Éric Chahi

Last updated • 3 min readFrom Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia
Éric Chahi
Eric Chahi.jpg
Chahi at the 2011 Utopiales
Born
NationalityFrench
Occupation Video game designer
Known for Future Wars
Another World
Heart of Darkness
From Dust

Éric Chahi is a French computer game designer and programmer, best known as the creator of Another World (also known as Out of This World in North America) and Heart of Darkness . [1]

Contents

Career

Éric Chahi started programming on Oric Atmos and Amstrad in 1983 for the company Loriciels. He worked on games such as Jeanne d'Arc and Voyage au centre de la Terre published for Chip. In 1989 Éric Chahi quit Chip to join Delphine Software International to work on the graphics for Future Wars , a game designed by Paul Cuisset. After this, over a period of two years, Chahi developed Another World (released in 1991) on his own, only soliciting help for the music score. Another World went on to receive critical acclaim for its atmosphere and minimalism, becoming a cult classic.

After leaving Delphine, Chahi founded Amazing Studio and became one of several designers that were working on Heart of Darkness , a side-scrolling game. It suffered numerous delays, and was in development for six years. [2]

Chahi disappeared from the game industry for some years but returned to making games with Ubisoft in the 2010s. [3] In April 2005 he released a free Game Boy Advance version of Another World. It was created in collaboration with programmer Cyril Cogordan, who originally started it as a fan project. It can be played using a GBA flash cartridge or emulator.

A version of Another World for mobile phones was made with the help of developer Magic Productions and released in 2005. On April 14, 2006, Chahi and Magic Productions released an updated PC version of Another World which featured remade graphics and ran on modern versions of Microsoft Windows. This HD version was ported to Xbox One, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PS Vita, 3DS and Wii U in June 2014 as a 20th-anniversary edition.

On June 14, 2010, a trailer for Chahi's new game named From Dust was shown at E3. The game was released on July 27, 2011, on Xbox Live Arcade as part of the 2011 Summer of Arcade, [4] is described as a mix between Populous and Black and White . [5] It was also released on the PC later on August 17, 2011, and later was released for the Chrome web browser.

In December 2012, Another World was added to the collection of the New York Museum of Modern Art. [6]

In November 2014, he made a 3D Interactive Lava Simulator for the Volcano Museum La Cité du Volcan on Réunion Island near Madagascar. [7]

In 2016, he created the indie video game studio Pixel Reef in Montpellier, France to work on a new title Paper Beast , a title set to be released on PlayStation VR in 2019 and PlayStation 4 in 2020.[ needs update ] This project came out of the work he did for the Réunion Volcano Museum while studying the island's Piton de la Fournaise volcano for these simulations. Chahi started Pixel Reef, along with Sahy and two others after the museum project was finished to work on this game, and as of 2019, the team now numbers 16. [8] [9]

Paper Beast went on to release for PlayStation 4 on March 24, 2020 [10] and on July 24, 2020 [11] for Windows.

Games

Related Research Articles

<i>Beyond Good & Evil</i> (video game) 2003 action-adventure video game by Ubisoft

Beyond Good & Evil is a 2003 action-adventure game developed and published by Ubisoft for PlayStation 2, Windows, Xbox, and GameCube. The story follows the adventures of Jade, an investigative reporter, martial artist, and spy hitwoman working with a resistance movement to reveal a sinister alien conspiracy. Players control Jade and other allies, solving puzzles, fighting enemies, obtaining photographic evidence and, later in the game, travelling to space.

<i>Another World</i> (video game) Action-adventure video game

Another World is a cinematic platform action-adventure game designed by Éric Chahi and published by Delphine Software in November 1991. In North America it was published as Out of This World. The game tells the story of Lester, a young scientist who, as a result of an experiment gone wrong, finds himself on a dangerous alien world where he is forced to fight for his survival.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ubisoft Reflections</span> British video game developer

Ubisoft Reflections Limited is a British video game developer and a studio of Ubisoft based in Newcastle upon Tyne. Founded in 1984 by Martin Edmondson and Nicholas Chamberlain, the studio focuses on racing games and it is best known for creating the award-winning Driver series. Reflections was acquired by GT Interactive in 1998 – which later turned into Atari Inc. – and sold to Ubisoft in 2006. The company works on AAA games in close cooperation with sister studio Ubisoft Leamington.

