Info about The Making of Karateka:

Official game description:
Prince of Persia creator Jordan Mechner was a college student when he created one of the biggest-selling games of 1984: Karateka. Now, in a new interactive documentary from Digital Eclipse, the story of how a teenager with an Apple II created one of the most groundbreaking, influential games of all time.  
**THE ORIGIN STORY OF A LEGENDARY GAME CREATOR**  
Discover how Karateka was made through an exhaustive archive of design documents, playable prototypes, and all-new video features. Like walking through a museum, you can explore the interactive timelines at your own pace.  
**PLAY THE ACCLAIMED ORIGINALS**  
Enjoy pixel-perfect versions of the original Karateka games and a variety of never-before-seen early prototypes, with rich quality-of-life features like save anywhere, rewind, chapter select, and director's commentary.  
**TWO REMASTERED GAMES**  
Karateka Remastered is an all-new version of the original game featuring cutting-room-floor content, commentary, achievements, and more. Deathbounce: Rebounded is a fast and frantic twin-stick shooter based on Jordan's unpublished prototype.  
**A GROUNDBREAKING MASTERPIECE**  
Discover how Karateka became one of the first games to include cinematic scenes, a moving original soundtrack, rotoscoped animation, and a Hollywood-style love story, influencing the decades of games that followed.  
**THE GOLD MASTER SERIES**  
New from Digital Eclipse (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection, Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration), the Gold Master Series presents iconic games in an innovative "interactive documentary" format, putting the shared history of games and their creators into one comprehensive package.

Release date: Aug 29, 2023

Categories: Interactive Documentary, Historical Preservation, Retro, Narrative-driven Gameplay, Educational Simulation, Story-driven Gameplay, Cinematic Narrative


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $18.00 - $22.00
  - Reasoning: The reviews consistently mention that the game is worth the money and worth the price alone, indicating that the current base game price of $19.99 is considered fair by the community. The phrase 'worth the price of admission alone' further supports this sentiment. Additionally, the encouragement not to wait for a sale suggests that the current price is seen as reasonable and fair.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 30.0h
  - Story completion: 5.0h
  - Session length: 0.5h
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The evidence provides insights into different playtime metrics. The first quote suggests a typical session length of around half an hour. The second quote indicates a significant total playtime of 30 hours, which can be associated with game completion. The third quote mentions a five-hour playthrough, which could be interpreted as the time to complete the main story or campaign. The fourth quote reinforces the idea of spending considerable hours in the game, supporting the replay value and endgame content.
- Time-to-fun: No data
- Player Archetypes:
  - History Preservationist (buy)
    - Motivation: Preservation and appreciation of game history.
    - Playstyle: Explores historical content and detailed documentation.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: game history enthusiast; preservationist
    - Reference games: Karateka; Rise of the Triad
  - Curious Explorer (buy)
    - Motivation: Learning about game design and history.
    - Playstyle: Explores interactive documentaries and detailed information.
    - Experience: newcomer
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: curious learner; explorer
    - Reference games: Karateka
  - Nostalgic Veteran (buy)
    - Motivation: Nostalgia and appreciation for classic games.
    - Playstyle: Enjoys remastered classic games with historical context.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: old-school gamer; veteran
    - Reference games: Karateka; Deathbounce: Rebounded


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Comprehensive gaming history documentary (weight 0.97): The game offers a detailed and thorough presentation of real video game history, particularly focusing on early computer games and the development process in the 80s. It includes video interviews, historical clips, and high-resolution scans of art and development assets.
- Karateka remaster and archives (weight 0.89): The game provides an inside look at the evolution of Karateka, including multiple versions such as prototypes and modern remakes. It features a terrific remaster of Karateka with improved graphics and gameplay.
- Excellent presentation of multimedia content (weight 0.52): The game excels in presenting documents, interviews, prototypes, and remasters. It includes concept art, interviews, 3D mockups, and various iterations of games, providing a rich multimedia experience.
- Inclusion of playable prototypes (weight 0.4): Players have access to playable prototypes and earlier games, including multiple prototypes of a 40-year-old unpublished game. This feature allows users to experience the development process firsthand.
- Masterclass in game preservation (weight 0.27): The game is a triumph of game preservation, offering a thorough preservation of landmark titles. It serves as a great entry in video game historical preservation.
- High value for money (weight 0.19): The game is considered worth every cent, offering a comprehensive experience that justifies its full price. It provides a rich and detailed look into gaming history and development.
- Perfect emulation of classic games (weight 0.15): The game includes perfectly emulated classics that look and play exactly like they did on the original hardware. This feature ensures an authentic experience for players.
- Modernized versions of Deathbounce (weight 0.14): The game features modernized versions of Deathbounce, including various builds and a stand-alone release called Deathbounce: Rebounded.

