My pet theory is that the final product was made intentionally terrible as a screw-you to the IP holders' constrictive demands. There is no other reason a team would have made something as ambitious as this--anywhere from a year to nearly two years out!--and then scrapped it all at the last minute to (late!) deliver a ring flying simulator. If they were pushed around by DC/WB as is often stated, constantly having to redesign the game around their demands, they may have just outright given up and just delivered "something." I don't blame them.
As a prototype, it's not bad. Yes the game probably might fall into that, but given the current state this was made at the time, they might add more and change things up a bit.
The very first second the game starts, it's more superman than the finished release was. How did they go from "protect an ambulance" to "fly through rings"?
@@kstanni87 This going to be developed by Titus Interactive alone, but WBIE pissed-off Titus "for making Superman mean by almost killing real people" and uses Titus' engine to redesign the game, turns the plot and setting "into a virtual world", and was released in May 1999 and panned for weak powers, unresponsive controls, short draw distance, large green "kryptonite" fog, "virtual world" plot, repetitive "fly through rings" gameplay, and poor graphics.
Had the game been more akin to this, it may have just been forgotten in history as another uninteresting licensed game, instead, it would be remembered for ever, for all the wrong reasons.
Don't blame Titus for this. It was WB'S fault. They were telling Titus off for "making superman hurt real people" which was complete bullshit considering he did the same damn thing in the fucking show this game was based on.
Is kinda sad actually. With more time and work, this could have been a decent game. Not a classic, but a overall good game. But because of excessive executive meddling combined with lack of time screwed the whole thing.
Apparently the Superman licensers demanded so many changes to the game that the developers ended up having to scrap most of what they had and do it from scratch and get the game ready a short amount of time before the release date, hence the buggy nature of the final: they probably didn't have time to test the game or fix the issues.
@@damianbirdsyt Titus' original version but they fired by then-distributor Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment because they called Superman "a mean superhero that almost killed real people", and WBIE took over as a developer and redesigning entire game using Titus' assets with virtual setting and rushed in May 1999, became one of the worst games ever made due to repetitive gameplay, unresponsive controls, poor draw distance, and poor graphics.
@EpicWINNER1000 The controls are pretty much perfect in this version. I don't know if they had some clueless person rewrite the script for the controls or not but they sure changed a lot. If you pay attention to the flying on the first stage then I'm sure you'll notice that Superman reverts once I let go of the moving. Meaning that the moving is not very sensitive.
Actually one of the producers of the game mentioned that the companies that license Superman wouldn't let them have total control of the game so it got fucked up!
The fact that a, very poor, beta version of Superman 64 is better than the retail version, speaks volumes about how bad the mess that got released was.
It actually looks all right. There’s no rings, you actually protect metropolis, Bizarro is meant to be in it and you actually fight Mala in the city. Titus admits that WB forced them to make changes for the Nintendo version while they worked on the PlayStation version. But after making their changes to the Nintendo version, their license ran out and Superman PS1 was midway through development when the license was pulled. Instead we get the game that became the worst game of the N64. The Beta version was better.
an example of too much publisher influence if I ever saw it. I get that they fund the project but if you insist on maintaining complete control of the project why not hire some contractors and assemble a dev team yourself instead of putting demands on a pre-established studio.
I'm pretty sure if they released it in this state, it wouldn't have been nearly as savaged as it was, and still is. Although, it likely would have been completely forgotten.
But if you own the cartridge, couldn't you just learn how to make a ROM yourself or get someone to come over and do it for you? This isn't just about letting other people play the beta, this needs to be archived and preserved beyond the physical world.
...What the fuck? The BETA is better than the actual game itself?! This needs to have a rom dump. This needs to be archived into the internet as good as it looks. And this was before the game was about flying through hula hoops... WHAT THE FUCK.
To users who complain that they wont give a rom: I understand your point, but if we are going to act like meanies, then they might delete this video and we wont even have a superman 64 beta footage...
