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|foundby=[https://web.archive.org/web/20150603205320/http://www.senntient.com/forums/viewtopic.php?id=2173&p=1 andrew75] | |foundby=[https://web.archive.org/web/20150603205320/http://www.senntient.com/forums/viewtopic.php?id=2173&p=1 andrew75] | ||
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'''''Sonic X-Treme''''' was an upcoming game set to be released on the | |||
'''''Sonic X-Treme''''' was an upcoming game set to be released on the SEGA Saturn in 1996. ''Sonic X-Treme'' was one of the many long-lost video games dedicated to the legendary SEGA mascot, Sonic the Hedgehog. Its legacy is second only to that of ''Sonic the Hedgehog 2'' on the SEGA Genesis and became an enigma for many people on the internet. Over the years, many video game enthusiasts and Sonic fans have sought out various pieces of information and leaks to rebuild and learn more about what the game might've been like if it was completed. | |||
==Development History== | ==Development History== | ||
[[File:Sonic xtreme promo 1.png|thumb|300px|A screenshot from the E3 1996 ''Sonic X-Treme'' promo.]] | [[File:Sonic xtreme promo 1.png|thumb|300px|A screenshot from the E3 1996 ''Sonic X-Treme'' promo.]] | ||
Throughout the course of its development, ''X-Treme'' suffered from numerous delays and shifting between different systems. Which resulted in it being stuck in development hell. The game originally started out as a Genesis title called ''Sonic Mars'' (which would've been set in the popular Saturday Morning (SatAM) ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' universe involving Sonic's team and Princess Sally Acorn, one of the Knothole Freedom Fighters) before being completely scrapped and shifted to the ill-fated | Throughout the course of its development, ''Sonic X-Treme'' suffered from numerous delays and shifting between different systems. Which resulted in it being stuck in development hell. The game originally started out as a Genesis title called ''Sonic Mars'' (which would've been set in the popular Saturday Morning (SatAM) ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' universe involving Sonic's team and Princess Sally Acorn, one of the Knothole Freedom Fighters) before being completely scrapped and shifted to the ill-fated SEGA 32X and then moved to a short-lived SEGA system based on Nvidia technology predating the Saturn, before finally settling on the latter.<ref name="interview">[https://web.archive.org/web/20160408053117/http://www.sonic-cult.org/dispart.php?catid=6&gameid=10&subid=2&artid=2 An archived interview with the producer of ''Sonic X-Treme'' that mentions the short-lived SEGA system.] Retrieved 02 Mar '19</ref> | ||
According to numerous interviews with the game's creators, ''Sonic X-Treme'' would have involved Sonic battling his arch-foe Dr. Ivo "Eggman" Robotnik to rescue Professor Gazebo and protect six items known as the "Rings of Order," which is said to be how the Rings Sonic and his friends collect are made. Sonic is aided by a new female character named Tiara (though her last name is heavily disputed, the common one is "Boobowski"), a female wildcat who would have aided Sonic with the use of a wand, perhaps mimicking how fellow female hedgehog Amy Rose used a hammer. Confirmed bosses in the game included Nack the Weasel and a new version of Metal Sonic.<ref name="interview"/> | According to numerous interviews with the game's creators, ''Sonic X-Treme'' would have involved Sonic battling his arch-foe Dr. Ivo "Eggman" Robotnik to rescue Professor Gazebo and protect six items known as the "Rings of Order," which is said to be how the Rings Sonic and his friends collect are made. Sonic is aided by a new female character named Tiara (though her last name is heavily disputed, the common one is "Boobowski"), a female wildcat who would have aided Sonic with the use of a wand, perhaps mimicking how fellow female hedgehog Amy Rose used a hammer. Confirmed bosses in the game included Nack the Weasel and a new version of Metal Sonic.<ref name="interview"/> | ||
