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.

@Subfightr

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for this story. Congrats on your journey with Sega. I hope it was a good one

@Marzimus

Жыл бұрын

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! 👍

@christophermoody6840

11 ай бұрын

​@@MarzimusI had the Sega CD version back in the day and it was super creepy.

@Marzimus

11 ай бұрын

@@christophermoody6840 Welcome to the Machine.

@Yamigata

5 ай бұрын

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.

@danielbueno8474

4 жыл бұрын

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.

@RainePhoenix

4 жыл бұрын

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.

@AnalyticalReckoner

4 жыл бұрын

The only people downplaying Sega are people who stopped playing games. Sega publishes a lot of great games these days.

@edcarlosworld7777

4 жыл бұрын

@ArtofZen Digital - Amaizing words of yours , I could write better !!

@neonkenomi320

4 жыл бұрын

I wish could pin this comment on the wall so much.

"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

85 emails, this on top. Screw everything else.

@strafefox

4 жыл бұрын

Ha! :) Thanks and good luck with your 85 emails

@stepheng8061

4 жыл бұрын

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!

Such an underrated channel

@feeztherapgamer7728

4 жыл бұрын

definitely. I'm always impatiently waiting for more videos from this channel

@THESHMUPMASTER

4 жыл бұрын

It's the most underrated gaming channel on KZread, by far.

@TheJadeFist

4 жыл бұрын

And an underrated game series.

@imonishee

4 жыл бұрын

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

Probably one of the most impactful games in my life. Still listen to the soundtrack to this day.

@Pan_Z

3 жыл бұрын

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.

@a.j.9727

Жыл бұрын

@@Pan_Z *Ecco

@amy4291

Жыл бұрын

Ecco was huge to me during my childhood. The graphics are still beautiful today.

This channel provides some of the best video game content on the internet. Thank you.

@strafefox

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much!

@1ucasvb

4 жыл бұрын

I don't know how they don't have millions of subscribers yet.

@dbkai75

4 жыл бұрын

I couldnt agree more with you ! I love this channel and their great work !!

@ChaossX77

11 ай бұрын

Said absolutely_nobody... And everyone else. Lol

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!)

Ecco is one of those transcendental works of art that should be cherished and celebrated until the end of times.

@robertbektas1810

3 жыл бұрын

Too bad the game sucks on ice to play

@PaulRockey

3 жыл бұрын

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

@Goldun-nah

2 жыл бұрын

Imagine if they made echo the dolphin today and how realistic it would look. They should totally do it.

@bezoticallyyours83

4 ай бұрын

​@@Goldun-nahit would be breathtaking

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.

Literally stopped what I was doing to check out on this!!

@brazilmugenteam

4 жыл бұрын

Me too

@MegaDriveProfile

4 жыл бұрын

same

@Cafeman_2D

4 жыл бұрын

Me too

@diegoherzap

4 жыл бұрын

Same

@edcarlosworld7777

4 жыл бұрын

I didn´t think twice.

I'm glad someone remembered Ecco 🐬

@RoronoaDLuffy-iu4yx

4 жыл бұрын

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

@Aki-kh2qe-StreetKidZZZ

2 ай бұрын

It was never forgotten mate. We're 2024 and people are still playing it

The soundtrack of Ecco 1 and 2 is one of the most impressive accomplishments on the Sega Genesis/megadrive.

@shukterhousejive

4 жыл бұрын

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.

@Plasmariel

3 жыл бұрын

I'd say the Streets of Rage trilogy and Time Trax take the cake

@bezoticallyyours83

Жыл бұрын

Have you heard the soundtrack for Ecco Defender of the Future? It's gorgeous.

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.

@strafefox

4 жыл бұрын

Ha! Thanks :)

I'm at work, but I'm going to go take a 16 minute and 38 seconds break. Strafe - your content is soooooo good!

@luisguillermojg

4 жыл бұрын

Same.

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

@TheJadeFist

4 жыл бұрын

I think that was their intention.

@Noel...

4 жыл бұрын

Same still scares me till this day

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

i love how much you go in depth while using appealing animations to keep the entertaining value high in your documentaries strafefox

@strafefox

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@MegaAedu

4 жыл бұрын

@@strafefox You're welcome dude. Looking so forward to more of your stuff.

