Story: Code, Kickflips and Crunch Time - Mick West's Neversoft Journey
CoRecursive: Coding Stories
Deep Dive
What was the significance of Tony Hawk landing the 900 trick for the release of 'Tony Hawk's Pro Skater'?
Tony Hawk landing the 900 trick, which is two and a half spins, was a historic moment in skateboarding and occurred just before the game was set to go to the duplicators. This event provided a significant boost to the game's marketing and hype, as it was the first time the trick had ever been landed. The Neversoft team quickly incorporated the 900 as Tony Hawk's special move in the game, adding to its appeal and authenticity.
How did Mick West's early career in game development begin?
Mick West's career began in 1989 after he graduated from college and landed his first job at Binary Designs, a game company in Manchester. His first project was 'Steve Davis World Snooker,' a snooker game for the Amiga. Despite the rudimentary development process, which involved manually swapping floppy disks between two computers, Mick successfully completed the game, which received positive reviews and sold reasonably well.
What challenges did Mick West face during the development of 'Tony Hawk's Pro Skater'?
One of the main challenges was the team's lack of familiarity with skateboarding culture. To overcome this, they designed the game around skate video culture, incorporating elements like specific trick spots and video replays. Additionally, the team had to quickly adapt the game's design after playtesters spent more time in an open area with a half pipe, leading to a shift from a downhill-focused game to a level-based design. The team also had to incorporate Tony Hawk's historic 900 trick into the game just before its release.
How did Mick West and his team handle the tight deadlines and scheduling pressures at Neversoft?
Mick West initially resisted creating schedules but eventually adopted a flexible scheduling approach where the team revisited and adjusted the schedule every week. This allowed them to stay on target despite missed deadlines and changing priorities. The team also worked through intense crunch periods, especially when bugs were discovered late in the development process, ensuring the game was ready for its Christmas release.
What role did skate videos play in the development of 'Tony Hawk's Pro Skater'?
Skate videos were a crucial resource for the Neversoft team, who lacked firsthand knowledge of skateboarding culture. They watched skate videos daily during lunch to understand what was considered cool in the skateboarding world. This influenced the game's design, including the inclusion of specific trick spots and video replays. The videos also highlighted the importance of music in skate culture, leading the team to license tracks from bands like Primus and Goldfinger for the game.
How did the success of 'Tony Hawk's Pro Skater' impact Neversoft?
The success of 'Tony Hawk's Pro Skater' transformed Neversoft into a major player in the gaming industry. The game became a bestseller, and the company grew significantly, expanding its team and professionalizing its operations. The success also led to the development of sequels, with the team incorporating features that had been cut from the first game due to time constraints. The royalties and bonuses from the game's sales further solidified Neversoft's financial stability and reputation.
- First job at Binary Designs in Manchester, located between a kebab shop and a phone sex hotline
- Developed Steve Davis World Snooker for Amiga
- Company bankruptcy and job search
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