The game was quite infamous for its executive meddling and troubled production. The original concept was meant to have two types of gameplay: one for its main stages and one for its bosses. However, when some of | The game was quite infamous for its executive meddling and troubled production. The original concept was meant to have two types of gameplay: one for its main stages and one for its bosses. However, when some of SEGA of Japan's executives came in to check up on progress, they were dismayed by the supposed lack of progress for the main stage engine (which was actually an earlier prototype), but absolutely loved the boss engine and asked to use that engine for the entire game. Afterward, the developers were forced to rebuild the entire game from scratch. Realizing that their game engine was almost similar to another SEGA-developed Saturn game that was being worked simultaneously, called ''NiGHTS into Dreams'', the team requested access to that game's engine as a starting point to minimize development time. The request was granted but was swiftly confiscated after Yuji Naka (the main programmer and producer of ''NiGHTS into Dreams'' and ironically, the co-creator of ''Sonic'') threatened to quit. | ||
Unfortunately, the game was indefinitely shelved - internal politics made things a living nightmare for the developers and one of the spearheads of | Unfortunately, the game was indefinitely shelved - internal politics made things a living nightmare for the developers and one of the spearheads of SEGA was nearly driven to the point of only having mere months to live, which led to the cancellation of ''Sonic X-Treme''. The developers instead created a SEGA Saturn port of ''Sonic 3D Blast''. | ||
==Demo Build Leaks== | ==Demo Build Leaks== | ||
[[File:Sonic xtreme logo.png|300px|thumb|Early version of the ''Sonic X-Treme'' logo from the 718 demo build.<ref name="tcrf" />]] | [[File:Sonic xtreme logo.png|300px|thumb|Early version of the ''Sonic X-Treme'' logo from the 718 demo build.<ref name="tcrf" />]] | ||
In 2005, a disc containing a playable demo version of the test engine for the Saturn was sold to an anonymous collector for $2500 USD. Two years later, an animated gif of the gameplay was released to the public and the full demo was leaked on July 17th, 2007. In this demo, the player can control and move Sonic around the terrain of the level. There are no enemies in sight, and gameplay stops after five minutes.<ref name="tcrf">[https://tcrf.net/Sonic_X-treme The Cutting Room Floor page on ''Sonic X-Treme''.] Retrieved 17 | In 2005, a disc containing a playable demo version of the test engine for the Saturn was sold to an anonymous collector for $2500 USD. Two years later, an animated gif of the gameplay was released to the public and the full demo was leaked on July 17th, 2007. In this demo, the player can control and move Sonic around the terrain of the level. There are no enemies in sight, and gameplay stops after five minutes.<ref name="tcrf">[https://tcrf.net/Sonic_X-treme The Cutting Room Floor page on ''Sonic X-Treme''.] Retrieved 17 Sep '19</ref> | ||
On November 4th, 2014, the final build for Sonic X-Treme was found by andrew75. They were only playable on Windows 95 computers and the Nvidia NV1 video card. The following year, Sonic Retro user Jollyroger acquired the POV file assets from another user named Tichua and made the build compatible with OpenGL. Alongside with this, Jollyroger discovered and decompiled numerous level editors related to different builds. This includes the binary code for v53's level editor.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150603205320/http://www.senntient.com/forums/viewtopic.php?id=2173&p=1 Archived forum thread where the final build was found.] Retrieved 08 | On November 4th, 2014, the final build for Sonic X-Treme was found by andrew75. They were only playable on Windows 95 computers and the Nvidia NV1 video card. The following year, Sonic Retro user Jollyroger acquired the POV file assets from another user named Tichua and made the build compatible with OpenGL. Alongside with this, Jollyroger discovered and decompiled numerous level editors related to different builds. This includes the binary code for v53's level editor.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150603205320/http://www.senntient.com/forums/viewtopic.php?id=2173&p=1 Archived forum thread where the final build was found.] Retrieved 08 Sep '15</ref><ref>[https://forums.sonicretro.org/index.php?threads/never-before-seen-build-of-sonic-x-treme-leaked.34255/ Andrew75's ''Sonic X-Treme'' thread on the Sonic Retro forums.] Retrieved 17 Sep '19</ref><ref name="tcrf"/> | ||
