The Making of Ecco the Dolphin
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 29 окт 2019
- This episode is centered around one of SEGA's more unique series: Ecco the Dolphin.
///Support the channel:
All your views, likes comments and shares are really appreciated! My making of videos are part of bigger project. I set up a patreon for those who would like to financially support it:
/ strafefox
For more info about the sealife featured in Ecco check this great blog by Aggro Sky
www.1morecastle.com/2014/01/th...
//Music and Sources
For the complete track-listing with time-codes skip to the end of the video Sources used for this video are also listed there.
Narration by Chase McCaskill
This video features rearrangements from the album Stream of Time by Viper Fox
/ vf-music
Defender of the future gameplay by Sonicfreak94 / sonicfreak94 
Игры
I have one story about the Dreamcast version of Ecco from when I worked at Sega. The main development was managed by SOE and when the team were asked who they thought should narrate the intro they wanted Doctor Who's Tom Baker due to the fact that SOA had got Leonard Nimoy for the US version of Seaman. So one morning the producer went to the recording studio to oversee the recording. He came back to the office late that afternoon and gathered everyone around because he had something he wanted us to hear. After Tom had read out the intro speech to the game he then ad-libbed "I know this, because I was there." Amazing meta comment that got left on the cutting room floor.
Thank you for this story. Congrats on your journey with Sega. I hope it was a good one
I find the third entry terrifying. Twenty years ago I turned off RE: Directors Cut to play it on Dreamcast. Then I discovered Vincent Price...good times! 👍
@@MarzimusI had the Sega CD version back in the day and it was super creepy.
@@christophermoody6840 Welcome to the Machine.
And you know this because you were there
It’s so hard to express just how important these videos are. You should submit these to gaming publications for many reasons. Sega continues to be downplayed due to the trajectory they took in the console industry, but their contributions to gaming are far too numerous to name, from Virtua Fighter’s 3D and utilization of early motion capture, to the rise of cutting edge polygon pushing arcade hardware that was years ahead of the competition.
Your videos capture the ingenuity of the Genesis era, which is also now continually being downplayed in terms of the exceptional games and visuals it had. You literally not only clearly explain the way both are pushed thoroughly, but also the artistic, audio and marketing aspects of the Genesis era. Even the awesome way that you bring the box art into the discussion. Thank you for your incredible contributions to gaming. These are top notch videos.
ikr? When he mentioned "iron curtain" and "the 80's" I thought "Wait, wasn't the Genesis era in the 90's?" But then I remembered that the Genesis was released in 89, and it wasn't even trying to compete with the SNES, because it was still ONE YEAR AWAY from release. Sega truly was a company ahead of it's time.
I've been saying this for years. Nintendo's hold on video game producers and publishers as well as the market share in Japan and North America and pop culture in general in the mid-late 80s can not be overstated. But, at the same time, Sega wasn't twiddling their thumbs. Sure, hardly anyone knew or heard of the Master Sysrem let alone owned one in North America, but when the Sega Genesis came out, it changed the game forever. The courageous risks that Sega, particularly Sega of America took in order to get a foothold on the market meant some of the most unique, original and creative games yet seen were allowed to be developed, such as Toejam and Earl and Ecco the Dolphin, as mentioned in this video, but also games like Road Rash and Rocket Knight Adventures. And renowned developer Treasure might not be a household name today had it not been for the Genesis/Mega Drive providing them an outlet to out forth their creations, as well as serving as publishers. Sega even embraced Code master's Game Genie and grander them a license to release the device.
Despite all this, all people choose to remember about Sega and its 16-bit system are the lesser titles, the poor decisions made by Sega of Japan, the casualties of the GEMS sound driver, the fact that by most accounts the Genesis was technically inferior to the SNES (a console 2 years younger than the Genesis, which was designed to compete with it just as the Genesis was in competition with the NES), the failed add-ons, and their own biases from having grown up with 2 Nintendo consoles. This is reflected even now with the endless stream of rooms, hacks, homebrews, mods, merchandise, etc. for Nindendo and its various games and consoles, whereas finding anything for Sega in its hayday is virtually impossible. I'm just thankful for this channel and several others for illustrating the significance and cultural impact Sega had and continues to have made. Perhaps, with more videos/channels like this, and the success of the Genesis Mini, Sega will finally begin to enjoy the respect it truly deserves and has earned.
