Princess of Persia: The Lost Crown Wins Big at Pegases Awards
The 1980s childhood dream of American video game maker Jordan Mechner was crowned with its latest success at the Pegases (Pegasus) awards for French games in Paris. The latest episode in the long-running series, "Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown", won not just best game overall but also best sound, game design and accessibility.
A Family Affair
"I had two dreams growing up: make video games and make movies," acclaimed creator Mechner told AFP in December 2023, just before the game was released. "Thanks to ‘Prince of Persia’ I’ve achieved both." Much has changed between the game’s genesis in Mechner’s 1980s California "home studio" to the latest version. It was one of the first games to use "motion capture", where movements are first filmed to make them more realistic once transferred to the screen.
Early Days
Back then, the 60-year-old American, who has lived in Montpellier since 2015, would use a VHS camera to film his little brother doing the full range of movements the hero would need in the game. He then uploaded them image by image to a computer, using the rotoscoping technique borrowed from 20th century cartoon makers. Mechner’s amateur pianist father was also part of the family affair, composing the game’s music. "It really was an artisanal production," he said.
A Cult Saga
"Prince of Persia" became a cult saga with each new tech advance, above all going from 2D to 3D. It was acquired by Ubisoft in 2000 and was turned into a hit Disney movie in 2010. Mechner said he "never imagined" that the game’s universe would last as long as it has. He’s now working on graphic novels, a popular art form in France. His "Replay: Memoires d’une famille" (Memories of a Family), published by Delcourt, was released in April and recounts the story of his father and grandfather, Austrian Jewish refugees who made it to the United States just before World War II.
Personal Life
He also mixes in his personal life, such as an exchange with his two children after he told them in 2015 that he was moving to France. His son told him, "You should do something else besides working on ‘Prince of Persia.’ To which his daughter added: "At least make ‘Princess of Persia.’"
Conclusion
The success of "Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown" is a testament to the enduring legacy of the game series, which has captivated gamers for over three decades. From its humble beginnings in the 1980s to its current status as a global phenomenon, the series has undergone many transformations, but its core essence remains the same. As Mechner’s latest project, "Replay: Memoires d’une famille", shows, he is still dedicated to sharing his passion for storytelling and family history with the world.
FAQs
- What is the latest episode in the Prince of Persia series?
The latest episode is "Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown", which won several awards at the Pegases (Pegasus) awards for French games in Paris. - How did Jordan Mechner create the original Prince of Persia game?
Mechner used a VHS camera to film his little brother doing the full range of movements the hero would need in the game, and then uploaded them image by image to a computer, using the rotoscoping technique borrowed from 20th century cartoon makers. - What is Mechner’s latest project?
Mechner is working on graphic novels, a popular art form in France. His "Replay: Memoires d’une famille" (Memories of a Family) was released in April and recounts the story of his father and grandfather, Austrian Jewish refugees who made it to the United States just before World War II.