine and instead introduces original concepts such as [[Daodan]] and [[SLD]]s.


For a complete list of credits, see the [[Credits]] page.
For a complete list of credits as well as links to interviews with key members of the Oni team, see the [[Credits]] page.


=Gameplay=
=Gameplay=
Line 16: Line 16:


=Hype=
=Hype=
The online hype was deeply rooted in the existing Bungie community, notably Marathon fans<sup>2</sup>. As the Oni project gained popularity, a dedicated online community emerged in the form of {{Oni Central}} and its forum.
The online hype was deeply rooted in the existing Bungie community, notably Marathon fans<sup>3</sup>. As the Oni project gained popularity, a dedicated online community emerged in the form of {{Oni Central}} and its forum.


Despite or maybe because of the game's late release and a number of canceled features, there were a number of promotional actions around and after the release: artwork by [[Lorraine Reyes McLees]], 4-volume [[Dark_Horse_comics|comic]] published by Dark Horse.
Despite or maybe because of the game's late release and a number of canceled features, there were a number of promotional actions around and after the release: artwork by [[Lorraine Reyes McLees]], 4-volume [[Dark_Horse_comics|comic]] published by Dark Horse.
Line 53: Line 53:
::(laughs) Oni isn't currently one of those projects we're looking at, but one should never say never.<br> We'd be happy to work with the individuals who made Oni.
::(laughs) Oni isn't currently one of those projects we're looking at, but one should never say never.<br> We'd be happy to work with the individuals who made Oni.


One thing is certain: the current Bungie staff has little in common with the Bungie West that produced Oni (there are eight members<sup>3</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>4</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.
However, there are [[Oni2|fan projects]] which may or may not become unofficial "Oni 2"s.
Line 74: Line 74:
<br><br><br>
<br><br><br>
----
----
<sup>1</sup>Hardy mentions his role as [[wikipedia:script doctor|script doctor]] [http://carnage.bungie.org/oniforum/oni.forum.pl?read=19851 here] and [http://carnage.bungie.org/oniforum/oni.forum.pl?read=19853 here].
<sup>1</sup>Pease discusses his role as Oni's creator and GitS' influence on the game [http://oni.bungie.org/special/part1/brent.html here].


<sup>2</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>Hardy mentions his role as [[wikipedia:script doctor|script doctor]] [http://carnage.bungie.org/oniforum/oni.forum.pl?read=19851 here] and [http://carnage.bungie.org/oniforum/oni.forum.pl?read=19853 here].


<sup>3</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>3</sup>[http://marathon.bungie.org/story/newmay-june98.html Oni discussion] on the Marathon Story Page. Bungie fans first started talking about the newly-announced Oni (and the E3 1998 trailer) back in May-June 1998, unaware that it would not release for another two and a half years.
 
<sup>4</sup>The eight employees from Bungie West are Butcher, Dunn, Wu, the McLees, O'Donnell, Sinclair, and Staten.