Visual Concepts

Logo descriptions by Logophile and EnormousRat Logo captures by Logophile and CuriousGeorge60

Background: Visual Concepts was a California-based game developer formed in 1988. It was acquired by Sega and turned to the sole development of the sport titles to support Sega Dreamcast. In 2003 Sega Sports brand was shut down, and then in 2005 Visual Concepts and the sports licenses were sold to Take-Two, which led to the creation of 2K Games. The studio was assimilated into 2K Sports brand and its logo were not seen in the games from this time, although it appears on box covers.

1st (known) Logo

(1992)

Nickname: "The VC Triangle"

Logo: On a black background is a borderline diamond with an upside-down pyramid with a circle taken out of it (to make a shape of a "C". Below is "VISUAL CONCEPTS" in the similar font as the Electronic Arts logo. Everything is in gray. After a few seconds, the logo rapidly zooms in towards the screen.

FX/SFX: The zoom-in.

Music/Sounds: None.

Availability: Seen on Desert Strike: Return to the Gulf for the Super NES.

Editor's Note: None.

2nd Logo

(1993)

Nickname: "The VC Triangle II"

Logo: We see the similar logo from before, except, the upside-down pyramid with the "C" shape is in 2D with it's shadow behind it, and the diamond-square is purple and has the texture on it. Below is "Visual Concepts" in the serif font.

FX/SFX: None.

Music/Sounds: None.

Availability: Only appears on the demo of Claymates.

Editor's Note: None.

3rd Logo

(1993-1994)

Nicknames: "The VC Triangle III", "The Gold VC Triangle"

Logo: It's the similar logo from before, except the diamond square is now has the blue dark-blue gradient color. The upside-down pyramid object is gold and it's in the 3D style. Below the logo is "VISUAL CONCEPTS" in the gold future-styled font. Variants:


 * On ClayFighter and ClayFighter: Tournament Edition for Super NES, the logo tilts and sides in from the left and right respectively, forming the logo.
 * On SNES versions of Madden NFL '94, Bill Walsh College Football, and MLBPA Baseball, "PRESENT" is shown below the logo. Plus on the SNES version of Bill Walsh College Football, the diamond square is it a bit plain blue.

FX/SFX: The logo appearing on ClayFighter SNES variants. Other games, None. Music/Sounds: An orchestral tune with five-noted ping sound. Music/Sounds Variants:
 * On Lester the Unlikely, the logo is a bit smaller.
 * On Dominus, the words, "In association with" are shown above the logo.

Editor's Note: None. 4th Logo
 * Sometimes the opening theme of the game is heard or none.
 * On the Genesis version of ClayFighter, the fanfare is in the lower pitch.Availability: Appears on ClayFighter for SNES and Genesis, ClayFighter: Tournament Edition, Lester the Unlikely, ClayMates for SNES and Dominus. It also appears on the SNES versions of Madden NFL '94, Bill Walsh College Football, and MLBPA Baseball as well.

(1994-1995)

Nickname: "The VC Triangle IV"

Logo: We see enhanced gray-colored triangle which looks more 3D view and has grated left surface. The name in the corporate font appears directly over the triangle in blue color. There is "PRESENT" below. FX/SFX: None. Music/Sounds: None or the opening theme of the game. Availability: Appears on Madden NFL '95 and NHL '95 for SNES. Editor's Note: None. 5th Logo

(1995-1996)

Nicknames: "The VC Triangle V", "The New VC Triangle"

Logo: On a white background, we see grated VC triangle with the new hole design on the right side, it now goes through. The logo casts shadows. The company name is written in blue below the triangle. Variant: On Toughman Contest, the word "PRESENT" is seen under the logo. FX/SFX: None. Music/Sounds: None. On Toughman Contest, it's the opening theme of the game. Availability: Appeared on WeaponLord for Genesis and SNES, on the unfinished Congo game for Genesis and SNES and on Toughman Contest, which was their last title for Sega Genesis. Editor's Note: None. 6th Logo (Viewpoint variant)

(1996)

Nickname: "The VC Triangle VI"

Logo: Continuing where the High Score logo left off during the game's intro, the sphere disappears and bright light spark burns the hole inside the pyramid, which rotates upside down. The name in 3D font appears in the light splash. FX/SFX: The light effects. Music/Sounds: The game's opening theme. Availability: Appeared exclusively on Viewpoint for Playstation. Editor's Note: None. 7th Logo

(1996-1997)

Nickname: "The VC Triangle VII"

Logo: We start over a very dark water-like surface under the skies. Three explosions occur at the distance, emerging orange sparkles. As the fourth explosion takes place, we move to the top view and see the glowing object rising and turning into the triangle. Then "VISUAL CONCEPTS" is wiped below in glowing font. FX/SFX: The logo forming. Music/Sounds: A gloomy soundtrack with explosions and a short synth orchestration at the end. Availability: Appeared on NHL '97 for PlayStation and Sega Saturn and NBA Action '98 for Sega Saturn and PC. It also appears on NBA Fastbreak '98 for PlayStation as well. Editor's Note: None. 8th Logo

(1997-2001)

Nickname: "The VC Triangle VIII"

Logo: We see the regular (post-1994) white triangle with a hole. The name in blue is attached over it, exactly like it was in the 4th logo. Variants:

Music/Sounds: None or the opening theme. Availability: Was seen on NCAA College Football 2K2: Road to the Rose Bowl for Dreamcast and two games mentioned above. Editor's Note: None. 9th Logo
 * On One for PlayStation, the logo appeared over the moving background during the intro clip.
 * On World Series Baseball 2K2, the logo appeared wide on a white background.FX/SFX: None. Either the main logo or any variant were still.

(2001-2006)

Nicknames: "The VC Triangle IX"

Logo: On a gradient blue background, multiple blue lines zoom rapidly to the center, then separate into two packs and the white triangle forms from between. The triangle rotates while "VISUAL CONCEPTS" appears orbiting it and moving into straight view. Several ghostly copies of the name move in background. The triangle stops, shines and the logo fades out. FX/SFX: The logo forming. Music/Sounds: The soundtrack consists of various synth effects. Availability: Appears on 2K sports games through the era such as NBA 2K2, NCAA 2K3 and Sega Soccer Slam. Editor's Note: None.