A couple of days ago, we got the chance to ask questions to Jordan Mechner, the computer game legend who created the Prince of Persia franchise. Mechner is Executive Producer on the new Disney Movie, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time which is released 28th May and starring Jake Gylenhall, Gemma Arterton and Sir. Ben Kingsley. We pre-sent the questions over so that won’t be my dulcet tones you hear asking the questions!
We ask Mechner how he got involved with Disney and Jerry Bruckheimer (Producer) and he tells us about his love of the games and how they have be turned into a Hollywood Blockbuster movie.
Jordan Mechner Biography: JORDAN MECHNER (Executive Producer) is one of the videogame industry’s most respected creators. His titles, including “Prince of Persia,” “Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time,” “Karateka” and “The Last Empress” appear frequently in critics’ lists of the best games of all time.
“Prince of Persia” and “Karateka,” created and programmed by Mechner on the Apple II and published by Broderbund Software, broke new ground by combining arcade action with realistic animation and cinematic storylines. Both games were #1 bestsellers, “Prince of Persia” was adapted for nearly every computer and console platform in the early 1990s, selling over two million copies, and was a major influence in the development of the action-adventure genre.
After designing and directing a successful sequel for Broderbund, “Prince of Persia 2: The Shadow and the Flame,” Mechner founded independent developer Smoking Car Productions, where he led a 30-person creative team in the production of the critically acclaimed adventure game “The Last Empress.” In 1999, PC Gamer magazine recognized Mechner’s body of work by naming him a “Game God.”
In 2001, Mechner joined forces with Ubisoft Entertainment to re-launch the decade-old Prince of Persia brand for a new generation of gamers. Developed at Ubisoft Montreal with Mechner as game designer, writer and creative consultant, “Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time” was one of the biggest hits of 2003, sweeping the Interactive Achievement Awards (DICE) with 12 nominatikons and eight awards, and selliong two million copies in its first two months of release. The game’s success renewed “Prince of Persia”’s status as one of the world’s most popular and enduring videogame franchises. Ubisoft has since published two more sequels, bringing total “Prince of Persia” game sales to over 10 million. The newest “Prince of Persia” game was released in December 2008 to critical acclaim.
In September 2008, First Second Books released the first graphic novel incarnation of “Prince of Persia.” Written by A.B. Sina and drawn by LeUyen Pham and Alex Puvilland, the novel interweaves two stories across centuries and remains true to the “Prince of Persia” spirit. Mechner has also penned a new “Prince of Persia” graphic novel to tie in with the film’s release. Disney Book Group will publish in the spring of 2010.Mechner’s achievements in the videogame field are complemented by his work as a film writer and director. His documentary “Chavez Ravine: A Los Angeles Story” won the 2003 IDA award for Best Short Documentary, was shortlisted for an Academy Award, and received its broadcast premiere on PBS’ “Independent Lens” in 2005.
Mechner received his B.A. from Yale University.
