The YouTube channel for the game developer Dinosaur Games shared this Jet Set Radio ‘Visual Proof of Concept’ that they created, at first it was just models but when Sony saw it at GDC 2017, they said they where interested in seeing it in motion. This is the concept they created. The issue happen when they sent the video to SEGA to approve, according to them, SEGA rejected it. Here is what they posted in the description of the video:
“We made this Visual Proof of Concept after Sony expressed interest in seeing the characters in motion at GDC 2017. We spent a week animating and building the city for this presentation which was ultimately turned down by Sega.”
As for this being a ‘brand new Jet Set Radio‘, I have a few issues with what this Visual Proof of Concept showed. I’m not a huge fan of the ‘light’ outlines around the characters, the over use of green and how slow the speed feels. Though I do feel they nailed a lot of the presentation and ideas from both Jet Set Radio and Jet Set Radio Future. What are you’re thoughts on this ‘Visual Proof of Concept’ by the team?
UPDATE AFTER THE BREAK!
The owner of Dinosaur Games has answered a few questions we had via twitter with more on how the project came to be. It seems that they weren’t contracted by Sony to create this for GDC, but showed Sony their game artwork for Jet Set Radio Evolution, told them they wanted to see the game in motion.
Here is the tweet directly from Jesse Sosa, owner of Dinosaur Games:
I was at GDC and showed Sony some shots of the characters. They liked them and wanted to see them in motion. So we made this video along with a presentation to gauge Sega’s interest before investing time and money into a gameplay demo.
— jesse sosa (@skankerzero) December 17, 2017
It was for a new game. I have an idea for the combat in my head that I think would work perfectly for a game where you’re in constant motion.
— jesse sosa (@skankerzero) December 17, 2017
Ad:We never received any detailed information as to why they said no.
— jesse sosa (@skankerzero) December 17, 2017
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I totally agree about there being way too much green. However, this would have been a good start to a new JSR game. Sega has a ton of awesome IP that just lays dormant.
That is so true, just imagine Streets of Rage, Dragon Force or Skies of Arcadia with new sequals.
We almost got a Streets of Rage fan game a while back, but Sega shut it down. Time passed. Sonic Mania happened. Sega needs the fans more than ever to succeed. For one, if they plan to revive all these old IPs, they have alot on their plate, especially if their deadline is 2020. Why not let fans pick up the slack and make games for them? It would be cheaper and less time consuming in the long run and you actually have people making the games who care about quality. :p I really hope it’s not because of pride. Sega made some dumb decisions in the past because of pride.
Even Phantasy Star is dormant in the west
I too dislike the outline and all the green. What also bothered me were the goggles and the green eyes. Overall almost everything about it feels off.
Too sad
So Sega is just gonna ignore how Sonic Mania was highly successful? I keep saying they should hire the fans to make these games. There’s clearly alot of effort put into making them absolutely perfect. I mean if not these guys then hire the ones who made Hover. The demand is high for a new JSR, even on their japanese polls.