So, a few weeks back we asked for your questions for Evan Wells, and here are the answers - which make very interesting reading. Questions on the possibility of Jak and Daxter for PS3, rag doll physics and new challenges are all answered. The second part of the interview will follow tomorrow.
What technologies went into creating the game? - subsurface scattering/ parallax mapping/ procedural textures etc etc
There really are too many to list out. The answer to this question would just end up looking like a laundry list of all of the industry’s next-gen buzz words. Our engineers have really pulled out all of the stops and given our artists and amazing set of tools to work with. And all of the tech in the world isn’t going to do you any good unless you have a talented team of artists to work with it.
How long did development time actually take from the first snippet of code to the final product?
Full production on Uncharted lasted almost exactly two years. We had an internal team of about 70 employees working on the game as well as about dozen contractors. There was also about a year of pre-production where we had a small team working on early ideas and tech.
Will you be utilising the uncharted engine for upcoming titles - PS3 Jak anyone?
We will most definitely continue to build on the Uncharted code base with all of our future titles for the PlayStation3. We have a lot of very sophisticated systems that are general purpose and could be used for a wide variety of genres. It’s very exciting to think what we can do with this tech now that it’s in place and we can focus on accomplishing something even more ambitious. And Jak and Daxter is a definite possibility some time in the future. There is a lot of interest around the office in going back to that franchise and seeing what we could do with it using the Uncharted engine.
Best physics in a game, but why not incorporate the rag doll physics on downed enemies? I know they are there, but they only react when you run over them. Nothing happens when you shoot them. What was the reason behind this?
Actually we had the bodies reacting to bullets all the way up until the last couple of weeks of development. It came down to a ratings issue, and we really didn’t think that it was worth the risk of receiving a more mature rating for such a small feature.
There are beautifully animated fish in the water, but I can’t shoot them?
Same thing here. We had hit reactions and even some death animations for the wildlife in the game but we chose to remove it. It was flagged as a potential issue by the ESRB and it seemed like a small concession to make in order to maintain our “Teen” rating. It may have also affected the rating in Europe.
I’ve watched a few of the development videos, so can imagine the front end of many of your tools. Other items I guess are developed on other software such as model designs, audio design. However, eventually, it needs compiling down to the best software code for the Playstation3 architecture. How did this work? How do they test their math? How did the technical side work? How do they tweak and get the best out of our baby? What have they learnt?
With all of the development tools that we use, the most important feature is iteration time. We want to cut down the time it takes for our artists, designers and programmers to see their work show up in the game. This means that they will get the maximum opportunity to experiment which is the only way to make a great game. A lot of our tools were designed and created at Naughty Dog including a level editor, a shader and material editor, an asset management system and a scripting language that can be compiled and uploaded to the PS3 on the fly.
In regards to optimizing for the PS3, our engineers have gotten to the point were they’re familiar enough with the hardware that their first pass code has already taken the SPU’s into account. So when it comes time to move a system over from the PPU to the Cell, it doesn’t take a very long time.
Do you intend to tackle a similar project in the future, or would you fancy a new challenge? From a third person action adventure, to a racing game for instance, or a flying game.
For the most part I imagine we will be sticking with the 3rd person, action/adventure genre. It’s the kind of game that everybody at Naughty Dog enjoys playing the most, so we have the most passion for creating them too.
Clearly you’ve done a great job. Business wise, how difficult is it to obtain, and now keep the talent, and skilled staff?
Obtaining the talent can be tough. We built this staff over many years and thousands of interviews, looking for just the right team. Keeping the talent is just a matter of offering them creative environment to work in and a great game to work on. I really think that’s the most important thing (of course nice salaries and bonuses don’t hurt either). If your team isn’t inspired by what they are working on and the people they are working with, then that’s when you run into issues with retaining your staff.
Are you considering a sequel? There are more treasures to be found out there after all. Perhaps some in old Italian cities, like Venice.
We developed Uncharted as a franchise. The pulp action/adventure genre lends itself perfectly to serialization and continued episodes which is one of the reasons we were attracted to it. Right now we are brainstorming on what Naughty Dog’s next project will be, but even if we don’t do an Uncharted sequel right away, you can pretty much count on us doing one in the near future.
The marketing juggernaught that is Threespeech rumbles on and on.
Any news on the PS3 eye?
Comment by Dan (BBRodriguez) — Dec 6, 2007 @ 4:36 pm
Dude, why are you asking about the PSeye?
Available now with Eye of Judgement or in stores Dec 14th on its own. afaik.
