Gray Matter: Difference between revisions

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Not to be confused with Gray Matter Studios, LTI Gray Matter or Grey Matter Productions.

Background

Gray Matter was a Canadian video game developer based in Oakville, Ontario. It was founded in 1985 by ex-Mindscape employee Chris Gray as "Chris Gray Enterprises" after his success with Boulder Dash. The first game the company developed was Whirlinurd, but its first international success was Infiltrator in 1986.

In 1988, Gray set up "Gray Matter" as a subsidiary of his company. Following on from the Amiga and Atari ST, Gray Matter went on to produce games for the NES, SNES, 3DO, Sega Saturn, Game Gear and PlayStation, becoming one of the biggest developers in Canada with 75 employees at its peak in 1995. However, problems with the Canadian government over labour law issues brought the studio to bankruptcy in 1997.

1st Logo (1988)

Road Raider (Amiga)
Technocop (C64)

Visuals: On a gray background, there is a pink gradient curvy ribbon. On the right side is the text "GRAY MATTER" in an ITC Avant Garde font surrounded by a beveled rectangle with the word "PRESENTS" below.

Variant: On the loading screen on the European C64 tape version of Technocop, the text is above the ribbon, the background is white, the text is centered and there is no "PRESENTS" below.

Technique: A still graphic.

Audio: None.

Availability: Seen on the Amiga version of Road Raider and the loading screen of the European C64 tape version of Technocop.

2nd Logo (1989-1990)

Fiendish Freddy's Big Top O'Fun (Amiga)
The Ultimate Ride

Visuals: On a gray marble background, there is the same ribbon logo from the previous logo, only it is in purple, and the gradient shadings are replaced by circles (matching the print logo), and the text is in white. Also, "PRESENTS" is absent.

Variant: On the Amiga version of Fiendish Freddy's Big Top O'Fun, the logo is surrounded by spotlights. The logo then disappears, and then reappears, only it has two purple lines above it on a black background.

Technique: A still graphic.

Audio: None or the opening theme of the game.

Availability: Seen on The Ultimate Ride and Fiendish Freddy's Big Top O'Fun. Despite the print logo appearing on the NES cover of Dirty Harry, it does not appear on the game itself, it just went to the title screen.

3rd Logo (February 18, 1993-June 1995)

The Incredible Crash Dummies (SNES)
The Ren & Stimpy Show: Veediots! (SNES)
B.O.B. (SNES)
Wayne's World (SNES)
Wayne's World (Sega Genesis)
Super R.B.I. Baseball

Visuals: On a black background, there is a red masked helmet with streaks behind it on the right, which represents the hair. On the bottom right is the text "GRAY MATTER" in a plain font.

Variants:

On the SNES version of The Ren & Stimpy Show: Veediots! is Ren and Stimpy banging their butts together, like the THQ logo that precedes the game. Also, the logo is shifted to the bottom.
On the SNES version of B.O.B., the logo is beveled, and takes place on a space background with moving planets.
On the SNES and Genesis versions of Wayne's World, the logo is on a marble background, and the credits are shown behind the logo. The logo is tinted blue on the SNES version, and the logo is tinted green on the Genesis version.
On Super R.B.I. Baseball, the logo is 3D on a white background. Credits appear on the bottom right.

Technique: A still graphic.

Audio: The opening theme of the game.

Availability: Seen on the SNES and Genesis versions of The Incredible Crash Dummies, as well as on the aforementioned games mentioned above.

4th Logo (1995)

NHL All-Star Hockey (Game Gear)
NHL All-Star Hockey (Sega Saturn)
Phoenix 3 (opening)

Visuals: On a blue marble background, the screen pans up to reveal a black square, which moves to the center. Behind the square is the word "GRAY" in a condensed font. A gold light flashes from behind the word, and then the logo zooms out and moves around and the other word "MATTER" in a condensed font wipes in and stands next to the rectangle. The logo then flashes.

