Naughty Dog Concept Artist Eytan Zana has posted on his blog some beautiful images of a project he’s working on with thatgamecompany Art Director Matt Nava. Described as “Ico-inspired”, we’re not entirely sure what this might actually be, but consider our interest piqued nonetheless. Zana has only just started working at Naughty Dog so this may be something that was in the works before his appointment.
Of course, both studios are closely linked with Sony so it’s not a big leap to think that one artist can work on more than one game with different development houses. Whatever it is, we’re intrigued. Here’s one shot from the collection that Eytan describes as:
“For the Ico project. Wanted to capture some outskirts, an establishing shot, and some platforming areas.”
Anything Ico-inspired is good in our books – especially if stellar studios such as Naughty Dog and thatgamecompany are involved. We’ll keep our eyes on Mr. Zana’s blog for more updates about this very interesting side-project. We recommend you might also want to keep it on your radar.
Update: As mentioned in the comments below, Zana has confirmed that this is just a side-project himself and Matt are working on “for fun.” If anything comes of it is unlikely, but it’s still beautiful work regardless.
Source: Gameguru.in
Grey_Ghost13
This could be epic!
bunimomike
“our interest piqued nonetheless”
Understatement of the year (for me). Bloody, holy, cow-poking hell!
billsmugs
Please let them make this, I’ve never played Ico, but from what I’ve heard about it it sounds like it would have been right up my street. Also, anything linked to thatgamecompany is pretty much an instant buy for me.
billsmugs
Sorry to reply to myself, but I’ve asked on the thatgamecompany forums as to the state of this project (whether its pretty much guaranteed to be released or if its just a side project they’re look into for a bit of fun): http://www.thatgamecompany.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=4894#4894 Hopefully I’ll get a positive answer.
nofi
Sold.
rht992
dam right!
aerobes
This could really be something special, can’t wait for more info.
TSBonyman
Sounds good can’t wait to hear more!
Dunks
Its amazing the weight of respect that Ico holds. Anytime a game is compared to it people take notice. I really hope they do put out a HD version of ICO cause Ive never played it but hear about it all the time. This artwork looks lovely though…
funkyellowmonkey(ps3 id)
Excellent news, can’t wait! :D
funkyellowmonkey(ps3 id)
I’ve just read this on source site tho:
Hi, this is Eytan Zana, I just want to clarify that the ICO project is something my friend Matt Nava are doing for fun. It has ZERO connection to Sony or Naughty Dog. Matt and I both share love for ICO and wanted to see what it would be like to redesign it as a side project. Maybe I should have made that more clear. If you really need proof ask yourself why I have not been fired after posting what would be NDA (non-disclosure agreement) work online for all to see.
… Hmmm…
Kovacs
Indeed. Also why we didn’t lead with: “OMG! Naughty Dog’s Next To Be Like Ico!”
It’s a side-project. If something comes of it than that’s great. It’s unlikely though. We’ll still keep an eye on this as it’s interesting nonetheless. We’re fans of the quirky, the side-projects, the passion pieces.
Hey – that’s how Explodemon started, and we can’t wait for that.
MXZ
I dont care if its only i side project, i want this game.
and if its not a game then i demand it become one