Katamari Damacy (lost prototype build of Namco game; 2002): Difference between revisions
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''Katamari Damacy'' had a very unique and risky development compared to other Namco games. Fortunately, with the support of Keita Takahashi's boss, Mitsutoshi Ozaki<ref>[https://kotaku.com.au/2018/10/katamari-damacys-creator-had-to-move-mountains-to-get-his-game-made/ Katamari Damacy’s Creator Had To Move Mountains To Get His Game Made] Retrieved 28 August '23</ref> and Namco's former president Masada Nakamura<ref>[https://twitter.com/KeitaTakahacy/status/825984454334181378?s=20 Keita Takahashi thanks Masada Nakamura] Retrieved 28 August '23</ref>, Keita Takahashi acquired the team and resources to create a prototype for this hit title. | '''''Katamari Damacy''''' had a very unique and risky development compared to other Namco games. Fortunately, with the support of Keita Takahashi's boss, Mitsutoshi Ozaki<ref>[https://kotaku.com.au/2018/10/katamari-damacys-creator-had-to-move-mountains-to-get-his-game-made/ Katamari Damacy’s Creator Had To Move Mountains To Get His Game Made] Retrieved 28 August '23</ref> and Namco's former president Masada Nakamura<ref>[https://twitter.com/KeitaTakahacy/status/825984454334181378?s=20 Keita Takahashi thanks Masada Nakamura] Retrieved 28 August '23</ref>, Keita Takahashi acquired the team and resources to create a prototype for this hit title. | ||
==Development== | ==Development== | ||
Before ''Katamari Damacy'', Keita Takahashi was on the team to develop a prototype for a racing game nicknamed ''[[Action Drive (lost production material of cancelled Namco fast-paced driving game; 2000)|Action Drive]]''. While brainstorming new concepts for the game, Keita created a damsel-in-distress storyline about the Queen being kidnapped by evil scientists on Earth. The Prince would have been sent by his lazy father to rescue her. Even though this idea was not used, Keita was given permission to reuse the character designs for his own game.<ref>[https://twitter.com/KeitaTakahacy/status/1100448346303488001?s=20 Keita discusses the repurposing of Action Drive's characters] Retrieved 28 August '23</ref> | Before ''Katamari Damacy'', Keita Takahashi was on the team to develop a prototype for a racing game nicknamed ''[[Action Drive (lost production material of cancelled Namco fast-paced driving game; 2000)|Action Drive]]''. While brainstorming new concepts for the game, Keita created a damsel-in-distress storyline about the Queen being kidnapped by evil scientists on Earth. The Prince would have been sent by his lazy father to rescue her. Even though this idea was not used, Keita was given permission to reuse the character designs for his own game.<ref>[https://twitter.com/KeitaTakahacy/status/1100448346303488001?s=20 Keita discusses the repurposing of Action Drive's characters] Retrieved 28 August '23</ref> | ||
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==Gameplay== | ==Gameplay== | ||
The prototype's gameplay does not heavily differ from the final game. However, a few differences can be easily noticed: | The prototype's gameplay does not heavily differ from the final game. However, a few visual differences can be easily noticed: | ||
*Instead of the kanji logo (塊魂), ''Katamari Damacy'''s logo is romanized and written in cursive. | *Instead of the kanji logo (塊魂), ''Katamari Damacy'''s logo is romanized and written in cursive. | ||
*The Prince's model has a wider head than the final design. | *The Prince's model has a wider head than the final design. | ||
*The background of the King's screen is pitch black, whereas the final version has a galaxy. | *The background of the King's screen is pitch black, whereas the final version has a galaxy. | ||
==Gallery== | ==Gallery== | ||
<gallery> | <gallery mode=packed heights=175px> | ||
File:Prototype_kd.jpg|Artwork created by Keita Takahashi for the prototype<ref>[https://twitter.com/KeitaTakahacy/status/890089326335361024?s=20 ''Katamari Damacy'' Prototype artwork] Retrieved 28 August '23</ref> | File:Prototype_kd.jpg|Artwork created by Keita Takahashi for the prototype<ref>[https://twitter.com/KeitaTakahacy/status/890089326335361024?s=20 ''Katamari Damacy'' Prototype artwork] Retrieved 28 August '23</ref> | ||
File:Gdc kd05.jpg|The King of all Cosmos in the prototype | File:Gdc kd05.jpg|The King of all Cosmos in the prototype | ||
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==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
[https://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/20050313/gdc_kd.htm Keita Takahashi at Game Developers Conference 2005] | *[https://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/20050313/gdc_kd.htm Keita Takahashi at Game Developers Conference 2005] | ||
[https://gdcvault.com/play/1020309/Rolling-the-Dice-The-Risks ''Rolling the Dice? The Risks and Rewards of Developing Katamari Damacy'' - Audio of presentation] | *[https://gdcvault.com/play/1020309/Rolling-the-Dice-The-Risks ''Rolling the Dice? The Risks and Rewards of Developing Katamari Damacy'' - Audio of presentation] | ||
*[https://scrolller.com/katamari-zooming-out-aryweis7jd Photo from Keita Takahashi: Zooming Out Featuring Flyers for the Prototype] | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Latest revision as of 14:47, 25 March 2024
Katamari Damacy's prototype's title screen
Status: Lost
Katamari Damacy had a very unique and risky development compared to other Namco games. Fortunately, with the support of Keita Takahashi's boss, Mitsutoshi Ozaki[1] and Namco's former president Masada Nakamura[2], Keita Takahashi acquired the team and resources to create a prototype for this hit title.
