Gain Ground

From Sega Retro

n/a

  • System 24
  • Mega Drive
  • Master System

Gain Ground Title.png

Gain Ground MDTitleScreen.png

GainGround SMS Title.png

Gain Ground
System(s): Sega System 24, Sega Mega Drive, Sega Master System, Super CD-ROM², Virtual Console, Steam
Publisher:
Arcade (System 24)
Sega Master System
Sega
Sega Mega Drive
Sega (Japan, Europe)
Sega Mega Drive
Renovation Products (US)

Template:PCECD NEC Avenue

Developer:
Sound driver:
Sega Mega Drive
SMPS Z80
Genre: Shooting[1], Action[2]

















Number of players:
Arcade
1-3,
Sega Mega Drive
Sega Master System
1-2, Template:PCECD 1
Release Date RRP Code
Arcade (System 24)
JP		 ¥? ?
Arcade (System 24)
US		 $? ?
Arcade (System 24)
UK		 £? ?






























Sega Mega Drive
JP 		¥6,0006,000 G-4036
Sega Mega Drive
US 		49056
Sega Mega Drive
EU
Sega Mega Drive
PT 		MDJ1116
Sega Mega Drive
UK 		£34.9934.99[4][5]
Sega Mega Drive
SE
(Rental)
Sega Mega Drive
AU
Sega Master System
EU 		7045
Sega Master System
AU
Sega Master System
BR
Wii Virtual Console
JP ▼ 		600pts600[14]
CERO: A
Wii Virtual Console
US ▼ 		800pts800[9]
ESRB: Everyone
Wii Virtual Console
EU ▼ 		800pts800[10]
PEGI: 7+
Wii Virtual Console
DE ▼ 		800pts800[10]
USK: 6
Wii Virtual Console
AU ▼ 		800pts800[15]
OFLC: Parental Guidance (PG)
Steam
US ▼ 		$2.992.99[17] 34275
ESRB: Everyone
Steam
EU ▼ 		€2.492.49[17] 34275
PEGI: 7+
Steam
DE ▼ 		€2.492.49[17] 34275
USK: 6
Steam
UK ▼ 		£1.991.99[17] 34275
PEGI: 7+
Steam
AU ▼ 		$3.493.49[17] 34275
OFLC: Parental Guidance (PG)
Steam Linux
US ▼ 		$0.990.99[19] 34275
ESRB: Everyone
Steam Linux
EU ▼ 		€0.990.99[19] 34275
PEGI: 7+
Steam Linux
DE ▼ 		€0.990.99[19] 34275
USK: 6
Steam Linux
UK ▼ 		£0.790.79[19] 34275
PEGI: 7+
Steam Linux
AU ▼ 		$1.351.35[19] 34275
OFLC: Parental Guidance (PG)
Steam OS X
US ▼ 		$0.990.99[19] 34275
ESRB: Everyone
Steam OS X
EU ▼ 		€0.990.99[19] 34275
PEGI: 7+
Steam OS X
DE ▼ 		€0.990.99[19] 34275
USK: 6
Steam OS X
UK ▼ 		£0.790.79[19] 34275
PEGI: 7+
Steam OS X
AU ▼ 		$1.351.35[19] 34275
OFLC: Parental Guidance (PG)

Gain Ground (ゲイングランド) is a 1988 arcade game released for the Sega System 24 arcade platform. It is a top-down gun game with strategy elements, in which the player controls one of twenty playable characters who must defeat all the enemies on screen or bring every character that player currently has to the exit. It appears that two different arcade versions exist, one allowing up to 3 players while another supports only 2 players.


Gameplay

Called by developers as a "Algorithm Action Game", Core gameplay of Gain Ground is same in all versions. Players must either eliminate all enemies on the level or evacuate all members from the level by moving them to the "EXIT". (Very time consuming and unnecessary) Every character in the game has strenghts and weaknesses and only by using the right character for the right situation will help players to finish the level. In addition to the enemies on the ground, some enemies are in the higher ground and can only be defeated with a character who posseses a weapon capable of hitting them.

Each character has one regular and one special weapon. Besides that only thing changes between characters is the movement speed. Primary weapon can be fired with button 1 and special weapon can be fired with button 2.

Each character has only one life and single hit is enought to defeat them. When defeated, a small symbol of the character remains in the battlefield. That character can be rescued the same way of recruiting them: taking them to the "EXIT". If the character saving the downed character also killed, previously defeated character will dissappear.

Each "Era" is divided into ten levels. At the final, 10th level, players will face against a boss.