Damn those ratings!
At least the parrots fly off if you shoot them.
Completed this last night and love it to bits.
Comment by Tony Nibbles — Dec 6, 2007 @ 4:40 pm
Thanks, got my question answered. nice bit of insight into the industry as well
Comment by Tel Hel — Dec 6, 2007 @ 4:40 pm
Dude, I’m asking because about the Ps3 eye because according to this excellent web site it was supposed to be released on the 7th of November and we haven’t even had a “sorry it’s been delayed” notice from sony, let alone an official new release date. That’s why I’m asking.
The 14th you’ve stated was the best guess by amazon which has been taken up by other retailers
Comment by Dan (BBRodriguez) — Dec 6, 2007 @ 4:46 pm
@1 Go away… You don’t have to read it… I thought it was interesting and the possibility of another Jak is great…. Get your facts right when asking questions as well or you will make yourself look like a fool… Oh .. you already have
Comment by DaveTheRave — Dec 6, 2007 @ 4:54 pm
Nice to see devs be so honest, good job ThreeSpeech
Comment by anon — Dec 6, 2007 @ 4:55 pm
@5 surely the point of asking questons is to get my facts rights don’t you think. Maybe I wouldn’t be asking questions if we were given the right facts in the first place.
By the way is the full stop button sticking on your keyboard?………
Comment by Dan (BBRodriguez) — Dec 6, 2007 @ 5:00 pm
The playstation eye (standalone, without the eye of judgement) is already available in europe (germany at least). Bought mine about two weeks ago…
Comment by Leen — Dec 6, 2007 @ 5:03 pm
So, even though it’s a Thursday afternoon, you give us no actual information regarding psn contents then. again. As if it will be anything off that December, or even NOVEMBER list!!
Comment by blem — Dec 6, 2007 @ 5:27 pm
This site provides news thats accurate at the time of press, everything is subject to change, by it’s very nature.
Oh all the things to whinge about at the moment, PSeye is really not one of them.
You could go in to any high street retailer and pick up the rather good Eye of Judgement, or online at bargain prices. Or on eBay perhaps.
Then again you could just buy it brand new online today.
Comment by Tony Nibbles — Dec 6, 2007 @ 5:32 pm
I’m surprised to hear that ragdoll physics could have influenced their ESRB rating since there are a couple of chapters in the game which are very Resident Evil/Silent Hill like infact I’m suprised they managed to get the 16+ rating with those.
Comment by Shinji — Dec 6, 2007 @ 5:45 pm
@8.Solidarity brother!
Comment by Dan (BBRodriguez) — Dec 6, 2007 @ 6:12 pm
b.on.t
10 Hours of story time for a full priced game is overpayed even if the graphics are nice..
@ 8 & 9 Amen my friends
b.off.t: where is vegas video poker & pyomoto,
or is Sinterklaas (the original Santa Clause) forgetting us again
Comment by Darkie — Dec 6, 2007 @ 7:11 pm
What….. is…… the…. PSN……. update?
Comment by snake — Dec 6, 2007 @ 7:28 pm
Heres the update:
Demos:
- Released on US PSN months ago
- Released on US PSN months ago
Games:
- Released on US PSN months ago
- Released on US PSN months ago
DLC:
- Folklore Xmas update
- Some overpriced crap
Trailers
- Shit you dont want to see
- Shit you dont want to see
- Shit you dont want to see
- Shit you dont want to see
- Shit you dont want to see
Same time next week chaps. Thats along the lines of the usual. At least there is a new GTA trailer out this today. Few hours to go.
Comment by anon — Dec 6, 2007 @ 7:47 pm
[…] Via Three Speech […]
Pingback by Naughty Dog to use Uncharted Engine in Next Jak and Daxter Game? — Dec 6, 2007 @ 9:00 pm
update for the Games,
- None,like Vegas video poker & Pyomoto, is here …
what do we get…
“backgrounds”
demo of Crap & Lynch
Comment by Darkie — Dec 6, 2007 @ 9:04 pm
and ofcourse PAIN is still not there….
We have to wait until germany & France can lipsync the AAAAARGHS
Comment by Darkie — Dec 6, 2007 @ 9:05 pm
Another Thursday, another useless update.
Why has all the content we were promised - Toy Home, Snakeball, Everyday Shooter, Bowling - slippd away into obscurity?
And where is the update ThreeSpeech promised us months ago about the futrure of the European PSN?