Variants:

On the intro of Phoenix 3 for 3DO, the logo is in widescreen.
On NHL All-Star Hockey for Game Gear, the logo is in its print form on a black background, with a white logo, and the word "DEVELOPED BY" is shown above the logo.

Technique: 2D computer animation.

Audio: An ascending synth drone, with some whooshes, and ends in a synth note.

Availability: Seen on NHL All-Star Hockey for Game Gear and Sega Saturn, and the opening cutscene of Phoenix 3 for 3DO.

5th Logo (1995)

Foes of Ali
Phoenix 3 (screensaver)

Visuals: Over a black background, the logo starts with light blue crystalized pieces while circular pieces move around, and some pieces reveal the crystalized blue letter "G" with some moving circles zooming out over a space background and a blue lightning picture standing on the right of the letter. A light then flashes, and then the logo turns metallic with an exclamation point shown on the left of the letter. The word "GRAY MATTER" wipes below the logo.

Variant: A still version, where the logo is shown on a space background, and the words are shown in spaced out letters, is used on 3DO screensaver files.

Technique: The crystal pieces of the logo moving, the logo flashing.

Audio: Hollow synth notes similar to the previous logo, with bells, and some whooshes at the end.

Availability: Seen on Foes of Ali for 3DO. The variant is shown on screensaver files of Foes of Ali and Phoenix 3 for 3DO (the game itself used the last logo).

6th Logo (June 5, 1996)

Visuals: On a black background, there is the text "Gr@y" in a grungy typewriter font, with the outlined word "Matter" shown on the right, and the tiny word "Inc" shown on the right side. Below it is the text "entertainment software" in a typewriter font.

Technique: A still graphic.

Audio: A horn sound that continues into the NBA logo.

Availability: Seen on NBA Action for Sega Saturn.

7th Logo (November 21, 1996-August 1997)

The Crow: City of Angels (PlayStation)
The Crow: City of Angels (Sega Saturn)
The Crow: City of Angels (PC)
Perfect Weapon (PlayStation)

Visuals: On an orange background, there is a black figure walking and skip hopping towards the viewer, with shadows around him. Then the figure bounces and a black rectangle appears over his head, making it an exclamation point. The figure continues to look around, then does a double backflip, and as he lands, the animation freezes. The logo zooms out, and the black arched words "GRAY MATTER" fade in on the left and right sides of the figure.

Variants:

On the PlayStation version of Perfect Weapon, a print version of the logo is seen, where the logo is in white on a black background.
On the PC version of The Crow: City of Angels, the print version of the logo features orange sides on the figure.
On the Saturn version of The Crow: City of Angels, the logo is still, with the figure gaining a white outline, and the shadow is absent.

Technique: 2D digital animation.

Audio: Various cartoon sound effects, followed by a guitar note when the logo zooms out.

