Games That Changed Names Over Time

Highlights

Title changes can signal significant shifts in game development, as seen with Pokemon’s initial pitch as Capsule Monsters.
Final Fantasy Versus 13’s decade-long development eventually led to its transformation into Final Fantasy 15, a substantial journey.
Rainy Woods’ evolution into Deadly Premonition showcases the unpredictable nature of game development and the impact of reboots.

As a long-time gamer who remembers the excitement of unveiling these games during their development, I must say, it’s fascinating to see the transformations they underwent before becoming the masterpieces we know today.

In the gaming industry, there’s quite a bit of mystery surrounding the time it takes for AAA studios and independent teams to develop a video game, as well as what transpires during development cycles. While interviews can offer some insight, that light is often faint. Lately, Early Access builds have provided fans with a more tangible understanding of the evolution of a game. Currently, Steam’s Early Access is showcasing a major example: Hades 2.

During the progression of a development process, titles can undergo changes. A name, after all, can sometimes just be a name. However, other times, a change in title might indicate something more substantial, such as a complete overhaul of an idea. Here are some instances where this has happened, both well-known and relatively unknown. For additional insights into the development process, Unseen64 is a valuable resource, providing a wealth of behind-the-scenes information.

6 Capsule Monsters (Pokemon)

Could Have Changed Pokemon Significantly Beyond The Name

Originally, what we know as Pokemon was initially conceptualized as Capsule Monsters. During its developmental stages, numerous sketches of this prototype can be found online. Even in some of the artwork, traces of Capsule Monsters can be spotted. At one point, stores even sold Pokemon items, and it appears that whips were significant in the gameplay, which seems rather harsh in retrospect. However, not all the creatures developed into Pokemon; some remained as separate entities.

It’s fascinating to ponder abandoned concepts related to Pokémon, as there are numerous untold stories behind the scenes such as the Space World demo version of Pokémon Gold and Silver. The development for the initial Pokémon games actually began in 1990, long before they were officially released in Japan in 1996 under the titles Pocket Monsters Red and Green. Naturally, when they arrived in North America in 1998, their names were shortened, and that marked a significant chapter in gaming history.

5 Final Fantasy Versus 13 (Final Fantasy 15)

A Decade In The Making

In 2006, when it was announced that Final Fantasy 13 was coming out, a variety of related projects were also unveiled. One of these was Final Fantasy Versus 13, an action RPG set in the same universe. This game was being led by Tetsuya Nomura, who is famously known for his work on Kingdom Hearts.

As a devoted fan, I’ve been eagerly anticipating updates about Final Fantasy for quite some time, but there seemed to be an endless wait with no new developments in sight. However, my patience was finally rewarded in 2013 when a trailer appeared, and to my delight, the game was rebranded as Final Fantasy 15. The shift in development from PS3 to PS4 marked a significant change, and it wasn’t until three years later that we were able to get our hands on this long-awaited masterpiece.

4 Monado: Beginning of the World (Xenoblade Chronicles)

Save For The Name, This Is Xenoblade 100%

The tale about Monado: Beginning of the World is quite peculiar since every bit of footage from it shares striking similarities with Xenoblade Chronicles. It appears that the only challenge with the game lay in its name, and the decision to change it later on proved to be a wise move. For your information, Xenogears debuted on the PS1 back in 1998.

A significant number of staff members, among them Tetsuya Takahashi, the director, departed from Squaresoft to establish Monolith Soft, a fresh studio. They produced the Xenosaga trilogy for Bandai Namco and later struck a deal with Nintendo for a Wii role-playing game. In retrospect, it was logical for the company’s history to spawn a new “Xeno” project, despite the fact that the story featured prominently the name “Monado,” which represented the game’s powerful sword.

3 Nico (Shadow of the Colossus)

Could It Have Been A Party-Based Boss Rush Game?

After the launch of “Ico” in 2001, the next project from Fumito Ueda was Nico. At first, a trailer for it featured a protagonist resembling Ico, with horns and a group of similar characters pursuing a massive creature. This might have suggested a multiplayer setup like “Monster Hunter,” but it actually turned out differently.

The concept of colossal leaders persisted throughout development and ultimately, the project was renamed to “Shadow of the Colossus” before its 2005 release. Intriguingly, in Japan it is known as “Wander of the Colossus,” a fitting title since the protagonist is named Wander. This trivia adds an interesting layer to the legendary game “Shadow of the Colossus.”

2 Rainy Woods (Deadly Premonition)

Almost A Completely Different Horror Game

Prior to “Deadly Premonition,” a game named “Rainy Woods” was in development, and it’s nearly unjust to compare the two. While they share the same genre, they are essentially distinct games, and their histories are captivating. “Rainy Woods” appeared to be a more enigmatic game, lacking the quirky character of Agent Francis York Morgan that made “Deadly Premonition” stand out.

In 2007, it was initially revealed, but was later discontinued shortly after its announcement. It was revived as “Deadly Premonition” in 2009 for public viewing, though it didn’t hit the shelves until 2010. Similar to Shadow of the Colossus, its original Japanese title differs: Red Seeds Profile. For enthusiasts of this intriguing game, a deep dive into all things Rainy Woods on Unseen64 is highly recommended.

1 Race’n’Chase (Grand Theft Auto)

Not As Catchy As Grant Theft Auto

San Andreas on a PlayStation 2 in 2004 is amusing. Originally, the team that later formed Rockstar envisioned this game with more focus on the cat-and-mouse dynamic between cops and robbers, which explains the straightforward yet descriptive title. Few concept artworks remain, but there’s a wealth of information online in the form of documents and personal accounts detailing how the project evolved beyond its name over time.

In 1995, the initial idea was developed but later abandoned, and eventually, it was rebranded as “Grand Theft Auto” internally before its release in 1997. Although the original concept of “Race’n’Chase” was discarded, Rockstar later revived it for a series of arcade games within “Grand Theft Auto Online,” titled “Race and Chase.” These games are playable and offer an authentic nod to the 1990s arcade era.

2024-08-22 05:34