On location with Sonic Adventure

This is the origin of Sonic Adventure

On location with:

By Psychobob

Introduction

 

When Takashi Iizuka approached Yuji Naka with the idea of making an RPG styled Sonic game, even he had no idea just how epic the game would be, or for that matter the aesthetic style which would prove to be most influential over it. The Team knew they needed something, magical, something ancient. All the ruins they had seen however has been in books or films, they needed to get up close and personal. It was then decided that core members of the Sonic Team would fly out to Central and South America where they were certainly guaranteed a glimpse of the style they were seeking.

 

On location

 

The core members of Sonic Team left Japan via Airplane, crossing the Pacific Ocean where they would eventually intercept with Central America, specifically the Yucatan Peninsula in the Gulf of Mexico.

 

The Teams journey began in the northern part of the peninsula in a place called Chichen Itza, form there the team travelled southward along the Eastern side of the Peninsula where they also visited Cancun, Tulum and finally Tikal. The team then left the peninsula travelling down through Central America, into South America, Peru, where they visited Cuzco, Mache Picchu and then Ica.

 

Maps

 

               Central and South America                                                    Yucatan Peninsula                                        Peru                                                               

  

 

Below are the links to the sites that were visited by Sonic Team. The links are in the order that they were visited.

 

Central America, Gulf of Mexico, Yucatan Peninsula

1] Chichen Itza

2] Cancun

3] Tulum

4] Tikal

 

South America, Peru

5] Cuzco

6] Mach Picchu

 

Chichen Itza

 

Relevance:

 

It provided the aesthetics for the Lost World Temple.

 

The aesthetics for the temple at Chichen Itza collaborated with the temples at Tikal to produce the final design featured in the game. It was most likely the large square clearing and the stone carved Serpents head that were the aspect featured in the game.

 

Many of the Mayan ruins featured the Serpent design in some capacity; Chichen Itza is the best example for this. The serpent design certainly had an influence over the Pure Chaos design.

 

Information:

 

This, the city of the Maya, is located 75 miles east of Merida. The city covers an area of approximately Six square miles. Where many of the large buildings had once stood, now all that remains of them are weathered mounds. Fortunately thirty of the original buildings still survive.

 

Generally the ruins are divided into two groups; the first group is characterized by the classic Mayan period which was built between the 7th and 10th centuries A.D. The other group belongs to the Maya-Toltec period occupying the later part of the 10th and 13th century.

 

Original when the Maya first settled in this area the land was largely used for agricultural purposes, but arts and science gained importance during the central phase of the classic period.

 

From 800 to 925 A.D. toward the end of the classic period the foundations of the city had weakened, this was when the religious centers and the rural areas around them were abandoned. New centers were built to accommodate the peoples needs, however it was not until the 7th century that the city was truly abandoned, before this the city was still visited to perform religious rites of bury the dead. The Maya finally returned to the city by the 10th century A.D.

 

Around 1000 A.D the Maya formed an alliance with two powerful tribes, Xio and Cocom. During this time the people of Chichen Itza added new constructs to the site, magnificent buildings were erected, influence by Toltec art, they contained galleries, porches, colonnades and carvings depicting Serpents, Birds and Mexican Gods.

 

The Toltec influence the people of Chichen Itza in religion as-well, which meant human sacrifice. During sacrifices involving the Rain God the participants (or victim) ranged from children, young women and elderly men and women. It was in this time that the city saw yet another expansion, under another alliance this time with the Mayapan and Uxmal, its political base grew, and with it the physical city did as-well.

 

One of the best known constructs within the area is Kukulcan’s Pyramid. The pyramid, which has a square base, stepped, and id 75 feet tall, was built for astronomical purposes. On March 20th and September 21st, during the Vernal and Autumnal equinox, the Pyramid is host to an optical effect. When the Sun strikes the Pyramid the shadow of seven isosceles triangles are cast across the ground imitating the form of a serpents body 37 yards long that joins its huge head which is carved into the bottom of the stairway. The symbol is believed to be connected with agricultural rituals.