Playable characters

Arcade, Mega Drive and PC Engine

Athra
Very fast. Main weapon is a short ranged but very fast firing spear throw. Button 2 lobs the spear towards any direction in a short parabolic arc, allowing player to hit enemies above or those behind the obstacles. Useful for close range combat and rescuing other characters. Avaiable from beginning.
Gascon
Same as Athra except he can only fire his special weapon northwards in a strafing motion.
Johnny
Fast. Main weapon is a long ranged, fast firing semi-automatic rifle. Special weapon fires directly northwards while strafing, allowing players to fall back while firing. Avaiable from beginning. Useful as long as there are no enemies in the high ground.
Professor
Same as Johnny, except his special weapons can fire both left and right at the same time.
Betty
Fast. Main weapon is a medium ranged pistol. Special weapon is a short ranged grenade that can be lobbed over obstactes while strafing. Avaiable from beginning. Useful for close range combat and eliminating enemies in the high ground.
Honey
Same as Betty, except she can throw her grenade towards any direction.
Verbal
Very Fast. Main weapon is a medium ranged longbow. Special weapon is a very long ranged arrow that can hit enemies in the high ground or those behind the obstacles. Most useful character in the game.
Mars
Same as Verbal, except he can fire his long range arrow in a strafing motion.
Lobby
Very Slow. Main weapon is a weak pistol. Special weapon is an extreme range, elevated missile that can be fired any direction and hit enemies on the high ground. Good for eliminating such enemies.
Mud Puppy'
Very Slow. Main weapon is a weak pistol. Special weapon is an extreme range, regular missile that can only hit enemies on the same level as you. Great for sniping enemies on the low ground from long range.
Cyber
Very Slow. Main weapon is a weak pistol. Special weapon fires a cluster missile that will spread northwards and affect a large area. Very useful for crowd control but not recommended for close combat.
Kou
Fast. Main weapon is a long range rifle. Special weapon is a three burst submachinegun stafing, which causes same damage but better hitbox.
Kid
Same as Kou except he can fire both sides at the same time with his special weapon.
Mam
Fast. Main weapon is a medium range pistol. Special weapon is a boomerang strafe that will come back after a while. Great for attacking hard to reach places.
Valkyrie
Same as above except she can throw her boomerang towards any direction.
General
Very Slow. Main weapon is a weak pistol. Special weapon is a very, very short ranged flamethower. Coupled with his slow speed, this makes this M.Bison wannabe the worst character in the game.
Fire Knight
Medium speed. Main weapon is a powerful projectile. Special weapon is a napalm weapon that will remain in place for a while and kill any enemies who touch it. Rarely used.
Glow Knight
Same as above except his special attack is a rolling barrier that will damage any enemies who touch the knight. Useful for close combat.
Water Knight
Same as above except his special attack can freeze enemies about a few seconds. Useful for rescues.
Zaemon
Same as above except his special attack is a whirlwind that can bounce after hitting obstacles or enemies. His survival depends on bit of a luck.

Master System

Master System version uses symbols instead of small figurines to depict downed characters in the battlefield.

Spear Fighters
Same as Athra. Very fast but terrible range. Special weapon can hit elevated enemies. Avaiable from start. Depicted with a spear symbol.
Rifle Infantry
Same as Professor. Fast and good range. Special weapon is great for enemies trying to envelope you from both sides. Avaiable from start. Depicted with a rifle symbol.
Grenadiers
Same as Honey. Fast but short range. Grenades are quite powerful despite short range. Avaiable from start. Depicted with a potato masher grenade.
Archers
Same as Verbal. Fast and very long range. Can shoot arrows towards any direction. Most useful character in the game. Depicted with an arrow.
Ninjas
New characters for Master System version. Main weapon is fast shuriken throw with good range. Special weapon is a trap that will cause heavy damage to those who touch it. Depicted with a shuriken.
Boomerang Throwers
Same as Valkyrie. Fast and decent primary weapon. Decpited, of course, with a boomerang.
Flamethrowers
Same as General. Still somewhat useless but if you can reach enemy, they can drain enemy health very quickly. Rarest character. Appears only once. Depicted with a fire symbol.
Water Wizards
Same as the dude himself except their special attacks can freeze enemies for about 10 seconds. Depicted with a fountain symbol.
Missile Launchers
Same as Lobby. Very slow, weak primary weapon and can hit elevated enemies with a extreme range missile. Depicted with a single missile.
Cluster Missile Launchers
Same as Cyber. Very slow, weak primary weapon with powerful spread missile that can wreak havoc upon battlefield. Hits only enemies on the level ground. Depicted with a pointy missile.

