On October 3rd, 1989, just a few months before the end of 1980s. A young and talented programmer Jordan Mechner from Yale created one of the most memorable video game ever in the history of video games known as Prince of Persia that became an instant classic by the critics and fans all around the world. The original Prince of Persia was ported across several different platforms throughout the years including PC(DOS), Mac, NES, SNES, Genesis, Turbo CD and Sega CD. Recently the original Prince of Persia was re-made by Ubisoft/Gameloft with updated graphics and friendlier controls for new comers for the XBLA, PSN, and Cell phones.

Later in 1993, Prince of Persia 2: The Shadow of the Flame was released that went into further detail to make the world of the original Prince of Persia a richer environment for all of us to remember. Yet the most memorable part of the game was the cliffhanger ending of the game, which has yet to be resolved to this day. Prince of Persia 2: The Shadow and the Flame was met with great scores and many fans enjoyed it wholeheartedly. Although the higher difficulty and the new traps of the game might put off new comers to the series, but if they were able to overcome the difficulty curve then they were in for a magical ride.

The third part of the Prince of Persia Series was released in 1999. Known as Prince of Persia 3D, it would forever would be known as the closing chapter of the original trilogy. This game was only memorable and liked by the hardcore fans of the series due to its expanding of the story and killing of the Sultan. But the rest of the world including the newcomers and critics disapproved of the game due to it being a clone of Tomb Raider and it was the first Prince of Persia game to have a patch released a day before release date of the game due to the number of game breaking bugs. Regardless of this, the untold story of Prince of Persia 3D was it never went 'gold' due to bankruptcy of Red Orb Entertainment, a subsidiary of Broderbund.

The Prince of Persia Community would not hear about Prince of Persia Series until May of 2003 when Ubisoft announced that they will starting a new chapter of the Prince of Persia Series known as Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time with Jordan Mechner once again on board with the story writing and design of the game. The Sands of Time re-introduced the Prince of Persia franchise to the world. The game would became an instant classic just like the original that was released 1989. The game was lauded for its wonderful characters interactions, environments, and time powers. Initially the game suffered from low sales in North America and fans became very concerned of what will be happen next. Will Prince of Persia will go into hibernation like it did in 1999, but this time due to low sales?

In 2004, Ubisoft announced that they will making a sequel to Prince of Persia The Sands of Time. Many fans all around the world rejoiced and thanked Europe for buying over a million copies of The Sands of Time, which persuaded Ubisoft to green-light the project. Prince of Persia Warrior Within, would forever be known as the game that broaden and yet divided the fan base of the Prince of Persia at the same time. The game was met with great reviews, but with a huge concern over its drastic shift of tone and personality of the Prince. Regardless of this, the platforming and the combat were outstanding the and atmosphere was engulfing for all players who can ever give the game chance and get passed numerous bugs that many fans countered.

As Prince of Persia Warrior Within ended with a cliffhanger and had attained great initial sales, it was only right that we would see a new Prince of Persia in 2005. This game would be known as Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones. The Two Thrones tried to bridge the gaps between the two radical different atmospheres set in the previous two games of the Sands of Time Universe. This game was met with great reception by critics as they enjoyed the closure to the series in a very artistic manner and the return of style with a few enjoyable side kicks of the Prince. Meanwhile in the community, the fan base had a mixed response as some really enjoyed it and others did not like the death of their characters in favor of other returning characters from Sands of Time Universe. Regardless of this The Two Thrones was worthy closure to the Sands of Time Trilogy.

After the release of The Two Thrones, Ubisoft decided to give the Prince of Persia franchise a small hiatus and took it out of the limelight as it was time not saturate the market with too many Prince of Persia games. After 3 short years of no major Prince of Persia game in the market. Ubisoft decided to bring the Prince of Persia Series with a whole new chapter that was independent from the Sands of Time Trilogy and Original/Classic Trilogy. This time we had a brand new Prince with a whole different attitude and for the first time an original tale set in Zoroastrian mythology to tell. The new Prince of Persia was code named Prince of Persia Zero/2008, but ended with official name of just Prince of Persia as to show case a reboot of the franchise. This new Prince of Persia did many firsts in the Prince of Persia universe such being having an illustrative/high resolution cell-shaded style, return to one on one battles, open world environments, DLC add on, and not dieing in the game at all. All these became very controversial, when reviewed by critics and veteran Prince of Persia fans. Regardless of the controversy, in end of day everyone agreed that the game was a wonderful ride for all newcomers to the series and veterans a like. Although the game was not an instant classic like the original nor Sands of Time, lets hope we will be able to see the few mis-steps taken by Prince of Persia 2008 corrected in the sequel.

