Difference between revisions of "Outworld 2375 AD"
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| − | {{stub}}'''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is a [[Sega Mega Drive]] fitness science fiction driving game published by [[HeartBeat Corporation]]. Specifically designed to utilize the [[wikipedia:Activity tracker|fitness sensor]]-integrated Mega Drive peripheral [[HeartBeat Catalyst]]{{magref|sv|15|110}}, it | + | {{stub}}'''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is a [[Sega Mega Drive]] fitness science fiction driving game published by [[HeartBeat Corporation]]. Specifically designed to utilize the [[wikipedia:Activity tracker|fitness sensor]]-integrated Mega Drive peripheral [[HeartBeat Catalyst]]{{magref|sv|15|110}}, it appears to have been released exclusively in the United States in late 1994 in an extremely limited run, and is one of the single-rarest commercially released Mega Drive games in existence. |
==Blurb== | ==Blurb== | ||
| Line 35: | Line 35: | ||
===Release=== | ===Release=== | ||
| − | + | As one of the least-known [[Mega Drive]] games, ''{{PAGENAME}}'' 's release status remained unclear for decades. However, modern research (particularly the efforts of [https://www.reddit.com/user/BadUsername25/ BadUsername25]{{ref|https://www.reddit.com/r/lostmedia/comments/i3j51c/sega_genesis_outworld_2375_ad_possibly_the_rarest/}}{{ref|https://www.reddit.com/r/lostmedia/comments/i43hwz/outworld_2375_ad_sega_genesis_newspaper_ad_update/}}{{ref|https://www.reddit.com/r/lostmedia/comments/i7sm8p/outworld_sega_genesis_game_barcode_and_more_info/}}) eventually uncovered evidence of what seems to be an official, if limited, release. [https://twitter.com/IsaiahVinson1 Isaiah Mays-Vinson]{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20230311090425/https://twitter.com/IsaiahVinson1/status/1611658524731252742}} also spoke with former Western Technologies developers, who seem to be divided on whether the game was actually released. | |
| + | |||
| + | ''Outworld'''s producer, [[George deGolian]], recalls that the game was either left unfinished or unshipped. Artist [[Eric Iwasaki]] specifies that "production had wrapped", but that the game never made it to stores.{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20230311090425/https://twitter.com/IsaiahVinson1/status/1611658524731252742}} Despite this, multiple collectors in [[wikipedia:Lansing, Michigan|Lansing, Michigan]] (where [[Catalyst]] games were locally distributed post-1994) reportedly own copies of the game - with one collector even confirming ''{{PAGENAME}}'' received a standard boxed release with a manual and cartridge. Another collector from the same city claims to own a prototype.{{ref|https://gamesniped.com/2008/10/05/sega-genesis-outworld-2375-ad/}} | ||
| + | |||
| + | Regardless, evidence strongly suggests that ''{{PAGENAME}}'' was officially released sometime in late 1994. Produced in an extremely limited run numbering no more than 500 copies, it appears to have been available for purchase from three select [[wikipedia:Target Corporation|Target]] stores in the state of [[wikipedia:Michigan|Michigan]], or by mail-ordering the game directly from [[HeartBeat Corporation]]. Additionally, fitness retailers like [[NordicTrack]] who had previously stocked HeartBeat products were also likely to have access to the company's limited-run games, if they so chose.{{ref|https://gamesniped.com/2008/10/05/sega-genesis-outworld-2375-ad/}}{{ref|https://www.reddit.com/r/lostmedia/comments/i7sm8p/outworld_sega_genesis_game_barcode_and_more_info/}} | ||
===Legacy=== | ===Legacy=== | ||
| − | + | Owing to confusion over ''Outworld'''s release status, little of the title has been preserved. Its ROM went undumped until November 2022{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20230311090425/https://twitter.com/IsaiahVinson1/status/1611658524731252742}} (under the condition it remain unpublicized at the collector's discretion), and while reportedly sold in a box and with a manual{{ref|https://gamesniped.com/2008/10/05/sega-genesis-outworld-2375-ad/}}{{ref|https://www.reddit.com/r/lostmedia/comments/i7sm8p/outworld_sega_genesis_game_barcode_and_more_info/}}, no images of either the artwork, manual, or cartridge are believed to publicly exist. | |
| − | |||
| − | Owing to | ||
==Magazine articles== | ==Magazine articles== | ||
Revision as of 04:53, 11 March 2023
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| Outworld 2375 AD | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| System(s): Sega Mega Drive | ||||||||||
| Publisher: HeartBeat Corporation[1][2] | ||||||||||
| Developer: Western Technologies Inc.[3] | ||||||||||
| Peripherals supported: HeartBeat Catalyst[1][2] | ||||||||||
| Genre: Driving | ||||||||||
| Number of players: 1 | ||||||||||
|
This short article is in need of work. You can help Sega Retro by adding to it.
Outworld 2375 AD is a Sega Mega Drive fitness science fiction driving game published by HeartBeat Corporation. Specifically designed to utilize the fitness sensor-integrated Mega Drive peripheral HeartBeat Catalyst[2], it appears to have been released exclusively in the United States in late 1994 in an extremely limited run, and is one of the single-rarest commercially released Mega Drive games in existence.
