If you found your way to this site because of Prince of Persia, thank you. I’d never have been able to take on the projects I have without the amazing support and loyalty of POP fans over the past twenty years. I hope you’ll find enough here to make your visit worthwhile.
Latest Prince of Persia News
Okay, going in reverse chronological order: there’s the Prince of Persia movie due out Memorial Day 2010. It’s a Disney/Bruckheimer live-action adventure epic starring Jake Gyllenhaal, it’s my first produced movie as screenwriter and executive producer, and I’m excited.
Then there’s the new Prince of Persia videogame from Ubisoft. I didn’t design or write this one, but I’ve followed its development for the past four years. The team set out to recapture the magical, Arabian Nights spirit of Sands of Time while raising the bar for the next generation of consoles. Technically and artistically, they’ve aimed very high, and I’m eager to play the final version.
Separate from both these projects is the Prince of Persia graphic novel published by First Second Books. It’s not a commercial tie-in to the new game or movie, but an original story rooted in Persian myth and legend, written by Iranian poet A.B. Sina and illustrated by LeUyen Pham and Alex Puvilland. I worked closely with the writer and artists, and in the afterword I explain why the franchise’s 20-year history led me to choose this unusual approach. I hope you’ll like it.
Rebirth of a Prince
In 2001 Ubisoft approached me with a proposal to revive Prince of Persia, at that time a decade-old, “classic” (i.e., dead) franchise. For a talented young Montreal team (average age 22), it was a chance to show the world what they could do; for an old-timer like me (I was 36), it was the project that seduced me back into designing video games.
I signed on to write the script, casting and directing the voice recording sessions, but when I realized how much fun I was having, soon stepped up my involvement, eventually coming on board full-time as writer and game designer. Sands of Time was one of those rare creative collaborations when everything meshes. It became the underdog success story of 2003, sweeping that year’s industry awards and catapulting POP back to the top of the charts (10 million units sold and counting). It got me my first professional screenwriting gig writing the Prince of Persia movie for Disney/Bruckheimer. I will forever love Montreal, even in winter.
How it All Began
Back in time again… past the ill-fated Prince of Persia 3D (1999), past Prince of Persia 2: The Shadow and the Flame (1993)…
…to the original Prince of Persia, the side-scrolling, running/jumping/swordfighting game I spent three years creating and programming on the Apple II, back in the days when a computer was something you could pop the hood off and tinker with the insides of, the way people used to do with cars. Brøderbund published it in 1989. Over the next few years it was converted to nearly every videogame and computer console then in existence, selling 2 million copies worldwide (thank you again!). It’s won too many awards to count, many of them from magazines that don’t exist any more — but for the nostalgically inclined, you can still download the original POP from various sites you didn’t hear about from me.
Or, if you have XBLA or PS3, you can play Prince of Persia Classic — Ubisoft’s modern remake of the original POP, souped up with better graphics and a modified gameplay interface that most players find more forgiving; for me, it’s actually harder, but that’s because my synapses were trained on the original.
Finally, for diehards, here’s a journal charting the development of the original POP game: not a revisionist history with 20/20 hindsight, but actual entries from notebooks I kept starting in 1985.
Links:
Prince of Persia graphic novel website
Buy the graphic novel from Amazon
Buy the graphic novel (hardcover collector’s edition) from Amazon
Prince of Persia videogame website
Buy the new game (Xbox 360) from Amazon
Buy the new game (PlayStation 3) from Amazon
Play previous Prince of Persia games on Gametap
Blog
I’ll have to search out the graphic novel, plus the new game looks very exciting! Love the art direction. The movie is something to look forward to too.
That reminds me, I should actually play through Arabian Nights one of these days (even though I’ve beaten 3D countless times)…
Thank you Jordan!
You’re way ahead of me… I only played up to level 2 (on POP3D).
Hi,
The site looks very nice.
Also Elbryan, the graphic novel is really good. You’ll like it.
Wow!
The storyline in the Sands of Time through the Two Thrones was one of the most compelling stories I have ever encountered in a video game. The Prince had an amazing personality and I loved the bantering between him and Farah. Does the personality of the Prince in the movie hold true to the game? How hard was it to finally find a name for the Prince? I have high hopes about the newest installment of the POP game but I would feel a whole lot better if I knew you had some involvement! Thank you, the Prince will always remain my favorite, and if you ever decide to continue the story after the Two Thrones, you have my vote!
(referred from John August.com)
I grew up on the original prince of persia. As a little kid who barely understood what I computer was, I was still able to sit at my old apple in my closet and weave my way through those intense levels. When me and friends have conversations about what we played as little kids, I never go towards sonic or mario, but always the original PoP. I even bought an awesome illustrated pseudo strategy guide that made each level sound like a movie, and I would stay up late at night reading it. Memories like that you never forget. I just want to say thanks and that PoP will always remain a staple of my early life.
I LOVE your journal entries. Please keep posting them when you can!
