Criterion Games: Difference between revisions

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Background

Criterion Studios (or Software) was founded in 1993 and shipped its first game, Scorched Planet, in 1996. Soon after, they changed their public name to Criterion Games and began focusing on their famous Burnout franchise, which they continue to develop to this day. They are also responsible for the widely acclaimed game engine RenderWare, which was especially popular in the 2000's, as well as the reboots of Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit and Most Wanted. In 2004, Criterion was sold by their owner Canon to Electronic Arts.

Contents

1st Logo (December 31, 1996)	2nd Logo (November 11, 1997-September 10, 1998)	3rd Logo (September 9, 1999-December 31, 2000)	4th Logo (November 1, 2001-January 22, 2008)	5th Logo (February 5, 2009-August 21, 2018)	6th Logo (June 19, 2020-)

1st Logo (December 31, 1996)

Visuals: A black dog walks into an orange background. It stops, looks at us and turns its head left and right. Then the dog suddenly opens its mouth wide and roars. After such a startling action, it turns back and the word "CRiterion" in a decorative font flies from under the dog's mouth to its permanent place.

Technique: 2D animation.

Audio: The dog snuffling and whimpering, then a sudden roar.

Availability: Only seen on Scorched Planet.

2nd Logo (November 11, 1997-September 10, 1998)

Visuals: The Criterion dog is placed over a white background. The stacked words "CRiterion Studios" are under the dog in a decorative orange font.

Technique: A still graphic.

Audio: None.

Availability: Appears on Redline Racer and Sub Culture.

3rd Logo (September 9, 1999-December 31, 2000)

Visuals: The familiar dog is placed inside a round-corner orange rectangle with a double mismatched border. The words "criterion studios" are below, with "criterion" placed on a white field.

Technique: A still, computerized graphic.

Audio: None for the still version.

Availability: Can be seen on several games, such as Suzuki Alstare Extreme Racing and Trickstyle.

4th Logo (November 1, 2001-January 22, 2008)

Visuals: On a black background, there is a glossy black picture of the dog, looking at us. The name "Criterion" in red is below the dog, with "GAMES" in blue underneath. The logo shines, then blows to pieces.

Variants:

The early version has a white background.
The logo was seen once without blowing up.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: The sound of the explosion. None or the game's opening theme for the white variant.

Availability: The white version appeared on AirBlade. Also seen on the Burnout series, except for version 1.6-1.9 of Burnout Paradise and Burnout Paradise Remastered; Criterion Games has changed their logo by then.

Legacy: This logo has achieved its popularity due to being present on the commercially successful Burnout franchise, especially with the Burnout Revenge variant.

5th Logo (February 5, 2009-August 21, 2018)

Visuals: Many red and white lights come and flash on the screen, eventually leaving "Criteriongames" (with "Criterion" in white and "games" in black) on a red background, which slowly zooms in.

Variant: A newer variant shows the same sequence happening, except "games" is omitted and the animation is more high-quality.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: Some kinds of dark electronic sounds, although the newer variant has a lighter sound.

Availability: It first appeared on Burnout Paradise: The Ultimate Box (with the exception of the PC version) and the trailer for said game. It also appears on Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit (2010) and Most Wanted (2012). The newer variant can be seen on Burnout: Paradise Remastered and other games from the company.

6th Logo (June 19, 2020-)

Visuals: On an indigo background is various coloured lines forming stylized text reading "Criterion" in red, pink, purple, blue, and teal. The logo then cuts to black.

Technique: 2D animation.

Audio: Various car sounds including a car's ignition starting, metal denting, and tires screeching.