You know your game is an obvious beta when the actual betas of the game are less obviously beta than the final release. Seriously, this is the first time I know of where a game has actually fallen apart between beta and release.
I know others have asked but I have not really seen any answers but why no rom version? Not like it would degrade the value of it since you would still have the only original :3
THE CLOSE FIRST BEST VERSION OF THE GAME THATS A LOT SAYING!!!!!!!!!! THE BEST VERSION IS THE PLAYSTATION VESION BUT THIS HAS THE BEST OPEN WORLD FLYING !!!!!!!!
For everyone wondering why and how the "beta version" could be better than the final product, I offer you a simple explanation: Whichever employee was in charge of labelling the versions accidentally swapped "beta" and "final", hence the sheer ass-backwardsness of quality.
Better because its open world game just like GTA 3 and later. No glitch caused by reprogramming. Because Superman copyright owner restrict it, Superman 64 become worst game ever in n64 and its one of worst game ever. Music placing was different. First stage music was actually used for stage 2. Why they restrict it? I don't know it. It's so strange why copyright owner restrict it. Released version of this game so many unimplemented feature that superman have. But beta version have it.
![Superman [PS1] Cancelled #superman #ps1 #n64 #xbox #pc #games #ps4 #playstation #dccomics](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/5Wm4DtkdrG0/mqdefault.jpg)
![Superman [PS1] Cancelled #superman #ps1 #n64 #xbox #pc #games #ps4 #playstation #dccomics](/img/tr.png)
My pet theory is that the final product was made intentionally terrible as a screw-you to the IP holders' constrictive demands. There is no other reason a team would have made something as ambitious as this--anywhere from a year to nearly two years out!--and then scrapped it all at the last minute to (late!) deliver a ring flying simulator. If they were pushed around by DC/WB as is often stated, constantly having to redesign the game around their demands, they may have just outright given up and just delivered "something." I don't blame them.
No flying through rings, better intro, better musicm better missions. This would now seem like a mediocre/okay game.
As a prototype, it's not bad. Yes the game probably might fall into that, but given the current state this was made at the time, they might add more and change things up a bit.
That being said, the direction the devs were at the time felt this game was going well until a licensor showed up.
I already know the story. Tough i wished i could play the PS1 version. Only like 5 collectors in the world have it.
Do you mean 5 copies of PS1 versions actually exists in the hands of collectors?
Yep.
The very first second the game starts, it's more superman than the finished release was. How did they go from "protect an ambulance" to "fly through rings"?
Xifihas executive meddling and the developers had to redesign a lot of the game in just a few weeks before scheduled release
@@kstanni87 This going to be developed by Titus Interactive alone, but WBIE pissed-off Titus "for making Superman mean by almost killing real people" and uses Titus' engine to redesign the game, turns the plot and setting "into a virtual world", and was released in May 1999 and panned for weak powers, unresponsive controls, short draw distance, large green "kryptonite" fog, "virtual world" plot, repetitive "fly through rings" gameplay, and poor graphics.
Had the game been more akin to this, it may have just been forgotten in history as another uninteresting licensed game, instead, it would be remembered for ever, for all the wrong reasons.
11/10 No rings!
Don't blame Titus for this. It was WB'S fault. They were telling Titus off for "making superman hurt real people" which was complete bullshit considering he did the same damn thing in the fucking show this game was based on.
With more work, this could've been at least a mediocre/decent game. No classic, but just decent.
Instead this Beta just went back to Alpha Phase.
Is kinda sad actually. With more time and work, this could have been a decent game. Not a classic, but a overall good game. But because of excessive executive meddling combined with lack of time screwed the whole thing.
Wow, most games suck in beta, but the final version is better, this time, the beta is better then the final version! the titus logo is scary though
The titus logo remember so mutch the eye of neversoft logo of spiderman
This is what the final release should be! It really makes me want to say: WHAT WERE THEY THINKING!?
This is much better than what we ended up with. I sure hope James Rolfe (AVGN) finds out about this beta.
