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==History==
==History==
===Development and promotion===
===Development and promotion===
''Aero-Cross'' was intended as the third game under the [[Namco Generations]] label, a brand created by [[Namco Bandai Games]] for use on modernized remakes of their older video games. The first of these was ''[[Pac-Man Championship Edition DX]]'', a critically-acclaimed follow-up to ''[[Pac-Man Championship Edition]]'' that won several awards. ''Aero-Cross'' was produced by [[Hideo Yoshizawa]], the creator of Namco's ''[[Klonoa]]'' and ''[[Mr. Driller]]'' franchises and the chief producer of the Namco Generations series. ''[[Metro-Cross]]'', originally released for arcades in 1985, was relatively popular in Japan and spawned many conversions for other platforms.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Shiga |first1=Yasuki |title=バンダイナムコ、PS3/Xbox 360「エアロクロス」 「メトロクロス」が“超進化”を遂げて復活！ |url=https://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/453423.html |website=Game Watch |publisher=Impress Group |accessdate=25 April 2020 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190627224223/https://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/453423.html |archivedate=27 June 2019 |language=Japanese |date=16 June 2011}}</ref> Yoshizawa appreciated the game for its method of having the player trying to find the fastest possible route to the goal at the end of each level, and wanted to expand on this concept in ''Aero-Cross''. He also wanted to focus on co-operative play, player acceleration, and variations in stage hazards. Many of the game's mechanics and concepts were kept secret.
''Aero-Cross'' was intended as the third game under the [[Namco Generations]] label, a brand created by [[Namco Bandai Games]] for use on modernized remakes of their older video games. The first of these was ''[[Pac-Man Championship Edition DX]]'', a critically-acclaimed follow-up to ''[[Pac-Man Championship Edition]]'' that won several awards. ''Aero-Cross'' was produced by [[Hideo Yoshizawa]], the creator of Namco's ''[[Klonoa]]'' and ''[[Mr. Driller]]'' franchises and the chief producer of the Namco Generations series.<ref name="Vol. 13"/> ''[[Metro-Cross]]'', originally released for arcades in 1985, was relatively popular in Japan and spawned many conversions for other platforms.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Shiga |first1=Yasuki |title=バンダイナムコ、PS3/Xbox 360「エアロクロス」 「メトロクロス」が“超進化”を遂げて復活！ |url=https://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/453423.html |website=Game Watch |publisher=Impress Group |accessdate=25 April 2020 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190627224223/https://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/453423.html |archivedate=27 June 2019 |language=Japanese |date=16 June 2011}}</ref> Yoshizawa appreciated the game for its method of having the player trying to find the fastest possible route to the goal at the end of each level, and wanted to expand on this concept in ''Aero-Cross''.<ref name="Vol. 13">{{cite news |title=Aero-Cross - Interview #2 with Hideo Yoshizawa, Producer of Aero-Cross |url=http://ng.namco-ch.net/eng/news/ng_top_13th.html |accessdate=25 April 2020 |agency=''NG News'' |issue=Vol. 13 |publisher=[[Namco Bandai Games]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200425220625/http://ng.namco-ch.net/eng/news/ng_top_13th.html |archivedate=25 April 2020}}</ref> He also wanted to focus on co-operative play, player acceleration, and variations in stage hazards.<ref name="Vol. 12">{{cite news |title=Aero-Cross - Interview #1 with Hideo Yoshizawa, Producer of Aero-Cross |url=http://ng.namco-ch.net/eng/news/ng_top_12th.html |accessdate=25 April 2020 |agency=NG News |issue=Vol. 12 |publisher=[[Namco Bandai Games]] |date=2011 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200425220607/http://ng.namco-ch.net/eng/news/ng_top_12th.html |archivedate=25 April 2020}}</ref>Many of the game's mechanics and concepts were kept secret.<ref name="Vol. 13"/>