 

 

Above, left to right: 1] photo taken at Chichen Itza by Sonic Team 2] Photo of the temple at Chichen Itza.

 

Cancun

 

Relevance:

 

It provided the aesthetics for the Emerald Coast Beach Resort.

 

The Cancun resort shows some resemblance to the Emerald Coast beach resort featured in the game. Both resorts contain similar styled hotels, the triangular stepped shaped hotel featured at the start of the level are in abundance at Cancun.

 

When the camera is paned out at the start of the level we can see Sonic is located on a narrow strip of beach surrounded either side by sea. The resorts at Cancun are also located on a narrow strip of beach, the lagoon trapped behind is Cancuns characteristic feature, and we also see these lagoons in other action stages involving the Emerald Coast.

 

There are also some Jetties with thatched roofs located at Cancun similar to the one featured at the start of the Emerald Coast level.

 

Information:

 

Cancun is built in a location that was named by the Mayan people long ago, for the large number of Snakes that inhabit the area. Long gone are the Snakes and Mosquitoes that might have enjoyed the numerous lagoons. Few resorts have the infrastructure and amenities that were built into Cancun from the very beginning.  

 

The tourist zone, a narrow island 14 miles long, is the area of Cancun where it comes together for most visitors. Hotels and beachfront condominiums line the beaches and serve as a nearly uninterrupted backdrop along this stretch of incredible Caribbean coastline. On the inland side of Cancun Island is Laguna Nichupte, a vast lagoon that severs home to numerous marinas, waterfront restaurants, shopping malls, two golf courses, a few islands and inlets and some fantastic sunsets. Laguna Nichupte is fed by fresh underground water and is connected to the sea in two places which in turn provides an outlet for the numerous water activities that take place. There is a center near all this known as the Party Zone which is home to many of the areas nightclubs and discos. The very same area is also home to some of Cancuns better restaurants and shopping malls.

 

 

Above, left to right: 1] Photo of a jetty at Cancun 2] Photo of the Cancun beach resort.

 

Tulum

 

Relevance:

 

It provided the aesthetics for the Emerald Coast Beach Resort.

 

The cliffs at Tulum provided the more rocky aspects of the Emerald Coast stage. The Sonic Adventure International Forum video reveals the particular area that was used in the game, which was at the base of the lighthouse. While the games lighthouse has no resemblance to the ruins at Tulum, some people believe the ruins were intended as a Mayan lighthouse.

 

Information:

 

Tulum was built in 1200 A.D. as the Mayan civilization had begun to decline, because of this it lacked the elegance of other Mayan built structures, this in turn also helped to compromise the integrity of the structure. For example Mayan buildings often had vaulted roofs, yet the roofs at Tulum were flat which has resulted in faster decay of them. The structure of the city is also unusual, with parallel streets surrounded by walls which were once five meters high and seven meters deep.

 

There are three major structures of interest: EL Castillo (the dominating tower within the area perched upon the cliff), the Temple of Frescoes and the Temple of the Descending God.

 

El Castillo has resulted from several phases of building. Inside the upper column is decorated with images of Serpents, just as Chichen Itza was, demonstrating the influence of Toltec art upon the Mayan culture. Its location over the sea made it an excellent candidate for a watch tower, it has also been suggested that it was also used as a lighthouse to guide the Canoes and other boats the Mayan may have used onto the beach below.

 

The Temple of the Descending God is to the left of El Castillo when looking out to sea. Above the door of the Temple is a stucco relief of a figure prevalent at Tulum, the upside-down winged God that also shows Bee like features. This figure is sometimes referred to as the “Diving God” because of its position and resemblance to a Bee signifies the importance of Honey to the Mayas.

 

The Temple of Fresco lies between El Castillo and the entrance to the site. Here fragments of colour can be seen depicting Mayan life.

 

 

Above, left to right: 1] Photo taken at Tulum by Sonic Team. In the background El Castillo can be seen. 2] Photo of El Castillo at the ruins of Tulum.

