New Tom Payne interview

I think that probably just refers to the priority flag in the 16x16 mappings.

Also, these maps are very, very interesting! It's amazing to see how much the level has changed since early development.

 

Huh. Now that's some pretty interesting stuff. So G. City was just Metropolis all along?

Also: "Tom Payne as usual, I see"

 

Yeah, but I couldn't understand how. But now that I come to think on it, maybe 100 is binary (I was trying to think in hexadecimal) - in that case then the value makes sense. Ugh, gotta hate when you don't know what the base is.

 

I really like what I'm seeing so far!
Also, I'm wondering what's this "D174" thing in top of MZ3...

 

Good to see that we finally got some material. It's interesting and I like how in 3C the Marble Zone horizontal spike platforms make an appearance.

 

I'm disappointed that he didn't say what the second rumor about Hill Top Zone was.

 

Good to know too. I don't usually bet on Google Translate for things because it's highly irrevelant, but here is a little thing I noticed a while back:

Genocide: ??????
Cyber: ????

 

Oh wow... those kana are actually pretty similar! You're right—it could be pretty easy to mix those up. Great observation.

Good news—we got another response! I linked Tom to the thread and he offered to answer some of the questions raised by people in their posts:

And the scans in question:

Badnik Concepts - 1, 2, 3
Metropolis Level Concepts - 1, 2, 3
Metropolis Foreground Concept
Metropolis Background Concept
Explanation of the Sprite System
Digitizer Disks (enemy concepts and materials from the unreleased game B-Bomb)
Tom Payne's Checklist - May 4th, 1992

Is drx or anyone else willing to help obtain the contents from the disk? I can't really determine what format they are just by looking at them, but I'm not exactly well-versed when it comes to data recovery...

Very interesting stuff this time around! Awaiting more as it comes, as always. Enjoy.

 

Omg

 

Sandcrab on the disk.

 

Early Redz the dinobot on one of the disks. <3

 

I can do it.

 

Level concept is really neat, but I'm much more interested about those disks than anything. The enemy concept is great though too.

 

That dragonfly concept is AMAZING. *Continues viewing*

 

Is anyone else thinking that most of these concepts (most especially the dragonfly) are way better than what got into the final game? The bee exploding the bridge is, like - genius. And was that drilling mole some early idea for Grounder?
Also, 'draw two mid-level bosses'?

 

What's written on those disks sounds awesome! I did enjoy how on this page: http://xkeeper.sonicretro.org/payne/spritesystem.JPG they flip flopped pallet and palette. Reminds me of the days where people here argued how it should be.

 

Those badnick designs are simply awesome!

Would love to see these badnicks in action!

Also...Mid-level Bosses?! That was on the drawing table at the time?!

Neat Stuff!

 

omg



WHY MUST THIS BALL TAUNT US!

 

Sonic Sweat Shop? Haha....check the middle of the page.

 

Hah! This timeline of his work helps immensely with my own timelines :D