Following a trademark filing in Germany and Australia in August,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fletcher |first1=JC |title=Namco's 'Metro Cross' and 'Aero-Cross' rated |url=https://www.engadget.com/2010-08-31-namcos-metro-cross-and-aero-cross-rated.html |website=[[Engadget]] |publisher=[[Verizon Media]] |accessdate=25 April 2020 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200425212850/https://www.engadget.com/2010-08-31-namcos-metro-cross-and-aero-cross-rated.html |archivedate=25 April 2020 |date=31 August 2010}}</ref> Namco Bandai officially announced ''Aero-Cross'' in October 2010, alongside ''[[Galaga Legions DX]]''. Its reveal was met with confusion from video game news sites, due to the obscurity of its source material and seeming strange to release alongside larger properties like ''[[Galaga]]'' and ''[[Pac-Man]]''.<ref name="Kotaku">{{cite web |last1=Totilo |first1=Stephen |title=New Pac-Man Begets New Galaga Begets New, Uh, Metro-Cross |url=https://kotaku.com/new-pac-man-begets-new-galaga-begets-new-uh-metro-cro-5691408 |website=[[Kotaku]] |accessdate=25 April 2020 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200325202249/https://kotaku.com/new-pac-man-begets-new-galaga-begets-new-uh-metro-cro-5691408 |archivedate=25 March 2020 |date=16 November 2010}}</ref> The company described it as a "dynamic running action" game, and advertised its speed and acceleration.<ref name="Website">{{cite web |title=Aero-Cross official homepage |url=http://ng.namco-ch.net/aerocross/index.html |publisher=[[Namco Bandai Games]] |accessdate=24 April 2020 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121120164514/http://ng.namco-ch.net/aerocross/index.html |archivedate=20 November 2012 |language=Japanese}}</ref> Namco Bandai also said that it would be published for the [[PlayStation 3]] and [[Xbox 360]] as a digital download.<ref name="4Gamer"/>
A trademark for the game was filed in Germany and Australia in August,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fletcher |first1=JC |title=Namco's 'Metro Cross' and 'Aero-Cross' rated |url=https://www.engadget.com/2010-08-31-namcos-metro-cross-and-aero-cross-rated.html |website=[[Engadget]] |publisher=[[Verizon Media]] |accessdate=25 April 2020 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200425212850/https://www.engadget.com/2010-08-31-namcos-metro-cross-and-aero-cross-rated.html |archivedate=25 April 2020 |date=31 August 2010}}</ref>, followed by a rating by the [[Entertainment Software Rating Board]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Barker |first1=Sammy |title=Metro-Cross Successor "Aero-Cross" Confirmed For PlayStation 3 |url=http://www.pushsquare.com/news/2010/10/metro_cross_successor_aero_cross_confirmed_for_playstation_3 |website=[[Push Square]] |publisher=Gamers Network |accessdate=25 April 2020 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170718110458/http://www.pushsquare.com/news/2010/10/metro_cross_successor_aero_cross_confirmed_for_playstation_3 |archivedate=18 July 2017 |date=11 October 2010}}</ref> Namco Bandai officially announced ''Aero-Cross'' in October 2010, alongside ''[[Galaga Legions DX]]''. Due to the obscurity of the original ''Metro-Cross'', and for it seeming strange to release alongside more well-known series like ''[[Pac-Man]]'' and ''[[Galaxian]]'', the reveal was met with confusion from publications.<ref name="Kotaku">{{cite web |last1=Totilo |first1=Stephen |title=New Pac-Man Begets New Galaga Begets New, Uh, Metro-Cross |url=https://kotaku.com/new-pac-man-begets-new-galaga-begets-new-uh-metro-cro-5691408 |website=[[Kotaku]] |accessdate=25 April 2020 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200325202249/https://kotaku.com/new-pac-man-begets-new-galaga-begets-new-uh-metro-cro-5691408 |archivedate=25 March 2020 |date=16 November 2010}}</ref> The company described it as a "dynamic running action" game, and advertised its speed and acceleration.<ref name="Website">{{cite web |title=Aero-Cross official homepage |url=http://ng.namco-ch.net/aerocross/index.html |publisher=[[Namco Bandai Games]] |accessdate=24 April 2020 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121120164514/http://ng.namco-ch.net/aerocross/index.html |archivedate=20 November 2012 |language=Japanese}}</ref> Namco Bandai also said that it would be published for the [[PlayStation 3]] and [[Xbox 360]] as a digital download.<ref name="4Gamer"/>


===Cancellation===
===Cancellation===

Revision as of 22:11, 25 April 2020

Aero-Cross
Developer(s)Namco Bandai Games
Publisher(s)Namco Bandai Games
SeriesMetro-Cross
Platform(s)Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
ReleaseCancelled
Genre(s)Platform
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Aero-Cross[a] is an unreleased platform video game in development by Namco Bandai Games for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. It was intended as a modernized sequel to Metro-Cross, a 1985 arcade game from Namco. Players control a character through each level while avoiding obstacles and trying to get to the end before the timer ran out. There are items that grant different effects, such as a cola can that temporarily freezes the timer, and a skateboard that allows the player to glide across the level.

Produced by Klonoa and Mr. Driller creator Hideo Yoshizawa, Aero-Cross was intended as the third in the Namco Generations series of modernized arcade game remakes. Emphasis was placed on finding alternative routes to get to the end of the level faster, as well as its multiplayer. Namco Bandai remained quiet on the game until December 2012, where it was officially announced as being cancelled. Compared to the other cancelled Namco Generations game, a remaster of Dancing Eyes, critics showed interest in Aero-Cross for its gameplay and concept, and expressed disappointment in its cancellation.

Gameplay

Aero-Cross is presented as an arcade-style platform game, with a heavy emphasis on speed and acceleration.[1] Players control a runner through each course, with the goal being to reach the end before the timer runs out. The end of each level is indicated by a large circular goalpost, with a map being provided at the bottom that shows how far they have reached.[1] Levels feature different themes, such as futuristic cities, deserts, and factories.[1] In these levels, players will need to overcome different stage hazards that will cause their runner to be temporarily stunned and their timer to deplete further. Hazards include giant steel cylinders, tiles that slow down the player if touched, walls that emerge from the ground, and computer-controlled opponents.[1] There are item capsules placed through stages as well, each containing power-ups that grant different abilities. Three items were revealed: a speed boost, a clock that stops time, and a hoverboard that allows players to glide over the level.[1] Running behind other runners creates an effect called a "slipstream", allowing players to run faster than usual.[2] Players can also perform an "air dash" that grants them a temporary boost in speed. Air dashing can also be used to knock opponents off of the map and destroy incoming obstacles.[1]

History

Development and promotion

Aero-Cross was intended as the third game under the Namco Generations label, a brand created by Namco Bandai Games for use on modernized remakes of their older video games. The first of these was Pac-Man Championship Edition DX, a critically-acclaimed follow-up to Pac-Man Championship Edition that won several awards. Aero-Cross was produced by Hideo Yoshizawa, the creator of Namco's Klonoa and Mr. Driller franchises and the chief producer of the Namco Generations series.[3] Metro-Cross, originally released for arcades in 1985, was relatively popular in Japan and spawned many conversions for other platforms.[4] Yoshizawa appreciated the game for its method of having the player trying to find the fastest possible route to the goal at the end of each level, and wanted to expand on this concept in Aero-Cross.[3] He also wanted to focus on co-operative play, player acceleration, and variations in stage hazards.[5]Many of the game's mechanics and concepts were kept secret.[3]

A trademark for the game was filed in Germany and Australia in August,[6], followed by a rating by the Entertainment Software Rating Board.[7] Namco Bandai officially announced Aero-Cross in October 2010, alongside Galaga Legions DX. Due to the obscurity of the original Metro-Cross, and for it seeming strange to release alongside more well-known series like Pac-Man and Galaxian, the reveal was met with confusion from publications.[8] The company described it as a "dynamic running action" game, and advertised its speed and acceleration.[2] Namco Bandai also said that it would be published for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 as a digital download.[1]

Cancellation

As the years progressed, Namco Bandai remained relatively silent towards Aero-Cross, as well as the Namco Generations label itself. This was met with confusion from video game news sites, who were speculating if the game was even in production or not.[9] On December 6, 2012, the company announced that Aero-Cross was officially cancelled, alongside the indefinite discontinuation of the Namco Generations brand.[10] They cited "various circumstances" as the reason for its cancellation.[11][12]