The only people downplaying Sega are people who stopped playing games. Sega publishes a lot of great games these days.
@ArtofZen Digital - Amaizing words of yours , I could write better !!
I wish could pin this comment on the wall so much.
Such an underrated channel
definitely. I'm always impatiently waiting for more videos from this channel
It's the most underrated gaming channel on RUclips, by far.
And an underrated game series.
When I'm feeling tired
She pushed food through the door
And I crawl towards the crack of light
Sometimes I can't find my way
Newspapers spread around
Soaking all that they can
A cleaning is due again
- a good hosing down
The lady whom I feel maternal love for
Cannot look me in the eyes
But I see hers and they are blue
And they cock and twitch and masturbate!
Black windows of paint
I scratched with my nails
I see others just like me
Why do they not try to escape?
They bring out the older ones
They point in my way
They come with a flash of light
And take my family away
And very later I have learned
To accept some friends of ridicule
My whole existence is for your amusement
And that is why I'm here with you!
To take
Me with
You're right
85 emails, this on top.
Screw everything else.
Ha! :) Thanks and good luck with your 85 emails
Dude me too I have the day off work and and a long list of house and yard work plus watching the baby. So now thebyardwork is waiting and I'm watching this with my son!
This channel provides some of the best video game content on the internet. Thank you.
Thanks so much!
I don't know how they don't have millions of subscribers yet.
I couldnt agree more with you ! I love this channel and their great work !!
Said absolutely_nobody... And everyone else. Lol
Probably one of the most impactful games in my life. Still listen to the soundtrack to this day.
You may want to check out the game Rain World. Like Echo, Rain World is a 2D game about an animal that has been separated from its family. Both are about survival in the hostile environment of nature with a gradual supernatural element introduced. Rain World's tone is a little different. Bit less fantastical and more existential.
@@Pan_Z *Ecco
Ecco was huge to me during my childhood. The graphics are still beautiful today.
"It's imperative for a creative industry to have developers find success with concepts drawn from sources outside the current trends to form a rich mixture of entertainment products."
Couldn't agree more
Literally stopped what I was doing to check out on this!!
Me too
same
Me too
Same
I didn´t think twice.
Ecco 1 also has a truly great tutorial level. Because there's no tutorial. The very first section has no monsters or traps (although it is still possible to drown) along with a number of obstacles and tunnels to explore. The player can fool around in this area as long as they like, learning the controls in a safe environment. The game proper only begins once the player discovers how to speed-boost and high-jump out of the water, which is one of the trickier moves. Basically, it's a completely invisible skill check, and that's awesome design.
.
(And on top of that, it's plot-relevant! Ecco survives the alien attack because he happened to be out of the water at the moment it began. That's some seriously smart story/gameplay integration for a 16-bit side-scroller!)
I'm glad someone remembered Ecco 🐬
Ecco is that weird niche game, it didnt explode on the mainstream but it will probably have a solid following for a long, long time
It was never forgotten mate. We're 2024 and people are still playing it
I just realized why I find this channel so compelling, its like watching a video version of Gamefan magazine with its extreme attention to visually engaging backdrops and overall presentation. It shows a true love of the industry.
I'm at work, but I'm going to go take a 16 minute and 38 seconds break. Strafe - your content is soooooo good!
Same.
Ecco is one of those transcendental works of art that should be cherished and celebrated until the end of times.
Too bad the game sucks on ice to play
I love the game. Ecco the Dolphin and tides of time are two of my favorite games ever. But the Dreamcast one sucked. They need a new 3D Ecco
Imagine if they made echo the dolphin today and how realistic it would look. They should totally do it.
