By It’s been 20 years since Shadow of the Colossus first released in North America — a milestone that marks one of gaming’s most artistically significant titles. To celebrate the occasion, game.news revisits an insightful interview with Fumito Ueda, the creative mind behind Ico, Shadow of the Colossus, and The Last Guardian, originally published in 2016.
Ueda, who spent more than seven years developing The Last Guardian, reflected on the emotional weight of completing the game, his creative philosophy, and even his nightly habits that shape his work.
When asked how he felt after The Last Guardian finally went gold, Ueda admitted to feeling “all of the above” — nervous, excited, and relieved. Yet, he confessed that the realization of completion takes time to sink in. “It’s always taken a few months for me to really feel that everything has been completed,” he explained.
Following years of development, Ueda revealed he needed a long break to recharge, not just for himself but also for his team. However, he admitted that creative ideas were already “stashed away,” waiting to be revisited once he regained his energy.
Known for infusing emotion and subtlety into his games, Ueda stated that his style isn’t deliberate but rather a product of creative necessity. “I don’t go in being picky about the style of game I make,” he said. “It’s more about how to make the best out of limited resources and still stand out.”
On the subject of influences, Ueda praised Inside for its “silky smooth controls” and Dragon Quest Builders for its success in Japan. As for the recurring theme of having a companion in his games — Yorda in Ico, Agro in Shadow of the Colossus, and Trico in The Last Guardian — he explained that these relationships embody what can only be achieved in video games, not in film or traditional art.
Though a Shadow of the Colossus film adaptation had been discussed, Ueda remained open-minded. Initially hesitant, he now views it as an intriguing challenge: “How would you recreate or retell that story in a film form?”
Creatively, Ueda described himself as a “night owl,” doing his best work after midnight. “Any part of storyboarding or conceptualizing usually happens late at night,” he said. “That’s when I get my best work done.”
With a career defined by emotional storytelling and quiet intensity, Fumito Ueda continues to inspire generations of game developers — proving that subtlety, patience, and heart can leave as much impact as spectacle.
The post Shadow Of The Colossus And The Last Guardian Creator Fumito Ueda On Subtlety And His Bedtime Rituals first appeared on Mediamark Digital.
Comments