 

Tikal

 

Relevance:

 

It provided the aesthetics for the Lost World Temple and the ancient Echidna civilization.

 

The most apparent use for Tikal is that it lends its name to one of the characters featured in the game, but there are also three other uses.

 

When Sonic first enters the jungles of the Mystic Ruins he is confronted by endless rows of trees, it is this same view that the members of Sonic Team gazed upon when they first entered the jungles of Belize and Tikal.

 

Protruding from the canopy is one of the largest temples in Tikal, which the designers included in the games own jungle. But the temple featured in the game was not created from one, but a combination of temples located throughout the Yucatan Peninsula. As already mentioned the temple at Chichen Itza also contributed to the final design but there was also another, the Temple of the Lost World.

 

Information:

 

Located at El Peten in the Jungle of Belize, Tikal originally housed 100,000 people at its height, between roughly 800 B.C. and 900 A.D. The city is believed to be one of the most powerful in the ancient Mayan world.

 

The city is believed to have originally spanned an area of 23 square miles. The temples are constructed mainly of Limestone, which was important because the Lime was also used to make Stucco and Plaster. The temples are said to represent the mountains, considered sacred because the Maize grew upon them. The Temples were painted with rich patterns and some were painted completely red. The East Plaza was the main plaza during the classic era, but today the Great Plaza fulfils that role.

 

In total Tikal has seventy Stelae placed throughout the city (only one of these has an Altar beside it). The Stelae were built to commemorate the rulers of Tikal; their face can still be seen carved into the side of large stone monuments.

 

The Great Plaza to the east and the Plaza of the Seven Temples all have ball courts. In the Plaza of the Lost World, which is one of the oldest Temple in Tikal, it is believed to have a core as old as 500 B.C.

 

Many of the Mayan ruins would have contained one or two row of rooms on just one floor, but in Tikal there were also two, three and even five storied buildings. Long before modern Skyscrapers the Maya were building these great structures, there was an emphasis of height, it seems the constructors wanted to get as close as possible to the Gods as possible, or perhaps away from the jungle. Because of the people of Tikal constructed one of the larges buildings in ancient America, a temple which stands 70 meters high.

 

  

Above, left to right: 1] Photo of Sonic Team standing in front of a temple at Tikal. 2] Photo of the Belize jungle and the temples of Tikal. 3] Photo of the Plaza of the Lost World at Tikal.

 

Cuzco

 

Relevance:

 

It provided the aesthetics for the Chaos Emerald Altar.

 

The Circular ring shaped ruins at Saqsaywaman show a resemblance to the Chaos Alter featured in the game. In the Sonic Adventure International Forum video Yuji Naka is filmed standing inside these ruins.

 

The Inca Temple of the Sun used reflective objects to capture the suns rays and illuminate it. It seems that this idea may have been what inspired the mirror section of the Lost World stage in the game.

 

Information:

 

Sites of interest include Tambomachay, Santo Domingo Church and Saqsaywaman.

 

Saqsaywaman is located 2km from the city. This huge construction was planned and built by Andean Man. The Incas called it the House of the Sun and the Spaniards called it a fortress because of its zigzag shape and the 1536 revolution. The construction, which is made up of three platforms one on top the other, was one of the most important religious complexes of its time.

 

The enormous boulders that form part of the construction were put together without using mortar. The heaviest boulder weights up to 125 tons. Archaeologist which have excavated the area have discovered water fountains, canals and rooms.

 

Tambomachay was once a site used for bathing by the Inca. The quality of the stone work suggests the baths were reserved for high nobility, which was thought to be during ceremonial occasions. The ruins basically consist of three tired platforms. The top platform contained three niches that were probably used for seating. The ruins are located on top of a natural spring which emerges into the top platform through a hole at it base. The water cascades down to the bottom platform which creates a shower high enough for an Inca to stand under.

