Underground Development: Difference between revisions

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===Background===
===Background===
The company was founded in 1994 as "'''Z-Axis Games'''" and in May 2002, it was acquired by [[Activision]]. In February 2008, the name was changed to "'''Underground Development'''", but later in May, the company closed. However, the studio remained open and moved to a new office in the Redwood Shores area of Redwood City, California in February 2009. In February 2011, Activision closed the studio.
'''Z-Axis Games''' was founded in 1994 by David Luntz, and based in San Mateo, California. In May 2002, the studio was acquired by [[Activision]], and moved to Hayward, California. In February 2008, Z-Axis changed its name to '''Underground Development''', but later in April, it was announced Activision would close the studio. However, UD remained open and moved to a new office in Foster City, California the next month. In February 2010, Activision finally closed the studio.

{{SeparateTOC
|Z-Axis Games|
{{ImageTOC
|Z-Axis (1998-99) - 1.png|1st Logo (April 17, 1998-November 23, 1999)
⚫
|ZAxisBringThePain.jpeg|2nd Logo (September 14, 2000-December 6, 2002)
⚫
|Z-Axis Games (2006).png|3rd Logo (November 16, 2005-May 19, 2006)
}}
⚫
|Underground Development|
{{ImageTOC
⚫
|Underground Development (2009).png|(May 27, 2008-February 19, 2010)
}}}}


==Z-Axis Games==
==Z-Axis Games==
===1st Logo (1995-November 15, 1999)===
===1st Logo (April 17, 1998-November 23, 1999)===
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
File:Z-Axis (1998-99) - 1.png
Z-Axis (1998-99) - 1.png
File:Z-Axis (1998-99) - 2.png
Z-Axis (1998-99) - 2.png
File:Z-Axis (1998-99) - 3.png
Z-Axis (1998-99) - 3.png
</gallery>{{YouTube|id=m77hPHS_CC4}}
</gallery>
{{YouTube|id=tw7swwMr6o4|id2=jNinEqL5Lzw|id3=Cp1BWDEwbQs}}


'''Logo:''' The logo is designed as the name "{{color|blue|''Z-AXIS''}}" in a custom font, with the "Z" letter's spine ending in three {{color|green}} points. There are variants for each game developed.
'''Logo:''' The logo is designed as the name "{{color|blue|'''''Z-AXIS'''''}}" in a custom font, with the "Z" letter's spine ending in three {{color|green}} points. There are variants for each game developed.


'''Variants:'''
'''Variants:'''
⚫
* On ''Alexi Lalas International Soccer'', we see a {{color|blue}} cloudy background, with thunder appearing at the center. Electricity then makes part of the "Z", then the other parts of the logo appear and meet. The finished logo glows.
*On ''Space Invaders'', a spaceship moves below, trying to shoot its target, an alien vessel above, but hits the logo hanging in the center. For the third time, it shoots past the hyphen mark and succeeds, then a man climbs out of the ship and celebrates.
* On ''Space Invaders'', a spaceship moves below, trying to shoot its target, an alien vessel above, but hits the logo hanging in the center. For the third time, it shoots past the hyphen mark and succeeds, then a man climbs out of the ship and celebrates.
⚫
*On ''Alexi Lalas International Soccer'', we see a {{color|blue}} cloudy background, with thunder appearing at the center. Electricity then makes part of the "Z", then the other parts of the logo appear and meet. The finished logo glows.
*On ''Thrasher: Skate and Destroy'', the logo is seen on the wall of a skate park. 2 skaters skate through, one of them falling off and sending his skateboard flying into the camera and destroying it.
* On ''Thrasher: Skate and Destroy'', the logo is seen on the wall of a skate park. The camera records as two skaters skate through the top of the wall, but one of them falls off and sends his skateboard flying into the camera, breaking it in the process.


'''Technique:''' Depends on the variant.
'''Technique:''' 3D computer animation.


'''Music/Sounds:''' Depends on the variant.
'''Music/Sounds:''' Depends on the variant.
Line 25: Line 38:
'''Music/Sounds Variant:''' On ''Alexi Lalas International Soccer'', we hear thunder, followed by a whoosh, a synth chord, pounding sounds and a crowd cheering.
'''Music/Sounds Variant:''' On ''Alexi Lalas International Soccer'', we hear thunder, followed by a whoosh, a synth chord, pounding sounds and a crowd cheering.


