Fumito Ueda: 3 Masterpieces of Japanese Game Design

Contents:

• The Long-Term Construction Story: The Last Guardian
• Results: The Creative Path of Fumito Ueda

The History of Long-Term Construction: The Last Guardian

Development of The Last Guardian, created by the famous Japanese game designer Fumito Ueda, began in 2007 under the working title Project Trico. The project was originally conceived for the PlayStation 3 console, which was released in 2006. Over the years, development encountered various difficulties, leading to numerous delays. However, the game was ultimately released on PlayStation 4, allowing the developers' vision to be realized using modern technology. The Last Guardian combines platformer and adventure game elements, and continues the tradition of Ueda's previous projects, such as ICO and Shadow of the Colossus.

From the very beginning of development, the game's concept remained unchanged: it centers on the interaction between a boy, controlled by the player, and a mysterious creature named Trico. Hideo Ueda placed special emphasis on the relationship between the characters, which became a key element of the gameplay. This unique dynamic of interaction creates an emotional connection, immersing the player in a world of adventure and mystery.

Trico is a unique creature that combines the features of a dog, a cat, and a bird. The creators aimed to make it so realistic that players could feel the desire to touch it. This creates a special emotional connection between the player and the character, which makes the gameplay more exciting and memorable.

Ueda's team set a goal of developing advanced artificial intelligence so that Trico could respond appropriately to the player's actions. The main challenge was finding a balance between the creature's independence and its attachment to the protagonist, which proved to be a difficult task. The experience gained from creating the AI ​​for Agro in Shadow of the Colossus significantly helped the team in achieving this goal. Developing Trico's AI allowed for more realistic interactions, which increases player immersion.

The game's Japanese title, Hito Kui no Oowashi Toriko, translates as "Giant Ogre Toriko," emphasizing its mystical nature. This game immerses players in a unique world rich with mythological elements and a gripping story.

Following the successful release of Shadow of the Colossus, Hideo Ueda began thinking about how to deepen the interactions between the characters. "I read a lot of player feedback and noticed that they were touched by the connection between the Traveler and Agro. This is just the first step—there is significant potential for further development of this relationship," he shares.

Given the long development timelines of his previous projects, Ueda sought to avoid delays when creating The Last Guardian. However, the complex architecture of the PlayStation 3 created significant difficulties in realizing this vision. The developer's primary goal was to achieve maximum realism in the depiction of Trico and his interactions with the world around him. This commitment to high quality and detail made the game unique and memorable.

The console's architecture prevented the developers from achieving a stable frame rate in the games. The E3 2009 presentation trailer used an artificially inflated frame rate that didn't reflect the hardware's actual performance. This created a false impression of the console's capabilities and frustrated players expecting a high-quality gaming experience. As a result, many users were left disappointed when the actual performance didn't match expectations.

The Last Guardian holds an average Metacritic score of 82, confirming its high level of acclaim among both critics and players. This score highlights the high-quality development and unique gameplay that have made The Last Guardian a standout title on the market.

In 2011, the project's producer and Fumito Ueda himself left Sony, causing significant concern among fans. Ueda found himself in a creative crisis, but Sony assured fans that he would continue working on the game in his free time. This statement supported viewers' hopes for a successful completion of the project, despite the difficulties that had arisen.

In 2012, as the PlayStation 3 was nearing the end of its life cycle, Sony announced that The Last Guardian would be released on PlayStation 4. This news disappointed Ueda, as he was eager to release the game on PS3 as soon as possible. However, the port to the new console allowed the development team to improve the graphics and gameplay, which ultimately increased the quality of the final product. The Last Guardian became a landmark project for Sony, showcasing the capabilities of the PlayStation 4 and leaving a mark on video game history.

Team Ico worked on bringing The Last Guardian to the PS4 console for two years. This process proved challenging due to the significant differences in the architecture of the PS3 and PS4. Mark Cerny, an engineer and designer for the PlayStation 4 console, was brought in to solve technical problems and optimize development.

In 2014, another key employee, Jinji Horagi, the lead programmer of such iconic games as Ico and Shadow of the Colossus, left Sony. He suggested that Ued create an independent studio, genDESIGN, which completed the development of The Last Guardian, focusing on art design and narrative. genDESIGN continues to develop a unique style and approach to video game creation, making it a significant player in the industry.

Development of the project accelerated, and at E3 2015, Ueda unveiled a new trailer and announced a planned 2016 release. The release date was later pushed back to December 6, 2016. This announcement generated great interest among fans and became an important event for the gaming industry, as the project was highly anticipated.

Despite the perception of the game as technically outdated and problems with a stable frame rate on PS4, The Last Guardian, like Hideo Ueda's previous works, has been celebrated as a significant phenomenon in contemporary art. In 2017, the project received a BAFTA Award for Outstanding Achievement, which underscores its importance and influence on the gaming industry.

Summary: The Career of Fumito Ueda

Fumito Ueda's games, such as Ico, Shadow of the Colossus, and The Last Guardian, are often perceived as arthouse projects, which does not quite reflect their essence. These creations are unique works of authorship that have had a significant impact on the development of the gaming industry. They not only changed the approach to storytelling and gameplay mechanics but also continue to inspire developers around the world. Ueda has created deep and emotionally rich worlds that leave a lasting impression on players, highlighting the importance of artistic expression in video games.

In early 2021, genDESIGN, the studio founded by Hideo Ueda, unveiled new artwork hinting at his next game. The project has reportedly successfully completed prototyping, and the team is actively expanding its roster by hiring new talent. The new game is being developed using the powerful Unreal Engine in close collaboration with Epic Games, giving fans hope. It's hoped that Ueda won't delay the release this time around and will once again delight us with his unique vision of game art. This new game promises to be a significant event in the industry and attract the attention of both fans and critics.