posted December 31, 2005 11:38 PM            

The very first color designs for Tiara (none finished and for discussion purposes back in '95):

BONUS MATERIAL:

A peak at a demo video showing one of the gameplay styles for the new game...multiple planes of 2D gameplay using 3D backgrounds...

835K Demo

posted January 01, 2006 03:01 AM            

Its already been posted over at Sonic CulT : http://www.sonic-cult.org/dispart.php?catid=6&gameid=11&subid=1&artid=14

posted January 01, 2006 06:52 AM              

It's fantastic that you've decided to dig up the past like this and give some great stuff to those who want to learn more. Many of us are striving programmers, and having a look at just the amount of crap you have to go through before even starting the game will certainly help a few of us in the long run

I'm the guy who runs SoST, which was mentioned in the last topic. I've tried to gather most of the info around here[Most of the Sonic X-Treme information] and here[Demo "718" information]. If you ever have time, have a look through it. I'm sure I've got something wrong in there! The rest of the site is chock full of missing bits and pieces too.

The first picture of Tiara you have there [The "naked" version], was this based off the cartoon character "Sally Acorn" from the Saturday morning Cartoon? It looks very familiar!

The second set, with the racey Red dress, was that at all based off Jessica Rabbit from Roger Rabbit, or even more obscurely, the Proto-Sally seen here from a promotional advertisement ages ago?

Is the Tiara from the video another style again? It looks like the one from the left of the final image, but with a yellow bow. It's a little bit small to see ^_^;

posted January 01, 2006 05:40 PM            

Rlan - Hi, thanks for the compliments and encouragement! I was impressed with the SoST site... very nice work!

Yes, it's true that one must endure inordinate amounts of crap to plod forward... the movie "Gone With The Wind" is a perfect example... one of the most classic movies of all time... and it was ripe with horrible problems from start to finish... it's amazing it ever got done, let alone being so classic! So take heart when stumbling knowing that it's a necessary step to improvement

I will look that over the Xtreme portion of your site more most definitely. I'll do my best to provide suggestions if I have any.

Tiara - Good educated guesses and questions... I hate to disappoint you, but I just drew some pictures... didn't base them off anything, other than the eventual design looking much more like Sonic (or one of his kind). The video above used a model I created based on the final design for Tiara (this will also be in the SXC).

posted January 01, 2006 11:46 PM              

quote:

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I liked the concept of keeping 2D gameplay (classic Sonic) while adding multiple planes to it, so you could go in 3D, from one 2D set to the next... but within a few months of this, a Sega Saturn game came out... what was it... Toy Soldiers or something like that where that's exactly what the entire game did!

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posted January 02, 2006 08:58 PM              

And, as it happens, I have a Tiara question:

It's plain to see that Tiara Boobowski is no Amy Rose. You've already stated you didn't base her off any particular character, but did you intentionally veer away from Amy when creating her?

posted January 02, 2006 10:50 PM            

Michael Kosaka wanted her to have this type of character, so we went in that direction. You're right in that the "damsel in distress" was not what we were looking for and I think that exemplifies some of the (at least then) cultural differences between the Japanese and American markets.

posted January 03, 2006 06:00 AM              

What kind of animal is Tiara?

posted January 03, 2006 01:18 PM            

I had to frantically dive through old design docs to find the answer... and hours later... I found it!

She's a stinkbug!

lol

Okay, just kidding. Seriously, she is a flatfish.

ha ha!

Ready?

*drumroll*

Tiara is a Manx kitten. Originally, she was slated to be a bandicoot (look out Crash!)... but in comparing the real animals, my pick is the Manx, mang!

There ya go!

posted January 03, 2006 02:08 PM              

quote:

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Personally, I still like the idea of Sonic meeting his "match"... and seeing that involvement evolve through experiences together. Unfortunately, the back story that would support game play like this was never really a part of Sonic Xtreme. The storylines we had all pretty much focused on supporting the worlds and basic plot premise between good and evil... but didn't delve into the involvement of the characters with each other as much as we could have. To make it a deeper, more rewarding game, I think this should take place...

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I also think that's a neat idea to see Sonic meeting his match. Though it seems like this might happen with the recently released Sonic Rush. Although I suppose Amy is too well established to be overridden as Sonics 'girl'. Shame really, as I don't think Amy really suits him. But that borders on obsessive fan thinking XD

Yeah, I wish they would focus a bit more on the characters. I've grown up a bit since I first played Sonic and have to admit, I feel like Sonic hasn't gown up with me. Obviously SEGA wants to keep it's target audiance, but it leaves me feeling a little upset that they seem to not care about the long-time fans. Although, 'not care' isn't quite right.