'''Availability:''' Seen on the games listed above and some others from the time.
'''Availability:''' Seen on the games listed above, as well as ''Fox Sports College Hoops '99'' for Nintendo 64.


⚫
===2nd Logo (September 14, 2000-December 6, 2002)===
⚫
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
⚫
ZAxisBringThePain.jpeg|''Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX''
⚫
Z-Axis (2000-03) - 2.png|''Freestyle Motocross: McGrath vs Pastrana''
⚫
ZAxisRock.jpeg|''Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 2''
⚫
Z-Axis (2000-03) - 4.png|''Aggressive Inline''
⚫
Z-Axis (2000-03) - 5.png|''BMX XXX'' (Gamecube)
⚫
Z-Axis (2000-03) - 6.png|''BMX XXX'' (PS2)
</gallery>
{{YouTube|id=MFmYsNz8n4Q|id2=Glqa48smevM|id3=7fuePMM80x0|id4=K0Tn0xciQy0}}


⚫
'''Logo:''' We see the Z-Axis logo from before on a black background, but it's 2D and is in a white rounded rectangle. As before, there is a different variant for each game developed.

⚫
===2nd Logo (September 14, 2000-December 5, 2003)===
⚫
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
⚫
File:ZAxisBringThePain.jpeg|''Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX'' variant.
⚫
File:Z-Axis (2000-03) - 2.png|''Freestyle Motocross: McGrath vs Pastrana'' variant
⚫
File:ZAxisRock.jpeg|''Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 2'' variant.
⚫
File:Z-Axis (2000-03) - 4.png|''Aggressive Inline'' variant
⚫
File:Z-Axis (2000-03) - 5.png|''BMX XXX (Gamecube)'' variant
⚫
File:Z-Axis (2000-03) - 6.png|''BMX XXX (PS2)'' variant
⚫
</gallery>'''Logo:''' We see the Z-Axis logo from before on a black background, but it's 2D and is in a rounded rectangle. As before, there is a different variant for each game developed.


'''Variants:'''
'''Variants:'''
*On ''Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX'', the logo appears on a bandage seen on a BMX rider. Then the doctor gets a chainsaw out and cuts to the 2D Z-Axis logo with "Developed by" on the top in a white Arial Black font and the slogan "Bring the Pain." on the bottom also in white. This also appears in the ''Maximum Remix'' version of the game.
* On ''Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX'', the logo appears on a bandage seen on an injured BMX rider. Then the doctor gets a chainsaw out and the scene cuts to the 2D Z-Axis logo with "Developed by" on the top in a white Arial Black font and the slogan "Bring the Pain." on the bottom also in white. This also appears in the ''Maximum Remix'' version of the game.
*On ''Freestyle Motocross: McGrath vs. Pastrana'', the logo appears without the rectangle, and then catches on fire.
* On ''Freestyle Motocross: McGrath vs. Pastrana'', the logo appears without the rectangle, and then catches on fire.
*On ''Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 2'', the logo appears normal at first with "Developed By" on the top in white. Then after a split seconds, the text "{{color|orange|ROCK.}}" appears before cutting to a fast slideshow of pictures of the Z-Axis staff, before finally changing into a video of the company's flag waving on the sky.
* On ''Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 2'', the logo appears normal at first with "Developed By" on the top in white. Then after for a split second, the text "{{color|orange|ROCK.}}" appears before cutting to a fast slideshow of pictures of the Z-Axis staff, before finally changing into a video of the company's flag waving on the sky.
*On ''Aggressive Inline'', the logo has a quote on the bottom from G.W.F. Hegel that says "Nothing great in the world has ever been accomplished without passion" alongside the usual "Developed By" text. This is then followed by an FMV of an employee destroying a computer after it goes wrong.
* On ''Aggressive Inline'', the logo has a quote on the bottom from G.W.F. Hegel that says "Nothing great in the world has ever been accomplished without passion" alongside the usual "Developed By" text. This is then followed by an FMV of a Z-Axis employee destroying a computer after it goes wrong.
*On ''BMX XXX'', the logo is on the shirt of a girl alongside the "Developed By" text in {{color|green}}, as effects play through the video which include the logo moving quickly to the left.
* On ''BMX XXX'', the logo is on the shirt of a girl alongside the "Developed By" text in {{color|green}}, as effects play through the video which include the logo moving quickly to the left.
**The PS2 version of ''BMX XXX'' instead features the logo, sans the rectangle zooming onto a white background alongside a quote from Oscar Wilde, which says "The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it."
** The PS2 version of ''BMX XXX'' instead features the logo, sans the rectangle zooming onto a white background alongside a quote from Oscar Wilde, which says "The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it."