===Builds=== | ===Builds=== | ||
There are currently six builds that | There are currently six builds that have been discovered. Most of them are development builds and two are demo builds. | ||
[[File:Xtreme v32 1.png|300px|thumb|An in-game screenshot from one of v37's levels.]] | [[File:Xtreme v32 1.png|300px|thumb|An in-game screenshot from one of v37's levels.]] | ||
v001 is the earliest known build (dating November 28th, 1995). Founded in the POV archive, this features a ''very'' basic version of the engine that can run on any operating system. The only functionality is the ability to use the mouse to move around the room. v37 and its editor date back to roughly around the E3 1996 trailer for ''Sonic X-Treme''. The initial release of the build showcased only one level entitled Jade Gully, which was the level showcased in the trailer. v40 was both the PC and Saturn | v001 is the earliest known build (dating November 28th, 1995). Founded in the POV archive, this features a ''very'' basic version of the engine that can run on any operating system. The only functionality is the ability to use the mouse to move around the room. v37 and its editor date back to roughly around the E3 1996 trailer for ''Sonic X-Treme''. The initial release of the build showcased only one level entitled Jade Gully, which was the level showcased in the trailer. v40 was both the PC and Saturn versions. It was around the time when the game was being rewritten for the Saturn.<ref name="tcrf" /> | ||
The 714 and 718 demo builds feature more coherent gameplay including a title screen, pause screen, game over screen, and the previously mentioned Jade Gully level. It also uses ''Sonic CD'' music and SFX as placeholders. The level editor for v53 was also found. Unfortunately, the source code could not be found or decompiled. So the program is stuck being only usable in Windows 98.<ref name="tcrf" /> | The 714 and 718 demo builds feature more coherent gameplay including a title screen, pause screen, game over screen, and the previously mentioned Jade Gully level. It also uses ''Sonic CD'' music and SFX as placeholders. The level editor for v53 was also found. Unfortunately, the source code could not be found or decompiled. So the program is stuck being only usable in Windows 98.<ref name="tcrf" /> | ||
===Released Sprites=== | ===Released Sprites=== | ||
In 2017, ''Sonic X-Treme’s'' Lead Artist ''Ross Harris'' published numerous sprite work and original models from the game. These include a fully animated Sonic sprite and sprite work for ''Amy Rose'', ''Tridril'', ''T-Rex'', ''Orca'', and many more.<ref>[https://rharris347.wixsite.com/rhdp/sonicxtreme Ross Harris's site which has some sprites from ''Sonic X-Treme''.] Retrieved 17 | In 2017, ''Sonic X-Treme’s'' Lead Artist ''Ross Harris'' published numerous sprite work and original models from the game. These include a fully animated Sonic sprite and sprite work for ''Amy Rose'', ''Tridril'', ''T-Rex'', ''Orca'', and many more.<ref>[https://rharris347.wixsite.com/rhdp/sonicxtreme Ross Harris's site which has some sprites from ''Sonic X-Treme''.] Retrieved 17 Sep '19</ref> | ||
It is currently unknown if Ross Harris still has the other sprites he made. | It is currently unknown if Ross Harris still has the other sprites he made. | ||
==Gallery== | |||
===Sprites=== | |||
<gallery mode=packed heights=175px> | <gallery mode=packed heights=175px> | ||
Sonic xtreme running.gif|Animated sprites of Sonic's movement. | Sonic xtreme running.gif|Animated sprites of Sonic's movement. | ||
Line 49: | Line 52: | ||
Orca model.png|A full 3D model of the Orca. | Orca model.png|A full 3D model of the Orca. | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
==Videos== | ===Videos=== | ||
{{Video|perrow =3 | |||
|service1 =youtube | |||
|id1 =V0o8axzRGqg | |||
|description1 =Yuriofwind's video on the subject. | |||
|service2 =youtube | |||
|id2 =UJr5Nr0PJQs | |||
|description2 =gomotion's video on the subject (ft. LS Mark). | |||
|service3 =youtube | |||
|id3 =V_bHyV-ji2Y | |||
|description3 =Lady Decade's video on the subject. | |||
}} | |||
===Gameplay/Soundtrack=== | |||
{{Video|perrow =4 | {{Video|perrow =4 | ||
|service1 =youtube | |service1 =youtube | ||
Line 58: | Line 74: | ||
|description2 =E3: 1996 trailer (no sound). | |description2 =E3: 1996 trailer (no sound). | ||
|service3 =youtube | |service3 =youtube | ||