On the same subject of fall of 2008, being the year of re-introducing the world to the Prince of Persia Series. Jordan Mechner and A.B. Sina under the First Second Books decided to work on a whole new chapter for the Prince of Persia Franchise by releasing the first Prince of Persia Graphic Novel in September of 2008. This graphic novel told a parallel story of a two Princes, one in the 9th and the other in 14th Century. Overall the Graphic Novel was a great read for fan of Prince of Persia fans of all ages.

Keeping on the subject of new Jordan Mechner projects. Jordan Mechner is currently working with Jerry Buchheimer and Mike Newell on the Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Movie, which is set to release on May of 2010. Hopefully this will be the first Prince of Persia and video game movie that is reviewed favorably by the critics and the fans a like. Also this means more cool Prince of Persia stuff like Lego, action figures, and more video games based upon the Prince of Persia Franchise. As fans, we are looking forward to whats to come form the world of Prince of Persia.

Let's share your Prince of Persia Memories !!! Its the 20th Anniversary of this great franchise that we all grew up with.

EDIT: Will post pictures and other goodies tomorrow.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Zapages,

Zapages ... It´s the 20Th anniversary. My boyfriend was born in the same year ... and he´s 20 XD


Anyway ... happy b-day prince

quote:

named Prince of Persia Zero/2008, but ended with official name of just Prince of Persia as to show case a reboot of the franchise. This new Prince of Persia did many firsts in the Prince of Persia universe such being having an illustrative/high resolution cell-shaded style, return to one on one battles[IF THEY SAY SO ], open world environments[NOT TRUE], DLC add on, and not dieing in the game at all. All these became very controversial[TRUE], when reviewed by critics and veteran Prince of Persia fans[SPECIALLY HERE]. Regardless of the controversy, in end of day everyone[WHEN? HOW? I dont remember accepting that, or the game at all ] agreed that the game was a wonderful[XD! ] ride for all newcomers to the series and veterans a like. Although the game was not an instant classic like the original[WILL NEVER BE(at least this one)] nor Sands of Time, lets hope we will be able to see the few[CRITICAL] mis-steps taken by Prince of Persia 2008 corrected in the sequel.[*sighs* I hope that too]

Happy anniversary to PoP!!! ..................... **
enough said

wow! 20 years! that's incredible!

stealthero,

Was that really necessary?

yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh happy birthday Prince of Persia !!!!
@ Zapages
pics ? what pics ? (I did an anniversary drawing and I posted it in the artwork thread a few months ago)

quote:

Originally posted by bitebug2003:
stealthero,

Was that really necessary?

XD, well I thought that was better than a long read or something more complicated saying that I wasnt agree with that paragraph ... Sorry?

Happy 20th anniversary PoP

And meh, I don't see what's so bad in what Lester did...he just showed that not everyone liked the new game, unlike what it says in the text...


Oh, and this game didn't have one on one battles, it had two on one, unless you're sexist and don't count Elika or the Prince as one...

quote:

Originally posted by UnDead_Knight1:
Happy 20th anniversary PoP

I was under the impression that the purpose of this thread was to celebrate Prince of Persia, rather than slate it.

I guess not.

Happy 20th Anniversary POP

Happy Birthday prince [a little late though]. But considering that I'm celebrating my bday tomorrow its the right day to wish u bday.
And oh btw I Never knew the game I loved soooo sooo much nearly shared my birthday .

Thanks zap i didn't know about that fact

I agree on everything, exept the PoP:WW bit. also, i never played tomb raider, so i found PoP3D an awesome game
but yeah, the best is deff PoP2, even though it was really hard. i dunno what everyone has against the new pop though, at the start i found it a weird drastic turn, but in the end, the battles felt like the prince actually had to do some effort to win, like in the first games. i just hate it and refuse to buy because they won't release DLC for the PC. in the sands of time, enemies were way too easy. and i don't like WW, because it doesn't feel like prince of persia any more, but like GoW.

Happy birthday PoP!

Yay! Happy birthday to Prince and the ever growing franchise that keeps getting better!.

Yes I'm serious!