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{{PageCredits|compiled=|description=MindsEyeTHPS|capture=MindsEyeTHPS|video=|edits=}} |
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{{PageCredits|compiled=|description=|capture=|video=|edits=}} |
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{{Infobox company |
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{{Infobox company |
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|name=Global VR Inc.|image=File:No image available.svg.png|founded=1998 ({{age|1998|1|1}} years ago)|country=[[:Category:United States|United States]]}} |
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|name=Global VR, Inc.|image=File:GLOBAL VR logo.png|founder=Ken Bayer<ref name="casos">{{cite web |url=https://bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov/search/business | title=GLOBAL VR, INC. (2107404) | publisher=California Secretary of State | date=May 1, 1998 | accessdate=December 8, 2023 | author=Bayer, Ken}}</ref>|founded=May 1, 1998 ({{age|1998|5|1}} years ago)<ref name="casos" />|country=[[:Category:United States|United States]]}} |
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===Background=== |
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===Background=== |
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'''Global VR Inc.''' (officially stylized as '''GLOBAL VR''' and shortened as '''GVR''') is an American developer and distributor of arcade games based in San Jose, CA. Launched in 1998, it originally focused on creating virtual reality-based machines (hence the name), most notably the ''VR Vortek'' family. By the mid-2000s, GVR had shifted most of its focus towards traditional arcade cabinets, where it became well-known for games based on licensed properties, including those of [[Electronic Arts]] (''Need for Speed (GT)'', ''Need for Speed Underground'', ''Need for Speed Carbon'', ''PGA TOUR Golf Team Challenge'', ''EA SPORTS NASCAR Racing'', ''EA SPORTS Madden Football'', et. al.) and 20th Century Fox (now [[20th Century Studios]]) (''Aliens: Extermination''; co-developed with [[Raw Thrills]]' [[Play Mechanix]]). |
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'''Global VR, Inc.''' (officially stylized as '''GLOBAL VR''' and shortened as '''GVR''') is an American developer and distributor of arcade games based in Milpitas, CA. Founded by Ken Bayer (who currently serves as its president)<ref name="linkedin">{{cite web | url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenbayer | title=Ken Bayer - President - Global VR | publisher=LinkedIn | accessdate=December 8, 2023}}</ref> in San Jose, CA on May 1, 1998,<ref name="casos" /> it originally focused on creating virtual reality-based experiences (hence the name), most notably the ''VR Vortek'' family of multi-game machines (most of the games were based upon existing PC games). On January 9, 2001, GVR was bought by fellow arcade developer GameCom, Inc.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/gamecom-to-acquire-global-vr | title=Gamecom To Acquire Global VR | publisher=Game Developer | date=January 9, 2001 | accessdate=December 28, 2023 | author=Dunne, Alex}}</ref> Additionally, on January 31 of the same year, it bought older arcade developer Interactive Light (known for ''Kick-It'', ''Swing-It'', ''Home Run Derby'', and ''Slide-It'').<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.globalvr.com/news/c_news_jan30-2001a.html | title=GLOBAL VR signs four game agreement with Activision | publisher=Global VR | date=January 30, 2001 | accessdate=December 28, 2023 | author=Harris, Wes}}</ref> By the mid-2000s, GVR had shifted most of its focus towards traditional arcade cabinets, where it became well-known for games based on licensed properties, including those of [[Electronic Arts]] (''Need for Speed (GT)'' (2002/2003/2004), ''Need for Speed Underground'' (2003/2005), ''Madden Football'' (2005), ''Need for Speed Carbon'' (2006/2008), ''PGA TOUR Golf Team Challenge'' (2006), ''NASCAR Racing'' (2007), et. al.), 20th Century Fox (now [[20th Century Studios]]) (''Aliens: Extermination''; co-developed with [[Raw Thrills]]' [[Play Mechanix]]) (2006), and [[Ubisoft Entertainment|Ubisoft]] (''Blazing Angels: Squadrons of WWII'') (2008/2011). |
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==={{Ordinal|1}} Logo (1998-2001)=== |
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==={{Ordinal|1}} Logo (1998-2002)=== |
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<center><gallery mode="packed" heights="200"> |
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<!-- Replace this line with logo captures and/or videos --> |
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GLOBAL VR original logo (1998-2001).jpg|As seen on the website's former landing page |
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GLOBAL VR original logo (Heavy Gear II variant; 2000).png|''Heavy Gear II'' (1999/2000) variant |
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</gallery></center> |
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{{YouTube|id=9ZZjhieo2ko}} |
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'''Visuals:''' |
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'''Visuals:''' |
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We see a thin red circle with 3 short "tailfins" from the center-left down. Beside it is the letters "VR" in a futuristic, italicized font, with a short tail on the top left of the "V" and a long one on the bottom right of the "R". Below the "R" is the name "Global VR" in an Impact Italic font.
