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'Ecco The Dolphin' Creator In Talks with Sega Over New Installment in the Franchise

NJShadow

Member
For those of you who are fans of the 'Ecco The Dolphin' series, and I know there's definitely a few of you, word straight from Ed Annunziata (the creator) indicate that a new 'Ecco' title is indeed in the early stages of development, and that he now has a golden ticket for talks with Sega.

"Ecco fans, I need you to follow & tweethank @scottfoe, he convinced SEGA to meet with me now chances of a new Ecco the Dolphin x100!"

https://twitter.com/edannunziata/status/248510239341703168

imagefromurl


This was probably some of the most phenomenal news that I've heard in quite some time, as a longtime fan of the series. 'Ecco' is most remembered for having challenging gameplay, unique puzzles via underwater labyrinths, gorgeous visuals, and, in my opinion, some of the most beautiful video game music to ever grace a console. The sometimes eerie atmosphere was even scary at times, for many folks.

So as most can probably tell, I'm "all-in" at this point, and will be supporting any endeavor to get a new installment on a current-gen or next-gen system. If that series looked good on the Dreamcast and PS2, just imagine what Sega will be able to do with today's hardware, given the team behind cares enough (which it seems like they do).

Ed was even nice enough to show some very early scribbles on his marker board. This has me hopeful, and super excited, to say the least.

"It's nice to see BAD dolphin doodles on my office white board again!"

imagefromurl


So what do you guys think? Can our fine-finned hero make a comeback? How about the potential for a 1080p seascape? What are your thoughts on the series? Got some love for 'Ecco The Dolphin'? Show it! It can't hurt. ;)

UPDATE: Spencer Nilsen is officially on-board for the soundtrack.

Thanks to Mista Koo for the screen grab.

Fpfq.png
 

stilgar

Member
LOL



edit : I don't want to be misinterpreted : it's an interesting op. But the "early scribble" is fantastic.
 

Seraphis Cain

bad gameplay lol
The best we can hope for out of this is either:

A. Re-release of the Dreamcast game on PSN/XBLA/Steam

or

B. A mobile/social/Facebook game

A year or two ago I would have thought differently, but with Sega in the state that it's in now...yeah.
 

OnPoint

Member
I would absolutely LOVE a new Ecco.

2D or 2.5D please, but I'll take a 3D version as well. Beggars can't be choosers.
 

eXistor

Member
Fuck yeah Ecco the Dolphin! I hope we'll get a full-blown sequel, none of this iOS, mobile nonsense. Ecco deserves better than that.
 

NJShadow

Member
Only if Spencer Nilsen does the OST.

I'd be completely content with a soundtrack composed by Attila Dobos, András Magyari, David Javelosa and Andy Armer. They did the soundtrack for the Genesis version of 'Ecco: Tides of Time', and that just blew me away.

To name a few...

Main Title - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxV1ya3mvU0&feature=BFa&list=PLF7E0C44BA8047BEA

Fin to Feather - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJQzxFPO6II

Aqua Tubeway - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3hWECo9d7o&feature=BFa&list=PLF7E0C44BA8047BEA

Time Travel - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5nNwKmO2_Y&feature=relmfu

The team behind 'Ecco Defender of The Future', Tim Follin and Attila Heger, did a brilliant job as well. Didn't get to experience Spencer Nilsen's tunes, since I didn't own the CD version, but what from what I'm hearing on YouTube, that sounds pretty awesome as well.
 

OnPoint

Member
I'd be completely content with a soundtrack composed by Attila Dobos, András Magyari, David Javelosa and Andy Armer. They did the soundtrack for the Genesis version of 'Ecco: Tides of Time', and that just blew me away.

Main Title - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxV1ya3mvU0&feature=BFa&list=PLF7E0C44BA8047BEA

Fin to Feather - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJQzxFPO6II

Aqua Tubeway - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3hWECo9d7o&feature=BFa&list=PLF7E0C44BA8047BEA

Time Travel - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5nNwKmO2_Y&feature=relmfu

To name a few...

The team behind 'EccoL Defender of The Future', Tim Follin and Attila Heger, did a brilliant job as well. Didn't get to experience Spencer Nilsen's tunes, since I didn't own the CD version, but what from what I'm hearing on YouTube, that sounds pretty awesome as well.

'Time Travel' is the same song from the original Genesis soundtrack. And while I prefer the soundtrack of the first Genesis version you're definitely right, Tides of Time had great tunes as well.

I even prefer these to the much-loved Sega CD soundtrack. WHAT WHAT
 

Bboy AJ

My dog was murdered by a 3.5mm audio port and I will not rest until the standard is dead
One of my favorite gaming memories when I was younger. I remember seeing the Ecco commercial on TV and just being fascinated that you could actually play as a dolphin. And the octopus. It blew my mind you were in an ocean.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iB8z-56QnQA

Heh, check out the text on the bottom left.
 

NJShadow

Member
A Genesis Ecco music post without Welcome to the Machine or Tube of Medusa? Heresy.

Speaking of the Machine, sign me up with the people who'd like to get traumatized again with a new Ecco game.

I actually brought them up, but wasn't sure whether or not to include them. >.< I decided to go with the more "methodical" tunes, but I think 'Welcome to the Machine' falls into that category, so my apologies. (I'll probably edit and include them, because 'Tube of Medusa' was great. This was just a few hand-picked ones I loved.)
 
This... is amazing news. I still fondly remember the Ecco games. As a young lad, they really blew my mind with how deep they were.
 

Skilletor

Member
Well, the fact that Sega canned it in the first place could certainly be called a fiasco.

Yeah, this.

Basically Sega isn't taking any risks. Ecco is one of my favorite games. I'm not going to get my hopes up when they don't even put money into already existing good series.
 

Deadstar

Member
Ecco would look absolutely incredible with today's water graphics. Imagine the amazing environments that could be made. Especially if this goes next gen. The world needs more water levels!
 

Slygmous

Member
I'd love a new Ecco game, hopefully with music like the original genesis versions though.
Did anybody here finish DOF? I still feel bad for quitting.
 

ZealousD

Makes world leading predictions like "The sun will rise tomorrow"
the Dreamcast game was beautiful but insanely laborious to play. It felt like a job

That's practically a hallmark of the series. Beautiful, yet punishing.

Me and my brother never could beat the original legitimately. I might jump in for a sequel if it doesn't break my balls.
 
Love this series, but I'm worried about whether modern Sega can do it justice. I'd...krill to see a follow-up to DotF (Hanging Waters was the high point of the whole series for me), but I'll take a 2D/2.5D one if it's good.
 
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