|id3 = | |id3 =XAv-gNaBn_w | ||
|description3 = | |description3 =Jade Gully Zone. | ||
|service4 =youtube | |service4 =youtube | ||
|id4 = | |id4 =wzvS_beXtXk | ||
|description4 = | |description4 =Cyrstal Frost Zone. | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{Video|perrow =4 | {{Video|perrow =4 | ||
|service1 =youtube | |service1 =youtube | ||
|id1 = | |id1 =aZb7LE6G5Gg | ||
|description1 = | |description1 =Red Sands Zone. | ||
|service2 =youtube | |service2 =youtube | ||
|id2 = | |id2 =nto4ctFSWkc | ||
|description2 =Death Egg Zone. | |description2 =Death Egg Zone. | ||
|service3 =youtube | |service3 =youtube | ||
|id3 = | |id3 =OmaDfHU303E | ||
|description3 = | |description3 =A piece of conceptual music titled "Space Queens" by Chris Senn. | ||
|service4 =youtube | |service4 =youtube | ||
|id4 = | |id4 =Rn0veaksa7A | ||
|description4 =A piece of conceptual music titled " | |description4 =A piece of conceptual music titled "Egyptian" by Chris Sebb; intended to be used for the Red Sands boss. | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{Video|perrow = | {{Video|perrow =3 | ||
|service1 =youtube | |service1 =youtube | ||
|id1 = | |id1 =9aS9nAuyp_o | ||
|description1 = | |description1 =E3: 1996 Japanese footage. | ||
|service2 =youtube | |service2 =youtube | ||
|id2 = | |id2 =JNCeVNOhdIM | ||
|description2 = | |description2 =''Sonic X-Treme'' running on a SSF SEGA Saturn emulator. | ||
|service3 =youtube | |service3 =youtube | ||
|id3 = | |id3 =f9EUDlC6vsI | ||
|description3 | |description3 =''Sonic X-Treme'' OpenGL port, first preview. | ||
}} | }} | ||
==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||
*[[Shadow the Hedgehog (lost | *[[Shadow the Hedgehog (lost Teen rated version of platformer; 2005)]] | ||
*[[Sister Sonic (lost build of cancelled "Sonic the Hedgehog" localization of "Popful Mail" Sega CD side-scrolling platformer; 1993)]] | *[[Sister Sonic (lost build of cancelled "Sonic the Hedgehog" localization of "Popful Mail" Sega CD side-scrolling platformer; 1993)]] | ||
*[[Sonic 3D Blast (found cassette demo tape of unused game soundtrack; 1996)]] | *[[Sonic 3D Blast (found cassette demo tape of unused game soundtrack; 1996)]] | ||
Line 101: | Line 114: | ||
*[[Sonic Generations (lost game demo; 2010)]] | *[[Sonic Generations (lost game demo; 2010)]] | ||
*[[Sonic Jr. (lost build of unreleased Sega Pico game; existence unconfirmed; 1994)]] | *[[Sonic Jr. (lost build of unreleased Sega Pico game; existence unconfirmed; 1994)]] | ||
*[[Sonic Riders (lost build of cancelled Game Boy Advance port of racing game; 2006)]] | |||
*[[Sonic Saturn (lost build of cancelled Sega Saturn prototype of platformer; mid-1990s)]] | *[[Sonic Saturn (lost build of cancelled Sega Saturn prototype of platformer; mid-1990s)]] | ||
*[[Sonic Sports (lost build of cancelled Sega 32X sports game; 1995)]] | *[[Sonic Sports (lost build of cancelled Sega 32X sports game; 1995)]] | ||
Line 112: | Line 126: | ||
*[[Sonic The Hedgehog: Awakening (lost build of cancelled "Sonic the Hedgehog" game; existence unconfirmed; late 2000s)]] | *[[Sonic The Hedgehog: Awakening (lost build of cancelled "Sonic the Hedgehog" game; existence unconfirmed; late 2000s)]] | ||
*[[Sonic-16 (lost build of unreleased Sega Genesis/Mega Drive game based on "Sonic the Hedgehog" animated TV series; 1993)]] | *[[Sonic-16 (lost build of unreleased Sega Genesis/Mega Drive game based on "Sonic the Hedgehog" animated TV series; 1993)]] | ||
*[[Sonic Runners (found endless runner mobile game; 2015)]] | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Line 117: | Line 132: | ||
[[Category:Found media]] | [[Category:Found media]] | ||
[[Category:Found video games]] | |||
[[Category:Historic]] | [[Category:Historic]] |
Latest revision as of 20:12, 11 September 2024
Sonic X-Treme was an upcoming game set to be released on the SEGA Saturn in 1996. Sonic X-Treme was one of the many long-lost video games dedicated to the legendary SEGA mascot, Sonic the Hedgehog. Its legacy is second only to that of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 on the SEGA Genesis and became an enigma for many people on the internet. Over the years, many video game enthusiasts and Sonic fans have sought out various pieces of information and leaks to rebuild and learn more about what the game might've been like if it was completed.
