The Last Guardian

Because TLG is a PS3 game, he goes on, there's more scope for introducing new aspects to the environments. "We're utilising the scale of the Trico character and the boy, and their relationship. [It's about] the dynamics of how levels may dynamically change.

"Back in days of ICO and SOTC, characters needed to be animated according to the level, stage or condition they were in. This time around, the characters dynamically react to their given situation. For example, if the boy were standing by a wall, he would naturally lean against it. These are little things, but little things are important. The more we say about this the more we'll give the game away, so we'll leave it at that."

Oh, Ueda, you and your "leave it at that". Won't you tell us something about whether the world of TLG is connected to that of ICO and SOTC?

"Those two titles started off with completely different concepts," he says. "It was only towards the end of SOTC that we said, 'Oh, maybe we could connect these two titles.' This time we're starting with a completely new, fresh page."

Oh, go on.

"Honestly, at this point, we don't know. It's something to look forward to. Maybe there will be a connection. Maybe there won't."

Oh, forget it.

Someone else asks a question about how the two main characters will interact within the game. "The relationship is not like the Trico character will listen to the boy every single time," says Ueda. "He can't give orders and expect Trico to do it - maybe it will, maybe it won't, because this is an animal you're talking to, and in real life, this happens too." Though not usually with giant cat-eagles.

"The important part is the emotional attachment between the boy and the Trico character, and how that feels. Again, that may not answer your question spot on, but... A bit."

There's just time for one last question, for what it's worth: how come all Ueda's games have adolescents for heroes?

"Actually, for all three creations, this is a coincidence," Ueda says. "Looking at The Last Guardian, for example, the Trico character is a very powerful creature. To balance that, to design a game balance... Naturally the design drove me to allow the main character to be lighter and less powerful."

In fact, Ueda says, the main character of TLG was originally a little girl. "But from a game design perspective - considering a little girl versus a little boy, the boy would have a little more grip when climbing trees." Righto. "Another element would be, girls wear skirts..."

There's no time to find out what Ueda reckons Lara Croft might make of that, because the session is over. We're told we're allowed to take photos of Ueda and a big group of people rush up to the front of the room.

Well, there you have it. This presentation might not have delivered for those who were hoping for a gameplay demo, a lengthier trailer or just some significant information about how the game will actually work. But that doesn't seem to matter - there's still a buzz around The Last Guardian, and everyone's still keen to find out what the man who made ICO is doing next.