BattleBots (found build of unreleased GameCube/PlayStation 2 game based on robot combat TV series; 2003)

From The Lost Media Wiki
Revision as of 14:16, 12 November 2021 by SpaceManiac888 (talk | contribs)
Jump to: navigation, search
BattleBots UScoverart.png

GameCube cover art.

Status: Lost

BattleBots was a video game based on the robot combat television show BattleBots. It was developed by Warthog Games and was set to be published by THQ for the GameCube and PlayStation 2 in 2003 prior to cancellation.

Development

On 19th November 2001, it was announced that THQ had secured the licence to publish BattleBots games. Development for a GameCube and PlayStation 2 title had already started, with plans for future Xbox and PC games.[1] BattleBots was first showcased by THQ at E3 2002.[2][3] According to Nintendo World Report, there was a playable GameCube demo containing around five robots to battle as, within a single bridge arena. Based on this article, the game would feature 80 robots, 40 of which would be from the TV show. It also featured basic and advance control configurations, and plans were made to have a four-player mode.[4]

IGN listed other details, including 20 arenas being added into the game, and three different game modes; these were Simulation Mode that emulated the TV series' tournament structure and arenas; Arcade Mode, where one could freely choose robots they created or from the show and compete in arenas with power-ups added; and Multi-player Mode.[5] The game would also be showcased at Gen Con 2002, with GameSpot reviewers detailing the GameCube demo, and noting that the game would allow for the camera to be switched to a "robot's eye" view during a fight.[6]

The game was first announced on the official BattleBots website on September 12, 2002, with an expected release date in November 2002.[7] However, the game was then postponed until early February 2003,[8] before being delayed once again to May 2003.[9] After that, there were no more mentions of the game on the website. According to the February 2018 issue of Retro Gamer, THQ suddenly decided to end the project, despite the game reaching "an advanced stage of development".[10] This most likely stemmed from the announcement that Comedy Central had decided not to renew the show for another season in September 2002,[11] and because of a slow improvement in fixing bugs and issues during development.[12]

Availability

While the game went unreleased, prototypes of the game were made and sold on the official website for $150[13] and again for $299.98, with seemingly only one copy for sale.[14] In May 2015, Team Nightmare Combat Robots were actually able to play the GameCube version. A screenshot exists of the aftermath, where hotel security caught them playing it on the hotel lobby's television.[15] Despite all of these events, no build of the game, in demo or complete form, has ever been publicly released. YouTuber Gatorbox had also owned a GameCube build of the game, but it was never publicly released due to a copyright dispute.[16]

Nevertheless, a video was uploaded to YouTube showcasing gameplay footage. Additionally, many screenshots of the game and its concept art were made public in 2017 by Gary Switzer.[17]

Gallery

Video

Gameplay footage of BattleBots.

Promo of BattleBots franchise, including gameplay footage at 2:50-2:58.

Images

See Also

References

  1. GameSpot reporting on THQ securing the BattleBots licence, detailing game development plans. Retrieved 11 Nov '21
  2. TM Station noting BattleBots was showcased at E3 2002. Retrieved 11 Nov '21
  3. Digital Press providing a photo of BattleBots at E3 2002. Retrieved 11 Nov '21
  4. Nintendo World Report reporting on the BattleBots demo at E3 2002. Retrieved 11 Nov '21
  5. IGN reporting on details regarding BattleBots. Retrieved 11 Nov '21
  6. GameSpot detailing the BattleBots demo at Gen Con 2002. Retrieved 11 Nov '21
  7. Archive of the official site announcing the game. Retrieved 21 Nov '15
  8. Archive of the site announcing the first delay. Retrieved 21 Nov '15
  9. Archive of the site announcing the second delay. Retrieved 21 Nov '15
  10. February 2018 issue of Retro Gamer noting that BattleBots was cancelled at an advanced stage of development by THQ. Retrieved 11 Nov '21
  11. SB Nation noting BattleBots was not renewed in September 2002 by Comedy Central, likely being a major catalyst for the game's cancellation. Retrieved 11 Nov '21
  12. A Reddit post, with comments from a user who was part of THQ's quality assurance team explaining about game testing. Retrieved 11 Nov '21
  13. AssemblerGames thread on the game. Retrieved 21 Nov '15
  14. Official store page for the game. Retrieved 21 Nov '15
  15. A photo of the hotel event. Retrieved 15 Oct '21
  16. The Gatorbox Secret Stash, where GameCube build of the game is mentioned in "Unavailable" section. Retrieved 11 Nov '21
  17. List of screenshots and concept art provided by Gary Switzer. Retrieved 11 Nov '21