Common complaints:
- Missing game versions (weight 0.19): The game is missing several versions, including NES, MS-DOS, and Atari 7800, which players want included.
- Combat and movement issues (weight 0.19): Combat is mainly spamming kick, and running is awkward. The hitbox on the eagle is particularly problematic.
- Timing issues in Karateka Remastered (weight 0.12): Players report problems with the timing mechanics, particularly in the panther fight and gate timing puzzle.
- 6 button mode issues (weight 0.11): Problems with starting the game in 6 button mode for Atari and Commodore, and inconsistencies in the Remastered version.
- Limited AI and stereotypes (weight 0.11): The game has limited AI and contains stereotypes that some players find problematic.
- Leopard section and Rover issues (weight 0.11): The leopard section in the remaster is poorly received, and the Rover in Death Bounce is not great.
- Uninteresting documents (weight 0.1): The in-game documents are relatively uninteresting and not clearly legible.
- Bugged final achievement (weight 0.07): A part of the final achievement is bugged and cannot be completed, frustrating players.
- Achievements reset after game ends (weight 0.07): Players are frustrated that their achievements reset after completing the game.
- Confusing hitboxes (weight 0.07): Karateka has confusing hitboxes and hurtboxes, making combat difficult.
- Absence of Prince of Persia (weight 0.06): Prince of Persia is missing due to licensing issues, disappointing some players.
- Game feels unpolished (weight 0.06): The game feels a little half-baked and unpolished to some players.
- Need for guided experience (weight 0.06): Players suggest that the game needs a more guided experience.
- Navigation UI issues (weight 0.06): There are issues with the navigation UI that need to be addressed.
- No lives or continues (weight 0.06): The game has no lives or continues, increasing the difficulty and frustration.
- Unskippable cutscenes (weight 0.06): Players are annoyed by unskippable cutscenes that interrupt gameplay.
- Desire for source code insights (weight 0.06): Players express a desire for an in-depth look at the source code of Karateka.
- Menu system usability (weight 0.06): The menu system takes some getting used to, which can be frustrating for new players.
- Reliance on screenshots (weight 0.06): The game relies too much on screenshots for representing ports of Karateka.
- Japanese subtitles issues (weight 0.06): Some Japanese subtitles are garbled or cut off, affecting the gameplay experience.
- Occasional unfun traps (weight 0.06): There are occasional traps in the game that players find unfun and frustrating.
- Some jank in original games (weight 0.06): There is some jank in the original games that can affect the gameplay experience.
- Dim graphics in remastered version (weight 0.06): The graphics in the remastered version seem somewhat dim, which is a drawback for some players.

Gameplay feedback:
- Inclusion of multiple game versions (weight 0.6): The collection includes multiple versions and prototypes of Karateka and other games, allowing players to experience different iterations and ports of the original games.
- Remastered versions of Karateka (weight 0.57): The remastered version of Karateka includes improved graphics, music, and modern controls. It is praised for its faithful recreation and additional content like developer commentary and in-game goals.
- Interactive documentary content (weight 0.44): The game features an interactive documentary with various media types, including concept art, interviews, and gameplay iterations. This provides a behind-the-scenes look at the development process.
- Development materials and timeline (weight 0.34): An interactive timeline with video interviews, archival footage, photographs, original concept art, and design documents is included, providing a comprehensive look at the game's development history.
- Playable prototypes and unreleased games (weight 0.23): The collection features playable prototypes and other unreleased games, offering a unique opportunity to experience early versions and experiments that did not make it to the final release.
- Historical significance and preservation (weight 0.23): The game emphasizes historical preservation and the legal aspects of videogame preservation, providing an archive-like inclusion of materials that highlight the historical context and significance.
- Cinematic techniques and animation fluidity (weight 0.19): The game uses cinematography and cinematic techniques to enhance the presentation. The fluidity of the animations and the use of rotoscopia are notable features.
- Game design challenges and principles (weight 0.11): The collection includes discussions on game design challenges and principles, offering insights into the development process and the decisions made by the developers.
- Developer commentary and goals (weight 0.11): Developer commentary and in-game goals are included, providing players with additional context and objectives as they play through the games.
- Simple and nostalgic retro games (weight 0.1): The collection includes retro games appreciated for their simplicity and nostalgia, offering a trip down memory lane for players who enjoyed these classics.
- Interactive art experiences (weight 0.06): The game features interactive art experiences, allowing players to engage with the game's art and design in a hands-on manner.
- New game inspired by original prototype (weight 0.06): A new game inspired by the original prototype is included, offering a fresh take on the classic gameplay mechanics and design.

