Conversation with Eric Chahi
I’ve met Eric Chahi (creator of Another World) twice: in Paris in 1992, and a couple of years later in San Francisco, where the Smoking Car team and I were toiling away on The Last Express, while Eric and his Amazing Studios were deep in the throes of finishing Heart of Darkness — both passion projects that had gone over schedule and budget, an ocean apart, exacting a psychic and financial toll for which the experiences of making Prince of Persia and Another World had only partly prepared us.
I remember looking at Eric’s tired face and thinking: He looks the way I feel.
Recently, Mark Siegel, my editor at First Second Books, asked me if by chance I had Eric’s contact info. I hadn’t spoken to Eric in a dozen years (though the original Another World poster he signed for me is hanging in my office), so I asked my friend Eric Viennot.
That email sparked Eric to suggest a joint interview, which, after much patience and persistence on his part, he’s now posted on his blog. Here it is, for those who read French.
Update: An English translation (non-Babelfish) has been posted on Gamasutra.
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I never played Another World, but Heart of Darkness was an amazing game – it terrified me as a kid.
It’s worth the price of entry: http://www.anotherworld.fr/
Hey, this is great! I’d love to translate it, though I’m afraid I might mangle your meanings in the anglais-français-anglais hokey-pokey — Eric Viennot noted on Twitter that you originally answered in English.
The interview can be read in english quite well if you use Babel Fish translation. Not the same as the original but it gets you there. Eric Viennot did a great job, once again. He is the best.
Mr Jordan, there has been one question that troubled my mind for years as a game player and researcher. According to Eric Chahi’s statement in his “Another World Anniversary Edition” making of feature, he was not aware of Prince of Persia when he created Another World. When you met him, did you ask about this? Can this be true?
Thank you.
Indeed, I discover Prince of persia on PC, in the middle of Another World developpement (end 1990). I was really impressed, the true influence of Jordan works came from Karateka on Apple II, it has always been a reference for it animation and the dramatic tension.
That’s very cool to know! Merci, Eric!
Eric, hi
did you have a twitter account?
And also have you ever think about making a movie “Another World” like Jordan did with “Prince of Persia”?
As Jordan allredy has relations with Jerry Brukhimer so would be interesting in such idea?
According to Eric Viennot, on its twitter, the interview will be published on Gamasutra (in english).
It will indeed
We’re working on the translation now.
very cool.
looking forward to english translation.
Thanks for the link. Enjoying (very slowly!) reading the interview, although I’m missing a lot of the subtler language.. if only it came with illustrations like Tintin.
I see no mention of the new Karateka game. Is that project still active or has it been set back or abandoned entirely?
Excellent read all-round. You two are expert craftsmen.
I remember playing Another World (aka. Out of this World) on my old Sega Genesis. It was one of the most unique games of it’s time, and one of my favorite memories from my childhood.