Why, exactly, do we play videogames?

It’s a difficult question, and one to which different gamers (and game developers) would provide different answers. Traditionally, though, most of these answers would be focused on the concept of accomplishment. In videogames we face some specific and usually significant challenge in order to accomplish some goal. And once we accomplish said goal, we gain one or more rewards for our efforts. The bigger the challenge faced, and the more impressive the accomplishment, the better the rewards that are gained.

Accomplishment versus Experience

The seemingly simple principle of rewarding accomplishment has formed the basis of game design, specifically in genres such as the Action-Adventure, for as long as we can remember. But as of late there have been developers who have questioned this approach. During the previous console generation, a game designer by the name of Fumito Ueda, working for Sony Japan Studios, released two games that went wholly against the grain. Instead of focusing on providing hefty challenges and rewarding accomplishment, ICO and Shadow of the Colossus were focused on the experience of playing the game. The Ueda approach is also quite simple: should the gaming experience be sufficiently rich and immersive and unique, then the player will already be richly rewarded, and it simply becomes no longer necessary to provide some hefty challenge. These two games demonstrated that a game does not always have to be an endurance contest, or a race, or a tournament. Sometimes, a game can be a poem, or a ballet, or an opera. In short, it demonstrated beyond any doubt that videogames can indeed be art, instead of merely entertainment.

Continue reading El33tonline’s review of Prince of Persia.

The latest word from Ubisoft is that Prince of Persia has gone gold for the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC. The game will be available on the 5th of December on consoles while PC gamers will have to wait until the 12th of December.

The latest chapter is set in ancient Persia and introduces a new art style, evolved combat system and open world structure to the series. Ubisoft has also promised to offer DLC post-launch.

To see what’s in store for you check out these screenshots from the game.

Ubisoft has confirmed plans to release downloadable content for the new Prince of Persia game post-launch. The publisher promised further details and release date for the DLC in the near future.

“Our intention is to do downloadable content that really offers a lot of value for the player - another experience,” said Ben Mattes, Producer.

Ubisoft also launched a new Prince of Persia website to kick off the countdown to the release of the game. Prince of Persia will be released for the Xbox 360 and PS3 on the 5th of December.

Post continues, click to read more…

The latest chapter in the Prince of Persia universe is scheduled to be released on the Xbox 360 and PS3 this December. The new Prince of Persia uses the engine that powered Assassin’s Creed and introduces a new art style, evolved combat system and open world structure to the series.

The game is set in ancient Persia and challenges players to master the acrobatics, strategy, fighting tactics and new combat system as the Prince. The open world structure is a first for the franchise and gives players the chance to decide how the storyline unfolds depending on the paths they choose.

Players can also look forward to dynamic AI, most notably the Prince’s new ally Elika, who joins the Prince and helps out with acrobatics, performing special duo acrobatic moves and fighting combo attacks.

If you want a closer look at how the game is shaping up, don’t miss some of the latest screenshots. If you are still hungry for more Prince of Persia information, check out the Q & A below with Ubisoft Montreal’s Chris Easton. In it you will find loads of juicy information including the lowdown on why Elika and a new art style were introduced. Thanks to the Xbox Community Team for the interview.

- XCN: How would you summarise the new-look Prince of Persia?

Chris Easton: Visual Poetry!

Post continues, click to read more…

While they may seem like a disparate bunch, all aiming to add something new to their respective genres, Wii Music, Prince of Persia and Mirror’s Edge all have something in common… they all have confirmed release dates! To a fashion…

North American gamers can expect to get their hands on Wii Music, Nintendo’s latest attempt to infiltrate your home, on the 20th of October. No other release date has been announced, but Europeans should expect to be able to play music with their Wiimote and Nunchuck not long after.

Ubisoft’s next entry into the Prince of Persia franchise, aptly named Prince of Persia, can be expected on the 5th of December in the UK, while Europe gets it the day before. This time, no specific US release date has been confirmed, but it will probably be sometime before if not on the same day, releasing on the PC, Xbox 360 and PS3.

Lastly, DICE’s new first-person runner (FPR?), Mirror’s Edge, has been given a November 11th release date for the US, while the UK and Europe will be running, jumping and sliding through a multi-coloured city on November 14th, available on Xbox 360 and PS3, with a PC release scheduled a little after the consoles. This is all adding up to a full calender…

While we know a bit about the next Prince of Persia game coming from Ubisoft, there still aren’t any concrete details, but instead airy promises of an open-world structure to the game, taking on challenges as you see fit, as well as a focus on the combat, favouring one-on-one encounters to the ‘dozens of enemies’ approach of the last trilogy.