The very first actual computer game I ever played was Prince on the PC (before that I’d played a Pacman clone made with ascii graphics and a number of “exciting” games like “land the moon lander” where your only input was typing values for the braking thrusters… yeah). I was about 9 or 10 years old. More importantly, it was something that I did with my dad. I read these articles today about fathers discovering that they can play the DS or the Wii together with their sons, and all I can say to that is HAH! My dad trained me on the 8086, and soon enough we were racing each other through Prince levels. (We didn’t need a time attack mode like Prince of Persia Classic on PSN has–we made it ourselves) This was a weak 4.77 Mhz CPU with 640k of RAM and a CGA card, and yet Prince looked incredible in its four color glory. I think this was the game that really got me into gaming. Last week I bought PoP Classic on the PSN (having only very recently bought a console, I skipped all the recent Prince games) and it brought me here. All I can say is: I can still play through the first levels without stopping for a second. My fingers remember all the puzzles, all the secrets, it’s amazing. And for what it’s worth: I also preferred the original UI, especially in combat, but I can play the new one too
Even on the PC with a CGA emulator for the monochrome Hercules card, Prince was amazing. I am very much looking forward to readimg more from your diary back then. Bookmarked!
Now that I reminisce about the original game, all sorts of memories come to my mind: the animation was smooth and naturalistic enough to keep me distracted from the fact that I was playing in a B&W screen; and the cold keys on the keyboard would instantly translate into those beautiful, expressive movements so cunningly captured onto the screen. Not too many times did I witness such a step forward in the definition of visual perspective, of bodily movements and weights, but also the inventiveness of the levels as a giant puzzle begging to be solved.
Prince of Persia was pure and minimalist. Apart from the silent movie-like introduction, where the gestures of the characters replaced the use of words, the story was utterly simple, using only the classic three character scheme: valiant hero, damsel in distress and the ruthless villain, not unlike the ancient middle-eastern tales. I also remember the gameplay very dearly, flowing naturally from running and jumping sequences to gallant sword fights. No power-ups, no side-quest missions for equipment and additional weapons: just the one trustworthy sword and the colored vials replenishing the character’s health or hastening his encounter with death.
It is a great shame to the videogame industry that such a precious masterpiece, a work of art that captivated computer players by the thousands, evolved into a tasteless and inferior series of games. As if the “3D” fiasco wasn’t enough, when I saw the prince holding two swords and doing a mix of fighting and ballet by the sound of heavy metal I knew this world had gone mad. And I feel very sorry for that, Mr. Mechner.
Thanks Jordan, I remember the day when my father brings home our first personal computer (386 40 MHz), and some days later he bought me Prince of Persia and some time later The Shadow and the Flame, that was my favorite game for PC for a long time!
When I heard about the revival of the Prince, I wasn’t convinced… until my girlfriend bought the game, and I was sucked into the medieval Persia, I never expected such a great game, history, characters and voices (even the dubbing in Spanish is amazing).
I also finished WW and TTT but I didn’t feel the same way with these 2, the character changed, he wasn’t funny anymore, too much blood and violence.
I hope this new Prince of Persia for PS3/Xbox360 helps to revive the franchise once again but in the way you dreamt when you made the originals and Sands of Time
I can’t wait for the Sands of Time movie!!!
Thanks again for bring the Prince of Persia to our lives
Jordan, You are a GENIUS!!! I was 22 years old when I began playing this game, I originally bought it for my 3 year old son to play… and I ended up playing it! It took me 5 months to finish this game, and it really took up most of my time trying to find out what do to do next and repeating the visions. When the game came to it’s end.. I began to cry and miss the time I had while playing, you know everyday I woke up and I knew I would have the best day other than being with my boys.. because adventure was waiting for me.. I would continue from where I saved it to. To make this long story short.. I have kept a new game in a safe place to play when I am older… this is the only game which I can say is like no other.. I fell in love with the characters and the story and the music goes perfect with the game! I did not like the other games after that.. I feel it didn’t stay true to the original.. I don’t think any game will overshadow this one in my opinion! I just want to say thanks! This game will always stand out. I hope there could be another game as this one with traces of Persia and the music and the clothing etc… until than I will hold on to The Sands of Time forever!!! I wish the Movie could stay true to the game but I know that won’t happen… I wish you can do the movie exactly as the game… that will sel BILLIONS!! LOL Have a great week!
hey jordan.
my brother (23) and me (21) played pop back in the nineties when we were kids.
we recently re-discovered it, and it floods us with beautiful memories.
just want to let you know that, apart from the nostalgic feelings, i think you made a genuine and brilliantly sensitive game.
we both agreed that we never encountered such animations again, and watching the prince run jump and climb is simply beautiful to watch. it is good to know that somebody has such a aesthesia for bodies and movement, and that its details like this that create vivid and lasting memories. your animations helped define what i find about art and games, thank you for that.
i hope you didnt lose this sensivity.
Hi Jordan,
Me (23) and my brother also started playing POP about 15 years ago. Just want to let you know that we like your work a lot! Keep up the good work.
