IbizaPocholo
NeoGAFs Kent Brockman
Introduction to Silicon Knights
- Silicon Knights was a Canadian video game developer that gained recognition during the era of the Nintendo GameCube.
- The studio produced nine games before closing its doors in 2014, leaving a legacy of notable titles that contributed to its reputation in the industry.
- Rumors have circulated about unreleased games from the studio, and this episode focuses on uncovering one such cancelled game.
Silicon Knights' Rise and Fall
- Silicon Knights gained popularity with the release of Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain in 1996 and later partnered with Nintendo in the early 2000s.
- They produced two significant titles for the GameCube, including Eternal Darkness, which was praised for its innovative horror mechanics.
- Despite its critical acclaim, Eternal Darkness did not perform well commercially, although it is still regarded as one of the best horror games.
- The second title, Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes, was a remake that received positive reviews and solid sales.
- In 2005, the studio's partnership with Nintendo ended, leading to a shift towards Microsoft and the development of Too Human.
- Too Human was released in 2008 but faced delays and criticism, marking a downturn for the studio.
- Silicon Knights' final game, X-Men Destiny, was released in 2011, but the studio filed for bankruptcy in 2014 due to legal issues with Epic Games regarding Unreal Engine 3.
Cancelled Projects and Discovery of Project PO
- After its closure, it was revealed that Silicon Knights had several cancelled projects, including sequels to their existing games and new titles like Siren in the Maelstrom and King's Quest.
- Project PO, an unreleased game, began development in October 2011 and was a third-person mystery adventure game featuring a private investigator with a heightened sense of smell.
- The gameplay involved using this unique ability to gather clues and solve murder cases, which was a departure from the studio's previous works.
- A vertical slice of the game was created in about eight weeks, showcasing initial gameplay mechanics and features.
Gameplay Mechanics and Design of Project PO
- The gameplay of Project PO revolved around the protagonist's ability to identify scents that would lead to clues in solving murders.
- Players would navigate through environments, using their sense of smell to piece together timelines and connect various clues.
- The game was designed to be mission-based, featuring different murder cases to solve, with dark themes and horror elements reflecting Silicon Knights' style.
- The initial development utilized gray boxing, a common technique in game design that allows developers to prototype concepts quickly.
Preservation of Project PO
- The host of the episode obtained a build of Project PO from a former Silicon Knights employee in 2022, leading to its preservation and release.
- After testing the build on an Xbox 360 development kit, it was confirmed that the game could run without issues.
- The game has been uploaded to archive.org for public access, emphasizing the importance of preserving video game history.
- The host encourages others with old game projects to reach out for assistance in preserving their content, aiming to make such games available to the public.
Accessing Project PO
- Players interested in accessing Project PO can do so through an Xbox 360 development kit or a modified console.
- The game includes two executables, with one being the recommended choice for launching the game.
- Additionally, the game can be run through an Xbox 360 emulator, providing another avenue for players to experience the prototype.
Conclusion and Future Preservation Efforts
- The episode concludes with a call to action for individuals interested in preserving video game content to reach out for help.
- The host emphasizes the importance of making games available for public access and not hoarding prototypes for personal gain.
- Viewers are encouraged to engage with the content and share their thoughts, as the preservation of gaming history remains a key focus of the channel.
- Silicon Knights was a Canadian video game developer that gained recognition during the era of the Nintendo GameCube.
- The studio produced nine games before closing its doors in 2014, leaving a legacy of notable titles that contributed to its reputation in the industry.
- Rumors have circulated about unreleased games from the studio, and this episode focuses on uncovering one such cancelled game.
Silicon Knights' Rise and Fall
- Silicon Knights gained popularity with the release of Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain in 1996 and later partnered with Nintendo in the early 2000s.
- They produced two significant titles for the GameCube, including Eternal Darkness, which was praised for its innovative horror mechanics.
- Despite its critical acclaim, Eternal Darkness did not perform well commercially, although it is still regarded as one of the best horror games.
- The second title, Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes, was a remake that received positive reviews and solid sales.
- In 2005, the studio's partnership with Nintendo ended, leading to a shift towards Microsoft and the development of Too Human.
- Too Human was released in 2008 but faced delays and criticism, marking a downturn for the studio.
- Silicon Knights' final game, X-Men Destiny, was released in 2011, but the studio filed for bankruptcy in 2014 due to legal issues with Epic Games regarding Unreal Engine 3.
Cancelled Projects and Discovery of Project PO
- After its closure, it was revealed that Silicon Knights had several cancelled projects, including sequels to their existing games and new titles like Siren in the Maelstrom and King's Quest.
- Project PO, an unreleased game, began development in October 2011 and was a third-person mystery adventure game featuring a private investigator with a heightened sense of smell.
- The gameplay involved using this unique ability to gather clues and solve murder cases, which was a departure from the studio's previous works.
- A vertical slice of the game was created in about eight weeks, showcasing initial gameplay mechanics and features.
Gameplay Mechanics and Design of Project PO
- The gameplay of Project PO revolved around the protagonist's ability to identify scents that would lead to clues in solving murders.
- Players would navigate through environments, using their sense of smell to piece together timelines and connect various clues.
- The game was designed to be mission-based, featuring different murder cases to solve, with dark themes and horror elements reflecting Silicon Knights' style.
- The initial development utilized gray boxing, a common technique in game design that allows developers to prototype concepts quickly.
Preservation of Project PO
- The host of the episode obtained a build of Project PO from a former Silicon Knights employee in 2022, leading to its preservation and release.
- After testing the build on an Xbox 360 development kit, it was confirmed that the game could run without issues.
- The game has been uploaded to archive.org for public access, emphasizing the importance of preserving video game history.
- The host encourages others with old game projects to reach out for assistance in preserving their content, aiming to make such games available to the public.
Accessing Project PO
- Players interested in accessing Project PO can do so through an Xbox 360 development kit or a modified console.
- The game includes two executables, with one being the recommended choice for launching the game.
- Additionally, the game can be run through an Xbox 360 emulator, providing another avenue for players to experience the prototype.
Conclusion and Future Preservation Efforts
- The episode concludes with a call to action for individuals interested in preserving video game content to reach out for help.
- The host emphasizes the importance of making games available for public access and not hoarding prototypes for personal gain.
- Viewers are encouraged to engage with the content and share their thoughts, as the preservation of gaming history remains a key focus of the channel.