<i>Heart of Darkness</i> (video game) 1998 video game

Heart of Darkness is a cinematic platform video game developed by French developer Amazing Studio for the PlayStation and Microsoft Windows.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michel Ancel</span> French video game designer (born 1972)

Michel Ancel is a retired Monégasque-French video game designer. He is best known for creating the Rayman franchise and was the lead designer or director for several of the games, including Rayman Origins and its sequel Rayman Legends. He is also known for the critically acclaimed video game Beyond Good & Evil, as well as for King Kong, based on Peter Jackson's remake of King Kong, which sold well and was critically acclaimed. In 2017, he began work on Beyond Good and Evil 2, although he left the project in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amstrad GX4000</span> Video game console

The GX4000 is a video game console that was manufactured by Amstrad. It was the company's short-lived attempt to enter the games console market. The console was released in Europe in 1990 and was an upgraded design based on the then still-popular CPC technology. The GX4000 shared hardware architecture with Amstrad's CPC Plus computer line, which was released concurrently. This allowed the system to be compatible with the majority of CPC Plus software.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Microids</span> French video game developer and publisher

Microids is a French video game developer and publisher based in Paris. Founded in 1985 by Elliot Grassiano, it attained early success with games published through Loriciel in France and other partners in international markets. Through expanding its staff and development teams, Microïds generated funds to expand from just development to publishing and distribution and opening international offices. The company merged with MC2 in 2003 to create MC2-Microïds, whereafter it acquired publishers Wanadoo Edition and Cryo Interactive. Grassiano left MC2-Microïds in 2005; under new management, MC2-Microïds was briefly renamed MC2 before returning to the old Microïds name. It was then acquired by Anuman Interactive in 2010, which itself was renamed Microïds in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frédérick Raynal</span> French video game designer

Frédérick Raynal is a French video game designer and programmer, notable for his game developments in Infogrames, Adeline Software International and No Cliché. He is married to Yaël Barroz, a fellow game designer, with whom he has two children.

<i>Infernal Runner</i> 1985 video game

Infernal Runner is a horror-themed platform game for the Commodore 64 published by Loriciel in 1985 and later adapted to the Amstrad CPC. Game designer Éric Chahi, who later created Another World, is credited on the Amstrad version. Infernal Runner a flip screen game similar in style to Jet Set Willy: a series of platform-filled screens that can be moved between, each with specific obstacles to avoid.

<i>Arabian</i> (video game) 1983 video game

Arabian (アラビアン) is a 1983 arcade platform game developed and published by Sun Electronics (Sunsoft) in Japan, and Atari, Inc. in North America. A Famicom version was developed and released by Sunsoft only in Japan as Super Arabian (スーパーアラビアン). A distinct port for home computers developed by Interceptor Software was released as Tales of the Arabian Nights.

<i>I Am Alive</i> 2012 survival video game

I Am Alive is a 2012 action-adventure survival game set in a post-apocalyptic world. Developed by Ubisoft Shanghai and published by Ubisoft, it was released for Xbox 360 in March 2012, for PlayStation 3 in April, and for Windows in September.

<i>Beyond Good and Evil 2</i> Upcoming video game

Beyond Good and Evil 2 is an upcoming video game developed by Ubisoft Montpellier and to be published by Ubisoft. It is a prequel to Beyond Good & Evil, released in 2003. Its development was characterized in the media by uncertainty, doubt and rumors about the game's future. The game was announced as a sequel at Ubidays 2008 with almost a decade of silence before being reannounced as a prequel at Ubisoft's E3 2017 conference, although no release window or target platforms have been mentioned.

<i>Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: The Game</i> 2010 video game

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game is a side-scrolling beat 'em up game developed by Ubisoft Montreal and Ubisoft Chengdu and published by Ubisoft, based on the Scott Pilgrim series of Oni Press graphic novels by Bryan Lee O'Malley and tying in with the release of the film of the same name. The game was originally released digitally for Xbox 360 via Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation 3 via PlayStation Network in August 2010 before being delisted in December 2014. An updated re-release for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One and Google Stadia titled Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game – Complete Edition, was released on January 14, 2021.

<i>From Dust</i> 2011 video game

From Dust is a god video game, designed by Éric Chahi and developed by Ubisoft Montpellier. The game was released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation Network, and Xbox Live Arcade in 2011. Described as a spiritual successor to Populous, the game revolves around The Breath, which was summoned by a tribe to help them seek and recover their lost knowledge. In the game, players, controlling a cursor, can manipulate matter such as lava, soil, and water. Players can help the tribespeople to overcome challenges including finding different totems and overcoming natural disasters. In addition to the story mode, the game features a Challenge mode which offers a shorter, but harder experience.