It was nostalgic when I found out your website! All the memories came back to me.
Regards,
Yong
As a HUGE comics fan I was ecstatic to see PoP appear in Graphic Novel form. I didn’t actually get it though until this Christmas but I can not WAIT to read it!
I hope that we see more of the Prince in comic format in the future.
Cheers,
JD
Jordan,
I’m so thrilled to have found this blog. At first, I was absolutely shocked about the number of comments you have on your posts. There aren’t that many! So I’m like “Are you kidding me?? this must be the wrong website” I was expecting hundreds upon hundreds of comments
I grew up playing all of your games (yes, ALL of them), and needless to say, I’m one of your biggest fans. It’s always been a dream of mine to make music for PoP.
Keep up the amazing work.
All the way from Bahrain,
Hashim.
Yesterday I saw Fincher´s Zodiac again, Jake Gyllenhaal is great there, I am sure he will be very good Prince. I have my fingers crossed for the PoP movie.
i really like the story line
i just finish the last game yesterday ( finish it in 2 day’s:P )
i love it really
the grafic is epic defrent then any other game and thats what make it vary vary good thank you for this great gameline
Hi Jordan,
Just finished Prince of Persia graphic novel (in French by Dargaud ed.). Beautiful! I hope there will be more. The only PoP game I didn’t play was Shadow & Flame, so you can consider me a fan - I even suffered through 3D to the bitter end - too bad, there were some good ideas in that one. The last game from UbiSoft is a masterpiece - I hope there’s more later on (apart from DLC) - and I also hope you get back onboard - I happen to think Sands of Time is the best in the franchise. Looking forward to the movie! Keep it up!
i just kind a thanks for makin me like pc game again … the sands of time … warrior within .. two throne .. is just i played .. i haven’t play older game …. btw.. i’m 28 years old … the part i like most is chased by dahaka .. hehehe … i like warrior within better than two throne or sands of time ….. but all three is great game …. hope the movie can do the wall run … lol ….. the part that i like to do in every game…..
hope the 2008 will great as the three you’ve make .. even though it’s not your writing or design ….
good luck with life …. se ya around
p/s hope you make new GREAT ame just like this pop 1,2,3
Hello Mr. Jordon Mechner,
I just found this site , I’m happy i’m writing to the creator of my beloved game , my childhood game: Prince Of Persia ,
I’m a Persian girl , and the first one and the second one ” shadows and flames ” are really like ancient persians and the musics are really great and near to persian musics but its kinda mixed with arabic and indian to some extent , but that’s really great,
i played with it when i was only a child and now i’m 24, i still can’t believe you would read my comment . I had always a question in my mind, have you ever travelled to my country, if no, so how do you know so much information about persian culture?
is there a forum on the site?
Everyone: Thanks for the very kind comments!
A Persian Girl: I’ve never been to Iran and I’m definitely not an expert on Persian culture. Everything I know comes from reading, and from talking to friends who know more about Persia than I do.
Mala: There will be a forum coming soon.
Wow,I remember the first game,i have just got the new version.
talented young Montreal team (average age 22), it was a chance to show the world what they could do; for an old-timer like me (I was 36).
P.s I have to say being 36-year old did not make you an old-timer you were still pretty young well ok maybe compared to the people who work at the game.
I sincerely share the opinion that Jordan Mechner is one of the best gaming creators of all times!
I’m eager to see some of your newer work. But seriously I think you should consider a work as Producer at Ubisoft Montreal and start shaking the Prince of Persia Universe.
I think I speak for a very large group of fans when I say that we are all waiting for you, the franchise is reaching a decadent state right now… We need your help Jordan Mechner.
Please come back to Ubisoft Montreal Studios to produce a REAL Prince of Persia!
Until then, good luck for all of your projects
Are you a Muslim
and Why you are intrested in Islamic Culture Persian are Muslims after all.
Hey Mr.Jordan i am a big fan of your prince of persia games from saudi arabia..I played it when i was like 5 years old and now i am 13..and i still play it thank u for making this game.!!
i cant wait to see the new prince of persia movie!!!:)
I was absolutely brought up on Prince of Persia. Hours of my young childhood were certainly lost to this spectacular innovation. In truth, i was far less impressed once the big boys “took over”, however certainly number one was awesome. Number two, which i never sucessfully completed to a satisfactory level, still holds magic to me, and i must stress thanks for creating such an awesome, rounded, intuitive game. Jordan, you are a genius.
Many thanks, good luck with the movie
Oh, I can’t believe I found the oracle of POP. Nice to see you, Jordan. I wasted more than 2 month of my golden time in college playing POP in 1991, but I am very happy when I run back over that time.
My major in the college was Mechanical engineering, but now I’m working for NCsoft
You are my hero !
Prince of Persia, the first video game I have ever played in my life. Played it thousands of times over, yet, it never fails to give me a great time. Thanks for the greatest platformer game of all time.