Visual Concepts

Background

Visual Concepts was a California-based game developer formed in May 1988. It was acquired by Sega in May 1999 and was turned to the sole development of sport titles to support the Sega Dreamcast. In 2003, the Sega Sports brand was shut down, and then in January 2005, Visual Concepts and its sports licenses were sold to Take-Two Interactive, which led to the creation of 2K Games. The studio was assimilated into the 2K Sports brand and its logo has not been seen on-screen since, although it appears on box covers.

1st (known) Logo (March 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 the shape of a "C". Below is "VISUAL CONCEPTS" in a similar font to the then-current 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.

2nd Logo (1993)

Nickname: "The VC Triangle II"

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

FX/SFX: None.

Music/Sounds: None.

Availability: Only appears on the demo of Claymates.

3rd Logo (1993-1994)

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

Logo: We see the logo similar from before, except the diamond square now has a blue/dark blue gradient color. The upside-down pyramid object is gold and its in a 3D style. Below the logo is "VISUAL CONCEPTS" in a 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 a bit plain blue.
On Lester the Unlikely, the logo is a bit smaller.
On Dominus, the words "In association with" are shown above the logo.

FX/SFX: The logo appearing on the ClayFighter SNES variants. Otherwise, none.

Music/Sounds: An orchestral tune with a five-note ping sound.

Music/Sounds Variants:

Sometimes, the opening theme of the game is heard or none.
On the Genesis version of ClayFighter, the fanfare is in a 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.

4th Logo (November 1994-1995)

Nickname: "The VC Triangle IV"

Logo: We see an enhanced gray-colored triangle, which looks more 3D than before and has a grated left surface. The name in the corporate font appears directly over the triangle in blue. "PRESENT" is 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.

5th Logo (1995-1996)

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

Logo: On a white background, we see a grated "VC" triangle with a new hole design on the right side, which now goes through the whole triangle. 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 and the unfinished Congo game for Genesis and SNES, and on Toughman Contest, which was their last title for Sega Genesis.

6th Logo (Viewpoint variant) (1996)

Nickname: "The VC Triangle VI"

Logo: Continuing where the High Score Entertainment logo left off during the game's intro, the sphere disappears and a bright light spark burns the hole inside the pyramid, which rotates upside down. The name in a 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.

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 top view and see a glowing object rising and turning into the triangle logo. Then, "VISUAL CONCEPTS" is wiped in below in a 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.

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:

On One for PlayStation, the logo appears over the moving background during the intro clip.
On World Series Baseball 2K2, the logo appears wide on a white background.

FX/SFX: None. Either the main logo or any variant is still.

Music/Sounds: None or the opening theme.

Availability: Was seen on NCAA College Football 2K2: Road to the Rose Bowl for Dreamcast and the two games mentioned above.

9th Logo (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 a straight view. Several ghostly copies of the name move in the background. The triangle stops, shines and the logo fades out.

FX/SFX: The logo forming.

Music/Sounds: Various synth effects.

Availability: Appears on 2K sports games through the era such as NBA 2K2, NCAA 2K3 and Sega Soccer Slam.