Development History
Throughout the course of its development, Sonic X-Treme suffered from numerous delays and shifting between different systems. Which resulted in it being stuck in development hell. The game originally started out as a Genesis title called Sonic Mars (which would've been set in the popular Saturday Morning (SatAM) Sonic the Hedgehog universe involving Sonic's team and Princess Sally Acorn, one of the Knothole Freedom Fighters) before being completely scrapped and shifted to the ill-fated SEGA 32X and then moved to a short-lived SEGA system based on Nvidia technology predating the Saturn, before finally settling on the latter.[1]
According to numerous interviews with the game's creators, Sonic X-Treme would have involved Sonic battling his arch-foe Dr. Ivo "Eggman" Robotnik to rescue Professor Gazebo and protect six items known as the "Rings of Order," which is said to be how the Rings Sonic and his friends collect are made. Sonic is aided by a new female character named Tiara (though her last name is heavily disputed, the common one is "Boobowski"), a female wildcat who would have aided Sonic with the use of a wand, perhaps mimicking how fellow female hedgehog Amy Rose used a hammer. Confirmed bosses in the game included Nack the Weasel and a new version of Metal Sonic.[1]
The game was quite infamous for its executive meddling and troubled production. The original concept was meant to have two types of gameplay: one for its main stages and one for its bosses. However, when some of SEGA of Japan's executives came in to check up on progress, they were dismayed by the supposed lack of progress for the main stage engine (which was actually an earlier prototype), but absolutely loved the boss engine and asked to use that engine for the entire game. Afterward, the developers were forced to rebuild the entire game from scratch. Realizing that their game engine was almost similar to another SEGA-developed Saturn game that was being worked simultaneously, called NiGHTS into Dreams, the team requested access to that game's engine as a starting point to minimize development time. The request was granted but was swiftly confiscated after Yuji Naka (the main programmer and producer of NiGHTS into Dreams and ironically, the co-creator of Sonic) threatened to quit.
Unfortunately, the game was indefinitely shelved - internal politics made things a living nightmare for the developers and one of the spearheads of SEGA was nearly driven to the point of only having mere months to live, which led to the cancellation of Sonic X-Treme. The developers instead created a SEGA Saturn port of Sonic 3D Blast.
Demo Build Leaks
![](/w/images/thumb/5/56/Sonic_xtreme_logo.png/300px-Sonic_xtreme_logo.png)
In 2005, a disc containing a playable demo version of the test engine for the Saturn was sold to an anonymous collector for $2500 USD. Two years later, an animated gif of the gameplay was released to the public and the full demo was leaked on July 17th, 2007. In this demo, the player can control and move Sonic around the terrain of the level. There are no enemies in sight, and gameplay stops after five minutes.[2]
On November 4th, 2014, the final build for Sonic X-Treme was found by andrew75. They were only playable on Windows 95 computers and the Nvidia NV1 video card. The following year, Sonic Retro user Jollyroger acquired the POV file assets from another user named Tichua and made the build compatible with OpenGL. Alongside with this, Jollyroger discovered and decompiled numerous level editors related to different builds. This includes the binary code for v53's level editor.[3][4][2]
Builds
There are currently six builds that have been discovered. Most of them are development builds and two are demo builds.