To remind us that Prince of Persia is indeed on the release horizon, however (‘Fourth Quarter’ is as accurate a release date as is available), here’s the box art that will be adorning the cover of the game when it actually is released and on the shelf of your favourite game store.

A Prince of Persia movie is also due, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, but is only releasing in 2010.

Jake Gyllenhaal is taking his role as the Prince of Persia in Jerry Bruckheimer’s upcoming film adaptation of Ubisoft’s ‘Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time’ quite seriously.

Gyllenhaal is currently in Morocco, North Africa shooting the film (along with girlfriend Reese Witherspoon) and judging from these pictures taken yesterday he has beefed up somewhat to portray Dastan.

The film sees the 6th century prince joining forces with Princess Tamina (Gemma Aterton from James Bond Quantum of Solace) to prevent the Sands of Time from falling into hands of villain Nizam (Ben Kingsley).

As previously reported the film is being directed by Mike Newell (Four Weddings and a Funeral) while Doug Miro and Carlo Bernard, Jordan Mechner (Prince of Persia creator) and Boaz Yakin wrote the script. Bruckheimer has previously declined to comment on the budget for the film but did hint that “it’s not one of our smaller productions.”

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time is expected to be released on the circuit in 2010.

Source: justjared.buzznet.com

The new Prince of Persia game is looking pretty awesome. Telling an all new story, set in an all new environment not related to the previous time-based Prince of Persia games, the combat in this one is more focused, allowing players to take one enemy on at a time, instead of trying to battle a dozen at once, while featuring the acrobatics of the last Prince of Persia series.

The new Prince will be aided by magical female companion, Elika, who looks as though she gets the Prince out of messy situations, as well as helps out with the acrobatics, performing special ‘duo acrobatic’ moves. Players will be able to navigate the open-world structure of the game as they please, unfolding the story in their own way.

The new Prince of Persia, apparently now in development for three years, releases on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC later this year using the engine that powered Assassin’s Creed.

Post continues, click to read more…

Ubisoft is giving Xbox 360 gamers the chance to vote for one of the achievements in the next Prince of Persia game.

There is already a set of achievements planned for the Xbox 360 version but gamers can get the most popular choice between three possible achievements into the game. You can vote until the 1st of July.

Titled the gamer’s choice achievement, gamers can vote for one of the following:

• Longest Grip Fall – Free Fall: perform the longest grip fall in the game
• Xkm – Marathon: Run Prince Run, run the whole map then keep running
• Combo Specialist – Combat King: master every fight combo in the game

Don’t feel left out if you are a PS3 owner, Ubisoft promise that they have “planned something special for you too.”

Jake Gyllenhaal will star in Jerry Bruckheimer’s film adaptation of Ubisoft’s ‘Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time.’

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Gyllenhaal of Brokeback Mountain fame will step into the role of Dastan while Gemma Aterton, who stars in the up and coming James Bond movie (Quantum of Solace), will play “feisty and exotic” princess Tamina.

The film sees the young prince joining forces with Tamina to prevent the Sands of Time from falling into the wrong hands. Bruckheimer would not comment on the budget for the film but did hint that “it’s not one of our smaller productions.”

The film is being directed by Mike Newell (Four Weddings and a Funeral) while Doug Miro and Carlo Bernard, Jordan Mechner (Prince of Persia creator) and Boaz Yakin wrote the script.

Production on the film will start in July in both Morocco and England. It is expected to hit the movie circuit in 2009.

Ubisoft has revealed that a new Prince of Persia game will be released towards the end of 2008.

The next installment will mark the popular series’ debut on next-generation consoles as it heads to the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC. The game is being developed by Ubisoft’s Montreal studio and the same team that created the Prince of Persia Sands of Time trilogy.

Opening a new chapter in the Prince of Persia universe, the game will feature new game play, a new illustrative art style and is said to be “poised to rejuvenate the action-adventure genre.”

In addition Ubisoft will be releasing a Prince of Persia game designed specifically for the Nintendo DS. This version will feature a new storyline and new characters with Ubisoft promising to deliver more details in the future.

Until then keep an eye on the game’s website for more news.