Slam City with Scottie Pippen

Last updated

Slam City with Scottie Pippen
Slam City with Scottie Pippen Coverart.png
Cover art
Developer(s) Digital Pictures
Publisher(s) Digital Pictures
Platform(s) Sega CD, Sega 32X, MS-DOS
ReleaseNovember 1994
Genre(s) FMV game, sports game

Slam City with Scottie Pippen is the first FMV basketball video game. It was developed by Digital Pictures for the PC and CD-ROM-based video game consoles such as the Sega CD. Scottie Pippen stars in the game, and performed the theme song. Ron Stein, who had previously directed the video footage for Prize Fighter , directed the video footage for the game. [1] A 3DO Interactive Multiplayer version was announced but never released. [2] [3]

Contents

In the game, players face various opponents in one-on-one games of basketball, including Pippen himself.

The game allowed full screen video playback of low resolution MPEG video without specialized hardware utilizing video compression technology that Digital Pictures dubbed "Digichrome". Lag free on-screen selection was accomplished through a disc layout and buffering technology the company called "Instaswitch".

Reception

GamePro gave the Sega CD version a negative review. Though they remarked that the video footage is of the same high quality as that in Prize Fighter , they felt that it becomes repetitive too quickly, with players limited to a small, crude selection of moves that yield the same video clips over and over. They also complained of extremely inaccurate controls. [8] Next Generation , in contrast, said the game proved that full-motion video games have potential. They noted the problem with consistency within the gameplay (like the opponents having a bad habit of instantly breaking by for a dunk even when they appear to be on 10 feet away), and some issue with controls, but ultimately called it a solid entertainment for basketball fans. [6] The two sports reviewers of Electronic Gaming Monthly both gave it a 7 out of 10, remarking that the game is dauntingly difficult but ultimately fun, with excellent video sequences. [4]

The two sports reviewers of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the 32X version scores of 5 and 6 out of 10, this time finding the game's difficulty more vexing. One of them echoed GamePro's criticism of repetitive gameplay, while the other praised the full-motion video concept but said the game is too difficult to play. [5] A different GamePro critic gave the 32X version a much more mixed review, criticizing the slow reaction time on the controls but praising the game's presentation, particularly the realistic trash talking and the vast improvement in graphics over the Sega CD version. [9] Next Generation, however, felt this was insufficient justification for owning all three consoles required to play the game. Despite noting 32X version having better video and sound than the Sega CD, they considered it inferior compared to other versions. [7]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">32X</span> Video game console add-on

The 32X is an add-on for the Sega Genesis video game console. Codenamed "Project Mars", it was designed to expand the power of the Genesis and serve as a transitional console into the 32-bit era until the release of the Sega Saturn. The 32X uses its own ROM cartridges and has its own library of games. It was distributed under the name Super 32X in Japan and South Korea, Genesis 32X in North America, Mega 32X in Brazil, and Mega Drive 32X in all other regions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">3DO Interactive Multiplayer</span> Home video game console

The 3DO Interactive Multiplayer, also referred to as simply 3DO, is a home video game console developed by The 3DO Company. Conceived by entrepreneur and Electronic Arts founder Trip Hawkins, the 3DO was not a console manufactured by the company itself, but a set of specifications, originally designed by Dave Needle and RJ Mical of New Technology Group, that could be licensed by third parties. Panasonic produced the first models in 1993, and further renditions of the hardware were released afterwards by GoldStar, Sanyo, Creative Labs, and Samsung Electronics in 1997.

<i>NBA Jam</i> (1993 video game) 1993 video game

NBA Jam is a basketball video game developed and published by Midway for arcades in 1993. It is the first entry in the NBA Jam series. The project leader for this game was Mark Turmell.

<i>Primal Rage</i> 1994 arcade video game

Primal Rage is a fighting game developed and released by Atari Games for arcades in 1994. The game takes place on a post-apocalyptic version of Earth called "Urth". Players control one of seven prehistoric beasts, that battle each other to determine the planet's fate. Matches feature many of the conventions of fighting games from the era, including special moves and gory finishing maneuvers. Ports were released for home video game consoles and personal computers. Efforts to perfectly emulate the arcade original have been unsuccessful due to the use of an unusual copy protection method. Toys, comics, a novel and other merchandise tie-ins were produced. More than 1.5 million copies of the game were sold.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">American Laser Games</span> American videogame company

American Laser Games was a company based in Albuquerque, New Mexico that created numerous light gun laserdisc video games featuring live action full motion video. The company was founded in the late 1980s by Robert Grebe, who had originally created a system to train police officers under the company name ICAT and later adapted the technology for arcade games. Its first hit game was Mad Dog McCree, a light gun shooter set in the American Old West. By mid-1995 they were recognized as the leading company in the medium of laserdisc-based arcade games. Almost all arcade games released by the company were light gun shooters and a number of them also had an Old West theme.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Digital Pictures</span> Defunct video game developer

Digital Pictures was an American video game developer founded in 1991 by Lode Coen, Mark Klein, Ken Melville, Anne Flaut-Reed, Kevin Welsh and Tom Zito.

<i>Corpse Killer</i> 1994 video game

Corpse Killer is a horror-themed rail shooter developed and published by Digital Pictures for the Sega CD, Sega CD 32X, 3DO, Sega Saturn, Windows 95 and Macintosh computers. An interactive variation on the zombie film genre, it utilizes live-action full motion video in a format similar to other games developed by Digital Pictures. Reviews for the game were mixed, generally criticizing the repetitive gameplay and low video quality, though many reviewers enjoyed the campy nature of the cutscenes. Corpse Killer was the first CD game released for the Sega 32X. It was later remastered for Steam, PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch.

