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Oni: Difference between revisions
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fixed a mistake I made 3 years ago – the sell sheet image I wanted is this one listing all the features that never happened; also added a link to the concept art and removed a later interview that wasn't relevant to the hype section
m (→Buyout: this link to a page of Takahashi's book was killed at some point, but thankfully *someone* archived it ;-)) |
m (fixed a mistake I made 3 years ago – the sell sheet image I wanted is this one listing all the features that never happened; also added a link to the concept art and removed a later interview that wasn't relevant to the hype section) |
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An additional influence came through Oni's concept artist Alex Okita, who was a big fan of ''[[Bubblegum Crisis]]'', calling it and ''Ghost in the Shell'' "the two main influences at the time."<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20170705124855/http://www.glixel.com/interviews/oni-bungies-classic-inspired-by-ghost-in-the-shell-w474297 Glixel, "Flashback: 'Oni', Bungie's Cult Classic Inspired by 'Ghost in the Shell'", Mar. 30, 2017].</ref> He particularly cited Kenichi Sonoda, character designer of ''Bubblegum Crisis'', as an influence on [[:Category:Art by Alex Okita|his work]].<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20010118230100/http://www.onicore.com/interviews/alexokita.html OniCore, Interview with Alex Okita].</ref> Later, Lorraine Reyes also showed her familiarity with Sonoda's work with [[:Image:Konoko_Variants.jpg|a sketch]] that resembles her [[:Image:Konoko Kneeling Pre-Beta.png|finalized design]] for Konoko. In August of 1999, Hardy LeBel was brought in as Design Lead, and revamped the story.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20010727151534/www.insidemacgames.com/features/00/lebel/ Inside Mac Games, "Interview: Oni's Hardy LeBel"].</ref> He cited ''[[Neon Genesis Evangelion]]'' as a personal influence when doing so.<ref name=conquer>[https://web.archive.org/web/20041209033107/http://www.apple.com/games/articles/2001/02/oni/ Apple.com, "Conquering Demons: Bungie on Oni", Feb. 2001].</ref><ref>[http://carnage.bungie.org/oniforum/oni.forum.pl?read=4618 OCF post by Hardy LeBel, "Re: The Analytical reasons behind Oni's influences", Sep. 2, 2000].</ref> The final version of Oni abandons the cyborg nature of the heroine and instead introduces original concepts such as the [[Daodan Chrysalis]] and [[SLD]]s. | An additional influence came through Oni's concept artist Alex Okita, who was a big fan of ''[[Bubblegum Crisis]]'', calling it and ''Ghost in the Shell'' "the two main influences at the time."<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20170705124855/http://www.glixel.com/interviews/oni-bungies-classic-inspired-by-ghost-in-the-shell-w474297 Glixel, "Flashback: 'Oni', Bungie's Cult Classic Inspired by 'Ghost in the Shell'", Mar. 30, 2017].</ref> He particularly cited Kenichi Sonoda, character designer of ''Bubblegum Crisis'', as an influence on [[:Category:Art by Alex Okita|his work]].<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20010118230100/http://www.onicore.com/interviews/alexokita.html OniCore, Interview with Alex Okita].</ref> Later, Lorraine Reyes also showed her familiarity with Sonoda's work with [[:Image:Konoko_Variants.jpg|a sketch]] that resembles her [[:Image:Konoko Kneeling Pre-Beta.png|finalized design]] for Konoko. In August of 1999, Hardy LeBel was brought in as Design Lead, and revamped the story.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20010727151534/www.insidemacgames.com/features/00/lebel/ Inside Mac Games, "Interview: Oni's Hardy LeBel"].</ref> He cited ''[[Neon Genesis Evangelion]]'' as a personal influence when doing so.<ref name=conquer>[https://web.archive.org/web/20041209033107/http://www.apple.com/games/articles/2001/02/oni/ Apple.com, "Conquering Demons: Bungie on Oni", Feb. 2001].</ref><ref>[http://carnage.bungie.org/oniforum/oni.forum.pl?read=4618 OCF post by Hardy LeBel, "Re: The Analytical reasons behind Oni's influences", Sep. 2, 2000].</ref> The final version of Oni abandons the cyborg nature of the heroine and instead introduces original concepts such as the [[Daodan Chrysalis]] and [[SLD]]s. | ||
''Further reading:'' [[Oni/Early Story|Early | ''Further reading:'' [[Oni/Early Story|Early story]], [[Oni/Positioning|Positioning statement]], [[:Category:Oni concept art|Concept art]]. | ||
==Hype== | ==Hype== | ||
