POP creator happy with new game direction

Likes new direction of the game

28 July 2008 14:07 GMT / By Verity Burns

The creator of Prince of Persia, Jordan Mechner, has given his approval to the new POP game that is being developed by Ubisoft.

Mechner isn't working on the game, due out on the PS3, 360 PC and DS at Christmas, but has said that he's happy that Ubisoft has decided to go for a new style of gameplay and altered the graphics.

"I'm very excited about the new game. I'm glad they're taking it in a different direction," he said. "I think it's absolutely beautiful. It's got that romantic, beautiful feel which I think is more true to the spirit of Prince of Persia. It's very ambitious, it's spectacular, and it's awesome. I like it."

And that's quite a compliment from someone who has hit the headlines for slamming POP titles he has not been involved with, in particular Warrior Within. Mechner was quoted as saying he didn't like the game's emphasis on combat - however he now says that his comments were misinterpreted.

"I said something once that got repeated a lot of places," he told said. "I don't like to criticise a particular game. What I meant to say was the style wasn't my style... I'd rather not expand on that. I'd rather focus on the positive, and hope the new game is going to be the best one."

Mechner is currently working on a new Prince of Persia graphic novel and has also written the script for the forthcoming feature film. which will star Jake Gylenhaal, Ben Kingsley and Alfred Molina. Mechner has said he is" delighted" with the casting. A happy chap all round then, it seems.