Availability: First seen on the Nintendo Switch version of Burnout Paradise Remastered.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{credits|description=EnormousRat|video=MartinIgna SalasV and Broken Saw}}
+{{PageButtons|Criterion Games|Logo Variations=1}}{{Guidance|reason=jumpscare}}{{credits|description=EnormousRat|video=MartinIgna SalasV and Broken Saw}}
 ===Background===
 '''Criterion Studios''' (or Software) was founded in 1993 and shipped its first game, ''Scorched Planet'', in 1996. Soon after, they changed their public name to '''Criterion Games''' and began focusing on their famous ''Burnout'' franchise, which they continue to develop to this day. They are also responsible for the widely acclaimed game engine [[RenderWare]], which was especially popular in the 2000's, as well as the reboots of ''Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit'' and ''Most Wanted''. In 2004, Criterion was sold by their owner Canon to [[Electronic Arts]].
+{{ImageTOC
+|Criterion_Studios_(1996).jpeg|1st Logo (December 31, 1996)
+|Criterion_Studios_(1997).jpeg|2nd Logo (November 11, 1997-September 10, 1998)
+|Criterion_Studios_(1999).jpeg|3rd Logo (September 9, 1999-December 31, 2000)
+|Criterion_Games_(2004).png|4th Logo (November 1, 2001-January 22, 2008)
+|Criterion_Games_(2008).png|5th Logo (February 5, 2009-August 21, 2018)
+|Criterion_Games_2018.png|6th Logo (June 19, 2020-)
+}}
 ===1st Logo (December 31, 1996)===
@@ Line 7: / Line 16: @@
 [[File:Criterion Studios (1996).jpeg|350px|center]]
 {{YouTube|id=8UTcdX_8zg8}}
+{{Guidance detail|reason=jumpscare(0:23)}}
-'''Logo:''' A black dog walks into an {{color|orange}} background. It stops, looks at us and turns its head left and right. Then the dog suddenly opens its mouth wide and roars. After such a startling action, it turns back and the word "CRiterion" in a decorative font flies from under the dog's mouth to its permanent place.
+'''Visuals:''' A black dog walks into an {{color|orange}} background. It stops, looks at us and turns its head left and right. Then the dog suddenly opens its mouth wide and roars. After such a startling action, it turns back and the word "CRiterion" in a decorative font flies from under the dog's mouth to its permanent place.
 '''Technique:''' 2D animation.
-'''Music/Sounds:''' The dog snuffling and whimpering, then a sudden roar.
+'''Audio:''' The dog snuffling and whimpering, then a sudden roar.
 '''Availability:''' Only seen on ''Scorched Planet''.
 ===2nd Logo (November 11, 1997-September 10, 1998)===
@@ Line 22: / Line 29: @@
 [[File:Criterion Studios (1997).jpeg|350px|center]]
-'''Logo:''' The Criterion dog is placed over a white background. The stacked words "CRiterion Studios" are under the dog in a decorative {{color|orange}} font.
+'''Visuals:''' The Criterion dog is placed over a white background. The stacked words "CRiterion Studios" are under the dog in a decorative {{color|orange}} font.
-'''Technique:''' None.
+'''Technique:''' A still graphic.
-'''Music/Sounds:''' None.
-'''Availability:''' Extremely rare. Appears on ''Redline Racer'' and ''Sub Culture''.
+'''Audio:''' None.
+'''Availability:''' Appears on ''Redline Racer'' and ''Sub Culture''.
 ===3rd Logo (September 9, 1999-December 31, 2000)===
@@ Line 37: / Line 42: @@
 {{YouTube|id=Plp8To2-cgs}}
-'''Logo:''' The familiar dog is placed inside a round-corner {{color|orange}} rectangle with a double mismatched border. The words "''criterion studios''" are below, with "''criterion''" placed on a white field.
+'''Visuals:''' The familiar dog is placed inside a round-corner {{color|orange}} rectangle with a double mismatched border. The words "''criterion studios''" are below, with "''criterion''" placed on a white field.
+'''Technique:''' A still, computerized graphic.
-'''Variant:''' On ''Deep Fighter'' for Dreamcast, the logo takes place at the bottom of an ocean. Several small blue fishes then swim above it.
-'''Technique:''' None. CGI for the ''Deep Fighter'' variant.
+'''Audio:''' None for the still version.
+'''Availability:'''  Can be seen on several games, such as ''Suzuki Alstare Extreme Racing'' and ''Trickstyle''.
-'''Music/Sounds:''' None for the still version. On the ''Deep Fighter'' variant, we hear ocean sounds.
-'''Availability:''' Rare. Can be seen on several games, such as ''Suzuki Alstare Extreme Racing'' and ''Trickstyle''.
 ===4th Logo (November 1, 2001-January 22, 2008)===
@@ Line 51: / Line 55: @@
 File:Criterion Games (2001).png
 File:Criterion Games (2004).png
-File:Criterion Games (2006).png
 </gallery>
 {{YouTube|id=wIj_erec2sQ|id2=1yXwwg0OsVs|id3=IFW15hN3nq8|id4=MhCd9SV-ubI}}
-'''Logo:''' On a black background, we see a glossy black picture of the dog, looking at us. The name "{{font|OCR B|{{color|red|Criterion}}}}" in red is below the dog, with "{{color|blue|GAMES}}" in blue underneath. The logo shines, then blows to pieces.
+'''Visuals:''' On a black background, there is a glossy black picture of the dog, looking at us. The name "{{font|OCR B|{{color|red|Criterion}}}}" in red is below the dog, with "{{color|blue|GAMES}}" in blue underneath. The logo shines, then blows to pieces.
 '''Variants:'''
 *The early version has a white background.
 *The logo was seen once without blowing up.
-*On ''Black'', the logo is {{color|gold}} with interlacing. It then disappears in a TV-shutoff effect.
