Re: Edge issue with Saturn pre-launch feature Hmm, I do remember the Edge Saturn issue had a pic of the Saturn mobo as its front cover :smt033 Also, I have scans of a few Edge articles on Saturn somewhere, but they are buried into the murky bowels of my download directories... and I cant find em right away.
Here's a list of only a few cancelled Saturn games that I've been able to find information on: Sonic X-Treme (BUG! engine version) This was the version shown at the 1996 E3 (with special stages from another unknown build), and following its poor reception the game was carried over to the NiGHTS engine. Sonic X-Treme (NiGHTS engine version) STi had to move engine AGAIN when Yuji Naka demanded that Sonic Team's code be taken from the US developers, possibly in retalliation of their work on previous Sonic games (many of the American-designed stages, such as Hidden Palace and Wood Zone were removed in favour of Japanese concepts) or because Naka's group had their own Sonic title in development - Project Sonic, perhaps? Sonic X-Treme (Sphere Renderer engine version) The planned Winter 1996 release date was impossible to achieve, so STi cancelled their project. A small core team of key designers from the Saturn title completed a four-level demo in the hope of selling the idea to SEGA PC for release, but this division was only interested in ports of existing console or arcade games. Various prototypes definitely DO exist, but due to some resistance from some programmers and for "sentimental reasons" they are unlikely to surface. Shenmue Saturn Version At least the first three chapters were completed (as seen on the only video available), and it's likely that later parts have not been shown to prevent spoliers for the as-yet-unreleased conclusion of this series. Supposedly to have come on eight discs with two chapters on each, which means that we've only seen the first disc so far. Were the other discs remotely close in terms of quality or quantity? We'll probably never know, as AM2 are definitely keeping tight security on this one! The prototypes are stored on tapes at Sega's Japanese HQ building, though Yu Suzuki has mentioned in the past that the footage released of Shenmue Saturn Version comes from a stock console - a contradiction if there ever was one! Finally, the name "Shenmue" only appeared closer to the Dreamcast game's release - the working title back in its Saturn guise was probably either "Akira's Quest" or "Project Berkeley" as "Virtua Fighter RPG" has only recently been revealed to be related with a completely different project (Cyber Generation). Saturn Virtua Fighter 3 (Revision 1) Supposedly very similar in appearance to the VF3 elements of Fighters Megamix, this version was rejected on quality issues and because a "superior" Dreamcast edition was already in the early stages of development. AM2 then went back to enhance their code in the hope that a release may still be possible... Saturn Virtua Fighter 3 (Revision 2) Produced using SGL OS 3.02 and a significant improvement on the earlier AM2 attempt at this game, with new 3D (albeit basic) backgrounds plus varied levels of detail for close (winning pose) and long distance (fighting) character models to incease in-game speed. Discs sent out to Japanese pressing plants for September 5th release, with possible simultaneous PAL version also rumoured. A final "exclusive VF3 review" issue of the UK official Sega Saturn Magazine (SSM) was mentioned, though this has now been denied by former staff members. Sonic The Fighters Another game completed, advertised on SOJ website release lists (May 5th 1998) and then cancelled. Master discs were supposedly sent to pressing plants in Japan, yet the game has still not surfaced - this suggests that information may be incorrect. Scud Race/Supercar If the port of VF3 was successful enough, this would have been the follow-up Model 3 conversion. Cancelled in its early R&D stages, a DC tech demo was later made by Core Design. No information regarding the use of any hardware upgrades, but since the arcade version was powered by the Model 3 Step 1.5 board it's likely that some form of 3D accelerator was necessary. Biohazard 2 Cancelled in April 1997 at roughly 15% complete "alpha" stage, remade as a PSone game in Feb. '98 when Capcom realised that the Saturn was no longer a financially viable platform Marvel VS Capcom Did not pass research stage in late 1998, though it later appeared for Dreamcast Street Fighter 3 Cancelled at a very early stage, possibly no more advanced that R&D in early '97 Fighting Force (provisional working title: Bare Knuckle 4) Originally produced as a sequel to the "Bare Knuckle" series by Core, this game was passed onto Sega for completion then cancelled due to quality issues. An executive at SOA apparently did not recognise the Bare Knuckle/Streets Of Rage franchise and subsequent builds were designed with the new title. Other games with no information (other than their existence): Red Earth (Capcom CPSIII title, possibly requiring 4Mb RAM cart?) Metal Gear Solid (Lost when Konami stopped support of the Saturn) Destruction Derby 2 (Cancelled because of Sony-Psygnosis deal?) Formula One (Developed by Sony Studio Liverpool? Excusivity?) DeathTank 3D (Cancelled after the split of Lobotomy Software) WarZard (Another Capcom 4Mb title, lost due to production costs?) Bad Mojo (Point-and-click adventure labelled "too adult" by Sega) Rattlesnake Red (Platformer, lost for both Saturn and PlayStation) Grand Theft Auto ("Technical problems" led to PSOne/PC exclusivity)
nice list indeed! To kick the knowitall thing off, I'm not doubting the authenticity of this list, but I do think it is a bit strange that Sega cancelled numerous games that undoubtedly would've sold pretty good :toimonster: And I'm curious what those 'technical problems' with GTA would've been, I think it would've ran fine on the Saturn (its not like the PS is better at that sort of games)
its such an shame that al those games on the list are (almost all) potential super games.... what would have happen if MGS was saturn only rayer:
Nice list! What I wouldn't give to have an alpha/beta/whatever of Shenmue, VF3 and Scud Race on my Saturn
This game was by Bizzare Creations who I knew at the time. I did some testing at their HQ for the PSX version (My name is on the PAL version on the game). At the time they were looking at different Saturn racing games to see if it was possible to port the game to the saturn. I have no idea if work had begun or not. I do know that atthis time they were planning Fur balls or what ever it was called plus a secret game that turned out to by MSR. Yakumo
By the way, this blew my socks off, I read in the official UK Saturn magazine that they used to give away beta silver discs as contest prizes! :smt104 :smt103 :-D :smt119 :smt120 :smt118
... anthaemia....you are crossing the borderlines of paranoia... -How the hell is the Saturn scud race connected to the "dc tech demo",i cannot see it.Who told you it was developed by Core design?.That demo was included in the first devkit available to developers...Makes any sense?"but since the arcade version was powered by the Model 3 Step 1.5 board it's likely that some form of 3D accelerator was necessary.".I like the way you assume things.... -SGL "OS"? -Sonic Xtreme on BUG! engine?Sonic xtreme was to be a Genesis game,then 32X,then Saturn and it started on the Nights engine.A Demo on E3 using the BUG! engine using levels from another build?What the...?Please do yourself a favour and read the producer's inteview at sonc-cult.org and stop raving. -Saturn Virtua Fighter 3 (Revision 2) "Produced using SGL OS 3.02 and a significant improvement on the earlier AM2 attempt at this game, with new 3D (albeit basic) backgrounds plus varied levels of detail for close (winning pose) and long distance (fighting) character models to incease in-game speed." Mind you,level of detail is nothing exceptional,even Virtua Fighter 32X had this feature like countless other games... Some posts and their ignorance are just too stupid.I am sorry i write like that but some time ago the board was NOT like that and i am pissed off about it.I ve said that again,and the same people keep on posting the same shit and everyone just applauds.When someone steps in and critisizes everyone goes like "what's your problem"...IGNORANCE is my fucking problem and the fact that moderators will delete this post cause of retarted censorship...