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There is a thin red circle with 3 short "tailfins" from the center-left down. Beside it are the letters "VR" in a futuristic, italicized font, with a short tail on the top left of the "V" and a long one on the bottom right of the "R". Below the "R" is the name "''Global VR''" in an Impact Italic font. |
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'''Variants:''' |
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'''Variant:''' |
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*On [[Activision Publishing|Activision]]'s ''Heavy Gear II''{{efn|''Heavy Gear II'' is referred to in the cinematic as ''Heavy Gear Extreme''.}} (1999/2000) for the VR Vortek, the logo is rendered in 3D, and appears at an extreme closeup with a small "spotlight" on the top left of the circle's inside. As it gradually zooms out upwards, the "spotlight" shifts away towards the right in a circular motion. At the same time, the shining light on the logo shifts towards the right. Just as the logo settles into place, a large "P R E S E N T S" in gray slams right below it, causing the logo to be fully visible, and gaining a top-right shine from inside on the circle, as well as the "P R E S E N T S" wordmark shining from left to right. |
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TBA. |
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**At the end of the game's cinematic, the logo's same opening shining animation from before plays, before rapidly shrinking away into the top of the "A" in "GEAR" and the credits appearing. |
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'''Technique:''' |
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'''Technique:''' Unknown. CGI for the ''Heavy Gear II'' variant. |
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TBA. |
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'''Audio:''' Unknown. |
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'''Audio:''' |
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TBA. |
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'''Audio Variants:''' |
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'''Audio Variants:''' |
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*On the ''Heavy Gear II'' variant, it has the cinematic's opening theme, coupled with a long whoosh when the GVR logo shines at the start, followed by a loud, gunshot-like "bang" when "P R E S E N T S" slams into place. |
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TBA. |
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'''Availability:''' Seen on GVR's earliest arcade machines and games, including the original ''VR Vortek'' and its successor ''VR Vortek II'' (both of which are incredibly rare to find). It has also been used on ''Heavy Gear II'' for the latter. |
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'''Availability:''' |
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Seen on GVR's earliest arcade machines, including the original ''VR Vortek'' (which is incredibly rare to find). TBA for others. |
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==={{Ordinal|2}} Logo (2001-)=== |
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==={{Ordinal|2}} Logo (Early 2001-)=== |
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<tabber> |
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2002-2003= |
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'''Visuals:''' |
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<gallery mode="packed" heights="200"> |
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Same concept as before, but the circle's outline is now blue and has an inner white outline. The "tailfins" from before have also been thickened, and the rest of the circle is colored blue from the inside. The wordmark was also updated, now rendered in all caps and italicized, and the words "''GLOBAL VR''" are now in white and broken into 2 center-aligned lines, complete with a blue outline around them. This logo has seen different animations over the years. Here are some: |
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GLOBAL VR (PGA TOUR Golf; 2002).jpeg|''PGA TOUR Golf''<br>(2002) |
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GLOBAL VR (PGA TOUR Golf rev. 1.2; 2003).jpeg|''PGA TOUR Golf'' (rev. 1.2)<br>(2002/2003)<br>(w/ EA byline) |
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GLOBAL VR (Operation Blockade) (2002_2003; Before).jpeg|''Operation Blockade'' (''VR Vortek V3'') (2002/2003)<br>(before) |
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GLOBAL VR (Operation Blockade) (2002_2003; After).jpeg|''Operation Blockade'' (''VR Vortek V3'') (2002/2003)<br>(after) |
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GLOBAL VR (Beach Head 2000; 2000_2003).jpeg|''Beach Head 2000'' (''VR Vortek V3'')<br>(2000/2003) |
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GLOBAL VR (Beach Head 2002; 2002_2003).jpeg|''Beach Head 2002'' (''VR Vortek V3'')<br>(2002/2003) |
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GLOBAL VR (Incoming; 1999_2003).jpeg|''Incoming'' (''VR Vortek V3'')<br>(1999/2003) |
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</gallery> |
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2003-2005= |
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<gallery mode="packed" heights="200"> |
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GLOBAL VR (PGA TOUR Golf Championship Edition; 2003).jpeg|''PGA TOUR Golf Championship Edition'' (2003)<br>(w/ EA byline) |
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GLOBAL VR (Beach Head 2003_ Desert War; 2003).jpeg|''Beach Head 2003: Desert War'' (''VR Vortek V3'')<br>(2003) |
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GLOBAL VR logo (NFS GT variant; 2003).png|''Need for Speed GT'' (2002/2003/2004)<br>(w/ EA byline) |