Performance notes:
- Control scheme options needed (weight 0.12): Players want the ability to switch between different control schemes, including a six-button variation. This suggests a desire for more customizable and modern control options.
- Lock framerate for consistency (weight 0.07): There is a demand for locking the framerate to ensure consistent performance. This indicates that players are experiencing performance issues that affect their gameplay.
- Flawless Steam Deck performance (weight 0.06): The game works well on Steam Deck, which is a positive note for players using this platform. This feedback highlights the game's compatibility and smooth performance on specific hardware.

Recommendations:
- Interest in game history (weight 0.27): Many players expressed a strong interest in the history of video games, including gaming industry history and development history. This includes a focus on specific eras like the Apple II era and the 1980s game publishing scene.
- Positive reception of Atari 50 (weight 0.11): Players are enthusiastic about Atari 50, encouraging others to purchase and enjoy the game. This indicates a positive reception and satisfaction with the product.
- Interest in specific game stories (weight 0.1): Players showed interest in specific game development stories, such as The Jeff Minter Story and the remaster of Karateka. This highlights a desire for in-depth looks at particular games and developers.
- Desire for more content (weight 0.09): There is a desire for additional content, such as free DLC with missing versions and more content. Players are looking forward to future developments from Digital Eclipse's Gold Master series.
- Appreciation for comprehensive packages (weight 0.06): There is appreciation for comprehensive game packages, such as the one for Prince of Persia 1 & 2. Players value complete collections that offer extensive content.

Other player notes:
No miscpoints

Emotions:
- Appreciation (weight 0.32): Players appreciate the comprehensive and interactive documentary format that provides detailed discussions on the game's development, historical significance, and preservation efforts. The inclusion of scans, various builds, and additional content enhances the experience, making it feel like an interactive museum.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.22): Players feel nostalgic due to personal experiences with the game during their childhood or early gaming days. The game evokes memories of playing Karateka and other retro games on platforms like C64 and Amiga, bringing back fond memories of the early days of game development.
- Excitement (weight 0.16): Players are excited about the unique interactive documentary format and the potential for future entries in the Gold Master Series. The enjoyment of remastered versions, additional content, and the preservation of video game history contribute to this excitement.
- Disappointment (weight 0.13): Players express disappointment due to missing versions of the game, lack of in-depth source code analysis, and reliance on screenshots for representing ports. Specific issues like the absence of Prince of Persia due to licensing issues and bugs in achievements also contribute to this feeling.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.1): Players enjoy the interactive documentary format and the storytelling, finding it engaging and well-paced. The groundbreaking release and the opportunity to learn new things about the game contribute to their enjoyment.
- Admiration (weight 0.08): Players admire the high-quality presentation and preservation efforts of the game. The craftsmanship, attention to detail, and the execution of preserving the original game for modern devices are highly praised.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.06): Players are satisfied with the high-quality remaster and documentary, finding the experience worth the cost. The documentary-style presentation and the historical context, along with finally beating Karateka, contribute to this satisfaction.
- Frustration (weight 0.05): Players feel frustrated due to bugs with achievements resetting and difficulty with the navigation UI. The unforgiving timing in the panther fight and gate timing puzzle also add to this frustration.
- Hope (weight 0.05): Players hope to see more games showcased in this interactive documentary format in the future. The potential for game preservation and more similar experiences is highly anticipated.
- Fascination (weight 0.02): Players are fascinated by the inclusion of design documents, prototypes, and interviews, which provide a deep dive into the game's development process.
- Anticipation (weight 0.02): Players are looking forward to future releases in the Gold Master Series, eager to see what Digital Eclipse can do next.
- Amazement (weight 0.02): Players are amazed that Jordan Mechner held on to all of the game's material for 40 years, showcasing a remarkable feat of preservation.}