Forums

Apparently, Ed has been busy and gave an interview to readers of the Famitsu Magazine in Japan. I am archiving the pages from that in this post as well as Google Translate results for this. Obviously to be taken with a grain of salt so I will be very grateful if anybody could help us translate this properly!

"We want to capture the essence of what 'Ecco' is, and give everyone a chance to play it," says Ed Annunziata, Chief Creative Officer, A&R Atelier.

--Once again, please tell us what the appeal of "Ecco the Dolphin" (hereafter "Ecco") is.
Ed: It goes without saying that dolphins capture the hearts of young people. They have a natural smile that seems to say, 'Everything's okay.' They also symbolize the inherent beauty of the sea, which makes them even more captivating. Sea creatures aren't fiction, they really exist. That fact is what fascinates me the most.

--Please tell us how you came to develop this remastered version.
Ed: Many people have heard of 'Ecco,' but not many have actually experienced it to the end. I'm sure there are many who have played it before but never made it past the second stage. Now, we have the opportunity to remaster it into a beautiful, modern, and easy-to-play form. We believe this is the perfect chance for everyone to play the game.

--What are some points you would like people to look out for in the remastered version?
Ed: With this game, we want to capture the essence of "What is Ecco?"
We are planning to include works from the 8-bit, 16-bit, and 32-bit eras in one package. We are developing a system that will allow us to switch visual expressions in real time. The title may be "Ecco Complete." It will literally be a work that contains "everything Ecco." We are aiming for content that allows you to experience the history of the series itself.

--I understand that a new game is also in development.
Ed: We are currently developing it. Please look forward to further updates.

--Finally, please give a message to Japanese game fans.
Ed: Thank you for your interest in Ecco. The sensibility of my work may have a strong Western influence, but the origins of the gaming experience lie in Japanese games. I may not be the perfect designer for the Japanese market, but I believe we share the same language when it comes to creativity.

Second page:
What is "Ecco the Dolphin"?
"Ecco the Dolphin" is an action-adventure game released exclusively for the Mega Drive in 1993. Beautiful graphics, challenging action, and sci-fi.

The ocean is home to a variety of marine life, including Echo's fellow dolphins.

This popular title has been praised for its epic story set in the world of the original game. The original version is currently available on "Sega Mega Drive for Nintendo Switch Online."
The scars are from a long time ago. The pattern is a white spot on Echo's head, which was bitten by a shark long ago.

Into the Whirlpool to Save His Friends
Ecco, a dolphin with five white spots on his head, lives happily with his friends. One day, a giant tornado appears from the sky, sucking all marine life into the whirlpool. To save his friends, Ecco sets out on a journey deep into the ocean. Defeat enemies by ramming into them, communicate with them through song, and embark on an epic adventure that stretches from the ocean to space. As a dolphin, don't forget to breathe regularly.

Adding Color to Your Adventure
"Ecco the Jam"
The music used in "Ecco the Dolphin" was meticulously created by "Ecco the Jam." It captures the comfort of being rocked by the waves, the cries of whales, and the potential terror of the deep sea, vividly coloring the game experience.

It is nice to see some visuals for the upcoming games!

These are very beautiful visuals!