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GLOBAL VR (PGA TOUR Golf Championship Edition III; 2004).jpeg|''PGA TOUR Golf Championship Edition III'' (2004)<br>(w/ EA byline) |
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GLOBAL VR (PGA TOUR Golf Challenge Edition; 2005).jpeg|''PGA TOUR Golf Challenge Edition'' (2005)<br>(w/ EA byline) |
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</gallery> |
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2004-2005= |
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<gallery mode="packed" heights="200"> |
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GLOBAL VR (PGA Tour Golf Championship Edition III; 2004).png|''PGA TOUR Golf Championship Edition III'' tournament operator video (May 5, 2004)<br>(w/ EA byline) |
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GLOBAL VR (Invasion Earth; 2004).png|''Invasion Earth'' (''VR Vortek V3'')<br>(2004) |
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GLOBAL VR logo (NFS Underground; 2005).png|''Need for Speed Underground'' (2003/2005)<br>(w/ EA byline) |
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</gallery> |
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2006-2007= |
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<gallery mode="packed" heights="200"> |
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GLOBAL VR logo (PGAGTC; 2006).png|''PGA TOUR Golf Team Challenge'' (2006)<br>(w/ EA byline) |
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GLOBAL VR (America's Army; 2007).png|''America's Army''<br>(2007) |
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GLOBAL VR (EA SPORTS NASCAR Racing; 2007).png|''NASCAR Racing'' (2007)<br>(w/ EA byline) |
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</gallery> |
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Game-Specific Variants= |
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<gallery mode="packed" heights="200"> |
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GLOBAL VR logo (Beach Head 2000 variant; 2002).png|''Beach Head 2000'' (2000/2002) variant |
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GLOBAL VR (Beach Head 2002; 2002).jpeg|''Beach Head 2002'' (2002) variant |
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GLOBAL VR logo (Aliens_ Extermination variant; 2006).png|''Aliens: Extermination'' (2006) variant |
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</gallery> |
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Still Variants= |
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<gallery mode="packed" heights="200"> |
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GLOBAL VR Windows XP boot screen (2002).png|Bootscreen variant ("global VR xp.bmp";<sup>[sic]</sup> also stored within NTOSBOOT.EXE) |
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GLOBAL VR logo (Setup variant).png|Still version, used as a splash screen for game installers (setup.bmp) |
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GLOBAL VR desktop background (2000s).jpg|Semi-transparent variant, used as a wallpaper on the Windows XP Embedded desktop (Gvr_Desktop.jpg) |
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GLOBAL VR Play to Win bootscreen (2006).png|"Play to Win" bootscreen (boot.bmp) |
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</gallery> |
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Videos= |
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{{YouTube|id=o9lpZGhw1Gc|id2=7oLgieXrPIs|id3=r-IxzBjVc1U|id4=HwJVhisb60I|id5=huCfdG5ZgJI|id6=1rs9yixLebY|id7=qDQGsRiJ4J8|id8=_PytMTkdgbI|id9=QVYB5EWV32A|id10=OdNK4iat81k|id11=Ztoz672Pt9U|id12=DyeB7_FXdDc|id13=l5FX55Jk684|id14=TC2Lo_YJhkY}} |
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</tabber> |
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'''Visuals:''' Same concept as before, but the circle's outline is now blue and has an inner thick white outline. The "tailfins" from before have also been thickened and shortened, and the rest of the circle is colored blue from the inside. The wordmark was also updated, now rendered in all caps, and the words "''GLOBAL VR''" are now italicized and in white, and broken into 2 center-aligned lines, complete with a blue outline around them. This logo has seen different animations over the years. Here are some: |
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*<u>200?-200?</u>: Over an animated grayscale cloud background, the aforementioned Global VR logo zooms out from the center of the circle, leaving trailing lights in the process. At the same time, the cloud background from inside fades into the blue color. Once the logo settles in place, a blue aurora light flashes behind it. The logo then shines with the light traveling from right to left as the aurora dies down. |
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*<u>2002-2003</u>: Over a black background, the Global VR logo, rendered in 3D, zooms out sideways, facing towards the "V". It then tilts itself upwards and zooms out towards the center. The end product has a shine on the right half of the "L" in "''GLOBAL''". |
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*<u>200?-200?</u>: On a black background, a large, bright white flash rapidly zooms out, which then morphs into the GVR logo. It then zooms in at a slightly fast pace. Once the logo appears large enough, a different blue aurora light glows out of the logo. As it dies down, the logo shines in a clockwise fashion and gradually zooms in continuously. |
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*<u>2003-2005</u>: On a white background, the GVR logo (now flat) zooms out from the "V" as it shifts itself slightly down, creating a motion blur effect. As it shifts itself slightly upwards and settles in place, a drop shadow is cast. |
