Difference between revisions of "Prototype"
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− | + | A '''prototype''' is a stage of design before the final one. Prototype [[video game]]s are created during development for playtesting and bug reporting purposes. Usually, a prototype game doesn't leave the developers' offices, but occasionally one finds its way out and onto the internet. | |
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− | == | + | ==Prototypical stages== |
− | + | * '''Alpha''' - the first or a very early build, demonstrating the game's engine with one or two levels. | |
− | + | * '''Beta''' - bearing some resemblance to the final game, often containing bugs or missing features. | |
− | + | * '''Release candidate / prerelease''' - outwardly identical to the final game, but may contain minor bugs which have yet to be fixed. Prereleases are often sent to journalists to preview/review, and are sometimes released as demo or shareware software. | |
− | === | + | ==Examples of well-known prototypes== |
− | + | ===Available on the internet=== | |
− | + | * ''[[Sonic 2 Beta|Sonic the Hedgehog 2]]'' ([[Sega Megadrive]]) | |
+ | * ''[[CD Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' ([[Sega CD|Sega Mega CD]]) | ||
+ | * ''[[Sonic Crackers]]'' (Sega Megadrive) | ||
− | === | + | ===Unavailable=== |
− | + | * ''[[Sonic X-treme]]'' ([[Sega Saturn]]) | |
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[[Category:Definitions]] | [[Category:Definitions]] | ||
+ | [[Category:Prereleases|*]] |
Revision as of 12:20, 24 January 2006
A prototype is a stage of design before the final one. Prototype video games are created during development for playtesting and bug reporting purposes. Usually, a prototype game doesn't leave the developers' offices, but occasionally one finds its way out and onto the internet.
Contents
Prototypical stages
- Alpha - the first or a very early build, demonstrating the game's engine with one or two levels.
- Beta - bearing some resemblance to the final game, often containing bugs or missing features.
- Release candidate / prerelease - outwardly identical to the final game, but may contain minor bugs which have yet to be fixed. Prereleases are often sent to journalists to preview/review, and are sometimes released as demo or shareware software.
Examples of well-known prototypes
Available on the internet
- Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Sega Megadrive)
- CD Sonic the Hedgehog (Sega Mega CD)
- Sonic Crackers (Sega Megadrive)