Maximum Surge is a cancelled video game by Digital Pictures. Planned for release in 1996 for the 3DO, Mac, PC and Sega Saturn, it was to feature full-motion video in the same way that many of Digital Pictures' releases of the time did. The game's 90 minutes of video footage starred Walter Koenig and Yasmine Bleeth, was directed by William Mesa, and was written by J. Garrett Glover and Charlie Ogden.

<i>Quarterback Attack with Mike Ditka</i> 1995 video game

Quarterback Attack with Mike Ditka is a 1995 football video game published by Digital Pictures for the Sega Saturn, 3DO and MS-DOS. It features Mike Ditka as head coach of the player's team. Unlike in most football video games, the player does not control an entire team. Instead, Quarterback Attack attempts to simulate the experience of being a professional quarterback, with the other players rendered in full motion video (FMV). This break with convention divided critical response to the game.

<i>The Need for Speed</i> 1994 video game

The Need for Speed is a 1994 racing game developed by EA Canada, originally known as Pioneer Productions, and published by Electronic Arts for 3DO in 1994. It allows driving eight licensed sports cars in three point-to-point tracks either with or without a computer opponent. Checkpoints, traffic vehicles, and police pursuits appear in the races.

<i>Surgical Strike</i> (video game) 1995 video game

Surgical Strike is a full motion video based game developed by The Code Monkeys and published by Sega for the Sega CD in 1995. An enhanced 32X CD version of the game was published by Tec Toy in Brazil in 1995.

<i>Shockwave Assault</i> 1994 video game

Shockwave Assault is a science fiction combat flight simulation video game developed by Advanced Technology Group and published by Electronic Arts for various home video game consoles and PCs. The player takes control of a futuristic fighter plane to defeat extraterrestrial ships and tripods.

<i>Supreme Warrior</i> 1994 video game

Supreme Warrior is a full-motion video (FMV) beat 'em up game developed by Digital Pictures. It was released for the 3DO Interactive Multiplayer and Sega CD in November 1994 in North America and in early 1995 in Europe, with subsequent releases in 1995 for the 32X, Macintosh, and Windows. The game is themed as a kung fu film where the player has to fight off opponents to protect half of a magical mask.

<i>Toughman Contest</i> (video game) 1995 video game

Toughman Contest is a boxing video game for the Sega Genesis and 32X. It is based on the Toughman Contest, and features Eric "Butterbean" Esch on the cover and as the game's final boss. The game was released in 1995. It received mixed reviews, generally criticizing the sluggishness of the gameplay while praising the selection of special moves.

<i>World Series Baseball 95</i> 1995 video game

World Series Baseball '95 is a traditional baseball simulation video game by Sega. It was released in 1995 for the Game Gear and Sega Genesis, as well as a 32X version sold as World Series Baseball Starring Deion Sanders. In Japan, the game features Hideo Nomo on the cover and is called Nomo's World Series Baseball in English and Nomo Hideo no World Series Baseball in Japanese.

<i>FIFA Soccer 96</i> 1995 video game

FIFA Soccer 96 is a football simulation video game developed by Extended Play Productions and released by Electronic Arts in 1995. It was released for the Mega Drive/Genesis, Sega Saturn, Sega 32X, Game Gear, PlayStation, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, and MS-DOS compatible operating systems.

<i>Loadstar: The Legend of Tully Bodine</i> 1994 video game

Loadstar: The Legend of Tully Bodine is a video game developed and published by Rocket Science Games for the Sega CD in 1994 and MS-DOS compatible operating systems in 1995.

<i>Road Rash</i> (1994 video game) 1994 racing video game

Road Rash is a 1994 racing and vehicular combat video game originally published by Electronic Arts (EA) for the 3DO Interactive Multiplayer. A version for the Sega CD was developed simultaneously and released in 1995 to act as a "bridge" between the 3DO version and the Sega Genesis title Road Rash 3, and the game was subsequently ported to the PlayStation, Sega Saturn, and Microsoft Windows in 1996. The game is the third installment in the Road Rash series, and is centered around a series of motorcycle races throughout California that the player must win to advance to higher-difficulty races, while engaging in unarmed and armed combat to hinder the other racers.

References

  1. ↑ "Scottie Signs For Slam City". GamePro . No. 72. IDG. September 1994. p. 160.
  2. ↑ "Preview – Coming Soon". 3DO Magazine . No. 10. Paragon Publishing. May 1996. pp. 33–34.
  3. ↑ "Preview – Coming Soon". 3DO Magazine . No. 12. Paragon Publishing. July 1996. pp. 33–34.
  4. 1 2 "Slam City w/Scottie Pippen by Digital Pictures". Electronic Gaming Monthly . No. 67. Sendai Publishing. February 1995. p. 114.
  5. 1 2 "Slam City (32X) by Digital Pictures". Electronic Gaming Monthly . No. 70. Sendai Publishing. May 1995. p. 118.
  6. 1 2 "Slam". Next Generation . No. 3. Imagine Media. March 1995. p. 98.
  7. 1 2 "Slam City with Scottie Pippen". Next Generation . No. 7. Imagine Media. July 1995. pp. 69–70.
  8. ↑ "ProReview: Slam City with Scottie Pippin". GamePro . No. 78. IDG. March 1995. p. 54.
  9. ↑ "Slam City's Here, and Pippin's the Mayor". GamePro . No. 82. IDG. July 1995. p. 72.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.