Video game designer Salvatrix has taken to Twitter to reveal gameplay footage and artwork from a 2007/2008 Superman video game that was never released.
As the lead designer on the video game, Salvatrix says the Superman video game from Studio 5 never made it to release due to economy crashing at the time, which caused the closure of the company… and ended development on the game.
“I have multiple unreleased games through my career, but THIS is the only one I mourn to this day…”
“The goal was to present super brawls as they were seen in the cartoons and comics. [Justice League Unlimited] was our main touchstone. We put together this fast video montage to show what everything we wanted to have as gameplay. And we DID IT.”
According to the game designer, the Superman video game would have featured aerial brawling, large urban environments, crashing through buildings, fast target engagement, knocking your foe into the next block, shockwaves from hits, impact grooves in the streets or building sides.
“We hadn’t seen a game really deliver on that promise before, and to be honest I have yet to see it delivered fully since. We had it fully working as a prototype and were shifting to full production when the crash hit. All the main gameplay was in place and had been proven out.”
“We also didn’t want to rely on traditional gaming crutches of the IP – kryptonite and fighting robots. There were rules about the big blue boy scout (pre-Snyder obviously), but we were to surround Supes with foes more in his power range.”
Intended as a release alongside the movie “Superman Returns,” the Superman video game would have featured environments based heavily on both the Superman animated series and early 20th century artist Hugh Ferriss – featuring elevated highways, railways, and airships.
“In addition to us just appreciating the visual aesthetic (and that it worked with the animated series style), the layers of motion at every elevation in the city created a city that felt alive no matter where you were – important in a game where much takes place in the air.”
“Everything here is blocky – by intent. For prototyping, we were establishing playable spaces, activity levels, core functionality, etc. When the art is more refined, too much feedback starts to focus on the art. “Ugly” art helps keep the focus on where it is needed early on.”
“And this is a target render from pre-production. The point of the target render is to demonstrate what the intended gameplay might look like in a more art-finished state.”
Below are additional character concept drawings for Darkseid, Parademon, Brimstone and Livewire drawn by the game’s concept artists.
Wait a minute! Is Superman fighting someone sitting on a green beanbag?
Lol! 😀
But in all seriousness, I wish that they made this game. To fly around in Metropolis with the epic John Williams Superman theme playing is something that I wish that they would make for a Superman videogame, and not just in any of the LEGO Batman games. Plus from the looks of it, Zod was a playable character. I hope that someday someone will make this game happen. It’s such a shame that Superman hasn’t had any recent solo games happen yet.
This is the one that was supposed (originally) to tie into the SR sequel, right? Honestly, I’m kind of glad it didn’t happen. We’ve been trying to make the same open-world Superman game since 1999, I’m not sure we quite have the technology for it yet. For example, this “drag villain through buildings” mechanic is cool on the surface, but how do you implement it without making it look extremely scripted and contrived? Can you do it with every structure in the game? What about environmental combat as a whole? What about combat as a whole, for that matter, how… Read more »
If I had to guess, the game play probably would’ve been something like the Superman Returns game. I’m only guessing from the look of the video, because it kinda looks similar to how Superman Returns game style looked. But I really wish it was released. Maybe one day someone will pick up where this game developer left off and finish it for a world wide realease. That or at least come up with a Superman game with a similar open world game play style. I guess for now I can only hope.
Want to know what would a Superman game awesome? Add awesome rescue missions where you protect people from all sorts of dangers thrown by supervillians or natural cases: Preventing airplane crashes Stop out of control vehicles. (Cars, trains, etc.) Put out raging fires Stop tornados Saving people from falling to their deaths Save astronauts in trouble Chase after missiles Stop robberies (Disarm bad guys and knock them out so police can arrest them) Block bullets from hitting innocents Bring injured people to hospitals Prevent meteors from hitting Metropolis and/or Smallville Optional – repair damage done to the city after a battle… Read more »
Those are some really good suggestions for Superman missions. Maybe even a time mission where Superman has to complete a save with in a certain amount of time? And also some Clark Kent missions as well. Like investigate a lead for a story. And have Clark go looking for a phone booth or an alley to change into Superman.
@approuty – These are all excellent ideas for a Superman game. I’ve been thinking about this kind of Superman game as well. Also, @Superman2878 had a nice idea too whereby he stated it’d be a good idea to have some Clark Kent missions where he has to investigate a lead for a story. Both of you guys have excellent ideas that would make for an epic Superman video game.
Thanks GodzillaofSteel! 🙂
You’re welcome @Superman2878! Your insights and ideas are interesting.
That means a lot to me GodzillaofSteel. Especially when it comes from a fellow Superman fan like yourself. It’s very much appreciated. 🙂
Thanks! The Clark Kent missions sure is a great idea as well.
Thanks appouty!