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Oni: Difference between revisions
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==Hype== | ==Hype== | ||
The earliest online hype was deeply rooted in the existing Bungie community, particularly Marathon fans<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 earliest online hype was deeply rooted in the existing Bungie community, particularly Marathon fans<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}}. | ||
Interviews conducted with the staff of Bungie West promised various ambitious features such as smart AI, sophisticated melee combat, realistic level architecture, complex particle dynamics, battles with a large mech (the "Iron Demon") and multiplayer abilities. | Interviews conducted with the staff of Bungie West promised various ambitious features such as smart AI, sophisticated melee combat, realistic level architecture, complex particle dynamics, battles with a large mech (the "Iron Demon") and multiplayer abilities. | ||
Trailers and screenshots were analyzed eagerly for evidence of Oni's ground-breaking features. Two trailers were made for Oni, one in 1998 and one in 1999, reflecting the visions for the game during its time in development | Trailers and screenshots were analyzed eagerly for evidence of Oni's ground-breaking features. Two trailers were made for Oni, one in 1998 and one in 1999, reflecting the visions for the game during its time in development. | ||
At E3 1999, Oni received the Game Critics Award for "Best Action/Adventure Game", even though the game was still in pre-beta stage at that point. | At E3 1999, Oni received the Game Critics Award for "Best Action/Adventure Game", even though the game was still in pre-beta stage at that point. | ||
Ultimately, the game would look somewhat different from what was seen in the trailers. Characters were altered in appearance, and levels were redesigned and re-textured. | Ultimately, the game would look somewhat different from what was seen in the trailers. Characters were altered in appearance, and levels were redesigned and re-textured. | ||
Due to the delays in Oni's development, Bungie [http://carnage.bungie.org/oniforum/oni.forum.pl?read=4570 suspended the advertising] of the game for a time, so as not to expend their budget before the game was even released. In the meantime, the game under development at Bungie's HQ in Chicago, which was previously known only by its code name "Blam", 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. | Due to the delays in Oni's development, Bungie [http://carnage.bungie.org/oniforum/oni.forum.pl?read=4570 suspended the advertising] of the game for a time, so as not to expend their budget before the game was even released. In the meantime, the game under development at Bungie's HQ in Chicago, which was previously known only by its code name "Blam", 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. | ||
As Oni finally neared completion, Bungie resumed their advertising, now partnered with Take Two, who were in the process of taking over the Oni [[wikipedia:Intellectual_property|IP]] as Bungie prepared to join Microsoft (see "Post-release" section below). Promotional artwork was produced by [[Lorraine|Lorraine Reyes McLees]] and a 4-volume [[Dark_Horse_comics|comic]] was produced under T2's supervision and published by Dark Horse. T2'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 [[wikipedia:Intellectual_property|IP]] as Bungie prepared to join Microsoft (see "Post-release" section below). Promotional artwork was produced by [[Lorraine|Lorraine Reyes McLees]] and a 4-volume [[Dark_Horse_comics|comic]] was produced under T2's supervision and published by Dark Horse. T2's PR efforts, however, seem to have been focused mainly on the PS2 version of the game. | ||
''Further reading:'' [[Trailers]], [[History of the Oni community]], [http://web.archive.org/web/200012061625/http://www.insidemacgames.com/features/00/dunn/ IMG interview with Dave Dunn], [http://web.archive.org/web/19990824063223/http://avault.com/previews/preview_temp.asp?game=oni&page=1 Adrenaline Vault interview with Doug Zartman]. | |||
==Release== | ==Release== | ||