#Microcosm games code

Much of this technology also went into the reproduction of the game interiors, like the vein walls.

#Microcosm games code

As Mike told me: 'The game had to be completely re-written, new and seriously clever code had to be developed to exploit the CD32 hardware.' Using the same technology as used in Lawnmower Man, Microcosm had to be reworked from its original FM Towns format.

For example, in the lab scene in the intro only the actors are real - thw hole lab is computer generated. Much of the game involves live action sequences Mike Simpson of Psygnosis explained the technique employed: 'The live actors were filmed against a blue screen and then into modelled scenes. From here the image has textures and added detail like symbols or camouflage applied.Īt this point we have a textured 3D image that has no shadow or light source, so these are applied, and from here the image can be pasted onto another image. The next step is to fill the object and show that it has three dimensions. Running SoftImage on the Indego, a 3D model starts its life as a wireframe skeleton which can be manipulated and animated to ensure that routines are correct. This incredible section of animation, which features a futuristic truck rolling by and lasts under ten seconds, features 241 models, seven different light sources and over 85,331 polygons. As the footage rolls, the first thing to greet the eye is a street scene. Using £10,000+ Indego systems, they set about creating the world of Botor. Then transferred everything across to Silicon Graphics machines. Loosely based on the 'inside the body' films like Inner Space and Fantastic Voyage, the team started initial design work on the Amiga. Following a brainstorming session, the nucleus of an idea was born. The idea for the introduction was the brainchild of lead visualiser Jim Bowers. This Bladerunner- inspired sequence is probably the most sophisticated, cinematic piece of computer animation to emerge on a machine for the home. After a frantic meeting, Cybertech executives decide to inject a craft with which to fight the assassin viruses.īefore the CD32 laser scanner can wink an optical eye at the gameplay, Microcosm launches itself into six minutes and 40 seconds of stunning introduction. The plan is successfully implemented, but during its inception Cybertech becomes suspicious, and realise that Axiom have sent an intruder into their President. This would have a back-up system of designer viruses which would attack the vital organs if Cybertech try to meddle with GreyM. So the seed of an idea is set, Infiltrate Cybertech's headquarters and inject their president with a mind- controlling virus called GreyM. He claims that he can send a human being inside of another using his breakthrough technology. Stark is introduced to a doctor, who has for some time been experimenting with miniaturisation. It's only following a meeting with one of Stark's right-hand men that a more subtle means of ending the regime is formulated. President of Axiom, Argon Stark, is desperate to re-address this disappointing situation and investigates some rather aggressive methods of correcting matters. Just recently, Cybertech's grip has tightened around the prestigious title, and little by little Axiom are falling by the wayside. In fact, the only thing that matters to the corporations is the title of Corps1. Life is cheap under the corporation regime. Poisonous gases belch forth from the bowels of the earth, a deadly by-product of cut-throat mining operations. The majority of the planet is uninhabitable, with a high proportion of the population living in a very confined space. They both have large mining concerns which dig further into the belly of the planet, systematically raping her of anything precious. Both Cybertech Inc and Axiom are at the centre of practically everything on the planet. Set on a harsh, dark, future world called Bodor, Microcosm traces the underworld activities of two rival corporations.