Prince of Persia

Overview

Jordan Mechner spent four years creating Prince of Persia, rotoscoping his brother’s movements to achieve unprecedented animation fluidity. The result transformed platforming from pixel-precise jumping to flowing movement through a deadly palace. The sixty-minute time limit added urgency that defined the genre.

Fast facts

Developer: Brøderbund.
Designer: Jordan Mechner.
Animation: Rotoscoped from video.
Development time: 4 years.

Animation innovation

Technique	Achievement
Rotoscoping	Traced from video footage
Frame count	Far more than contemporaries
Movement	Natural human motion
Weight	Realistic momentum

The process

Mechner filmed his brother:

Running
Jumping
Climbing
Sword fighting

Then traced frames into sprites.

Gameplay design

Element	Design
Time limit	60 minutes to complete
Checkpoints	None (continue from level start)
Combat	One-on-one sword duels
Traps	Spikes, guillotines, pits

Movement system

Action	Feel
Running	Builds momentum
Jumping	Requires timing
Climbing	Deliberate animation
Falling	Realistic damage

Level design

Element	Purpose
Pressure plates	Trigger doors, traps
Potions	Health, abilities
Gates	Timed opening
Guards	Combat encounters

The shadow

Unique mechanic:

Player’s shadow splits off
Must be reunited
Symbolic and practical

Platform versions

Platform	Quality
Apple II	Original
Amiga	Enhanced graphics
SNES	Expanded content
Mega Drive	Solid port
PC	Multiple versions

Influence

Prince of Persia inspired:

Another World
Flashback
Tomb Raider
Modern Prince of Persia trilogy

Sequels

Title	Year
Prince of Persia 2	1993
Prince of Persia 3D	1999
Sands of Time	2003

Recognition

Pioneered cinematic platforming
Animation benchmark for years
Inducted into game hall of fame
Continues as franchise

Rotoscoped elegance