History

Gain Ground was ported to the Sega Master System and Sega Mega Drive in 1990 and 1991 respectively. Mega Drive version got exclusive 4th round called "Present Age". In meanwhile Master System version recieved it's own exclusive last round "The Final Era". The game was also brought to the PC Engine Super CD-ROM² in the form of Gain Ground SX. Both The Master System and Mega Drive versions allow up to 2 players cooperative gameplay; the PC Engine Super CD-ROM² version is 1 player only.

Arcade, Mega Drive and PC-Engine versions are more or less the same game, except PC-Engine version has re-arranged Redbook audio.

Turbo Technologies, Inc. demonstrated a North American release of the Super CD-ROM² version at Winter CES 1993, but this release was cancelled for unknown reasons.

Master System version differs significantly from the regular versions, with different characters portraits, slightly different character abilities (some characters are removed and some abilities are combined) and somewhat different level designs. Original versions has more western style character art while Master System version's art is closer to Anime style. Another interesting feature of the Master System version is that Player 1 uses male characters while Player 2 uses female characters. Besides the different portraits, there are no differences between male and female characters.

More recently the Mega Drive version was brought to the Wii's Virtual Console service, and the game was re-made for the Sega Ages 2500 series in Japan. It was also included in Sega Mega Drive Ultimate Collection.

Production credits

System 24 version

  • Directed by: Mac Austin, Yang Watt
  • Graphic Design By: Sea-Gup, Max Nelson, KAO
  • Programmed by: Mina & Mana, Bee3, Kuriboh!!
  • Music by: Q-Chan, Dolphin
  • Industrial Design By: RKO
  • And Special Thanks To: Eiro, Doydoy
  • Presented by: ©Sega 1988
Source:
In-game credits (JP)


Source:
Interview[20]


Mega Drive version

Source:
In-game credits [21]
Source:
Sega TV Game Genga Gallery[22]


Master System version

Source:
In-game credits [23]


Super CD-ROM² version

  • Executive Producer: S.Ishihara
  • Producer: T.Tabeta
  • Director: S.Miyazaki, Max.Inde, K.Saitou
  • Programmer: K.Kuge
  • Support: Masas
  • Sound Composer: T's Music
  • Graphic designer: Mat.Kakisisu, Yax.Takahara, Nama.Ninnin, Momo, Fill In Cafe, Max.Inde
  • Special Thanks: H.Nakamura, Toruneko, S.Miyazaki, J.M.Kim, Sony.Kim, H.Mesuda, Y.Komatsuda, T.Kuwahara
©1992 NEC Avenue / Bits Laboratory
Source:
In-game credits [24]


Digital manuals

  • Steam manual

Magazine articles

Main article: Gain Ground/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Main article: Gain Ground/Promotional material.

Artwork

  • GainGround Art 01.jpg

Physical scans

System 24 version

System 24, US
GainGround System24 US Manual.pdf
Manual
System 24, JP
Notavailable.svgNotavailable.svg
Instuction card(s)

Mega Drive version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
50
[25]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
70
[26]
The Complete Guide to Sega (UK)
76
[27]
Console XS (UK) PAL
88
[28]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
29
[29]
Hippon Super (JP) NTSC-J
70
[30]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
66
[31]
Joystick (FR)
65
[32]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK) PAL
75
[33]
Mega Drive Fan (JP) NTSC-J
75
[34]
Mega (UK) PAL
77
[35]
Mega (UK)
77
[36]
Mega Play (US) NTSC-U
48
[37]
MegaTech (UK)
43
[38]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
43
[39]
Player One (FR)
65
[40]
Raze (UK) NTSC
92
[41]
Raze (UK) PAL
91
[42]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
71
[5]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
50
[43]
Sega Pro (UK)
89
[44]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
88
[45]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
74
[46]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
77
[47]
Video Games (DE)
61
[48]
Sega Mega Drive
 68
Based on
25 reviews

Gain Ground

Mega Drive, JP
Gain Ground MD JP Box.jpg
Cover
GainGround MD JP CartTop.jpg
GainGround MD JP Cart.jpg
Cart
GainGround MD jp manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, US
GainGround MD US Box.jpg
Cover
GainGround MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
Gain Ground MD US Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, EU
GainGround MD EU Box.jpg
Cover
GainGround MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart
GainGround MD EU pcb.jpg
PCB
Mega Drive, FR