<i>Dust: An Elysian Tail</i> 2012 video game

Dust: An Elysian Tail is a 2012 action role-playing game developed by American independent designer Dean Dodrill studio Humble Hearts with support by Microsoft Game Studios Japan and published by Microsoft Studios. It was released for Xbox 360 through Xbox Live Arcade in August 15, 2012. It was subsequently ported by Humble Hearts for Windows in May 24, 2013, for Linux and OS X in December 17, 2013, and for PlayStation 4 in October 2014. A version for the Nintendo Switch was announced at E3 2018 and was released by Limited Run Games in September 10, 2018.

<i>The Crew 2</i> 2018 racing video game

The Crew 2 is a 2018 online racing video game developed by Ubisoft Ivory Tower and published by Ubisoft for PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One, and Google Stadia. It is the sequel to 2014's The Crew. It features a persistent open world environment for free-roaming across a scaled-down recreation of the contiguous United States. The game allows players to control a variety of vehicles including cars, motorcycles, boats, and airplanes.

<i>Just Dance 2019</i> 2018 video game

Just Dance 2019 is a 2018 dance rhythm game developed and published by Ubisoft. It was unveiled on June 11, 2018, during its E3 press conference as the tenth main installment of the series, and was released on October 23, 2018 on Nintendo Switch, Wii, Wii U, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One in North America. It was also released on October 25, 2018 in Europe and Australia. A demo for the game was released on November 12, 2018, on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Wii U, and Nintendo Switch.

<i>Paper Beast</i> 2020 video game

Paper Beast is a 2020 virtual reality adventure game developed and published by Pixel Reef for PlayStation 4, Windows, and PlayStation 5. The game was created by Éric Chahi, who previously worked on Another World. In the game, players are tasked to navigate a world inhabited by various digital life-forms. It received generally positive reviews upon release. Paper Beast: Folded Edition, a non-VR version of the game, was released on October 20, 2020.

<i>Lunark</i> 2023 platform game

Lunark is a 2023 platform game developed by Canari Games and published by WayForward. The game was originally released for Windows, macOS, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch on March 30, 2023, with ports for the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 released on April 6, 2023. The game follows Leo who has unique abilities, the player attempts to uncover the origin about humanity.

References

  1. "Quinze ans plus tard, Éric Chahi revient sur son projet, devenu, avec le temps, une référence". Premiere (in French). 2007. p. 117.
  2. Hickman, Sam (June 1996). "One Man and His Dog". Sega Saturn Magazine . No. 8. Emap International Limited. pp. 36–42.
  3. Freeman, Will (January 25, 2012). "Inside Ubisoft Montpellier: A Ray of light". develop-online.net. Retrieved February 6, 2012. It was at Ubisoft Montpellier that [...] where Another World creator Eric Chahi chose to step out from several years in the development wilderness to create From Dust.
  4. "Beat the heat with Summer of Arcade". Microsoft. Retrieved 2011-07-20.
  5. Luke Plunkett. "Another World Creator Back With A New Game: Project Dust". Kotaku.
  6. "MoMA | Video Games: 14 in the Collection, for Starters".
  7. "Simulateur d'éruption". Réunion des Musées Régionaux (in French). Archived from the original on 25 December 2019.
  8. Plunkett, Luke (April 10, 2019). "Another World Creator Éric Chahi Is Back With A PS4 VR Game". Kotaku . Retrieved April 10, 2019.
  9. "Eric Chahi : " J'avais envie de créer un rythme cinématographique pour Another World " | CNC". Centre National du Cinéma et de l'Image Animée (in French). 18 March 2021.
  10. "Paper Beast". PlayStation. Retrieved 2022-08-09.
  11. "Paper Beast on Steam". store.steampowered.com. Retrieved 2022-08-09.
  12. "Ubisoft E3 2010 Press Conference". Ubisoft E3 2010. 2010-06-14. Retrieved 2010-06-14.
  13. "From Dust". Facebook. Retrieved 2012-01-31.
  14. "'From Dust' Tech Demo is Phenomenal".
  15. Moors, Peter (2013). Music and Game: Perspectives on a Popular Alliance. Springer. p. 129. ISBN   978-3531189130. ... at least in this respect, be compared to other 'sandbox' titles such as Peter Molyneux's Black & White (2001) and Éric Chahi's From Dust (2011).