v001 is the earliest known build (dating November 28th, 1995). Founded in the POV archive, this features a very basic version of the engine that can run on any operating system. The only functionality is the ability to use the mouse to move around the room. v37 and its editor date back to roughly around the E3 1996 trailer for Sonic X-Treme. The initial release of the build showcased only one level entitled Jade Gully, which was the level showcased in the trailer. v40 was both the PC and Saturn versions. It was around the time when the game was being rewritten for the Saturn.[2]
The 714 and 718 demo builds feature more coherent gameplay including a title screen, pause screen, game over screen, and the previously mentioned Jade Gully level. It also uses Sonic CD music and SFX as placeholders. The level editor for v53 was also found. Unfortunately, the source code could not be found or decompiled. So the program is stuck being only usable in Windows 98.[2]
Released Sprites
In 2017, Sonic X-Treme’s Lead Artist Ross Harris published numerous sprite work and original models from the game. These include a fully animated Sonic sprite and sprite work for Amy Rose, Tridril, T-Rex, Orca, and many more.[5]
It is currently unknown if Ross Harris still has the other sprites he made.
Gallery
Sprites
Videos
Gameplay/Soundtrack
See Also
- Shadow the Hedgehog (lost Teen rated version of platformer; 2005)
- Sister Sonic (lost build of cancelled "Sonic the Hedgehog" localization of "Popful Mail" Sega CD side-scrolling platformer; 1993)
- Sonic 3D Blast (found cassette demo tape of unused game soundtrack; 1996)
- Sonic Adventure New Year's DLC (found "Sonic the Hedgehog" holiday-themed DLC; 1998)
- Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games (found iOS game; 2010)
- Sonic DS (lost Nintendo DS tech demo; 2004)
- Sonic Generations (lost game demo; 2010)
- Sonic Jr. (lost build of unreleased Sega Pico game; existence unconfirmed; 1994)
- Sonic Riders (lost build of cancelled Game Boy Advance port of racing game; 2006)
- Sonic Saturn (lost build of cancelled Sega Saturn prototype of platformer; mid-1990s)
- Sonic Sports (lost build of cancelled Sega 32X sports game; 1995)
- Sonic Synergy (lost original build of "Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric" Wii U action-adventure game; 2007-2013)
- Sonic the Hedgehog "2006" (lost complete build of Xbox 360/PlayStation 3 platformer; 2006)
- Sonic the Hedgehog (lost build of cancelled Amiga port of Sega Genesis platformer; 1992)
- Sonic The Hedgehog (lost build of cancelled Sega CD port of Sega Genesis platformer; 1992)
- Sonic the Hedgehog (lost Tokyo Toy Show prototype build of Sega Genesis/Mega Drive platformer; 1990)
- Sonic the Hedgehog (lost Winter Consumer Electronics Show 1991 demo build of Sega Genesis/Mega Drive platformer; 1991)
- Sonic The Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles (lost build of cancelled iOS port of Sega Genesis platformers; 2014)
- Sonic The Hedgehog: Awakening (lost build of cancelled "Sonic the Hedgehog" game; existence unconfirmed; late 2000s)
- Sonic-16 (lost build of unreleased Sega Genesis/Mega Drive game based on "Sonic the Hedgehog" animated TV series; 1993)
- Sonic Runners (found endless runner mobile game; 2015)
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 An archived interview with the producer of Sonic X-Treme that mentions the short-lived SEGA system. Retrieved 02 Mar '19
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 The Cutting Room Floor page on Sonic X-Treme. Retrieved 17 Sep '19
- ↑ Archived forum thread where the final build was found. Retrieved 08 Sep '15
- ↑ Andrew75's Sonic X-Treme thread on the Sonic Retro forums. Retrieved 17 Sep '19
- ↑ Ross Harris's site which has some sprites from Sonic X-Treme. Retrieved 17 Sep '19