Difference between revisions of "Prototype"
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| − | A '''prototype''' is a stage of design before the final one. Prototype | + | 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. |
==Prototypical stages== | ==Prototypical stages== | ||
Revision as of 19:36, 22 January 2008
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.
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 (drx Beta) (Sega Mega Drive/Genesis)
- Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Wai Beta) (Sega Mega Drive/Genesis)
- CD Sonic the Hedgehog (Sega Mega CD)
- Sonic Crackers (Sega Mega Drive/Genesis)
- Sonic 3D (Sega Mega Drive/Genesis)
- Sonic X-treme (Sega Saturn)