-*On ''Burnout Revenge'', ''Burnout Dominator'', and version 1.0-1.5 of ''Burnout Paradise'', the logo is normal, until two cars crash towards each other, creating a big explosion.
 '''Technique:''' CGI.
-'''Music/Sounds:''' The sound of the explosion. None or the game's opening theme for the white variant.
+'''Audio:''' The sound of the explosion. None or the game's opening theme for the white variant.
-'''Availability:''' Uncommon. The white version appeared on ''AirBlade''. Also seen on the ''Burnout'' series, except for version 1.6-1.9 of ''Burnout Paradise'' and ''Burnout Paradise Remastered''; Criterion Games has changed their logo by then.
+'''Availability:'''  The white version appeared on ''AirBlade''. Also seen on the ''Burnout'' series, except for version 1.6-1.9 of ''Burnout Paradise'' and ''Burnout Paradise Remastered''; Criterion Games has changed their logo by then.
 '''Legacy:''' This logo has achieved its popularity due to being present on the commercially successful ''Burnout'' franchise, especially with the ''Burnout Revenge'' variant.
@@ Line 76: / Line 77: @@
 File:Criterion Games (2008).png
 File:Criterion Games (2018).png
-File:NFS MW Criterion.png
-File:SWBF2 Criterion Logo.png
 </gallery>
 {{YouTube|id=t-FPCUYsRXU|id2=MRUMx1-w9fY}}
-'''Logo:''' Many {{color|red}} and white lights come and flash on the screen, eventually leaving "Criteriongames" (with "Criterion" in white and "games" in black) on a {{color|red}} background, which slowly zooms in.
+'''Visuals:''' Many {{color|red}} and white lights come and flash on the screen, eventually leaving "Criteriongames" (with "Criterion" in white and "games" in black) on a {{color|red}} background, which slowly zooms in.
+'''Variant:''' A newer variant shows the same sequence happening, except "games" is omitted and the animation is more high-quality.
-'''Variants:'''
-* A newer variant shows the same sequence happening, except "games" is omitted and the animation is more high-quality.
-* On ''Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit'' (2010), it appears after the [[Electronic Arts]] logo glitches out. After a few seconds, a few {{color|red}} and {{color|blue}} police lights pass through and the logo dashes out, transitioning to the {{color|red}} text "HOT PURSUIT" which is part of the game's logo. The same happens on the beta version, but the logo transforms into the Chameleon Engine logo, which consists of  "Chameleon" in black and "engine" in white, with a red stylized chameleon hanging onto the second "e" in "engine".
-* On ''Need for Speed: Most Wanted'' (2012), the logo (in a wide red rectangle) zooms towards us over a white and red cityscape, followed by the game's logo.
-* On ''Star Wars: Battlefront II'' (2017), the logo (without "games") is formed by blue glowing lines. It then glitches away after a few seconds. Copyright information is also seen below.
 '''Technique:''' CGI.
-'''Music/Sounds:''' Some kinds of dark electronic sounds, although the newer variant has a lighter sound.
+'''Audio:''' Some kinds of dark electronic sounds, although the newer variant has a lighter sound.
-'''Music/Sounds Variant:''' On ''Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit'' (2010), we hear a brief orchestral fragment transitioning onto a quick drum solo which then segues into "Edge of The Earth" by Thirty Seconds to Mars.
 '''Availability:''' It first appeared on ''Burnout Paradise: The Ultimate Box'' (with the exception of the PC version) and the trailer for said game. It also appears on ''Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit'' (2010) and ''Most Wanted'' (2012). The newer variant can be seen on ''Burnout: Paradise Remastered'' and other games from the company.
 ===6th Logo (June 19, 2020-)===
-<gallery mode="packed">
+<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
 File:Criterion Games 2018.png
+</gallery>
-File:NFS HPR Criterion Logo.png
+'''Visuals:''' On an indigo background is various coloured lines forming stylized text reading "Criterion" in red, pink, purple, blue, and teal. The logo then cuts to black.
-File:NFSUnbound Criterion Logo.png
-</gallery>'''Logo:''' On an indigo background, we see various coloured lines forming stylized text reading "Criterion" in red, pink, purple, blue, and teal. The logo then cuts to black.
-'''Variants:'''
-* On ''Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit Remastered'', the [[Electronic Arts]], Criterion and [[Stellar Entertainment]] logos flash in {{color|red}} and {{color|blue}} lights, then are fully revealed in white, before fading away, one after the other. Then, the {{color|red}} text "HOT PURSUIT" quickly scrolls across the screen, followed by the game's logo.
-* On ''Need for Speed Unbound'', the logo is white and takes place in a view of Lakeshore City (the game's setting). It then glitches, showing the 2009 and 1997 logos, before cutting to the current one.
 '''Technique:''' 2D animation.
-'''Music/Sounds:''' Various car sounds including a car's ignition starting, metal denting, and tires screeching.
+'''Audio:''' Various car sounds including a car's ignition starting, metal denting, and tires screeching.
-'''Availability:''' Current. First seen on the Nintendo Switch version of ''Burnout Paradise Remastered''.
+'''Availability:'''  First seen on the Nintendo Switch version of ''Burnout Paradise Remastered''.