BattleSport

BattleSport is a 1996 futuristic sports video game developed by Cyclone Studios. It was originally published by Studio 3DO (the software division of The 3DO Company) exclusively for their 3DO Interactive Multiplayer in 1996,[2] but after the 3DO was discontinued BattleSport was published for other systems by Acclaim Entertainment.[3] It was released for Windows and PlayStation in North America on June 30, 1997, and in Europe on August 1, 1997.[4] It also saw a US only release on the Saturn.[5]

BattleSport
Developer(s)Cyclone Studios
Publisher(s)
Platform(s)PC, PlayStation, Saturn, 3DO
Release
  • 3DO
  • Sega Saturn
    • NA: December 31, 1997
  • Windows
    • NA: June 30, 1997
    • PAL: January 1, 1997
  • PlayStation
Genre(s)Sports
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Development

Director Evan Margolin summarized the making of the game:

We're all big action gamers here [at Cyclone Studios]. We wanted to create a fast-action, arena-based combat game and experimented with a 3D engine for it. When we got the basic engine up and running, the game was basically just about putting the ball into the goal, but when we started playing more, we found that people really want an opportunity to blast each other. One of the most difficult parts of design was getting a 3D engine with which we were satisfied. We didn't want to sacrifice speed, we wanted the game to be fast, and those were things we weren't willing to compromise on.[6]

Near the end of 1996, Studio 3DO stated that a version of BattleSport for the Panasonic M2 was in development.[7]

Reception

GamePro gave the 3DO version a recommendation. While they said the game is harder than it should be due to slippery controls and an overabundance of powerups to flip through, they felt the strong graphics, audio, and fast-paced gameplay "make this a game worth playing."[13] A reviewer for Next Generation gave the game an even stronger recommendation, praising the unique gameplay concept, exceptionally good polygon graphics by 3DO standards, huge variety of power-up items, and consistently smooth frame rate even in the multiplayer mode, which he was especially enthusiastic about: "As with any split-screen, having your view so vertically limited is distracting, but the sheer fun and excitement of competing in this game against another human player is incredible."[12]

Though the 3DO version failed to reach a mass audience, it sold well enough to turn a profit.[14]

The game was less well-received when it appeared on the PlayStation, with critics praising the huge number of arenas and options[10][11] but railing against the unnecessarily frustrating handling of the vehicles.[10][11] Dan Hsu elaborated in Electronic Gaming Monthly, "It's difficult to catch the ball at any time, unless it's sitting still, or you and it are heading toward each other in a straight line."[10] Commenting on the game's arcade-style simplicity, having little variety or long-term objectives to keep the player engaged, Jeff Kitts stated in GameSpot, "the fact is that there's just no need for a game like this on the PlayStation in 1997."[11]

Sequel

A sequel, BattleSport II, was planned for the Nintendo 64,[15] Panasonic M2 and PlayStation,[16] but never released.

References
  1. "eb world coupons and rebates". 1997-07-14. Archived from the original on 1997-07-14. Retrieved 2023-10-04.
  2. "List of Release Dates for BattleSport". Archived from the original on 2017-12-06. Retrieved 2013-08-14.
  3. "Acclaim to Bring 3DO Titles to PSX, Saturn". GamePro. No. 95. IDG. August 1996. p. 17.
  4. BattleSport for PlayStation. GameSpot. Retrieved on July 1, 2009.
  5. BattleSport Saturn T-8149H Satakore.com Retrieved on April 25, 2012
  6. "BattleSport". Next Generation. No. 11. Imagine Media. November 1995. p. 146.
  7. "M2 Jitters?". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 90. Ziff Davis. January 1997. p. 21.
  8. Sackenheim, Shawn. "Battle Sport (3DO) Review". Allgame. Archived from the original on November 14, 2014. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  9. Thompson, Jon. "Blood Sport (Sega Saturn) Review". Allgame. Archived from the original on November 15, 2014. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  10. "Review Crew: BattleSport". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 96. Ziff Davis. July 1997. p. 52.
  11. Kitts, Jeff (July 29, 1997). BattleSport Review for PlayStation. GameSpot. Retrieved on July 1, 2009.
  12. "Score!". Next Generation. No. 14. Imagine Media. February 1996. p. 167.
  13. "ProReview: BattleSport". GamePro. No. 91. IDG. April 1996. p. 88.
  14. "NG Alphas: Cyclone Studios". Next Generation. No. 28. Imagine Media. April 1997. p. 86.
  15. "In Development". Next Generation. No. 29. Imagine Media. May 1997. p. 54.
  16. "3DO's PlayStation Lineup". GamePro. No. 107. IDG. August 1997. p. 20.
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