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Esprit
Software seem to have a extensive track record of trying
to produce games which pushed all the barriers to the limits.
First with Search For Sharla, then with Flonk... now with this
particular little game. And with one common shared element, they
now sit in the GTW archives.
Crystal
Beacon
was another title in development for the C64 by Esprit Software.
This was to be a kind of 3D Paradroid style of game, with some
very impressive precalculated and lightsourced walls running at
50fps. And it would have been full screen too.
So
as you can see, some fairly impressive details already..
The
game was to involve running around a 3D maze, chasing after robots
and hunting them down. Apparently with the light sourcing effects,
the game looked stunning.
The
C64 conversion was in development by Pete
Dabbs, while Lance Mason handled
the ST conversion which was also in production.
Interest
in the game was quite high, with a number of publishers looking
keen to take on the game, but sadly ESP did not have the funding
available to continue the project, and so they had to take on
some conversion work. The game as a result was shelved, and after
all the commotions of other releases, it remained shelved.
Pete
Dabbs recently spoke to GTW about the game and originally informed
us of its existance. He offered also the possibility of the game
still existing in some form on disk at his house, though there
is to be confirmation. Pete last time was rumoured to be obtaining
a XE1541 cable to check some of his old disks.
Paul Crawley recently added about the game:
"Another one of our games that never quite made it, mainly because Thalamus didn't want to pay for it, they wanted the game they just didn't want to pay any development costs, the game was called "The Crystal Beacon" the concept if expended today would still make a hell of a game!"
If
anything is found, then hopefully GTW will be able to bring you
the remains of this very promising game. Maybe even Shara too
if there is anything.
More
soon we hope!...
Frank.
(Additional
source credits - Pete Dabbs, Paul Crawley)
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