Apparently the Superman licensers demanded so many changes to the game that the developers ended up having to scrap most of what they had and do it from scratch and get the game ready a short amount of time before the release date, hence the buggy nature of the final: they probably didn't have time to test the game or fix the issues.
waaaaaay better than the original!
Well... this is technically the original, and what was released after was the successor
@@RaposaCadela the superman 64 what was released is a reset dev
@@damianbirdsyt Titus' original version but they fired by then-distributor Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment because they called Superman "a mean superhero that almost killed real people", and WBIE took over as a developer and redesigning entire game using Titus' assets with virtual setting and rushed in May 1999, became one of the worst games ever made due to repetitive gameplay, unresponsive controls, poor draw distance, and poor graphics.
My God. This looks... tolerable!
Gotta love how even the Titus Fox is like "Aaahr, fuck this."
gotta love how every single n64 3d game ever takes place in silent hill
what happened, this looks like this only needs about a month of bug fixing and adding new content to be an instant classic.
Rebeca Black Executive meddling
@EpicWINNER1000 The controls are pretty much perfect in this version. I don't know if they had some clueless person rewrite the script for the controls or not but they sure changed a lot. If you pay attention to the flying on the first stage then I'm sure you'll notice that Superman reverts once I let go of the moving. Meaning that the moving is not very sensitive.
This is really shocking to see , this version looks actually pretty fun to play and no rings!
Actually one of the producers of the game mentioned that the companies that license Superman wouldn't let them have total control of the game so it got fucked up!
Wow.
I've only just now found out about this beta.
How absolutely unfortunate...
Titus mascot looks like a bootleg Foxy the pirate
Wow, this makes Superman 64 actually.... look like a good game. So, when can we expect to get a ROM of this version?
HOLY SHIT!THIS IS WHAT THE GAME SHOULD HAVE BEEN!
Even in this version, the city still reminds me of Milton Keynes.
Congrats on getting hold of this beta! I actually quite enjoyed the final game, but this puts it completely to shame.
Superman: Thanks, good job, Jimmy!
Jimmy starts running into the wall..
Looks way better than the final version
The Beta gained points in my book for the increased variety but lost points for what happened at 00:05.
"Good job, Jimmy." Yeah, way to be captured, Jimbo.
Although it does look better than what came out, that crudely-done Titus head will probably be my nightmare fuel for the next couple of days... ._.
BEATING THOSE RHINOS IS STILL BETTER THAN RINGS!
the beta is better than the final version WOW!
The beta looks really better than the final game.
Where are the rings? lol
Cool! Superman has lots of health!! Like in the comics!
Looks way better than final version!
Definitely looks better than the hilariously bad final release.
@SSCode09 The retail version was released in 1999, he was basically saying that this beta version was made in 1997/98.
The fact that a, very poor, beta version of Superman 64 is better than the retail version, speaks volumes about how bad the mess that got released was.
WOW: this!
This actually seems like a game! No mother Fu%&#ng rings! And a plot to boot? Music! WOW
the final product looks like a beta ver while the beta ver looks like the final product sigh* when will we get a good solo superman game.
Probably never.
It actually looks all right. There’s no rings, you actually protect metropolis, Bizarro is meant to be in it and you actually fight Mala in the city.
Titus admits that WB forced them to make changes for the Nintendo version while they worked on the PlayStation version. But after making their changes to the Nintendo version, their license ran out and Superman PS1 was midway through development when the license was pulled.
Instead we get the game that became the worst game of the N64.
The Beta version was better.
Dat Titus logo at the beginning...
an example of too much publisher influence if I ever saw it. I get that they fund the project but if you insist on maintaining complete control of the project why not hire some contractors and assemble a dev team yourself instead of putting demands on a pre-established studio.
*Superman beams laser*
Shadows says: Fuck Fuck Fuck Fuck Fuck
I'm pretty sure if they released it in this state, it wouldn't have been nearly as savaged as it was, and still is.
Although, it likely would have been completely forgotten.
