Virtue's Last Reward (Nintendo 3DS)/Unused Models
This is a sub-page of Virtue's Last Reward (Nintendo 3DS).
Contents
Characters
Akane
| Dummy Vest | Final Vest |
|---|---|
Present with used model files, Akane has an extra model file called md_vestdummyShape-skin.bsm. As the name suggests, it is a dummy model of another one of her models called md_vestShape-skin.bsm. The dummy model is smaller than the final vest as it is only the back portion of the full vest. The dummy model also lacks any sort of texture which is a property only 2 models have out of all the character models.
Phi
| Untextured Head |
|---|
Phi has one model that appears to be unused, or is at least normally hidden during gameplay. The model is called md_headShape.bm and it also lacks textures. This makes it the second and only other model to be untextured out of all the character models. The model itself is the top portion of Phi’s skull and also has a small little spot on the top left to indicate where her flower would be placed. If this model is rendered, it does appear to snap perfectly in place with the rest of Phi’s head. However, because of Phi’s hair and flower accessories it becomes impossible to see. It is interesting to note that Quark has a similar model to this one, also called md_headShape.bm, but lacks the little spot for a flower and is also textured. Like Phi’s model, it remains hidden to the player because, in this case, Quark wears an oversized hat.
Other Oddities
Almost all characters in the game have a single source of models to represent the character. For some strange reason though, Akane has not one but two separate model sources to represent her. One of the sources bears the name akane and the other one bears the name murasaki. Murasaki when translated from Japanese to English means purple which was the codename given to her in the Japanese version of 999. Despite the name difference, both sources share the exact same data assets. Stranger still, both models appear to be used by the game which begs the question as to why a duplicate copy of her model exists in the first place.
Objects
 | To do: There is more than just this. More models to be added at some point. |
Virtue's Last Reward often uses pre-rendered videos and images instead of rendering everything in real time. Even though there is a decent amount of pre-rendering, some of the objects presented in those pieces of media actually have model data in the game that can be rendered in real time. It seems that these models were used for the creation of said media but then left unused in the final game. The exact reason as to why the developers went the route of utilizing pre-rendered media can be traced to an interview with the game's director:
"For example, when we changed route [from 2D] to 3D characters, we were just thinking all we had to do was to portray the EVCG in real time rendering. (EVCG is the still shot you see when a special event occurs.) Unfortunately, the way the game was programmed wouldn’t allow us to do that, so we had to use pre-rendered images for the EVCG parts."
Broken Axelavir Bottle
| Unused Model | Final Pre-rendered Image |
|---|---|
 |
|
This model is found within the data assets of Warehouse A. While a lot of pre-rendered images can appear as screenshots of the game as if it were rendered in real time, the developers went a slightly different route with the final image here. Instead of looking like a screenshot from the game, the final image looks more drawn and cartoonish than the unused model. Despite this, it's clear that the model had an influence over the final image as the pieces of the broken bottle match up with each other. The only other noticeable difference between the two is the shape and color of the puddle of liquid.
This model appears to render near the results screen in Warehouse A. Makes sense considering the story that plays out before the player sees the pre-rendered image on the right.
Bomb 00
| Unused Model | Final Pre-rendered Image |
|---|---|
 |
|
Another model found in the data assets of Warehouse A. This model will render exactly between two AB rooms which is where it is seen in the pre-rendered image.
Bracelet
| Unused Model | Final Pre-rendered Image |
|---|---|
|
It's the universal fashion trend among all the Zero Escape games, what some people will die over and what scalpers on eBay will charge you $100+ for. The bracelet!
There are a few things that make this model unique.
- This is a standalone model. The only other bracelet models in the game are attached to the Nonary game players.
- The size of this model, physically and byte-wise, is larger than the bracelet models characters actually wear.
- This model lacks any accompanying texture files or folders and the model data makes no reference to any textures either. However, the model does contain texture coordinate data meaning that it was textured at one time. In the video above it is rendered with white polygons.
Given the details above, it's fair to say this model was most likely used for some of the pre-renders of the bracelet. Indeed, only one pre-render is shown above but there are multiple examples in the game that would have required using different textures for the face and so forth.
