Post by Kneesnap on Sept 20, 2022 14:48:10 GMT -8
Exactly 22 years ago on this day, Frogger 2 was released.
As such, it feels fitting to announce the Frogger 2 Motherload Lot today.
I have obtained the full BlitzGames development archive of Frogger 2, and spent the past few weeks archiving everything.
Highlights (So Far):
- Over one thousand pages of paper documents, including concept art, level designs, design documents, storyboards for the FMVs, etc.
- Pitches for Frogger 3 and Frogger Wii.
- At least 10 source code backups (So far: Final PSX + Final Dreamcast + N64 code 5 months before release + 90% of PC code 1 month before release.)
- At least 18 prototype builds, with many changes from final. (So far: 2 N64, 10 PSX, 6 PC)
- Tons of beta content (Including beta FMVs and music)
- A near-final backup of Chicken Run's source code.
- Raw game assets (eg: textures in .bmp form, original 3D models, etc)
- Studio voice actor recordings for Frogger, Lillie, Swampy, etc.
Despite the massive haul, I haven't even archived the "End of Project" tape backup yet. (The tape has 50GB capacity).
Release Information:
In the name of preservation, I plan to release (almost) everything publicly.
The only redactions will be certain legal documents and personal information such as personal emails, address/phone number of focus group members, and payroll information.
As such, it feels fitting to announce the Frogger 2 Motherload Lot today.
I have obtained the full BlitzGames development archive of Frogger 2, and spent the past few weeks archiving everything.
I'm not done yet, but there is still a lot to be excited about.
Images:
Highlights (So Far):
- Over one thousand pages of paper documents, including concept art, level designs, design documents, storyboards for the FMVs, etc.
- Pitches for Frogger 3 and Frogger Wii.
- At least 10 source code backups (So far: Final PSX + Final Dreamcast + N64 code 5 months before release + 90% of PC code 1 month before release.)
- At least 18 prototype builds, with many changes from final. (So far: 2 N64, 10 PSX, 6 PC)
- Tons of beta content (Including beta FMVs and music)
- A near-final backup of Chicken Run's source code.
- Raw game assets (eg: textures in .bmp form, original 3D models, etc)
- Studio voice actor recordings for Frogger, Lillie, Swampy, etc.
Despite the massive haul, I haven't even archived the "End of Project" tape backup yet. (The tape has 50GB capacity).
Release Information:
In the name of preservation, I plan to release (almost) everything publicly.
The only redactions will be certain legal documents and personal information such as personal emails, address/phone number of focus group members, and payroll information.
The redactions are being done with the input of the Oliver Twins. (Owners of Blitz Games)
However, I can verify that there is basically nothing of interest in the documents to be redacted.
The release date is not yet decided, but it should be soon after I finish archiving everything.
Patreon Announcement:
This was a decently expensive undertaking, costing over $1000 so far out of my own pocket, mostly on the equipment to archive everything.
This is just one expense of many I've spent preserving Frogger history. While I am in the lucky position of being able to handle these costs, they do add up.
If you like the kinds of things we do and want to help enable us to continue, consider joining our Patreon.
A detailed post detailing all of the different costs will be posted soon, after the archiving process is complete. (There are still some costs of unknown amount left)
Official HighwayFrogs Patreon: LINK