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The earliest online hype came from the existing Bungie community.<ref>[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.</ref> As the Oni project gained popularity, a dedicated online community emerged in the form of Oni Central and the {{OCF}}. | The earliest online hype came from the existing Bungie community.<ref>[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.</ref> As the Oni project gained popularity, a dedicated online community emerged in the form of Oni Central and the {{OCF}}. | ||
Bungie West [[:Image:Sell sheet | Bungie West [[:Image:Sell sheet - features.jpg|initially promised]] various ambitious features such as human-like AI, sophisticated melee combat, realistic level architecture, complex particle dynamics, battles with a large mech (the "Iron Demon") and multiplayer abilities. Two trailers were made for Oni, one in 1998 and one in 1999, reflecting the visions for the game during its time in development. These trailers and various screenshots were analyzed eagerly for evidence of Oni's ground-breaking features. | ||
After E3 1999, Oni received the Game Critics Award for "Best Action/Adventure Game".<ref>[[wp:Game_Critics_Awards#Best_Action/Adventure_Game|Wikipedia, "Game Critics Awards"]].</ref> This award is based on the games exhibited at the year's E3, which are usually still in development and expected to release soon. | After E3 1999, Oni received the Game Critics Award for "Best Action/Adventure Game".<ref>[[wp:Game_Critics_Awards#Best_Action/Adventure_Game|Wikipedia, "Game Critics Awards"]].</ref> This award is based on the games exhibited at the year's E3, which are usually still in development and expected to release soon. | ||
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After an initial onslaught of advertising which saw Konoko appear on many gaming magazine covers, Oni's development stalled (as discussed below), and Bungie suspended the advertising of the game so as not to expend their budget before Oni was even released.<ref name=advert>[http://carnage.bungie.org/oniforum/oni.forum.pl?read=4570 OCF post by Matt Soell, "Re: Matt- could you address this?", Aug. 29, 2000].</ref> At the same time, Bungie's HQ in Chicago had their own game under development; previously known only by its code name "Blam!", in 1999 it came to be known as "Halo" and slowly drew attention away from the oft-delayed Oni as images and trailers for it began to appear. | After an initial onslaught of advertising which saw Konoko appear on many gaming magazine covers, Oni's development stalled (as discussed below), and Bungie suspended the advertising of the game so as not to expend their budget before Oni was even released.<ref name=advert>[http://carnage.bungie.org/oniforum/oni.forum.pl?read=4570 OCF post by Matt Soell, "Re: Matt- could you address this?", Aug. 29, 2000].</ref> At the same time, Bungie's HQ in Chicago had their own game under development; previously known only by its code name "Blam!", in 1999 it came to be known as "Halo" and slowly drew attention away from the oft-delayed Oni as images and trailers for it began to appear. | ||
''Further reading:'' [[Trailers]], [[History of the Oni community]], [http://oni.bungie.org/special/ Oni Central interview with Bungie West | ''Further reading:'' [[Trailers]], [[History of the Oni community]], [http://oni.bungie.org/special/ Oni Central interview with Bungie West], [http://web.archive.org/web/19990824063223/http://avault.com/previews/preview_temp.asp?game=oni&page=1 Adrenaline Vault interview with Doug Zartman]. | ||
==Troubles== | ==Troubles== | ||
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As Oni finally neared completion, Bungie resumed their advertising, now partnered with Take-Two, who were in the process of taking over the Oni [[wp:Intellectual_property|IP]] as Bungie prepared to join Microsoft (see "Buyout" section below). Promotional artwork was produced by Lorraine Reyes as well as artists commissioned by Take-Two, and a four-issue comic book was produced under Take-Two's supervision and published by Dark Horse. Take-Two's PR efforts, however, seem to have been focused mainly on the PS2 version of the game. | As Oni finally neared completion, Bungie resumed their advertising, now partnered with Take-Two, who were in the process of taking over the Oni [[wp:Intellectual_property|IP]] as Bungie prepared to join Microsoft (see "Buyout" section below). Promotional artwork was produced by Lorraine Reyes as well as artists commissioned by Take-Two, and a four-issue comic book was produced under Take-Two's supervision and published by Dark Horse. Take-Two's PR efforts, however, seem to have been focused mainly on the PS2 version of the game. | ||
''Further reading:'' [[Mac beta 4|Leaked beta]], [[Dark_Horse_comics|Dark Horse's ''Oni'' comic]], [[:Category:Promotional art|Promotional art]]. | ''Further reading:'' [[Mac beta 4|Leaked Mac beta]], [[Dark_Horse_comics|Dark Horse's ''Oni'' comic]], [[:Category:Promotional art|Promotional art]]. | ||
==Release== | ==Release== | ||