'''Technique:''' Depends on the variant.
'''Technique:''' Depends on the variant.
Line 51: Line 65:
'''Music/Sounds:''' Depends on the variant.
'''Music/Sounds:''' Depends on the variant.


'''Availability:''' Seen on the games listed above and some others developed by the company at the time, mainly during their partnership with [[Acclaim Entertainment]].
'''Availability:''' Seen on the games listed above.


===3rd Logo (November 16, 2005-May 19, 2006)===
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
Z-Axis Games (2006).png
</gallery>
{{YouTube|id=exEzkJwMAYs}}


⚫
'''Logo:''' First, a {{color|darkviolet|purple}} vertical rectangle appears, full of microscheme patterns, which flashes out and returns with the picture of a dictator-looking scientist holding his arms around a source of ray light. Under the picture, the name "{{color|blue|'''Z-AXIS'''}} {{color|gold|G A M E S}}" appears, stylized somewhat similar to the previous logos. The ray light decreases, then flashes again and the logo is gone.


'''Technique:''' 2D computer animation.
⚫
===3rd Logo (November 16, 2005-May 16, 2006)===
[[File:Z-Axis Games (2006).png|center|frameless|350x350px]]
⚫
'''Logo:''' First, a {{color|darkviolet|purple}} vertical rectangle appears, full of microscheme patterns, which flashes out and returns with the picture of a dictator-looking scientist holding his arms around a source of ray light. Under the picture, the name "Z-AXIS GAMES" appears, stylized somewhat similar to the previous logos. The ray light decreases, then flashes again and the logo is gone.

'''Technique:''' The flashes and ray tracing over the background.


'''Music/Sounds:''' Whooshing sounds.
'''Music/Sounds:''' Whooshing sounds.


'''Availability:''' Appeared on ''True Crime: New York City'' and ''X-Men: The Official Game''.
'''Availability:''' Appears on ''True Crime: New York City'' and ''X-Men: The Official Game''.


==Underground Development==
===(May 27, 2008-February 19, 2010)===
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
Underground Development (2009).png
</gallery>


⚫
'''Logo:''' There is a metallic shield in the form of a down-pointing arrow, which has the dark words "'''{{Big|U}}NDERGROUN{{Big|D}}''' {{Small|DEVELOPMENT}}" over it.

⚫
==Underground Development==
⚫
===(May 27, 2008-December 22, 2009)===
⚫
[[File:Underground Development (2009).png|center|frameless|350x350px]]
⚫
'''Logo:''' There is a metallic shield in the form of a down-pointing arrow, which has the dark words "UNDERGROUND DEVELOPMENT" over it.


'''Technique:''' None.
'''Technique:''' None.
Line 76: Line 93:
'''Music/Sounds:''' None.
'''Music/Sounds:''' None.


'''Availability:''' Appeared on ''Guitar Hero: Van Halen'' and the PlayStation 3 version of ''Enemy Territory: Quake Wars''.
'''Availability:''' Appears on ''Guitar Hero: Van Halen'' and the PlayStation 3 version of ''Enemy Territory: Quake Wars''.




{{Video Game-Navbox}}
{{Video Game-Navbox}}

Revision as of 13:23, 14 January 2023

Credits
Descriptions by
EnormousRat

Captures by
EnormousRat

Editions by
CuriousGeorge60


Background

Z-Axis Games was founded in 1994 by David Luntz, and based in San Mateo, California. In May 2002, the studio was acquired by Activision, and moved to Hayward, California. In February 2008, Z-Axis changed its name to Underground Development, but later in April, it was announced Activision would close the studio. However, UD remained open and moved to a new office in Foster City, California the next month. In February 2010, Activision finally closed the studio.


