Psybadek

Psybadek

North American cover art
Developer(s) Psygnosis
Publisher(s) Psygnosis
Designer(s) Graham Sidwell[1]
Artist(s) Mick Harrison[1]
Composer(s) Mike Clarke[2]
Platform(s) PlayStation
Release date(s)
Genre(s) Platformer
Mode(s) Single-player

Psybadek is a video game for the PlayStation console. It was designed and released by Psygnosis on November 17, 1998. The game was sponsored by shoe company Vans.

Plot

The evil Krakken has appeared and causes a rampage at the local hoverdek park where some "dekkers" — Xako, Mia and their friends — practice their skills. Using his powers, Krakken kidnaps the "dek kids" and magically transforms them into his minions all to make the place his new home. Now it is up to Xako and Mia to save their friends and stop Krakken's evil, sending him back to where he came from.

Gameplay

The player warps to different worlds from one particular hub area.

Levels
Each world is broken down into levels which consist of long courses that the player must travel through on their hoverdeks. In order to properly complete each world player must collect a certain number of stars, obtained along the course or by stomping on the heads of enemies.

Shooting levels
Some levels feature a shooting gallery format. Here the player will be positioned in the center and fire a weapon within a time limit.

Development

Psybadek was developed by Psygnosis at its Liverpool Headquarters. The game was chiefly designed by Graham Sidwell.[1] Programmer Steven Balmer came up with the game's original concept of the player free-roaming across landscapes on a board, while concept designer Mick Harrison drew images of characters on hoverboards. According to Sidwell, the game was in development for both the PlayStation and PC, but the latter was scrapped because it "diluted" the design team's focus.[1] Sidwell explained that creating Psybadek involved much trial-and-error, mainly due to the difficulty of melding traditional platform genre obstacles with sports-related "momentum".[1] Sidwell emphasized the difference between Psybadek and other boarding games. "There's obviously the snowboarding feel to this game," he stated, "But unlike most games in which you're racing against the clock and performing tricks on the way down for points, in Psybadek, those tricks actually do something. The stunts themselves are weapons."[4]

Psybadek was officially announced in May 1997, with a tentative release for the last quarter of that year.[5] However, the entire development team was temporarily pulled away from the project in order to work on other Psygnosis games.[6] After their releases, the developer continued work on Psybadek, attempting to improve its character motions, touch up its 3D environments, and expand the number of levels.[7] Like many other Psygnosis titles at the time, Psybadek was created using Softimage 3D.[8] Psygnosis partnered with California-based apparel company Vans to sponsor the game. Psybadek's in-game characters feature Vans clothing in exchange for the game's promotion at the Triple Crown series and the Warped Tour.[3]

Reception

Gamer Revolution listed Psybadek as eighth on their "The 50 Worst Game Names of All Time" [9]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Nelson, Randy (September 3, 1998). "Psybadek's Designer Speaks". IGN. Retrieved December 10, 2013.
  2. ↑ vgmdb. "Psybadek - Les musiques du jeu".
  3. 1 2 Psygnosis staff (November 17, 1998). "Ride High in Psybadek From Psygnosis; The Latest 3D Platformer Provides Hover-dekkin' Action for Boarders Who Prefer to Remain Indoors.". Business Wire. Berkshire Hathaway. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
  4. ↑ GameSpot staff (March 2, 1998). "Colony Wars 2 Shown by Psygnosis". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Retrieved December 11, 2013.
  5. ↑ IGN staff (May 30, 1997). "Decked Out". IGN. Retrieved December 11, 2013.
  6. ↑ IGN staff (January 27, 1998). "Psybadek Back on "Trak"". IGN. Retrieved December 11, 2013.
  7. ↑ IGN staff (January 28, 1998). "Psybadek Gets Pumped Up". IGN. Retrieved December 11, 2013.
  8. ↑ Microsoft staff (June 19, 1997). "Psygnosis Uses Softimage to Create Hot New Games Lineup". PR Newswire. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
  9. ↑ "The 50 Worst Video Game Names Of All Time". Gamerevolution.com. Accessed October 8, 2007
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