Vicious Engine

Background

The Vicious Engine was developed by Vicious Cycle Software in 2005 as one of the first multi-platform engines. The second version was released in 2009. The engine was laid dormant following the closure of Vicious Cycle in 2016.

1st Logo (October 13, 2005-September 24, 2010)

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Visuals: On a light blue background, many gears are working. The screen zooms out, and the action is outlined by two connected spheres with an intense blue background outside. The whole logo is seen as a box with curved edges, and the letters "v" and "e" form into the logo, while "VICIOUS ENGINE" in Trajan Pro font unfolds below. Copyright info is sometimes seen below.

Variant: Some games like Curious George (2006) show the logo with only the wheels moving and "powered by" above.

Technique: 2D computer animation.

Audio: Clockwork and gear sounds with a synth entry.

Availability: Seen on games developed with version 1.0 of the Vicious Engine, such as Curious George, Flushed Away, Alien Syndrome, and Elements of Destruction.

2nd Logo (February 26, 2009-December 15, 2015)

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  Eat Lead: The Return of Matt Hazard

Visuals: Over a white/black background is the previous logo in a new design: the space enclosing the "v" and "e" is clear white, "2" is added next to the "e", and the whole logo has a blue gradient hue, which runs through in a curve shape. Below the company name is "making games. easier. faster. better."

Variant: On Eat Lead: The Return of Matt Hazard, continuing from the Vicious Cycle logo, the squircle is re-digitized to have the Vicious Engine logo instead, and Matt Hazard (voiced by Will Arnett) says off-screen, "It's Hazard time!" After few seconds, the black screen digitizes back in, ending the logo.

Technique: A still, digital graphic.

Audio: None.

Availability: Seen on games developed with version 2.0 of the Vicious Engine, such as Eat Lead: The Return of Matt Hazard, Despicable Me: The Video Game, Pac-Man: The Ghostly Adventures and Earth Defense Force: Insect Armageddon.