We just released a Feb. 5 '89 prototype of DuckTales for the NES!
If you'd like to support our preservation efforts (and this wasn't cheap), please consider donating or supporting us on Patreon. Thank you!

Prerelease:Spyro the Dragon (PlayStation)

From The Cutting Room Floor
Revision as of 07:44, 12 September 2018 by FrenchOrange (talk | contribs)
Jump to navigation Jump to search


This page details prerelease information and/or media for Spyro the Dragon (PlayStation).


This cactus is UNDER CONSTRUCTION
This article is a work in progress.
...Well, all the articles here are, in a way. But this one moreso, and the article may contain incomplete information and editor's notes.
Hmmm...
To do:
  • There's a lot more out there to find - magazine scans, trailers, old websites and screenshots, but they're hard to come across.
  • "Investigate" the June/July build of the game.
  • Add screenshots/replace links when needed.

Conception

Spyro the Dragon started development following the poor sales of Disruptor, Insomniac Games' previous game. Noticing the rise in popularity of Platformers such as Mario 64 or Crash Bandicot, Insomniac decided that their next game would try to appeal to a larger audience. Aiming to create a character for their new game which would in a way serve as a mascot for the more child-oriented part of the Playstation library, art director Craig Stitt suggested this character to be a dragon due to their sheer appeal in terms of both appearance and gameplay options[1]. The idea was then pitched to the rest of the development team, only to receive a positive reception. And so began the story of Spyro the Dragon.


Changes in Spyro's character in early stages of development:

  • Spyro's working name/title used to be "Pete", before later being changed to Pyro and then Spyro.̈
  • Spyro used to be an adult dragon, but was later turned into a kid in order to be easier to animate and look cuter.
  • Other preliminary sketches also depict Spyro as being bipedal. "The Making of Spyro the dragon" released by Playstation Underground actually shows us an early animation test of Spyro raising on his hind legs and putting his hands on his hips in a sassy manner[2].
  • Spyro's original color used to be green before being switched to purple, so that he wouldn't blend into grassy environments. Spyro's early color scheme can be seen in one of the early animation tests shown in "The Making of Spyro the dragon"[3].


(Source: The Making of Spyro the dragon)
(Source: The Animation Academy)

Development Timeline

  • Conceptual phase (1997)
  • March 1998
    • First reveal of Spyro to the press [4]
  • Date Uncertain (~Spring 1998)[5]
    • Early promotional material which features an early version of the HUD (at around 0ː13), appears to pre-dates the HUD shown at the E3 of that year. This early graphic for the life icon still exists in the final game, albeit unused. Another change to the HUD is that the icon next to the counter which appears when you collect gems shows a red gem instead of a gold treasure chest.
  • May 29th to the 30th
    • E3 1998 began, and Spyro had a booth[6] and while images and footage of the booth are hard to come by, some differences are still noticeableː
      • The HUD is different, as the Life icon is in the center of the screen as opposed to the right side.
      • The tents in the Peace Keepers overworld have a different, darker pattern.
      • There is a locked chest on the platform in the central area of the Artisans overworld.
      • Gildas' releasing cutscene only features text.
  • Date Uncertain (~May 1998)
    • The Tabloid demo is distributed. It appears to be based on the build of the game shown at E3 1998.
  • June 1998 Build (!INVESTIGATE!)
  • 1998
    • Sep. Spyro the Dragon is released in North America.
    • Oct. Spyro the Dragon is released in Europe.
  • 1999
    • Apr. Spyro the Dragon is released in Japan.

Dragon Statue Early Design

The design of the iconic crystallized dragon statues appears to have gone through several redesigns until the final one was chosen.

"Gold Spyro"

300px

This screenshot of Town Square found in Game Buyer Issue 3 from September 1998 depicts what is assumed to be the earliest design for the crystallized dragons, in the form of a gold statue of Spyro, which could have either been the original intent or was simply used as a placeholder until a better design was found.

As a side note, the other dragon statue (the one where Thor is imprisoned) which is normally present on the higher platform is missing, and so does the fanning chest which is next to it.

"White Statue"

300px

This screenshot of the bottom of Stone Hill's well found in the March issue of Ultimate Solutions shows a more elaborate design for the crystallized dragons, now showing them standing up with their wings unfolded, they also now seem to be made out of white crystal as opposed to the previous gold. This dragon seems to be closer to the center of the room as oppose to the leftmost wall.

As a side note, the design of the locked chest appears to have one being closer to that of a traditional chest (à la The Legend of Zelda) as opposed to the design used in the final game, which is more angular and is made out of metal.


(Source: Game Buyer Issue 3)
(Source: Ultimate Solutions March Issue)

Next Generation Screenshots

The 42th edition of the magazine Next Generation which came out in June 1998 show some screenshots from one of the earliest build of the game, what the magazine claims to be an alpha, from possibly before March 1998. Regardless of the exact date, we can see that the screenshots present quite the number of differences.

Wizard Peak

300px

Near the end part of Wizard Peak, next to the Exit Portal, there appears to have been an entrance to a part of the level that was cut in the final game. Only solid white can be seen through the entrance.

300px

The next screenshot depicts Spyro flaming an Ice Gnorc at the end of Wizard Peak. The gate to the aforementioned entrance is shown and the Exit portal is missing, it is then possible that this gate led to an outside area where it could be found.

Dry Canyon

300px

The screenshot of Spyro flaming a Vulture in Dry Canyon shows that there used to be two gems instead of three.

Cliff Town

300px

The screenshot of Spyro approaching the second Fat Lady in Cliff Town shows some interesting differencesː this enemy and her cauldron seem to be closer to the "river", there doesn't appear to be any cacti behind her, the tall stone pillars in the background seem to be closer to the left.

PeaceKeepers homeworld

300px

A screenshot of the beginning area of the PeaceKeeper homeworld. The texture on the wall is different as the brick effect extends further up the ceiling, the lighting also seems to be lighter.

300px

The screenshot of the scared Gnorc Guards in the PeaceKeepers homeworld shows the earlier texture used for the tents.

Ice cavern

300px

This screenshot of the beginning area of Ice Cavern shows an earlier, more crystal-like design for the spring chest. While one is present in the same place in the final game, the three red gems leading to it aren't shown in this screenshot (whether they already were collected or weren't yet placed there is unknown).

Toasty

300px

This screenshot of the fight against Toasty shows that the HUD icon next to your gem count used to be a green gem and not a treasure chest like in the final game.

Artisans homeworld

300px

The Boatman, a Viking-like character who would have transported you to the next homeworld, but was ultimately replaced by the Balloonist family. Unused text in the Tabloid demo still refers to the Boatman.


(Source: Next Generation issue 42)
Retrieved from "https://tcrf.net/index.php?title=Prerelease:Spyro_the_Dragon_(PlayStation)&oldid=599765"