I
Comment by Baptiste — Dec 6, 2007 @ 10:24 pm
AWESOMEEEEE!!!!
i REALLY REALLY want a new Jak and Daxter game.
one of my ultimate favorite series ever.
thanks to threespeech for getting ahold of someone i actually want to hear talk!
naughty dog ftw.
Comment by Joel — Dec 6, 2007 @ 11:14 pm
man I can’t believe you poor Europeans still don’t have everyday shooter…
wtf is up with that?
Comment by zola — Dec 6, 2007 @ 11:16 pm
Great read, thanks for the interview ThreeSpeach. I can’t belive i don’t have this game yet. I was going to get it on launch but stuff happens and i guess i havent been able to get into town. But once ill play it to death and i know ill love this game, im dying here. Only if i could drive, less than a month come on…..
Comment by Lp47 — Dec 7, 2007 @ 12:34 am
Why didn’t Naughty Dog add multi-player? I think with multi-player, it will encourage people to buy multiple copies instead of sharing among friends after each is done with it.
Comment by John — Dec 7, 2007 @ 2:39 am
uncharted is fantastic!
Comment by BennyD — Dec 7, 2007 @ 4:09 am
@13
For some the gameplay alone is worth the price!
If you don’t want to replay it to find all the treasures or try out a higher difficulty, then just go out and rent it.. but it won’t do it justice.
Comment by Gibb — Dec 7, 2007 @ 8:12 am
@ Tony Nibbles
I probably went too far yesterday (bad day at work) but the sentiment is the same.
It’s more of a whinge about the lack of communication from sony.
We get the trumpet fanfare of release dates but not even a quiet murmur when things go tits up.
Thanks for the links though Tony
Sorry everyone, I’ll be a good boy, I’m in a better mood today.
Comment by Dan (BBRodriguez) — Dec 7, 2007 @ 9:31 am
WHERE THE F*CK IS PUZZLE FIGHTER EVERY DAY SHOOTER PROYOTAMA BLAST FACTOR ADVANCED RESEARCH PLUS THAT POKER GAME and all the other stuff you promised??
Comment by Carl — Dec 7, 2007 @ 10:01 am
I’m going to upset a few people by saying that I dont really see what all the fuss was about, I played the demo and thought it was “ok”, not crap or rubbish but “ok”. It certainly didnt blow my socks off like the hype would suggest it would. But then I never was a great fan of tomb Raider which I guess this is similar too.
ThreeSpeech can you dig up some info on the next full installment of Wipeout that is due next year, not the HD version. nobody seems to know anything about it.
Have a good weekend people,
T.
Comment by Terry — Dec 7, 2007 @ 10:17 am
[…] (Quelle: threespeech) (keine Bewertungen) Loading … geschrieben von Foozer | 7. Dezember 2007 | 14:02 Uhr | FORUM […]
Pingback by » Uncharted: Nachfolger kommt by play3.de — Dec 7, 2007 @ 1:00 pm
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Pingback by Nachfolger zu Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune — Dec 7, 2007 @ 2:33 pm
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Pingback by Uncharted Sequel? Count On It [Naughty Dog] | Free Games Center Blog — Dec 7, 2007 @ 5:44 pm
I would LOVE to see a Jak and daxter game on the PS3! I love all the last games on the PS2 and i think a HD make over would be awesome!
Comment by whoelse — Dec 7, 2007 @ 7:47 pm
UNCHARTED 2: Electric Boogaloo! God, that cliche is tired, but that soulds like one hell of a game. In all seriousness, Naughty Dog, I want Uncharted 2 on my desk by 5:00 Christmas Day, or you are in for some hard times.
Comment by Taylor — Dec 7, 2007 @ 11:25 pm
Evan Wells I hope u r reading this .. Iam Naughty Dog biggest fan since the first Crash Bandicoot and Iam dying for a new Jak Game Iam waiting since the first day I finished Jak 3 for a real new Jak game on the PS3 please make it happen and make a mature hard game cus easy games sucks .. ^_^
Comment by Abdulla — Dec 8, 2007 @ 2:27 am
so is evan really wellsh?
i think he look at least part turkish.
and crash bandicoot is based on him.
am i right ore what.