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*<u>2004-2005</u>: Over an animated grayscale cloud background, the aforementioned GVR logo zooms out from the center of the circle, leaving trailing lights in the process and revealing a black background. At the same time, the cloud background from inside fades into the blue color. Once the logo settles in place, a blue aurora light flashes behind it. The logo then shines with the light traveling from right to left as the aurora dies down. |
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*<u>2006-2007</u>: On a black background, a large, bright white flash rapidly zooms out, which then morphs into the GVR logo. It then zooms in at a slightly fast pace. Once the logo appears large enough, a blue aurora light glows out of the logo. As it dies down, the logo shines in a clockwise fashion and gradually zooms in continuously. |
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'''Variants:''' |
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'''Variants:''' |
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*On <u>games based on EA properties</u>, the byline "GLOBAL VR is an authorized Electronic Arts distributor." fades in below or on the right as the logo settles in place. |
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*On <u>games based on EA properties</u>, the byline "GLOBAL VR is an authorized Electronic Arts distributor." fades in below or on the right as the logo settles in place. |
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*On some older games, the still flat logo (albeit smaller, and with a curved line stemming from the bottom-middle-left, and going around the progress bar) is used as a <u>full-fledged bootscreen</u> (dated July 17, 2002),{{efn|The raw bootscreen is titled "global VR xp.bmp"<sup>[sic]</sup>, which is stored at the drive root (dated July 17, 2002), while the rendered one replaces the default Windows XP bootscreen, as stored in NTOSBOOT.EXE (which is a modified version of ntoskrnl.exe; dated July 26, 2002).}} complete with the fade-in animation and progress bar from the Windows XP bootscreen that it replaces. Oddly enough, it uses the green progress bar, implying that it runs off the Home Edition, as opposed to Professional or Embedded. |
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*A variant exists where the still logo is rendered in 3D and is semi-transparent on a black background. This is used <u>as a wallpaper</u> on the [[Microsoft Windows (post-merge)#5th Screen (May 8, 2001-April 9, 2019)|Windows XP]] Embedded desktop on some games (other games, such as the aforementioned ''NFSU'' and ''PGATGTC'' have their own "loading" wallpaper). |
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**On later XPe-based games, it is <u>completely still</u>, due to using boot.bmp to render the screen as opposed to fully replacing the default bootscreen within the kernel. |
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*On <u>''Need for Speed (GT)''</u>, the logo zooms out from the "V" on a white background and shifts itself slightly up, casting a drop shadow in the process. The aforementioned EA byline then appears on the right. |
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*On the <u>arcade version of ''Need for Speed Carbon''</u>, the logo is still and appears in a glossy 3D effect (possibly to fit the game's atmosphere). A few seconds later, the EA byline from before fades in in small print on the bottom right of the logo. |
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**On some newer games (including some revisions of ''Aliens: Extermination'' [2006] and ''EA SPORTS NASCAR Racing'' [2007]), the GVR logo is replaced by the Play to Win logo (referring to GVR's Tournament Play program; dated May 24, 2006), with "NOW LOADING_ _ _ _" on the bottom. |
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*A still version exists, where the logo is completely flat. This is used <u>setup splash screen</u> (setup.bmp; dated August 22, 2002) for the installation of the GVR games. |
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*On some games, the still logo is used as a <u>full-fledged bootscreen</u>, complete with the fade-in animation and progress bar from the Windows XP bootscreen that it replaces. Otherwise, it is completely still, due to using boot.bmp to render the screen as opposed to replacing the default bootscreen in ntoskrnl.exe. |
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*A variant exists where the still logo is rendered in 3D and is semi-transparent on a black background. This is used <u>as a wallpaper</u> (Gvr_Desktop.jpg; dated July 8, 2004) on the [[Microsoft Windows (post-merge)#Windows Whistler/Windows XP/Windows Server 2003|Windows XP]] Embedded desktop after restoration, and on some games (other games, such as the aforementioned ''NFSU'' and ''PGATGTC'' have their own temporary "loading" wallpaper). |
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*On <u>''Aliens: Extermination''</u>, the logo from the wallpaper variant is placed over a background with green aliens on the bottom of the screen, coupled with the URL. |
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*On <u>''Beach Head 2000''</u> (2000/2002) A semi-transparent ring of fire appears as the GVR logo in the 1st version zooms out into place. The wordmark then fades out, along with the "tailfins", leaving behind a metallic circle. |
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*On the <u>arcade version of ''Need for Speed Carbon'' (2006/2008)</u>, the still logo (using an alternate 3D version) gradually zooms in. A few seconds later, the EA byline from before fades in in small print on the bottom right of the logo, which is also zooming in with the logo. |