Z-Axis Games

Contents

1st Logo (April 17, 1998-November 23, 1999) 2nd Logo (September 14, 2000-December 6, 2002) 3rd Logo (November 16, 2005-May 19, 2006)
1st Logo (April 17, 1998-November 23, 1999) 2nd Logo (September 14, 2000-December 6, 2002) 3rd Logo (November 16, 2005-May 19, 2006)


Underground Development

Contents

(May 27, 2008-February 19, 2010)  
(May 27, 2008-February 19, 2010)

Z-Axis Games

1st Logo (April 17, 1998-November 23, 1999)


Logo: The logo is designed as the name "Z-AXIS" in a custom font, with the "Z" letter's spine ending in three green points. There are variants for each game developed.

Variants:

  • On Alexi Lalas International Soccer, we see a blue cloudy background, with thunder appearing at the center. Electricity then makes part of the "Z", then the other parts of the logo appear and meet. The finished logo glows.
  • On Space Invaders, a spaceship moves below, trying to shoot its target, an alien vessel above, but hits the logo hanging in the center. For the third time, it shoots past the hyphen mark and succeeds, then a man climbs out of the ship and celebrates.
  • On Thrasher: Skate and Destroy, the logo is seen on the wall of a skate park. The camera records as two skaters skate through the top of the wall, but one of them falls off and sends his skateboard flying into the camera, breaking it in the process.

Technique: 3D computer animation.

Music/Sounds: Depends on the variant.

Music/Sounds Variant: On Alexi Lalas International Soccer, we hear thunder, followed by a whoosh, a synth chord, pounding sounds and a crowd cheering.

Availability: Seen on the games listed above, as well as Fox Sports College Hoops '99 for Nintendo 64.

2nd Logo (September 14, 2000-December 6, 2002)

  • Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX

    Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX

  • Freestyle Motocross: McGrath vs Pastrana

    Freestyle Motocross: McGrath vs Pastrana

  • Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 2

    Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 2

  • Aggressive Inline

    Aggressive Inline

  • BMX XXX (Gamecube)

    BMX XXX (Gamecube)

  • BMX XXX (PS2)

    BMX XXX (PS2)


Logo: We see the Z-Axis logo from before on a black background, but it's 2D and is in a white rounded rectangle. As before, there is a different variant for each game developed.

Variants:

  • On Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX, the logo appears on a bandage seen on an injured BMX rider. Then the doctor gets a chainsaw out and the scene cuts to the 2D Z-Axis logo with "Developed by" on the top in a white Arial Black font and the slogan "Bring the Pain." on the bottom also in white. This also appears in the Maximum Remix version of the game.
  • On Freestyle Motocross: McGrath vs. Pastrana, the logo appears without the rectangle, and then catches on fire.
  • On Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 2, the logo appears normal at first with "Developed By" on the top in white. Then after for a split second, the text "ROCK." appears before cutting to a fast slideshow of pictures of the Z-Axis staff, before finally changing into a video of the company's flag waving on the sky.
  • On Aggressive Inline, the logo has a quote on the bottom from G.W.F. Hegel that says "Nothing great in the world has ever been accomplished without passion" alongside the usual "Developed By" text. This is then followed by an FMV of a Z-Axis employee destroying a computer after it goes wrong.
  • On BMX XXX, the logo is on the shirt of a girl alongside the "Developed By" text in green, as effects play through the video which include the logo moving quickly to the left.
    • The PS2 version of BMX XXX instead features the logo, sans the rectangle zooming onto a white background alongside a quote from Oscar Wilde, which says "The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it."

Technique: Depends on the variant.

Music/Sounds: Depends on the variant.

Availability: Seen on the games listed above.

3rd Logo (November 16, 2005-May 19, 2006)


Logo: First, a purple vertical rectangle appears, full of microscheme patterns, which flashes out and returns with the picture of a dictator-looking scientist holding his arms around a source of ray light. Under the picture, the name "Z-AXIS G A M E S" appears, stylized somewhat similar to the previous logos. The ray light decreases, then flashes again and the logo is gone.

Technique: 2D computer animation.

Music/Sounds: Whooshing sounds.

Availability: Appears on True Crime: New York City and X-Men: The Official Game.

Underground Development

(May 27, 2008-February 19, 2010)

Logo: There is a metallic shield in the form of a down-pointing arrow, which has the dark words "UNDERGROUND DEVELOPMENT" over it.

Technique: None.

Music/Sounds: None.

Availability: Appears on Guitar Hero: Van Halen and the PlayStation 3 version of Enemy Territory: Quake Wars.

Retrieved from "https://www.avid.wiki/Underground_Development?oldid=244636"
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