@DoseOfAutism69

4 жыл бұрын

@@strafefox Seriously how do you get this brilliant Animated CGI and Animations done in such a short time??

@strafefox

4 жыл бұрын

@@DoseOfAutism69 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 :)

@DoseOfAutism69

4 жыл бұрын

@@strafefox Ah, cool :) always wanted to know...

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!

@strafefox

4 жыл бұрын

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 :)

@bezoticallyyours83

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for making these games. Looking forward to Dolphin Quest too

Still listen to the soundtrack for the first game for the SEGA CD all the time!

@Plasmariel

3 жыл бұрын

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.

If there's ever to be game history lessons in schools, this channel would be the material to show at students. Top notch

A fine day when these are posted.

@edcarlosworld7777

4 жыл бұрын

indeed !

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!

@takedeepshhh

3 жыл бұрын

sorry but you still failed all of them novotrade names:)

This channel is the official History Channel of video games!

@ingwersengrady

4 жыл бұрын

well, 90s History Channel.

There's something special about games that stick completely to their original vision throughout the entire development process.

Stopped my life to enjoy the best KZread retrogame channel ever created. You guys are so amazing!

@strafefox

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much! :)

The seven dislikes are the scuba divers with harpoons that didn't make the Box art

If only ten KZread 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!! 👍

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.

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 KZread channels. Thank you.

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.

@strafefox

4 жыл бұрын

Cool to hear that you discovered my channel through Ecco. I also love the cartridge soundtrack to Tides of Time!

Every time I go to like this just to find out I've already pressed the like button!

I still use Ecco's soundtrack as relaxing music :P

I love that Ecco is just a regular dolphin, no special designs or anything crazy to make him stand out or "mascotize" him. Just a plain old dolphin on a mission to save the world from aliens like any other

This channel deserves at least 500,000 subs. The quality and effort put in these videos is the best on KZread. I always learn something and am thoroughly entertained in the process.

@banredassaultsuvs361

4 жыл бұрын

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.

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 will never not click on these videos.

@manuelkfc7916

2 жыл бұрын

True words have never been spoken

Amazing video! It's great to see that people are still interested in Ecco!

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.

The making of one of my favorite Sega series by the hand of one of my favorite youtube channels, what a great day!

Been wondering when Ecco will be talked to. Wasn't disappointed, thank you~

My mom would play this non stop when it first came out. She finished it a couple of times.

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'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!

@strafefox

4 жыл бұрын

Awesome! Thanks :)

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.

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!

God, these are so well done. I love the visual design of these so much.

HE'S BACK, HES BACK, HES BACK. MA GAAAWD

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.

love these videos

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.

This game, especially the soundtrack is REALLY something special. When i listen to the music I almost start crying, its so hauntingly magical.

Such a beautiful series and so under rated, I still get chills from defender of the future!

I remember back in the day how smooth the movement of Ecco felt, like nothing else at the time. This game was haunting and scary and really stuck with me. The world felt mysterious and dangerous and a lot bigger then it was and the underwater setting made it all alien.

Thanks for giving so much love to Sega's Genesis/Megadrive. It was my first system and holds a special place in my heart.

I've always known about Ecco, but never played it until I got the Mega-Drive Mini a few weeks ago. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it, it was mature, beautiful, elegant and mysterious. Not many games like that even now.

@strafefox

4 жыл бұрын

Great to hear you have fun with Ecco! and the Mini consoles are really great at that. In a way they really encourage you to play through or at least try the games you are less familiar with. I'm currently working my way through Super C and Comix Zone, 2 games I never beat without cheating.

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.

Playing this is a kid was always a haunting experience for me, the sounds and music in the game really immerse you in that vast ocean and it almost feels like you cannot escape it... Till this day i have never beaten it it was too hard for me as a kid and it still is today.... Love the game none the less.

Finally a "making of video" about Ecco the Dolphin which mentions the Hungarian connection!