Gain Ground MD FR Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, PT
GainGround MD PT cover.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, SE (Rental)

Mega Drive, AU
GainGround MD AU cover.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, AU (alt)
GainGround MD AU alt cover.jpg
Cover

Master System version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
58 [49]
32 [50]
32 [51]
76 №29, p87
60 №13, p119
62 [52]
62 [53]
61 [54]
35 [55]
71 [56]
70 [57]
60 [58]
81 [44]
76
76 [59]
Sega Master System
 61
Based on
15 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Ação Games (BR)
67
[60]
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
53
[61]
Console XS (UK) PAL
82
[62]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
32
[63]
Joystick (FR)
60
[64]
Mean Machines (UK)
62
[65]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
62
[53]
Player One (FR)
61
[54]
Power Play (DE)
35
[55]
Raze (UK) PAL
71
[42]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
70
[66]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
50
[58]
Sega Pro (UK)
81
[44]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
82
[67]
User (GR) PAL
67
[68]
Zzap! (IT)
76
[69]
Sega Master System
 63
Based on
16 reviews

Gain Ground

Master System, EU
Gain Ground SMS EU Box.jpg
Cover
GainGround SMS EU Cart.jpg
Cart
GainGround SMS EU Manual.pdf
Manual
Master System, AU

GainGround SMS AU Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, BR
GainGround SMS BR cover.jpg
Cover
GainGround SMS BR Cart.jpg
Cart

Super CD-ROM² version

Super CD-ROM², JP
GainGroundSX SuperCDROM2 JP Box Back.jpgGainGroundSX SuperCDROM2 JP Box Front.jpg
Cover
Gain Ground SX PCE SCD-ROM2 JP Disc.png
Disc

Technical information

ROM dump status

System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
Sega Mega Drive
✔
CRC32 83e7b8ae
MD5 fa43881a792fadf1ab737294fff1bcc3
SHA-1 3cc501086f794ac663aad14d5c5a75b648041151
512kB 1990-12 Cartridge (US/EU)
Sega Mega Drive
✔
CRC32 aee20a64
MD5 250033f6c91fbb7714782cd66fcece82
SHA-1 148d166d594535c6526cb450c461cfb003b59f93
512kB 1990-12 Cartridge (EU)
Sega Mega Drive
✔
CRC32 8641a2ab
MD5 3b0ad9167e152ed3719ae0d45e50db6a
SHA-1 a5017e44b5f470e0499f4a9b494385c567632864
512kB 1990-12 Cartridge (JP)
Sega Mega Drive
 ?
CRC32
MD5
SHA-1
1990-07-27 Page
Sega Master System
 ?
CRC32 3ec5e627
MD5 7d54230748fa41bb62b6f08e5dcede08
SHA-1 62c0ca61ad8f679f90f253ab6bbffd0c7737a8c0
256kB Cartridge (EU)