@@Goldun-nahit would be breathtaking
Has someone already told you that you make the best educational and interesting old-school gaming related content on the internet? Yes? Well, I don't care, I'm saying it again: You make the best educational and interesting old-school gaming related content on the internet.
Ha! Thanks :)
i love how much you go in depth while using appealing animations to keep the entertaining value high in your documentaries strafefox
Thanks!
@@strafefox You're welcome dude. Looking so forward to more of your stuff.
@@strafefox Seriously how do you get this brilliant Animated CGI and Animations done in such a short time??
@@DoseOfAutism It usually takes me 3 months to make an episode. It helps that I can re-use some design work and 3d models from older episodes :)
@@strafefox Ah, cool :)
always wanted to know...
The soundtrack of Ecco 1 and 2 is one of the most impressive accomplishments on the Sega Genesis/megadrive.
It's weird how the 2 teams created almost opposite soundtracks. Most of Spenser's tracks are the chilliest music ever created while their FM counterparts are usually raw nightmare beats.
I'd say the Streets of Rage trilogy and Time Trax take the cake
Have you heard the soundtrack for Ecco Defender of the Future? It's gorgeous.
My sweet childhood memories.... Remember playing this with my sister and brother, I don't even know where are they now. Hope they watch this video and remember the same thing *Crying
Best making of Ecco I've seen. Very well done and accurate!
And BTW, the Voyage of the Mimi was Ben Affleck's first role as an actor!
Really cool to hear! and thanks for making such imaginative and awesome games! I hope Ecco III will get funded someday or possible a remake of the original with updated graphics in the style of Zsolt's painting of Trelia and the Asterite, that would be amazing :)
Thank you for making these games. Looking forward to Dolphin Quest too
Ecco used to creep me out. Something about being in the ocean. And the stage where you see the aliens scared the shit out of me lol
I think that was their intention.
Same still scares me till this day
The seven dislikes are the scuba divers with harpoons that didn't make the Box art
Still listen to the soundtrack for the first game for the SEGA CD all the time!
You should definitely listen to Defender of the Future's OST too!
It is probably the best in the series, composed by the legend himself Tim Follin and truly follows the style the previous CD versions established.
A fine day when these are posted.
indeed !
If there's ever to be game history lessons in schools, this channel would be the material to show at students. Top notch
This channel deserves at least 500,000 subs. The quality and effort put in these videos is the best on RUclips. I always learn something and am thoroughly entertained in the process.
It does indeed. It unfortunately wont get that far because its not a loud obnoxious lets-player following the latest trend. I still try to get others into this, Game Sack, Jeremy Parish, etc despite the uphill battle.
This channel is the official History Channel of video games!
well, 90s History Channel.
This had the most complex names I had to pronounce in any Strafefox video thus far, but Jeroen was great about providing references. :)
Great video, Jer! Can't wait to voice the next one!
sorry but you still failed all of them novotrade names:)
Stopped my life to enjoy the best RUclips retrogame channel ever created. You guys are so amazing!
Thanks so much! :)
I still use Ecco's soundtrack as relaxing music :P
Ecco was a top tier megadrive game IMO, along with thunder force, sonic, streets of Rage and Rocket knight it is one of my favorite games ever made.
If only ten RUclips channels should be kept for the rest of life, this one should be among those. Absolutely fantastic work in every single ways (content, presentation and all!). Keep it up!! 👍
Everyone rightly comments on the production values, but the passion and love behind these is just as great. People notice it, for sure, but the combination is what makes this one of the best RUclips channels. Thank you.
I will never not click on these videos.
True words have never been spoken
Unreal. I never expected to see additional Ecco content covered here. Your first two videos is how I found your channel to begin with. Tides of Time will always be top tier Genesis for me (the cartridge OST is definitive for me). Thanks for the time invested.
Cool to hear that you discovered my channel through Ecco. I also love the cartridge soundtrack to Tides of Time!
HE'S BACK, HES BACK, HES BACK.
MA GAAAWD
love these videos
Every time I go to like this just to find out I've already pressed the like button!
