Difference between revisions of "Iron Hammer"

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m (ive gotta clear that peripherals field eventually but I need a better solution)
 
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| system=[[Sega Mega Drive]]
 
| system=[[Sega Mega Drive]]
 
| sounddriver=
 
| sounddriver=
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| peripherals=[[Sega VR]]
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| peripherals=[[Sega VR]]{{ref|[[Iron Hammer#Release|Unreleased cartridge version only.]]|group=n}}
 
| players=1{{fileref|1993 Sega Catalog.pdf|page=73}}
 
| players=1{{fileref|1993 Sega Catalog.pdf|page=73}}
 
| genre=Action
 
| genre=Action
 
| releases={{releasesMD
 
| releases={{releasesMD
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| md_date_us_sc=1994
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| md_date_us_sc=1996
 
| md_rrp_us_sc=sub
 
| md_rrp_us_sc=sub
 
| md_rating_us_sc=
 
| md_rating_us_sc=
 
}}
 
}}
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}}{{stub}}'''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is a [[Sega Mega Drive]] tank combat game developed by [[NovaLogic]].{{magref|gamefan|0808|119|printpage=117}}{{ref|http://web.archive.org/web/20210425092237/http://backup.segakore.fr/genesiscollective/ShowPage0000000002A7382712.htm}} Originally developed for use with the [[Sega VR]] headset as one of the system's four launch titles, health concerns over exposing children to virtual reality resulted in all four games being shelved. However, NovaLogic later stripped the game of its Sega VR features (namely its head-tracking capabilities) and eventually saw ''{{PAGENAME}}'' broadcast by [[Sega of America]] over the [[Sega Channel]] sometime in the mid 1990s.
+
}}{{stub}}'''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is a [[Sega Mega Drive]] tank combat game developed by [[NovaLogic]].{{magref|gamefan|0808|119|printpage=117}}{{ref|http://web.archive.org/web/20210425092237/http://backup.segakore.fr/genesiscollective/ShowPage0000000002A7382712.htm}} Originally developed for use with the [[Sega VR]] headset as one of the system's four launch titles, health concerns over exposing children to virtual reality resulted in all four games being shelved. However, NovaLogic later stripped the game of its Sega VR features (namely its head-tracking capabilities) and eventually saw ''{{PAGENAME}}'' broadcast by [[Sega of America]] over the [[Sega Channel]] sometime in the mid 1990s.{{ref|1=https://www.cavesofnarshe.com/forums/ipb/index.php?showtopic=5572&st=0&#entry71301}}
−
 
 
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The game plays similarly to the developer’s later [[Sega Saturn]] title ''[[Black Fire]]''.
 
  
 
==Gameplay==
 
==Gameplay==
−
The game features high-speed tank combat gameplay along a flat plane, similar to helicopter games like ''[[AH-3 Thunderstrike]]''. Piloting an attack aircraft through thirty levels of alien combat over terrains of water, ice, grass, and rock, players are assisted by the digitized speech of their co-pilot as they traverse a variety of battlefields.{{fileref|1993 Sega Catalog.pdf|page=73}}
+
The game features high-speed tank combat gameplay along a flat plane, similar to helicopter games like ''[[AH-3 Thunderstrike]]'', or the developer’s later [[Sega Saturn]] title ''[[Black Fire]]''. Piloting an attack aircraft through thirty levels of alien combat over terrains of water, ice, grass, and rock, players are assisted by the digitized speech of their co-pilot as they traverse a variety of battlefields.{{fileref|1993 Sega Catalog.pdf|page=73}}
  
 
The original version of ''Iron Hammer'' would have featured the ability to play with or without [[Sega VR]] hardware.{{ref|http://web.archive.org/web/20210425055005/https://www.unseen64.net/2010/10/23/matrix-runner-sega-vr-genesis-cancelled/#comment-146829}}
 
The original version of ''Iron Hammer'' would have featured the ability to play with or without [[Sega VR]] hardware.{{ref|http://web.archive.org/web/20210425055005/https://www.unseen64.net/2010/10/23/matrix-runner-sega-vr-genesis-cancelled/#comment-146829}}
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===Development===
 
===Development===
 
{{quote|This was a [[Max Taylor|Max Talor]] production. Originally designed to feature the [[Sega VR]] goggles! It was a first person shooter with scaling sprites (like Atari [[wikipedia:Battlezone (1980 video game)|Battle Tank]]). By the time I worked on it, there were already a few tunes in the [[GEMS]] engine by somebody else, so I had to work with the same instruments, finish a couple of songs, and write a number of levels myself. I also scored the closing animation scene and credits.|''[[David Javelosa]]''|ref={{intref|Interview: David Javelosa (2023-11-12) by Alexander Rojas}}}}
 
{{quote|This was a [[Max Taylor|Max Talor]] production. Originally designed to feature the [[Sega VR]] goggles! It was a first person shooter with scaling sprites (like Atari [[wikipedia:Battlezone (1980 video game)|Battle Tank]]). By the time I worked on it, there were already a few tunes in the [[GEMS]] engine by somebody else, so I had to work with the same instruments, finish a couple of songs, and write a number of levels myself. I also scored the closing animation scene and credits.|''[[David Javelosa]]''|ref={{intref|Interview: David Javelosa (2023-11-12) by Alexander Rojas}}}}
 +
 +
Sometime during development, virtual reality specialist Bernie Roehl{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20240615204811/http://bernieroehl.com/virtual-reality-projects/}} playtested a work-in-progress version of the game. He was reportedly impressed with the experience, despite ''{{PAGENAME}}'' being unfinished at the time. His thoughts were documented in the ''VR Resources Guide'', an unknown publication of the time.{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20210425092237/http://backup.segakore.fr/genesiscollective/ShowPage0000000002A7382712.htm}}
 +
 +
===Release===
 +
Following cancellation of the [[Sega VR]] and the game's physical cartridge release, [[NovaLogic]] would later strip ''{{PAGENAME}}'' of its support for Sega VR headsets (namely its head-tracking capabilities) and eventually saw the game broadcast by [[Sega of America]] over the [[Sega Channel]] sometime in the mid 1990s.{{ref|1=https://www.cavesofnarshe.com/forums/ipb/index.php?showtopic=5572&st=0&#entry71301}}
  