External links

References

  1. ↑ File:Gain Ground MD JP Box.jpg
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 https://sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/software.html (Wayback Machine: 2020-07-20 09:51)
  3. ↑ Mega Drive Fan, "June 1992" (JP; 1992-05-08), page 75
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Raze, "June 1991" (UK; 1991-04-25), page 35
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Sega Power, "August 1991" (UK; 1991-07-04), page 12
  6. ↑ Mean Machines, "January 1991" (UK; 1991-01-03), page 41
  7. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "February 1991" (UK; 1991-01-16), page 80
  8. ↑ Supergame, "Setembro 1991" (BR; 1991-09-xx), page 36
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/sbWh7p1AtxNkxJSHeFa4ozZizjAYJrA2 (Wayback Machine: 2010-11-22 23:50)
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 http://www.nintendolife.com/games/megadrive/gain_ground (Wayback Machine: 2017-07-05 11:19)
  11. ↑ https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Virtual-Console-Wii-/Gain-Ground--277369.html (archive.today)
  12. ↑ https://www.nintendo.de/Spiele/Virtual-Console-Wii-/Gain-Ground--277369.html (archive.today)
  13. ↑ https://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/vc/software/02.html (Wayback Machine: 2018-03-05 23:11)
  14. ↑ http://vc.sega.jp:80/vc_gground/ (Wayback Machine: 2007-02-02 02:36)
  15. ↑ http://www.nintendo.com.au/index.php?action=catalogue&prodcat_id=41&prod_id=19743&pageID=4 (Wayback Machine: 2012-04-03 02:02)
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 https://steamdb.info/app/34275/ (Wayback Machine: 2017-05-22 06:27)
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 17.4 http://steamdb.info/app/34275/ (Wayback Machine: 2013-05-22 19:18)
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 18.4 18.5 18.6 18.7 18.8 18.9 https://steamdb.info/app/34275/history/?changeid=5755309
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 19.4 19.5 19.6 19.7 19.8 19.9 http://steamdb.info/app/34275/ (Wayback Machine: 2019-09-12 20:21)
  20. ↑ https://sega.jp/fb/album/08_gg/interview1.html (Wayback Machine: 2013-06-23 05:00)
  21. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dsT1B2dgwc
  22. ↑ Sega TV Game Genga Gallery, Graphic Sha, page 111
  23. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFQAvXLH_t0
  24. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zZbK5fvAh8
  25. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 84
  26. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "January 1991" (JP; 1990-12-08), page 34
  27. ↑ The Complete Guide to Sega, "" (UK; 1991-05-xx), page 115
  28. ↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 130
  29. ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 49
  30. ↑ Hippon Super, "February 1991" (JP; 1991-01-07), page 41
  31. ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Octubre 1991" (ES; 1991-xx-xx), page 81
  32. ↑ Joystick, "Novembre 1990" (FR; 1990-1x-xx), page 131
  33. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 92
  34. ↑ Mega Drive Fan, "March 1991" (JP; 1991-02-08), page 99
  35. ↑ Mega, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-20), page 20
  36. ↑ Mega, "August 1994" (UK; 1994-07-21), page 79
  37. ↑ Mega Play, "March/April 1991" (US; 1991-04-xx), page 43
  38. ↑ MegaTech, "Xmas 1991" (UK; 1991-12-06), page 78
  39. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 139
  40. ↑ Player One, "Juin 1991" (FR; 1991-xx-xx), page 32
  41. ↑ Raze, "May 1991" (UK; 1991-03-28), page 64
  42. ↑ 42.0 42.1 Raze, "June 1991" (UK; 1991-04-25), page 34
  43. ↑ Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 53
  44. ↑ 44.0 44.1 44.2 Sega Pro, "Christmas 1991" (UK; 1991-12-12), page 18
  45. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 65
  46. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 85
  47. ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 15
  48. ↑ Video Games, "2/91" (DE; 1991-06-07), page 88
  49. ↑ Aktueller Software Markt, "November 1990" (DE; 1990-10-26), page 142 (144)
  50. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "March 1991" (UK; 1991-02-16), page 78
  51. ↑ Computer + Video Giochi, "Aprile 1991" (IT; 1991-xx-xx), page 94
  52. ↑ Mean Machines, "January 1991" (UK; 1991-01-03), page 40/41 (40)
  53. ↑ 53.0 53.1 Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 133
  54. ↑ 54.0 54.1 Player One, "Décembre 1990" (FR; 1990-xx-xx), page 56
  55. ↑ 55.0 55.1 Power Play, "12/90" (DE; 1990-11-16), page 164
  56. ↑ Raze, "June 1991" (UK; 1991-04-25), page 34/35 (34)
  57. ↑ Sega Power, "March 1991" (UK; 1991-02-07), page 42/43 (42)
  58. ↑ 58.0 58.1 Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 56
  59. ↑ Zzap!, "Marzo 1991" (IT; 1991-xx-xx), page 26/27 (26)
  60. ↑ Ação Games, "Setembro 1991" (BR; 1991-09-xx), page 30
  61. ↑ Aktueller Software Markt, "November 1990" (DE; 1990-10-26), page 144
  62. ↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 140
  63. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "March 1991" (UK; 1991-02-16), page 94
  64. ↑ Joystick, "Février 1991" (FR; 1991-0x-xx), page 119
  65. ↑ Mean Machines, "January 1991" (UK; 1991-01-03), page 40
  66. ↑ Sega Power, "March 1991" (UK; 1991-02-07), page 42
  67. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 71
  68. ↑ User, "Septémvrios 1991" (GR; 1991-0x-xx), page 91
  69. ↑ Zzap!, "Marzo 1991" (IT; 1991-xx-xx), page 26
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NEC Retro has more information related to Gain Ground SX


Gain Ground

Gain Ground Title.png

Main page | Comparisons | Credits | Hidden content | Magazine articles | Reception | Promotional material | Region coding | Bootlegs


Music: Crack Down/Gain Ground (1989)
Sega Master System
Prototypes: Prototype

Sega Mega Drive
Prototypes: 1990-07-27
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