Development
Before Katamari Damacy, Keita Takahashi was on the team to develop a prototype for a racing game nicknamed Action Drive. While brainstorming new concepts for the game, Keita created a damsel-in-distress storyline about the Queen being kidnapped by evil scientists on Earth. The Prince would have been sent by his lazy father to rescue her. Even though this idea was not used, Keita was given permission to reuse the character designs for his own game.[3] The prototype itself was built on Nintendo's Gamecube system, though the final game was a PlayStation 2-exclusive. Keita Takahashi was not experienced with game development, so the Gamecube's hardware would have been a more developer-friendly option for Keita and his team.[4] Students from Namco Digital Hollywood[5] assisted in creating models and assets for the game. If the prototype was successful, the same team could begin work on a full-fledged game. [6] With the help of a visual designer from Namco, the team was able to finish the prototype within six months.[7]
Reception
Fortunately, the game was well received inside Namco. Keita Takahashi recalls many of Namco's employees gathering to play this early Katamari build.[9] The prototype was shown off at the Japan Media Arts Festival[10] and was selected as a "recommended work" by the jury committee.[11]
Gameplay
The prototype's gameplay does not heavily differ from the final game. However, a few visual differences can be easily noticed:
- Instead of the kanji logo (塊魂), Katamari Damacy's logo is romanized and written in cursive.
- The Prince's model has a wider head than the final design.
- The background of the King's screen is pitch black, whereas the final version has a galaxy.
Gallery
![Artwork created by Keita Takahashi for the prototype[12]](/w/images/thumb/5/5d/Prototype_kd.jpg/395px-Prototype_kd.jpg)
Artwork created by Keita Takahashi for the prototype[12]
The King of all Cosmos in the prototype
The Prince rolling up hard hats
The Prince doing a "dash"
![Artwork created by Keita Takahashi for the prototype[12]](/File:Prototype_kd.jpg)
More from Keita Takahashi
- Action Drive (lost production material of cancelled Namco fast-paced driving game; 2000)
- Wattam (lost PlayStation 4 prototype demo of puzzle game; 2015)
External Links
References
- ↑ Katamari Damacy’s Creator Had To Move Mountains To Get His Game Made Retrieved 28 August '23
- ↑ Keita Takahashi thanks Masada Nakamura Retrieved 28 August '23
- ↑ Keita discusses the repurposing of Action Drive's characters Retrieved 28 August '23
- ↑ You Can Thank The GameCube For Katamari Damacy, According To Creator Keita Takahashi Retrieved 28 August '23
- ↑ Financial Decline and Restructuring of Namco Retrieved 28 August '23
- ↑ Katamari Damacy, Bossfight Books - P. 33
- ↑ Katamari Damacy, Bossfight Books - P. 34
- ↑ Katamari Damacy's 10th Anniversary Retrieved 28 August '23
- ↑ Katamari Damacy, Bossfight Books - P. 38
- ↑ Katamari Damacy on Japan Media Arts Festival's website Retrieved 28 August '23
- ↑ Japan Media Arts Festival 2003 Jury Recommended Works Retrieved 28 August '23
- ↑ Katamari Damacy Prototype artwork Retrieved 28 August '23