Re: ... Because the Official Sega Saturn magazine in the UK said it was by Core Design. I remember seeing that too. They said that it wasn't as powerful as the arcade and did have some sighns of pop up that the arcade didn't have. Yakumo
Red Earth (Capcom CPSIII title, possibly requiring 4Mb RAM cart?) that would be awesome its CPS-3 though so the 4MB RAM cart would be the only way, Crapcom didn´t even release it on DC :smt022
Information sources... As confirmed by Yakumo, it was the UK's official Sega Saturn Magazine that mentioned Core Design in relation to the Scud Race tech demo. Sorry that I didn't include a reference to my source before, but after ten years of following the Saturn you tend to read a lot (and I do mean a lot!) of articles - I've noticed too that there tend to be a lot of "crossed wires" and long-standing myths. Someone should really make an effort to filter out all the genuine facts from what has grown out of rumours, as there is still no single place (not Sonic Cult, and don't even bother with SegaBase) that has 100% actual information. I have my own plans, but this definitely won't be a one-man mission as there are far too many angles to look at without reaching a great old age (yeah, right). I'm hopeful that one day many unsolved mysteries will either be laid to rest with the release of some prototypes or new interviews with developers, as those interviews at Sonic Cult reveal several contradictions. Then again, it has been over eight years since Sonic X-Treme was cancelled so I can appreciate that some people may have different recollections than others. However, I get the general impression - and for once I am speculating - that the development of this game was a painful experience for many of the production team, and I don't really believe that anyone would deliberately want to go back and revist a part of their life that is associated with such bad memories. Also, I must add that while I respect Sonic Cult's obvious "insider" access and multiple exclusives on Sonic X-Treme among other titles (even if Sonic Heroes did turn out to be quite a disappointment), the interviews conducted there only asked the predictable questions (such as the possibility of code being leaked, which we all know is highly unlikely now). It would have been great to find out more technical aspects, including which engines were shown in the various screenshots available to those interested in this most unfulfilled of Sega's high profile 32-bit titles. Has anyone else noticed that there are so many contradictions in those interviews? They may be our closest to the truth, but those guys are only human after all. You can't expect to get a complete picture of this or any game without fully assessing everything that remains, and until we see some prototype builds or further development material (such as engine code or even comprehensive design documentation) we have little background to work with. I really hope that the moderators DON'T remove VitAmen's last comment, though I can't say either that I enjoy being accused of ignorance or paranoia - there are plenty of gaming enthusiasts that would sell their nearest and dearest to play some of these unreleased games for even a few minutes. I wasn't trying to describe the varied detail feature in Saturn Virtua Fighter 3 Revision 2 (now that's a mouthful!) as something new, and perhaps I could have compared this to the 32X version of Virtua Fighter myself - regrets, 'eh? Even the much-hyped Killzone includes such a technique, so at least it doesn't need much explaining on my behalf... or anyone else's for that matter. Well, there's nothing like a good long-winded and self-righteous rant to start off the morning (I love the smell of a melting keyboard, you know)! P.S. Sega Saturn Magazine (UK) had a deal with HMV to give away free games in various competitions, but for most of the time they just used contests as a way of getting rid of their old review discs - some might even call them "silver beta" copies. I was under that impression that SSM wanted this keeping quiet, but have you ever noticed that they didn't print a single letter from winners complaining about their prizes? I think that I've just uncovered another Sega "gagging order" conspiracy. Uh oh...
Re: ... Ehm i'm sorry but what the hell did we moderators ever do to you, i think your being paranoid right now. There is no censorship here but we will step in if people get out of line that's all.
Re: Information sources... Yes the Official sega Saturn magazine did have a thing going with HMV but they didn't give away store Silver Discs. Not from the store where I was in charge anyway because I took them all. Yakumo
Silver Discs Well, I don't really blame you - a collector should take advantage of every opportunity available. I recently "acquired" several copies of the Killzone beta, simply because the staff at a local store couldn't find anywhere safer to keep the discs than on the counter for all to see!
Re: ... Anthaemia. is the same poster as Sega Santashiro and dispite being quite negative about this forum on other forums he can't stay away. Anyway; Silver Discs are not Betas but test pressings from the CD replicator to check that the discs have been mastered correctly. The code remains the same as the release version Review discs were provided to SSM on branded Saturn CDR's and not silver discs. The trouble with Anthaemia (AKA Sega Sanshiro) is that he takes great leaps of faith with his knowlege and invents a way to get from Virtua Fighter 3 was to be released on the Staurn to Virtua Fighter 3 was to be 60FPS High Rez and have full 3d backgrounds and spreads this about as an all knowing authority. Passion about subject matter is one thing but this guy sure can make a little info go a long way. :smt009
Re: ... I knew it! Anyhow, welcome to this board, I hope you will be as contributing but do back your facts up ;-)