Publications showed interest in Aero-Cross. Writing for Engadget, JG Fletcher said that compared to the other cancelled Namco Generations game, a remake of Dancing Eyes (1996), Aero-Cross had potential.[9] Describing it as "a much more sensible update", Fletcher commented on the game's new features and for building upon the original Metro-Cross gameplay in an interesting manner. He commented: "I do wish I'd had the opportunity to play that, as I spent a few really happy hours in college working through the arcade original on PlayStation. Unlike Dancing Eyes, I can admit to wanting to play that without ending up on some list."[9] Game Watch's Kenji Saeki and Game*Spark's Rikusyo stated that the game's cancellation was disappointing to hear.[11][13] Jordan Devore of Destructoid believed that the game likely never would have had that big of an audience, and would have made much more sense as a mobile phone title than a console game.[14] He concluded in his article: "Considering how much we've actually seen of the project (very little), it shouldn't be too heartbreaking to hear that Aero-Cross has been canceled. If I'm being generous, I could maybe see this type of game performing decently on mobile devices, but it was likely never destined to have a huge audience no matter the platform. Bummer, though -- Metro-Cross was great."[14]

Notes

  1. ^ Japanese: エアロクロス, Hepburn: Earo Kurosu

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Matsumoto, Ryuichi (16 July 2011). "バンダイナムコゲームス，「エアロクロス」の制作を発表。あの「メトロクロス」が現代の技術でド派手なアクションゲームに生まれ変わった". 4gamer.net (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 28 November 2019. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Aero-Cross official homepage" (in Japanese). Namco Bandai Games. Archived from the original on 20 November 2012. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  3. ^ a b c "Aero-Cross - Interview #2 with Hideo Yoshizawa, Producer of Aero-Cross". No. Vol. 13. Namco Bandai Games. NG News. Archived from the original on 25 April 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2020. {{cite news}}: |issue= has extra text (help)
  4. ^ Shiga, Yasuki (16 June 2011). "バンダイナムコ、PS3/Xbox 360「エアロクロス」 「メトロクロス」が"超進化"を遂げて復活！". Game Watch (in Japanese). Impress Group. Archived from the original on 27 June 2019. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  5. ^ "Aero-Cross - Interview #1 with Hideo Yoshizawa, Producer of Aero-Cross". No. Vol. 12. Namco Bandai Games. NG News. 2011. Archived from the original on 25 April 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2020. {{cite news}}: |issue= has extra text (help)
  6. ^ Fletcher, JC (31 August 2010). "Namco's 'Metro Cross' and 'Aero-Cross' rated". Engadget. Verizon Media. Archived from the original on 25 April 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  7. ^ Barker, Sammy (11 October 2010). "Metro-Cross Successor "Aero-Cross" Confirmed For PlayStation 3". Push Square. Gamers Network. Archived from the original on 18 July 2017. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  8. ^ Totilo, Stephen (16 November 2010). "New Pac-Man Begets New Galaga Begets New, Uh, Metro-Cross". Kotaku. Archived from the original on 25 March 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  9. ^ a b c JG Fletcher (19 October 2012). "Dancing Eyes and the death of a Generation". Engadget. Verizon Media. Archived from the original on 25 March 2020. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
  10. ^ "プレイステーション3・Xbox 360 ダウンロード専用ソフト「エアロクロス」開発中止のお知らせ" (in Japanese). Namco Bandai Games. 6 December 2012. Retrieved 22 April 2020. {{cite web}}: Check |archiveurl= value (help)
  11. ^ a b Saeki, Kenji (6 December 2012). "PS3/Xbox 360「エアロクロス」開発を断念。". Game Watch (in Japanese). Impress Group. Archived from the original on 27 June 2019. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
  12. ^ "『メトロクロス』をリメイクしたACT『エアロクロス』が開発中止". Dengeki Online (in Japanese). Dengeki. 6 December 2012. Archived from the original on 27 June 2019. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  13. ^ Rikusyo (6 December 2012). "ナムコ名作『メトロクロス』のリメイク作品『エアロクロス』が開発中止". Game*Spark (in Japanese). IID, Inc. Archived from the original on 5 March 2015. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  14. ^ a b Devore, Jordan (8 December 2012). "Namco Generations game Aero-Cross canceled". Destructoid. Archived from the original on 1 November 2015. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
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