Ah well, it's a business after all.

Hmm.. Tiara is a Manx Kitten? That would explain the sort of feline look to her in that second image and the difference in color-scheme.

posted January 03, 2006 03:21 PM              

I must ask, I've heard that Tiara was also supposed to have a father named Gazebo. Would you happen to have any information, and better yet, concept art of him as well?

posted January 03, 2006 05:39 PM            

Jamie - Hi Jamie... welcome! I do indeed have more information and drawings for both Tiara and her father Professor Gazebo Boobowski... and I'll be sharing them shortly.

In the meantime...

homepage

posted January 03, 2006 09:43 PM              

quote:

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Did you see the previews for the Sonic movie? Perhaps that will spawn some more maturity in future games...

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Sonic movie? Where? When? Huh? I haven't heard of this yet. Where can I find info on it?

posted January 04, 2006 07:30 AM            

Keith - I saw the Sonic movie preview before Peter Jackson's "King Kong," and it was CG... anybody else see it? I think it comes out next summer or 2007... not sure. Or maybe I'm dillusional and it never really happened! I have been sleep-deprived lately...

Dopefish - Good observations. In fact, the concept of "Storm" segways nicely to one of the neatest concepts Rick Wheeler and I developed for Xtreme... the Power-ups were upgraded to something like a "Megaman meets LOTR" kind of thing... I'll explain more in the SXC, but for now - imagine six power-ups, each representing an element, each one more powerful than the the next creating a circle of power... with some offshoots for combo-shields... one of which just happens to be the "Storm Shield."

SANiK - Right on!

posted January 05, 2006 12:45 PM              

Keith: Amy borders on BEING an obsessive fangirl. Granted these days at least she can fend for herself, but practically her character and Sonic's just... cannot mesh. Makes for some comedy, though.

I am so, SO happy to see any of the old concept art or sketches! The first time I heard about X-Treme was actually the last... first issue of Gamepro I ever read had a blurb about it being cancelled. Granted that issue also called Knuckles a two-tailed fox.

Thus I am giddy about the entire idea of actually seeing what was being done! As a bit of an artist it's even more interesting to see what evolved in the designs...

posted January 05, 2006 01:26 PM              

But yeah, random thanking aside, I don't have much to say yet... other than, well, one thing.
Boobowski. This is an incredibly dumb question and I know it, but... god. IT EATS AWAY AT ME. BOOBOWSKI. It... was this name an intentional joke, or were your thoughts pure? I know in my heart that I must ask, because nobody else is going to in fear of looking like a fool. :[

Anyway, THAT aside... yeah. Just figured I'd post and say "HAY MANG. Thanks for to jam." and whatnot. Hoo boy.

posted January 05, 2006 01:34 PM              

quote:

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The most striking feature of Manx cats (apart from the lack of a tail,) is their extremely long back legs, giving them a raised rump.

Manx have short stocky bodies, wide chests and strong bones. Their eyes are round, and the ears are broad at the base tapering to a rounded tip. Like the British shorthair, with whom cats probably share ancestry, the breed has rounded cheeks. In fact Manx cats have a generally rounded appearance, and it has been said that they could be drawn using just a series of circles.

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posted January 05, 2006 04:37 PM              

o__o

posted January 05, 2006 05:08 PM              

Introductions aside, many thanks and salutations for taking the time to answer, clear up, and unravel so many things that up until now have been a mystery to the Sonic fan community/ies.

Now then... since I have nothing to really ask as of yet, I'll just second the request of a full version of the "MySpace" avatar. =P

Also... I remember old ads with Knuckles punching a pack of cigarettes under the slogan "Smoking - who needs it?" and next thing I know Tiara admits to being a smoker on her MySpace. Tsk tsk tsk...

quote:

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Originally posted by Psychobob:
You say Tiara is a Manx kitten. Tell me, did you design her character and then decide that’s what she would be, or did you create her character based of the aesthetics of a Manx cat.

