Proof: The Kraken and more.

[Dr. Zeppers]

The phase files are files named exactly that in the games files.. phase1, phase2 etc.
They are basically resource files used by the games programming code.

They can be opened (like unzipping a zip file), using a Panda3D utility, and then one can go through the files extracted from them.

This consists of texture and graphic images, sound files, sprites, and other bits of code called frequently by the game.

I believe some have a misconception of whats being seen in these files.

You wont open the files and find a picture of the Kraken for example, although there may be one small picture used in various places of the game. You can find textures of the Krakens tentacles, beak, etc. You can find sound files associated with the Krakens actions, as well as all the other images/textures used in the game.
You will not find a picture of an island, you will find various image masks and stuff used to create the image of an island within the game.

What im trying to say is, that opening and reviewing the data in the phase files is not all that some might think its cracked up to be.

Its developers information, and its not designed or organized for end user review. The files are not presented in an end user perspective.

You may also keep in mind that any image, sound file, etc in these files is not necessarily an indication of what is to come, they could simply be something that a developer was using in testing a concept, or could be a remnant from a prior concept they attempted to implement.

Rumors should not be started based on the contents of these files as any conclusions made are purely the hypothesis/opinions of the person reviewing the material. Doing so without any knowledge of POTCO developers game plan simply lays a path for uncertainty amongst the community and gets them ready for something that may never happen.