answer me damn you
Comment by supersquirrel — Dec 8, 2007 @ 2:42 am
Ok I take it back, I bought it, and I love it…
Comment by Terry — Dec 8, 2007 @ 3:40 pm
[…] W wywiadzie dla Three Speech jakiego udzielił Evan Wells z Naughty Dog na jedno z pytań pada następująca odpowiedź: “Z pewnością wszystkie nasze kolejne tytuły na PLAYSTATION 3 będą bazować na kodzie z Uncharted. Mamy dużo zaawansowanych systemów, które nie mają konkretnego zastosowania i mogą być użyte w dużym spektrum gier. Możliwości, jakie daje dzisiejsza technologia są bardzo ekscytujące i jesteśmy w stanie się w końcu skupić na czymś bardziej bardziej ambitnym”. Cóż to może być? Nad jaką produkcją może pracować zespół? “Jak and Daxter to na pewno jedna z możliwości w najbliższym czasie. W naszym biurze jest spore zainteresowanie pomysłem powrotu do tej serii i sprawdzenie co możemy z nią zrobić z pomocą silnika Uncharted.” Nie ukrywam, że gry Naughty Dog podobały mi się zawsze bardziej niż Ratchety. Może dlatego, że były to jedne z moich pierwszych gier na PlayStation 2? W końcu zawsze łapiemy sentyment i traktujemy w specjalny sposób serie, przy których poznawaliśmy daną generację konsol. Na pewno byłoby cudownie, gdyby platformówki znowu wróciły w pełnej krasie na konsole Sony. Wydaje mi się, że o ile w poprzedniej generacji Nintendo oddało palmę pierwszeństwa w tym gatunku, o tyle teraz udało mu się ją od Sony odzyskać. Nie podejrzewam, żeby Jak and Daxter mogło zebrać lepsze oceny od Super Mario Galaxy ale na pewno wprowadziłoby trochę zamieszania. […]
Pingback by Polygamia » Blog Archive » Nowy Jak and Daxter na silniku Uncharted — Dec 8, 2007 @ 9:41 pm
[…] W wywiadzie dla Three Speech jakiego udzielił Evan Wells z Naughty Dog na jedno z pytań pada następująca odpowiedź: “Z pewnością wszystkie nasze kolejne tytuły na PLAYSTATION 3 będą bazować na kodzie z Uncharted. Mamy dużo zaawansowanych systemów, które nie mają konkretnego zastosowania i mogą być użyte w dużym spektrum gier. Możliwości, jakie daje dzisiejsza technologia są bardzo ekscytujące i jesteśmy w stanie się w końcu skupić na czymś bardziej bardziej ambitnym”. Cóż to może być? Nad jaką produkcją może pracować zespół? “Jak and Daxter to na pewno jedna z możliwości w najbliższym czasie. W naszym biurze jest spore zainteresowanie pomysłem powrotu do tej serii i sprawdzenie co możemy z nią zrobić z pomocą silnika Uncharted.” Nie ukrywam, że gry Naughty Dog podobały mi się zawsze bardziej niż Ratchety. Może dlatego, że były to jedne z moich pierwszych gier na PlayStation 2? W końcu zawsze łapiemy sentyment i traktujemy w specjalny sposób serie, przy których poznawaliśmy daną generację konsol. Na pewno byłoby cudownie, gdyby platformówki znowu wróciły w pełnej krasie na konsole Sony. Wydaje mi się, że o ile w poprzedniej generacji Nintendo oddało palmę pierwszeństwa w tym gatunku, o tyle teraz udało mu się ją od Sony odzyskać. Nie podejrzewam, żeby Jak and Daxter mogło zebrać lepsze oceny od Super Mario Galaxy ale na pewno wprowadziłoby trochę zamieszania. Chociaż wszyscy pamiętamy obietnice, że to właśnie Uncharted będzie serią, jaką Naughty Dog chce produkować na PLAYSTATION 3, to zawsze pozostaje w sercu ten cień nadziei, że bohaterowie z PS2 jeszcze pojawią się na tej generacji konsol. […]
Pingback by XAM » Blog Archive » Nowy Jak and Daxter na silniku Uncharted — Dec 9, 2007 @ 12:15 am
[…] Filed under: Interviews […]
Pingback by Naughty Dog interested in using Uncharted engine for new Jak & Daxter — Dec 9, 2007 @ 10:10 am
[…] (vía: Three Speech) […]
Pingback by Uncharted tendrá una continuación — Dec 10, 2007 @ 9:11 am
I never expected there to be a game that could capture the Indiana Jones pulp adventure feel so well, I love this game so much that I’ve already played through it 3 times. Any regret I had for buying a super expensive PS3 is gone, that’s right this game justified buying a $1000 console.
Simply sensational.
Comment by Allen Hayward — Dec 16, 2007 @ 2:23 pm
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