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*On <u>''Aliens: Extermination'' (2006)</u>, the still logo from the wallpaper variant is placed over a space background with green aliens on the bottom of the screen, coupled with the URL. |
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'''Technique:''' |
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'''Technique:''' CGI. None for the still variants. |
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CGI. |
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'''Audio:''' A long, jet-like descending whoosh, followed by another one, but shorter, and a deep synth "bong", leaving behind a deep bass (if one listens closely, that is). None for the still variants. |
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'''Audio:''' |
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A long, jet-like descending whoosh, followed by another one, but shorter, and a deep synth "bong". None for the still variants. |
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'''Audio Variants:''' |
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'''Audio Variants:''' |
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*On <u>''Need for Speed (GT)''</u>, the game's intro theme is used, coupled with the game timer's beeps throughout the logo. |
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*On <u>''Beach Head 2000''</u>, there are helicopter sounds as the logo forms, followed by a short double thud sound when it settles into place. |
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*On <u>''Need for Speed'' (''GT'')</u>, the game's intro theme is used, coupled with the game timer's beeps throughout the logo. |
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*A variant exists where the deep bass after the "bong" lasts a little longer. This was spotted on <u>''Need for Speed Underground</u>. |
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'''Availability:''' |
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'''Availability:''' |
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*<u>Still version</u>: Used on some games' demo cinematics on the ''V3'', and can be seen on ''Aliens: Extermination'', ''Need for Speed Carbon'', and some other games. It is also used as a boot screen on some games (including ''Aliens: Extermination'' and some revisions of ''PGA TOUR Golf Team Challenge''; others may use the "Play to Win" boot screen instead or none at all, due to using the "/noguiboot" switch, likely in an attempt to cover up the Windows-related elements). |
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*<u>Still version</u>: Used on some games' demo cinematics on the ''VR VORTEK V3'', and can be seen on ''Aliens: Extermination'', ''Need for Speed Carbon'', and some other games. It is also used as a boot screen on some games (including ''Aliens: Extermination'' and some revisions of ''EA SPORTS PGA TOUR Golf Team Challenge''; others may use the "Play to Win" boot screen instead or none at all, due to using the "/noguiboot" switch, likely in an attempt to cover up the Windows-related elements). |
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*<u>First version</u>: Seen on some games' demo cinematics on the ''VORTEK V3'' (when highlighted on the menu) and on the arcade version of ''Need for Speed Underground''. |
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*<u>First version</u>: Seen on ''Need for Speed'' (''GT'') (2002/2003), ''EA SPORTS PGA TOUR GOLF Championship Edition III'' (2004), and ''EA SPORTS PGA TOUR Golf Challenge Edition'' (2005). |
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*<u>Second version</u>: Can be seen on ''PGA TOUR Golf Team Challenge'' and ''EA SPORTS NASCAR Racing''. |
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*<u>Second version</u>: Seen on the demo cinematic for ''Invasion Earth'' (2004) for the ''VR VORTEK V3'' (2003), when highlighted on the menu, and on the arcade version of ''Need for Speed Underground'' (2003/2005). |
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*<u>Third version</u>: Can be seen on ''EA SPORTS PGA TOUR Golf Team Challenge'' (2006), ''America's Army'' (2007), ''Global Arcade Classics'' (2007) and ''EA SPORTS NASCAR Racing'' (2007). |
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'''Legacy:''' This logo is memorable for those who grew up playing GVR's games in arcades. |
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==Notes== |
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{{Notelist}} |
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==References== |
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'''Legacy:''' |
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{{Reflist}} |
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This logo is memorable for those who grew up playing GVR's games in arcades. |
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{{Video Game-Navbox}} |
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[[Category:Desktop bootscreens]] |
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[[Category:Desktop bootscreens]] |
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[[Category:American desktop bootscreens]] |
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[[Category:American desktop bootscreens]] |
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[[Category:Startups]] |
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[[Category:American video game logos]] |
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[[Category:American video game logos]] |
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[[Category:Arcade board start-up logos]] |
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[[Category:Arcade board start-up logos]] |