The legend of the Prince of Persia begins when he and his father plan to seize the castle of the Indian ruler. They are assisted by a renegade vizier who actually has his own goals — to take possession of the Dagger that can control the Sands of Time. It's trapped in a large hourglass, and the artifact eventually falls into the prince's hands. On the advice of the vizier, he inserts the Dagger into the hourglass, thereby freeing the Sands of Time and turning his father and warriors into sand monsters...
This is the story behind the famous Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time game, which we will discuss in this article.
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Who created the Prince of Persia
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time is an iconic video game that was a milestone in the development of the adventure genre. It was developed and released by Ubisoft in 2003. The game revived the Prince of Persia series, first created by Jordan Mechner in 1989.
Player mission
The goal of the game is to help Prince and Princess Farah, daughter of Maharaja, get to the Tower of Dawn, where the hourglass is hidden. The main characters need to use the Dagger one more time to rewind time and prevent a catastrophe.
The history of creation
At the end of the 1990s, Ubisoft decided to revive the Prince of Persia series, breathing new life into it with the help of modern technology. The creator of the original game, Jordan Mechner, was invited to participate in the development of the new game as a consultant. His participation helped preserve the original spirit and atmosphere, harmoniously complementing the game with new ideas.
Unusual opportunities for players
The creators wanted to focus on using the latest technologies of that time. The team focused on developing an innovative time management system that would allow players to rewind, slow down, or speed up time. This mechanic has become one of the game's key features.
Graphics
Critics have repeatedly noted the high quality of the graphics in The Sands of Time for its time, calling it “unprecedented and beautiful”. Yes, the detail of the world is relatively low, but the image is enriched with many filters that create a smoothing and blurring effect, adding realism and brightness to the picture.
Gameplay features
The game was developed using the new Jade Engine, which made it possible to create impressive visual effects and smooth character animations. The game takes place in 3D space. The development team paid special attention to acrobatic gameplay elements, such as wall running and jumping, which became the hallmark of the series. The game also has puzzles that you have to solve from time to time in order to be able to move on.
The prince can also fight with a Dagger and a sword, just like in the original game.
Game soundtrack
The Sands of Time was composed by Stuart Chatwood from the Canadian rock band The Tea Party. He has been working on musical material for the project for about a year. Singers Mariem Tollar and Cindy Gomez performed vocals.
The success of the game
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time has been praised by critics for its innovative gameplay, modern graphics and an interesting storyline. The game's success has led to several sequels and adaptations in other media formats. Thus, in 2010, a full-length feature film about the Prince of Persia was released.
Tips for young developers: what the Prince of Persia can teach
#1 Innovation
Don't be afraid to introduce unique game mechanics that will help your game stand out from the rest. The time management system in Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time added depth to the gameplay and was enjoyed not only by players but also by critics.
#2 Easy control
Smooth animations and responsive character control are some of the key points to consider when creating a game.
#3 Story and atmosphere
Take the time to come up with a captivating story for your game. Use different sources. For example, The Sands of Time uses elements of Persian mythology. This has helped developers create a memorable and authentic world.
#4 Balance
Keep the balance between complexity and accessibility for players with different backgrounds. This will help keep the interest of both beginners and “experienced” gamers.
#5 Polishing
Pay attention to testing the game at all stages of development. Bug fixes will help you create a quality product.
#6 Feedback
Listen to the community and take into account feedback from gamers when developing your first game, as well as when deciding to make a sequel.
#7 Decoration
Create a visually appealing design that will aesthetically complement the gameplay and story.
#8 Soundtrack
Use music and effects to increase the emotional impact of the game. The Sands of Time soundtrack has become an important part of its atmosphere.
#9 Cross-platform
Consider releasing the game on multiple platforms to reach a wider audience.
#10 Post-release support
Don't forget about the game when it's released: release updates, fix bugs, and add new content to keep players engaged.
Good luck to you!
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