1:07 Oh my god, ecco=echo (location system of dolphins). How have I never made that connection before... now I feel stupid.
Watch Atrocity Guide’s video on dolphins to see what ECCO really means
Been wondering when Ecco will be talked to. Wasn't disappointed, thank you~
The making of one of my favorite Sega series by the hand of one of my favorite youtube channels, what a great day!
Ecco is a masterpiece, plain and simple. The music and general atmosphere of the game are beautiful, with slightly uncanny and mysterious undertones, and the art style is fantastical while still being grounded into reality. It’s like if a Biology textbook had a baby with Lisa Frank.
To this day this game is probably one of the most profound experiences I had in gaming. I was 11 when I first played it. The music, the alien queen...WELCOME TO THE MACHINE! What a game.
There's something special about games that stick completely to their original vision throughout the entire development process.
Ecco's soundtrack will always be the best video game soundtrack for me. Nothing accentuates the game better, and I don't think I've ever heard an ST from another game capture the feeling and spirit of a game as well as Ecco's. It's beautiful, but haunting. In the same way as the game, the soundtrack speaks to the deeper meaning surrounding all aspects of the gameplay. Unnerving at the best of times, like the deep abyss that awaits you.
I seriously can't praise it enough. No other game's music comes close to that pure emotional response that Ecco's has.
I've been waiting for a new video from you. They're always great.
Amazing video! It's great to see that people are still interested in Ecco!
Thanks for another great episode! I found the part about the involvement of the Hungarian developers really interesting, especially that talented pixel artist and the inspiration he drew from a Hungarian paleontologist. Can you imagine a team of young programmers and artists having inspiration so rooted in nature and history now?
I’ve always had a deep appreciation for the Genesis version’s soundtrack. I feel that it better reflects the Pink Floyd inspiration they were going for. While difficult to go back to today, It’s still one of my favorite games on the system.
Top quality content. As usual.
I legit pop my Sega CD copy of this into a cd player just to hear that gorgeous atmospheric music some times. Love these videos, so interesting and professional level of quality. Please keep making these.
I'm usually a silent subscriber, but I had to comment just to tell you how much I appreciate your incredible content. I'm going to support your channel as soon as I can. Keep up the amazing work!
Awesome! Thanks :)
Such a beautiful series and so under rated, I still get chills from defender of the future!
God, these are so well done. I love the visual design of these so much.
I love the aesthetic of this channel, literally my first click unto one of your videos was due to the colors and the theme being videogames, your content is documentary-style which is comfy as hell, i have always wondered how teams manage to make the games i discover in my teens (i was born on 95).
Keep it up dude, i want to make an indie game and i find a lot of motivation and ideas from your videos, hope i can release my game one day and i could put you in the credits as inspiration, honestly i dont think the game will be a success, but atleast i hope you find motivation on these paragraphs to continue with the great content.
Best wishes.
Marvelous work as always, Jeroen!
Thanks for giving so much love to Sega's Genesis/Megadrive. It was my first system and holds a special place in my heart.
Another great work, guys! The video was amazing to watch
I'm always in awe of your amazing production values and the quality of the content and narration as well.
Amazing work as always, every one of these videos are such a delight to watch and they deserve so much more attention.
You are doing such an amazing job here! Thank you for all your effort! Please keep doing what you doing!
Finally a "making of video" about Ecco the Dolphin which mentions the Hungarian connection!
I looked forward to getting home and watching this video. I was not disappointed. It was unsurprisingly well done and informative. Shine on you crazy diamond!
When one of the original developers tweeted that this is best video about Ecco development, you know there is something special waiting on the link. I have said it before, but will again, you make the bets retro gaming focused videos on RUclips.
These videos are always so excellent and well-researched. Thank you for continuing to make them :)
Absolutely love your videos. They’re leagues above the usual video game retrospectives you find on RUclips. Keep up the great work!
Great job as always! I really admire you and your team's commitment to documenting video game history.