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Well, considering he said "in comparing to the real animals", also keeping in mind that there was a possibility for her to have been a Bandicoot, my guess is that the character came first, deciding what she was supposed to be following afterward. =P
But that's just my guess.

posted January 05, 2006 07:18 PM            

AngstOverlord - Welcome to the party! Interesting background story. Can you elaborate on what a "semi-positive female character" is?

drak - Classic post. *tips hat back* Yes... "Boobowski." I've always liked coming up with names... and this one just sounded funny! Of course, Tiara BOOBOWSKI didn't... so that's why I had her "change" her name to Tiara B. Her father, on the other hand, being from an older generation where that name may very well have represented a distinguished family line... was proud of his title... "Professor Gazebo Boobowski." I did not, however, have any unpure thoughts... if it's traumatic, you can always break up the word into 2 parts... Boo and Bowski... then it takes on a different "vibe." PS: You're welcome for the jam.

Psychobob - Good question... I think H Hog's guess is pretty bang on. Just keep in mind... Sonic is a hedgehog... then Tiara's visuals, though they deviate from the dictionary description, aren't so far out there... lol The elements of Tiara that are "more mature" do fit that stereotype of girl power you mention. Does anybody know of any girls who are fans of Tiara? Know any that are offended by her design?

On a side note related to this, I'd love to make a game where all the lead characters represent different types of people... I mean like all of the stereotypes that people tread so lightly around... like a retarded (or mentally challenged) girl... and an overweight twin... you know, then develop those characters so that they are appealing.

Media paints a picture of men and women that represent only .0000001 percent of the population... and many of the rest end up feeling bad about themselves. This Tiara design falls close that narrow view, to be sure. Anyway, this is a discussion for another topic.

Adamis - lol... no worries, both of those are coming!

Milo - Good question. Michael Kosaka wrote the spec sheet that was borrowed to make that page... she developed a little differently, however... that final 2D design of her that exists on the web paints her with more 'tude.'

posted January 05, 2006 09:59 PM              

quote:

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Amy borders on BEING an obsessive fangirl. Granted these days at least she can fend for herself, but practically her character and Sonic's just... cannot mesh. Makes for some comedy, though.

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Comedy, I suppose. I dunno, the story-writer in me wants something more serious.. but that's what fan-fiction is for

quote:

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I really liked the Elemental concepts... because they all started to tie into more elements as Rick and I talked and brainstormed more...

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It sounds interesting! I won't press for more elaboration, so you will have something left to tell about it in the SXC. XD

I am curious, however about Tiara's primary ability. The main trio has some power that defines them. Sonic is fast, Knuckles is strong, Tails can fly (and story-wise he's very smart and technically adept). What was Tiara's? Was she going to be fast, like Sonic? Or was she going to have something more unique?

Edit: And I only just realized that your Screen Name (Kurisu) is 'Chris' with a Japanese phonetic spelling. >.<

posted January 06, 2006 12:26 PM            

Good question about what sets Tiara apart from the other characters - have to answer that later - late for lunch.

For now... hope you guys enjoy the 2nd to last concept art for Tiara (these were ditched in favor of the one pose of her in tights you can find on the web):

And just for Adamis...

posted January 06, 2006 02:17 PM              

quote:

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posted January 06, 2006 02:18 PM            

Adamis - No problemo, mi amigo! Thanks for the compliments - I'm glad you like her... (it's ALIIIIVE!)

H Hog - Thanks mang!

posted January 06, 2006 07:51 PM              

quote:

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Hey Keith - soudesu... namaewa nihongode "kurisu" desu... yokudekima****a!

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Erm.. heh, I don't actually speak Japanese *trys translator* and apparently wordlingo is bewildered.. *narrows eyes* are you pulling my leg?

Wow, the new Tiara pics are pretty sweet!

quote:

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Nice sceptor she's got there. Was her power going to be beating badnicks with it? XD Kidding.

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posted January 07, 2006 10:57 AM            

Keith - lol ...the translator will only translate kanji, hiragana and katakana... not romaji (phonetic form) ...so to translate...

Hey Keith - so is (that is so)... name in japanese "kurisu" is (my name is Frank the Rock in Japanese)... good did... (good job) OMG - I just saw that I'd censored the word for poop that starts with an S and ends in a T with a HI somewhere there in the middle... so replace the **** with that.

Anywho - thanks for the kind words... lol... wouldn't it be cool to see Amy and Tiara cat-fighting? ;P

Adamis - Dude, that's SWEET! Great job! Is that pen and marker?

posted January 07, 2006 11:37 AM            

*sends Tiara a friend request*

Is it ok if I add you too, not just Tiara?
Cause you might want your personal MySpace for personal people only, and I don't want to be stepping on privacy