Contents
Blurb
| “ | Kidnapped by intergalactic criminals, you have been pitted in the race for the ultimate prize - your freedom. Race through a planet which began as an experiment in artificial development. Using your heavily armed space hovercraft, you must outmaneuver environmental mutations as well as the deadly inhabitants in a fight for your survival. Go too slow and your aircraft will crash...too fast and it will burn up. Close the hatch, buckle up and hit the turbos. | „ |
— Promotional blurb from the Heartbeat Personal Trainer's brochure.[4] | ||
Gameplay
Set on a planet wracked by natural disasters, players begin the game by choosing from one of five different courses.[5] The faster players exercise, the faster their hovercraft will travel. Exercise too fast and the ship will overheat and explode, but exercise too slowly and it will lose momentum and crash.[6]
History
Development
During initial development of the Catalyst, HeartBeat Corporation contracted the Los Angeles-based Western Technologies to develop two original titles for the system. The games would be exclusive to the hardware, and unlike the remainder of the Catalyst's library (which consisted of modified ports of existing games) would be designed from the ground up around the system's unique fitness-sensing capabilities. The first of these titles, Outback Joey, was included as a pack-in title with the Catalyst in November 1993. The second, Outworld 2375 AD, would remain in development for another year. Known under the working tile of simply Outworld[7][8], the game would ultimately become the final HeartBeat title developed by Western Technologies.
Prerelease
Outworld 2375 AD was advertised alongside NHLPA Hockey as "the second wave of HeartBeat games".[2] Early copies of the game were sent to video game magazines for review purposes, with most articles highlighting its unique fitness capabilities; namely, the relation of the player's heart rate to the speed of actual gameplay was easily Outworld's most well-received feature.[6]
Release
As one of the least-known Mega Drive games, Outworld 2375 AD 's release status remained unclear for decades. However, modern research (particularly the efforts of BadUsername25[9][10][11]) eventually uncovered evidence of what seems to be an official, if limited, release. Isaiah Mays-Vinson[3] also spoke with former Western Technologies developers, who seem to be divided on whether the game was actually released.
Outworld's producer, George deGolian, recalls that the game was either left unfinished or unshipped. Artist Eric Iwasaki specifies that "production had wrapped", but that the game never made it to stores.[3] Despite this, multiple collectors in Lansing, Michigan (where Catalyst games were locally distributed post-1994) reportedly own copies of the game - with one collector even confirming Outworld 2375 AD received a standard boxed release with a manual and cartridge. Another collector from the same city claims to own a prototype.[12]
Regardless, evidence strongly suggests that Outworld 2375 AD was officially released sometime in late 1994. Produced in an extremely limited run numbering no more than 500 copies, it appears to have been available for purchase from three select Target stores in the state of Michigan, or by mail-ordering the game directly from HeartBeat Corporation. Additionally, fitness retailers like NordicTrack who had previously stocked HeartBeat products were also likely to have access to the company's limited-run games, if they so chose.[12][11]
Legacy
Owing to confusion over Outworld's release status, little of the title has been preserved. Its ROM went undumped until November 2022[3] (under the condition it remain unpublicized at the collector's discretion), and while reportedly sold in a box and with a manual[12][11], no images of either the artwork, manual, or cartridge are believed to publicly exist.
Magazine articles
- Main article: Outworld 2375 AD/Magazine articles.
Promotional material
- Main article: Outworld 2375 AD/Promotional material.
Technical information
ROM dump status
| System | Hash | Size | Build Date | Source | Comments | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
|
Cartridge (US) |
External links
- Technology adds new thrills to boring exercise equipment article by Bob Condor at The Chicago Tribune
- Investigatory thread 1, 2, 3 by BadUsername25 at Reddit
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 http://videogamekraken.com/heartbeat-personal-trainer-catalyst (Wayback Machine: 2021-04-14 05:43)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Sega Visions, "October/November 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 110
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 @IsaiahVinson1 on Twitter (Wayback Machine: 2023-03-11 09:04)
- ↑ File:HeartBeatPersonalTrainer US brochure.pdf, page 4
- ↑ https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1994-02-24-9402240306-story.html
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Mega, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-02-17), page 12
- ↑ https://trademarks.justia.com/743/41/outworld-74341709.html
- ↑ http://videogamekraken.com/heartbeat-personal-trainer-catalyst
- ↑ https://www.reddit.com/r/lostmedia/comments/i3j51c/sega_genesis_outworld_2375_ad_possibly_the_rarest/
- ↑ https://www.reddit.com/r/lostmedia/comments/i43hwz/outworld_2375_ad_sega_genesis_newspaper_ad_update/
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 https://www.reddit.com/r/lostmedia/comments/i7sm8p/outworld_sega_genesis_game_barcode_and_more_info/
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 https://gamesniped.com/2008/10/05/sega-genesis-outworld-2375-ad/
| Outworld 2375 AD | |
|---|---|
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|
Main page | Development | Magazine articles | Promotional material | Region coding | Technical information |
| HeartBeat Catalyst | |
|---|---|
| Topics | Magazine articles | Promotional material | Personal Trainer | HeartBeat Corporation |
| Games | NHLPA Hockey | Outback Joey | Outworld 2375 AD | PGA Tour Golf II |