 
===Legacy===
 
===Legacy===
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*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQG0tZqaKUg Gameplay video] at [https://www.youtube.com YouTube]
 
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQG0tZqaKUg Gameplay video] at [https://www.youtube.com YouTube]
 
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRjZefdd22c Soundtrack video] at [https://www.youtube.com YouTube] ([[David Javelosa]] compositions only)
 
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRjZefdd22c Soundtrack video] at [https://www.youtube.com YouTube] ([[David Javelosa]] compositions only)
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 +
==Notes==
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<references group="n"/>
  
 
==References==
 
==References==

Latest revision as of 11:19, 18 November 2024

n/a

IronHammer MD US title prototype.jpeg

Iron Hammer
System(s): Sega Mega Drive
Publisher: Sega of America
Developer:
Peripherals supported: Sega VR[n 1]
Genre: Action

















Number of players: 1[3]
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
US ▼
(Sega Channel) 		SUBsub

This short article is in need of work. You can help Sega Retro by adding to it.

Iron Hammer is a Sega Mega Drive tank combat game developed by NovaLogic.[1][2] Originally developed for use with the Sega VR headset as one of the system's four launch titles, health concerns over exposing children to virtual reality resulted in all four games being shelved. However, NovaLogic later stripped the game of its Sega VR features (namely its head-tracking capabilities) and eventually saw Iron Hammer broadcast by Sega of America over the Sega Channel sometime in the mid 1990s.[4]

Gameplay

The game features high-speed tank combat gameplay along a flat plane, similar to helicopter games like AH-3 Thunderstrike, or the developer’s later Sega Saturn title Black Fire. Piloting an attack aircraft through thirty levels of alien combat over terrains of water, ice, grass, and rock, players are assisted by the digitized speech of their co-pilot as they traverse a variety of battlefields.[3]

The original version of Iron Hammer would have featured the ability to play with or without Sega VR hardware.[5]

History

Development

“ This was a Max Talor production. Originally designed to feature the Sega VR goggles! It was a first person shooter with scaling sprites (like Atari Battle Tank). By the time I worked on it, there were already a few tunes in the GEMS engine by somebody else, so I had to work with the same instruments, finish a couple of songs, and write a number of levels myself. I also scored the closing animation scene and credits. „

— David Javelosa[6]


Sometime during development, virtual reality specialist Bernie Roehl[7] playtested a work-in-progress version of the game. He was reportedly impressed with the experience, despite Iron Hammer being unfinished at the time. His thoughts were documented in the VR Resources Guide, an unknown publication of the time.[8]

Release

Following cancellation of the Sega VR and the game's physical cartridge release, NovaLogic would later strip Iron Hammer of its support for Sega VR headsets (namely its head-tracking capabilities) and eventually saw the game broadcast by Sega of America over the Sega Channel sometime in the mid 1990s.[4]

Legacy

In May 2008, Nicola Ferrarese of the website Games Collection showed a functioning prototype of the game at VGH 2008, a small video game exposition in Monza, Italy.[9] Sometime around 2012 it was again reported to have been playable at an unknown location.[5]

In May 2019, composer David Javelosa posted a YouTube video containing the tracks he composed for Iron Hammer, and also implied he may have a cartridge of the game, but that he "probably won't be ripping and dumping ROMs anytime soon" due to possible ownership issues between NovaLogic, Sega of America, and various other parties involved in development.[10]

Production credits

Source:
LinkedIn, YouTube, interviews


Magazine articles

Main article: Iron Hammer/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

1993 Sega Catalog.pdf

PDF
1993 Sega of America trade catalogue.
1993 Sega Catalog.pdf

Screenshots

External links

Notes

  1. ↑ Unreleased cartridge version only.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 GameFan, "Volume 8, Issue 8: August 2000" (US; 2000-xx-xx), page 117 (119)
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 http://backup.segakore.fr/genesiscollective/ShowPage0000000002A7382712.htm (Wayback Machine: 2021-04-25 09:22)
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 File:1993 Sega Catalog.pdf, page 73
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 https://www.cavesofnarshe.com/forums/ipb/index.php?showtopic=5572&st=0&#entry71301
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 https://www.unseen64.net/2010/10/23/matrix-runner-sega-vr-genesis-cancelled/#comment-146829 (Wayback Machine: 2021-04-25 05:50)
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Interview: David Javelosa (2023-11-12) by Alexander Rojas
  7. ↑ http://bernieroehl.com/virtual-reality-projects/ (Wayback Machine: 2024-06-15 20:48)
  8. ↑ http://backup.segakore.fr/genesiscollective/ShowPage0000000002A7382712.htm (Wayback Machine: 2021-04-25 09:22)
  9. ↑ https://www.unseen64.net/2008/06/16/iron-hammer-sega-vr-unreleased/ (Wayback Machine: 2021-04-25 07:15)
  10. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRjZefdd22c&lc=Ugzt0aNsRV4vtroHbNB4AaABAg
  11. ↑ https://www.linkedin.com/in/danteanderson/
  12. ↑ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jobyotero/
  13. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRjZefdd22c
  14. ↑ htt (Wayback Machine: 1999-01-25 10:28)
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 @vgdensetsu on Twitter (Wayback Machine: 2021-04-25 00:55)


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