The best part about this is that there's no rings!
There sure was a lot of swearing in this game.
it's cool. i'm just gonna slowly carry this box through a subway tunnel.
i can't unhear that now XD;;
A beta version which is better than the final product? Ok, this is something that I have never seen before.
WHAT THE FRAK!? This game looks 10 times better than the one we got? How the frak did they go from this to that abysmal piece of drek!?
aah! what the fuck was with the titus logo?
10:55 Stop the 1 kryptonite diffuserS! lol
Looks better than the retail version.
Whow, the sky is not green as in the final release.
This version very better, and finished Superman 64 must be very hardly and dim-witted pootis game…
Blame the licensor telling Titus to make it so Superman does not punch real people.
@superkeijikun They did go out of business. In 2005 that is.
All I know is that they had to rewrite the code but then everything went to chaos.
But if you own the cartridge, couldn't you just learn how to make a ROM yourself or get someone to come over and do it for you? This isn't just about letting other people play the beta, this needs to be archived and preserved beyond the physical world.
...What the fuck?
The BETA is better than the actual game itself?!
This needs to have a rom dump. This needs to be archived into the internet as good as it looks.
And this was before the game was about flying through hula hoops...
WHAT THE FUCK.
Man, you fucked that rhino UP!
the beta is better that the original
Why is this good? I mean better than the final?
If someone give me this as gift instead of the final version i would accept
the beta is best version
If they just stayed with this type of game play....
@darksardine Exactly, it's quite a surprise.
To users who complain that they wont give a rom:
I understand your point, but if we are going to act like meanies, then they might delete this video and we wont even have a superman 64 beta footage...
Man, Jimmy is small.
still looks like a corn covered turd, better then the official release though
You know your game is an obvious beta when the actual betas of the game are less obviously beta than the final release. Seriously, this is the first time I know of where a game has actually fallen apart between beta and release.
I can't belive he much this game sucked after it was released, I mean...this is great. If only the copyright issues hadn't sprung up.
I know others have asked but I have not really seen any answers but why no rom version? Not like it would degrade the value of it since you would still have the only original :3
god, I'll wait for a rom but this look greath
THE CLOSE FIRST BEST VERSION OF THE GAME THATS A LOT SAYING!!!!!!!!!! THE BEST VERSION IS THE PLAYSTATION VESION BUT THIS HAS THE BEST OPEN WORLD FLYING !!!!!!!!
What did Rareware have to do with this game I thought it was Titus or is Rareware just your username?
@evangelian007 Unfortunately there is no ROM yet. It's too much of a collectors item at the moment to think of.
For everyone wondering why and how the "beta version" could be better than the final product, I offer you a simple explanation:
Whichever employee was in charge of labelling the versions accidentally swapped "beta" and "final", hence the sheer ass-backwardsness of quality.
doesn't look too bad.
I Want Conker
NO RINGS :D
Why proto is better than final? wtf? ;o
Where did you find this beta version of superman 64?
The beta sometimes are better
@CerberusT93
Serves 'em right.
Why does everyone make the "profit" list?
ah...you are aware that NESWORLD now owns the cart & dumped the rom.
did you aquired ps1 superman game too ?
Who came here from ProtoJonsa
Did that rhino explode?
Agreed
same case as sonic 06
awaiting for a ROM....
Who or whom was changed it to the turd of the released version; DC or WB? What're your speculations?
I kind of don't see the improvements on draw distance.
To be fair, it was just a beta. Had WB not interfered, they probably would have fixed the draw distances for the final version.
Better because its open world game just like GTA 3 and later. No glitch caused by reprogramming. Because Superman copyright owner restrict it, Superman 64 become worst game ever in n64 and its one of worst game ever.
Music placing was different. First stage music was actually used for stage 2.
Why they restrict it? I don't know it. It's so strange why copyright owner restrict it.
Released version of this game so many unimplemented feature that superman have. But beta version have it.
Don't you have this cartridge though? o.O
Sin duda éste tiene mejores mecánicas