I've been waiting for a new video from you. They're always great.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The soundtrack has always been amazing to me and now that I know that shine on you crazy diamond was kind of a direction center for the music it makes so much sense

I remember how difficult this game was; I couldn't finish it since I had the version before the set point introduction! Thanks so much for these videos; you return us to the old good days!

I just found this video at the perfect time. I recently decided to play through the Ecco games again and watching this really brought me in to the series again.

A+ for all the Spencer Nielsen tracks used in this video

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.

Top quality content. As usual.

1:07 Oh my god, ecco=echo (location system of dolphins). How have I never made that connection before... now I feel stupid.

@BloodyBoyBlue

3 жыл бұрын

Watch Atrocity Guide’s video on dolphins to see what ECCO really means

The bit about exporting games. We don't learn about game developers in school. The details are gold.

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 KZread.

Thanks for the video! This games was remarkable and brings so many good memories when i was a kid. I wish could knew all of this in that time. The soundtrack is something out of this world, amazing!

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 KZreadrs and Clickbaiters make more revenue?!

One aspect of Ecco I think would be helpful for younger viewers today is to understand how pervasive dolphins were in early 90s design. They were part of that neon Trapper Keeper trend and everything that today might have a sloth or narwhal on it had a dolphin. Ecco was a bit out there but did rely on this dolphin trend, embracing it and also driving it even deeper into the zeitgeist.

There seriously needs to be more Ecco the Dolphin content. Stunning stuff, _as always._

Another great work, guys! The video was amazing to watch

Wow, our Zdenek Burians paintings were the influence? Nice!

I finally got around to watch this. Despite being Hungarian and having been read a good many interviews about Novotrade, the video still were full of completely new info for me. You are magic.

The best doc about Ecco the Dolphin franchise that I already saw! Congratulations! I have absolutely sure that the old Ecco's sites and communities, like Caverns of Hope and Dark Sea are very proud of this rich work. Again, congratulations for you job! Greetings from Brazil! :)

Ecco the Dolphin on the SEGA CD is one of my all time favourite videogame soundtracks! From the day I first played it to even sometimes nowadays, I would play that soundtrack to lull me to sleep

Ecco actually creeped me out as a kid, but I still enjoyed it. Spectacular video as always. Keep up the great work and I look forward to more.

Ecco is actually a survival horror game.. I'm highlighting this because tit didn't it me till a couple years ago, and I'm guessing a lot of other people haven't made the connexion yet. Icredible doc as always man! The visulas, the research, it's all elite level

these are the kind of vids i want to make also on youtube so im in the process of learning blender

Oh man, I was waiting for this. Ecco is such a good game.

Marvelous work as always, Jeroen!

12:35 OMG someone besides me remembers Trellia and the Sky Fins! This blew my brain as a kid.

This channel always gets me in the mood to play 16 bit games, it seems like every game of the time had an interesting story behind it

I worked for Sega for half a year as a contractor doing phone support on the 800 and 415 phone lines. This game was hard and I and the co-workers around me could hear the frustration in callers voices when they had questions. We had great tip sheets for reference from the Tip team but the game itself pushed a lot of gamers to their limits. Landstalker and Star Trek also were guaranteed long calls.

Every precise detail is amazing. I loved hearing about the floppy disk thing used to compress video for the Mega CD

Thanks! I dropped everything to watch this immediately! Very high quality program and wonderful to watch for us Sega and Ecco fans!

Good work! I love NOVOTRADE's work and games on the Genesis, particularly because they were the only ones that could do the music on the Sega Genesis correctly outside of Japan.

@strafefox

4 жыл бұрын

András Magyari who did music and sound effects for both Mega-Drive games was a very skilled programmer. László told me he made his own MIDI player for the Z-80 sound processor in the Mega-Drive.

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

When ever I feel out of ideas …. I watch one Strafefox video and get inspired like never before

The editing on this was on fire. Really well done

Fascinating stuff. Great research!!

Amazing work as always, every one of these videos are such a delight to watch and they deserve so much more attention.

Ed Annunciata was 1 of my teachers at the Art I.stitute back in 2006. He told his whole story about creating Eco and his regret in making his games so hard. But his big story was convincing people to like the gameplay engine. "Ed, nobody wants to play a fish! " was the typical reject he got.