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Digital Eclipse Announces New Interactive Documentary Series Starting With The Making Of Karateka

In recent times, legacy collections remains to be a highlight for nostalgic fans in search for more reason to revisit some of the tentpole releases from decades prior. Part of this initiative is driven by developer Digital Eclipse. Previously, the game studio crowdfunded more than $10 million for more projects to come in preserving these experiences and delivering them for the newest console systems.

Already, the firm recently shipped the Konami-partnered Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection last year. Additionally, Digital Eclipse also rolled out Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration as well which bundles a myriad of original Atari titles for one fixed price. The game was followed by praise in its seamless experience for a legacy compilation title.

This week at the recent ID@Xbox Showcase, Digital Eclipse returns with a new ‘Gold Master Series’ that reflects on more hallmark titles with a new interactive documentary approach starting with The Making of Karateka. You can watch the full trailer in the video below:

“Game number one in the Gold Master Series is titled The Making of Karateka, and it’s all about the fascinating story behind a game that changed the industry. Before he created the Prince of Persia series, Jordan Mechner created Karateka on his Apple II computer, a game that made massive leaps in animation, music, and cinematic storytelling. For many players, it was the first game that ever felt like an interactive movie, and it set the tone for decades of cinematic gaming experiences to come.

“In The Making of Karateka, you’ll meet Jordan Mechner – not the legendary veteran game designer we know today, but the unknown teenage college student who was desperate to break into the video game business. Through excerpts from his college journals, galleries of his design documents, and all-new video interviews, you’ll share Jordan’s struggles and triumphs as he creates a video game like no one had ever seen before,” editorial director Chris Kohler writes.

“And, of course, you’ll get to play games – not just the finished retail versions of Karateka, but also several unfinished prototypes, including the original version that Jordan pitched to publishers. We’ve even included several prototype versions of Deathbounce, an arcade-style shooting game that Jordan was creating before he started on Karateka. Never released back in the day, Deathbounce is getting its first official release as part of The Making of Karateka.”

At Digital Eclipse, we’re all about adding quality-of-life features to legacy game titles, so of course you’ll be able to save and load your games anywhere, use Rewind to get out of sub-optimal situations, and choose from a variety of authentic borders and screen filters. Our signature Watch Mode lets you view a playthrough of the game, then jump in at any time and start playing. In The Making of Karateka, we’re expanding on Watch Mode by adding a chapter select function that lets you jump immediately to key gameplay moments, as well as a commentary track from both Jordan and Francis.

“We also love to update classic games for the modern era. Karateka Remastered is a brand-new version of the original with updated graphics, music, and gameplay. An optional commentary track from Digital Eclipse’s president Mike Mika discusses how he created this new version, and what made Jordan’s original so special.

“Last but not least, we’ve even created an all-new version of the unreleased game Deathbounce, called Deathbounce: Rebounded, a fast and furious twin-stick shooter built on Jordan Mechner’s original ideas, sketches, and notes. Both these new games are included exclusively in The Making of Karateka.”

What has you excited for the new The Making of Karateka?

Gold Master Series’ The Making of Karateka is listed for 2023 release for Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S.

Source: Xbox Wire

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