 

Santo Domingo Church was built during the 17th century atop the walls of Koricancha which is the Inca Temple of the Sun. Very little of the temples interior remains intact, it contents had been raided by conquistadors. Originally the walls inside the temple were lined with 700 Gold sheets each weighting 2 kilos. There were also replicas of corn, golden flames, figures and jars each crafted of gold and silver. The key feature of the temple, and by far the most impressive, was the large golden Sun Disk (bigger than a fully grown man). The principle behind the disk was that when the sun struck the temple the disk would reflect its rays of light across the golden walls, illuminating the mummified remains of the dead Inca rulers that were seated in niches along the walls. Curiously when the conquistadors arrived the disk was not removed, although they did report its existence. The disk mysteriously vanished before the first party of Spanish arrived.

 

 

Above, left to right: 1] Photo of the ruins at Saqsaywaman. 2] Photo of a section of the Koricancha wall.

 

Mach Picchu

 

Relevance:

 

It provided the aesthetics for Windy Valley.

 

It’s hard to imagine Mache Picchu having a resemblance to Windy Valley, but the style and texture of the Inca architecture here, is mirrored in the level.

 

At such high altitudes the ground is no longer visible, the mountain top can feel detached from the world, on a cloudy day this perception is future reinforced. No doubt the games designers drew upon the experiences of detachment and isolation when designing the Windy Valley level.

 

One of the main attractions at Mache Picchu is the Inca Trail. The trail involves crossing a rope bridge suspended over a deep gorge. The bridge would have provided inspiration for those featured in the game. Because the bridge is one of the only ways to enter Mache Picchu Sonic Team mused have crossed it. When the Sonic Adventure International Forum video is viewed, in one particular shot the bridge can be seen in the background.

 

Information:

 

The city of Mach Picchu is located high in the Andres mountains in Peru, 43 miles northwest of Cuzco. It is situated at the top ridge above the Urabamba gorge and the massive Huaynac Picchu to which the Urabamba River bends round sharply. The surrounding area is mostly covered in bush, some of which hide Pre-Colombian cultivation terraces.

 

Mach Picchu was built between 1460 and 1470 A.D. and was most likely a royal estate and religious retreat under the rule of Pacacuti Inca Yupanqui, the cities geographic position did not make it suitable for military or commercial use. After Pacacuti’s death Mach Picchu became the property of his kinship group which was responsible for the maintenance, administration and any construction that took place on the site.

 

The city is comprised of approximately 200 buildings including storage structures, public buildings and temples, but they were mostly residential. In fact, including the surrounding area, Mach Picchu housed a total of 1,200 people, mostly Priest, women and children. The city is believed to be designed and supervise by professional Inca architects. Most of the structures were built from Granite blocks cut with Bronze or Stone tools and smoothed with sand.

 

The Incas planted crops such as Potatoes and Maize at the site. To get the highest yields possible they used advance terracing and irrigation methods to reduce erosion and increase the area available for cultivation. However it probably did not produce a large enough surplus to export agricultural products to Cuzco (the Inca capital).

 

Few people outside the Incas closets retainers were actually aware of Mach Picchu’s existence. Before the Spanish concourse arrived, the Smallpox spread ahead of them. Fifty percent of the population had been killed by the diese by 1527. The government began to fail but part of the empire succeeded and fell into civil war. So by the time the Pizarro (the Incas conqueror) arrived in Cuzco in 1532, Mach Picchu was already forgotten.

 

 

Above, left to right: 1] Photo of Mache Picchu. 2] Photo of the bridge on the Inca trail.

 

Ica

 

Relevance:

 

It provided the aesthetics for the Tails sandboarding stage.

 

The small village of Ica wasn’t originally going to be included in the game but after watching people sandboarding on the dunes around the village, the concept was then made into the Tails sandboarding mini game.

 

Information:

 

 

Above, left to right: 1] Photo of the village of Ica. 2] Photo of a person sandboarding on the dunes around the village of Ica.

 

Videos

 

Below are the links to the videos which were used to help determine the locations visited.

 

Sonic Adventure International Forum video: http://sost.emulationzone.org/sonicadventure/videos/index.htm

 

Sonic Adventure DX Directors Commentary video: http://downloads.gamezone.com/demos/d9743.htm