This is incredible! Ecco has always been my favorite game since I was in 7th grade but hearing the backstory and what all went into the production is amazing! I really wish PS4 or something would take on the Ecco story and do another game. I know a game about a dolphin is not the most popular concept but once you start playing and get immersed in the underwater worlds there's no denying this is one of the best games ever made.
Before the internet, I'll never forget the day when I walked into the video game store after playing Ecco on my Genesis for years and discovering Ecco for the PS2. I stood in absolute wonder and shock. I had no expectation of a 3D Ecco game. God, I'm so glad they made one though. Discovering that game on the shelf was one of the most memorable moments of my childhood
I had to put this on hold for a 4 weeks while I was busy with life, but man I am so glad I came back to check this out. You are a truly legend for making these videos.
Fascinating stuff. Great research!!
Ah yes, this game.........used to scared the hell out of me as a kid. That giant octopus & me having a huge fear of drowning = nightmares for days. I am glad I didn't go far enough into the game to meet those creepy aliens when I was young. Good video as always.
not directly related but holy crap this unearthed memories of watching The Voyage of the Mimi in class! I had no idea the same guy worked on Ecco!
Thanks! I dropped everything to watch this immediately! Very high quality program and wonderful to watch for us Sega and Ecco fans!
Another strafefox vídeo!!
Gonna watch right now!!!!
Congrats buddy
You never fail to amaze me. This channel is so underrated that it pissed me off on why you didn't make over a million subscribers while bad RUclipsrs and Clickbaiters make more revenue?!
Breathtaking video as always! Thanks for the effort on it!
What an amazing video. Kudos for the time invested in this investigation.
I'm still in awe of how well these videos are made. Absolutely stunning work.
Fantastic video! I adored this game as a kid.
There seriously needs to be more Ecco the Dolphin content.
Stunning stuff, _as always._
Oh man, I was waiting for this. Ecco is such a good game.
Wow, our Zdenek Burians paintings were the influence? Nice!
your videos are a work of art. This game was one of the first video game I played and therefore is very nostalgic for me, but you managed to make it even better than what I remember of it
I have been waiting for a new video to be uploaded! You sir, did not disappoint! Ecco is one of my fav megadrive games. Im so excited to learn the history behind it. Please keep up the amazing work!
Amazing content, thank you Stratefox !
This channel is my happy place. I understand why it takes so long for you guys to produce videos. But waiting sucks. Yet so worth it.
Thank you! We love you for your amazing work!
these are the kind of vids i want to make also on youtube so im in the process of learning blender
So much Quality in your Videos, i'm really enjoying them!
The production quality of these videos is incredible. And I learned some things I didn't know about two of the games I played a lot in my childhood. Awesome! 👍
Never seen such an incredibly diligent documentarian on the internet! These videos are both classy and amazingly produced, it really does wonders to indulge and elaborate on my nostalgia! Keep it up man!!!!
Awesome stuff man. Ive been recently re-playing ecco and out of sheer coincidence, you release this brilliant video.
Xeno Falcon Hows the Playthrough going? Are you using save states? Is it still hard as balls |:I
This is what I needed today
Really enjoyed this doc. Every one of these Splash Waves is compelling to fans of the game. Excellent work. Glad 90's SEGA has inspired you develop such a wonderful channel for fans to grasp all the talent they had then. Your extremely professional work building these documentaries is captivating.
The editing on this was on fire. Really well done
Thank you for another great video, love those amazing visuals
Thanks for another great video of video game history. This game is very unique and your contributions may help people get a good insight into how things happened behind the scenes and the struggles they went through to make the game come out
Now I want a remake of this game.
Ecco PC: Fixed & Enhanced Edition.
Every precise detail is amazing. I loved hearing about the floppy disk thing used to compress video for the Mega CD
I can notice your dedication in every video that you make, and that is incredible! Im always hopping to see a new video every time that i turn on the youtube!
Thanks! and the new video is almost ready :)
I'm late to the party but why do I feel so much love for ecco the dolphin through this majestic editing skills. I very much like it.