Thanks to Robert Seddon we got a scan from an old issue of Retro Gamer, were they shown a screen from a prototype version of Alien VS Predator, in which there were lives rather than an healt bar, an early HUD and slighty different character models.
Image:
Condemned: Criminal Origins was originally known as The Dark, quite far into production. Under this name, the game was largely similar but differed in several key areas. The player character was known as Agent Cross, and the game appeared to follow him on a Government-sanctioned investigation, or investigations, rather than acting as a rogue on the run from the law. Although Cross possessed the supernatural leanings of Thomas from the final game, he could actually use various magical spells. For example, a spell could be uttered to pull a gun from an enemy’s hands and bring it to you through the air, and another spell saw doors and other obstacles break in front of you, seemingly negating the need for a fire axe.
The forensic tools used by Cross also differed, as the detection and collection tools were typically one individual item – the UV light, for instance, could illuminate clues and then be used to physically swipe across them, to take samples.
While playing the game, various bonus contents are unlocked, which can then be accessed from a special menu. Content includes concept and production sketches and paintings, work-in-progress animation, video from motion capture sessions, and a rather lengthy video showcasing a complete level from an early version of the game. [Infos from Wikipedia]
Thanks to Neodiffer for the contribution!
Videos:
Dirty Work was a prototype made by Ubisoft Montreal. Development of this sandbox-styled game was started after Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory in 2005.
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Another list of interesting links from Robert Seddon, this time about cancelled ports and early versions of Little Big Adventure, one of the most fascinating adventure games that was released for PC and Playstation.
From an interview with Frédérick Raynal on the Magicball Network, we can read about the unreleased GBA port of LBA:
Assassin: a couple of years ago there were plans of porting LBA1 (and 2?) to the GBA. Have you been thinking about maybe porting them to one of the new systems?
Frederick Raynal: Didier did a good work on LBA GBA, it’s a shame
it’s never released. I would love to see ports on portable consoles,
if LBA3 starts there are good chances…
it seems that LBA for the Gameboy Advanced was finished, or at least in a playable form.. really a shame. Maybe on DS?
On Wikipedia there are a couple of notes on the development of LBA (but lacking citations):
It was initially planned as a SNES game, making use of the Super FX chip for real-time 3D game components.
In early previews, it was said that the player could drive vehicles in the game. This wasn’t implemented in the final version because of lack of time and the idea was kept for the game’s sequel, Little Big Adventure 2.
Another list of various versions of LBA:
Beta Version August 1994: This version is unique, in that it had encrypted texts, and a slightly different scene format than the final version. Also notable for having separate external .DIA, and .ORD, files (encrypted for some reason), instead of a single TEXT.HQR file. Available for download from the Magicball Network.
It’s also interesting to notice that Frederick Raynal worked on 2 other cancelled games, Agartha (Dreamcast) and Trium Planeta (GameCube/PC). Raynal even helped with the production of Soul Bubbles, one of the best DS games ever. He offered “spiritual and game design guidance” to the game’s creators. You can find our article on the beta of Soul Bubbles in here.
Thanks as always to Robert Seddon for these links!
In Grooveraider‘s Youtube Channel we can see a couple of videos from the E3 1996 Nintendo 64 USA debut, in an awesome quality and with some previusly unseen (or at least rare) beta scenes!
“After the E3 Press conferrence the Press was given this B-ROLL for newstations and media alike.”
Huge props to Grooveraider!
Video 1: (Mario 64, Star Wars, Pilot Wings)
Mario 64 beta:
Video 2: (KI Gold, Wave Race, Mario Kart, Blast Corps, Kirby’s Air Ride, Star Fox)
Wave Race beta:
Super Mario Kart R beta:
Blast Corps beta: