Heart of Darkness: Éric Chahi’s Classic Adventure and Its Lost Sega Saturn Version
Éric Chahi, the acclaimed developer behind Another World, brought his visionary storytelling and technical prowess to the 1998 adventure game Heart of Darkness.
Developed by Amazing Studio, the game was renowned for its early use of advanced CGI visuals and atmospheric storytelling, instantly attracting industry attention when first revealed.
Despite its initial hype, Heart of Darkness experienced a protracted development cycle, spanning six years and navigating several publishing hurdles, before ultimately launching on PlayStation (PS1) and PC. Originally commissioned by publisher Virgin Interactive, Heart of Darkness was once planned as a limited-time exclusive for Sega’s Saturn console—a strategy that could have contributed to the system’s struggling library.
However, a series of project delays meant the game missed its intended 1996 Saturn release window.
By the time the game was completed, the Sega Saturn’s commercial fortunes had deteriorated, leading to the cancellation of both the exclusivity arrangement and the Saturn version itself.
Heart of Darkness finally reached the PlayStation and PC markets in 1998, marking the end of an arduous production journey. Although the existence of an early Saturn prototype has been known in preservation circles, recent reports suggest that a second, previously undocumented Saturn prototype may have surfaced.
Initial claims indicate that this may be the work of a homebrew developer, but the full story remains in flux as the community seeks further verification.
Representatives have been approached for clarification on the matter, and further updates are anticipated. Reflecting on the development process, Éric Chahi has acknowledged that Heart of Darkness stands as one of the most demanding projects of his career.
The challenges encountered during its creation ultimately led him to take an extended hiatus from the video game industry, returning only with the release of From Dust in 2011. Despite its commercial limitations, Heart of Darkness remains a significant touchstone in game development history, offering a unique blend of cinematic action, puzzle-solving, and technical innovation.
Its protracted development, ambitious cross-platform intentions, and the ongoing interest in lost hardware versions such as the Sega Saturn prototype, ensure Chahi’s adventure continues to fascinate gaming historians and preservationists alike. As new information emerges regarding Heart of Darkness and its unreleased Saturn edition, the story of this cult classic continues to evolve, underscoring the enduring legacy of both Éric Chahi and the adventurous spirit of late 90s game development.
Developed by Amazing Studio, the game was renowned for its early use of advanced CGI visuals and atmospheric storytelling, instantly attracting industry attention when first revealed.
Despite its initial hype, Heart of Darkness experienced a protracted development cycle, spanning six years and navigating several publishing hurdles, before ultimately launching on PlayStation (PS1) and PC. Originally commissioned by publisher Virgin Interactive, Heart of Darkness was once planned as a limited-time exclusive for Sega’s Saturn console—a strategy that could have contributed to the system’s struggling library.
However, a series of project delays meant the game missed its intended 1996 Saturn release window.
By the time the game was completed, the Sega Saturn’s commercial fortunes had deteriorated, leading to the cancellation of both the exclusivity arrangement and the Saturn version itself.
Heart of Darkness finally reached the PlayStation and PC markets in 1998, marking the end of an arduous production journey. Although the existence of an early Saturn prototype has been known in preservation circles, recent reports suggest that a second, previously undocumented Saturn prototype may have surfaced.
Initial claims indicate that this may be the work of a homebrew developer, but the full story remains in flux as the community seeks further verification.
Representatives have been approached for clarification on the matter, and further updates are anticipated. Reflecting on the development process, Éric Chahi has acknowledged that Heart of Darkness stands as one of the most demanding projects of his career.
The challenges encountered during its creation ultimately led him to take an extended hiatus from the video game industry, returning only with the release of From Dust in 2011. Despite its commercial limitations, Heart of Darkness remains a significant touchstone in game development history, offering a unique blend of cinematic action, puzzle-solving, and technical innovation.
Its protracted development, ambitious cross-platform intentions, and the ongoing interest in lost hardware versions such as the Sega Saturn prototype, ensure Chahi’s adventure continues to fascinate gaming historians and preservationists alike. As new information emerges regarding Heart of Darkness and its unreleased Saturn edition, the story of this cult classic continues to evolve, underscoring the enduring legacy of both Éric Chahi and the adventurous spirit of late 90s game development.
