The Last Guardian making 'slow progress'

It wouldn't be without reason for gamers to be worried about the fate of The Last Guardian. Sony has spoken little of the title throughout its multiyear development, and the game has lost its executive producer. However, the title is still on and "making progress," a Sony representative has confirmed.

Sony Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida told 1Up this week that The Last Guardian is making progress, albeit "slow progress." He said development on the title has been "tough" but noted that developer Team Ico has not altered the focus on the title.

"It's still a really important project and a vision we want to see realized, and [Fumito Ueda's] vision is really causing a very difficult challenge for the developers, so there's some scrapping and rebuilding…iteration in the process. That's why [it's taking so long]."

In November, word spread that Ueda had left Sony in full, staying attached to The Last Guardian on a contractor basis. Yoshida confirmed that move to 1Up, but he also noted that Ueda was also tirelessly working on the project.

"He comes in every day, and he's probably one of the people who works the longest hours," he said.

Formally announced at the 2009 Electronic Entertainment Expo, The Last Guardian tells a boy-and-his-dog tale, where the dog is a giant and feathered, yet seemingly amiable, beast. Team Ico has not been forthcoming with specific plot details, but gameplay will involve the boy manipulating his companion to navigate a variety of environmental puzzles.