Availability: The standard version is seen on the PlayStation version of The Crow: City of Angels and the PC version of Perfect Weapon. The still versions are seen on the PlayStation version of Perfect Weapon and the PC and Sega Saturn versions of The Crow: City of Angels.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+''Not to be confused with [[Gray Matter Studios]], [[LTI Gray Matter]] or [[Grey Matter Productions]].''
-Logo descriptions and captures by EnormousRat
+{{PageCredits|compiled=RSX-798}}
-Background: Gray Matter was founded in 1986 by ex-Mindscape employee Chris Gray in Oakville, Canada. By its late years, the company was one of the biggest Canadian developers. The problems with the Canadian government over labor issues brought Gray Matter to bankruptcy in 1996. The company has no relation to Gray Matter Studios and LTI Gray Matter.
+===Background===
+'''Gray Matter''' was a Canadian video game developer based in Oakville, Ontario. It was founded in 1985 by ex-[[Mindscape]] employee Chris '''Gray''' as "Chris Gray Enterprises" after his success with ''Boulder Dash''. The first game the company developed was ''Whirlinurd'', but its first international success was ''Infiltrator'' in 1986.
+In 1988, Gray set up "Gray Matter" as a subsidiary of his company. Following on from the Amiga and Atari ST, Gray Matter went on to produce games for the NES, SNES, 3DO, Sega Saturn, Game Gear and PlayStation, becoming one of the biggest developers in Canada with 75 employees at its peak in 1995. However, problems with the Canadian government over labour law issues brought the studio to bankruptcy in 1997.
-st LogoGray Matter - CLG Wiki
-(1986-1992)
-Logo: TBA
+===1st Logo (1988)===
+<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
+GrayMatterRoadRaider.png|''Road Raider'' (Amiga)
+GrayMatterTechnocop.png|''Technocop'' (C64)
+</gallery>
+'''Visuals:''' On a {{color|gray}} background, there is a {{color|hotpink|pink}} gradient curvy ribbon. On the right side is the text "'''GRAY MATTER'''" in an ITC Avant Garde font surrounded by a beveled rectangle with the word "PRESENTS" below.
-Variant: TBA
+'''Variant:''' On the loading screen on the European C64 tape version of ''Technocop'', the text is above the ribbon, the background is white, the text is centered and there is no "PRESENTS" below.
-FX/SFX: None
+'''Technique:''' A still graphic.
-Music/Sounds: None
+'''Audio:''' None.
-Availability: Seen on early Amiga games.
+'''Availability:''' Seen on the Amiga version of ''Road Raider'' and the loading screen of the European C64 tape version of ''Technocop''.
-Editor's Note: None.
+===2nd Logo (1989-1990)===
+<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
+GrayMatterFiendishFreddy.png|''Fiendish Freddy's Big Top O'Fun'' (Amiga)
+GrayMatterUltimateRide.png|''The Ultimate Ride''
+</gallery>
+'''Visuals:''' On a {{color|gray}} marble background, there is the same ribbon logo from the previous logo, only it is in {{color|darkviolet|purple}}, and the gradient shadings are replaced by circles (matching the print logo), and the text is in white. Also, "PRESENTS" is absent.
+'''Variant:''' On the Amiga version of ''Fiendish Freddy's Big Top O'Fun'', the logo is surrounded by spotlights. The logo then disappears, and then reappears, only it has two {{color|darkviolet|purple}} lines above it on a black background.
-nd Logo
-(1993-1995)Gray Matter Inc. (1995)
+'''Technique:''' A still graphic.
-Logo: There is a red helmet design with streaks and name below.
+'''Audio:''' None or the opening theme of the game.
-Variants:
-On B.O.B, there is a space background.
-On The Ren & Stimpy Show: Veediots!, the logo is moved below. Above it, we see Ren and Stimpy doing the "Happy Happy Joy Joy" dance.
-On Super RBI Baseball, the background is white with the yellow font.
+'''Availability:''' Seen on ''The Ultimate Ride'' and ''Fiendish Freddy's Big Top O'Fun''. Despite the print logo appearing on the NES cover of ''Dirty Harry'', it does not appear on the game itself, it just went to the title screen.
-FX/SFX: None.
+===3rd Logo (February 18, 1993-June 1995)===
-Music/Sounds: None.
+<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
+GrayMatterCrashDummies.png|''The Incredible Crash Dummies'' (SNES)
+Gray Matter (1993) (Taken from The Ren & Stimpy Show - Veediots!, SNES).png|''The Ren & Stimpy Show: Veediots!'' (SNES)
+GrayMatterBOB.png|''B.O.B.'' (SNES)
+GrayMatterWaynesWorldSNES.png|''Wayne's World'' (SNES)
+GrayMatterWaynesWorldGenesis.png|''Wayne's World'' (Sega Genesis)
+GrayMatterSuperRBI.png|''Super R.B.I. Baseball''
+</gallery>
+'''Visuals:''' On a black background, there is a {{color|red}} masked helmet with streaks behind it on the right, which represents the hair. On the bottom right is the text "GRAY MATTER" in a plain font.
-Availability: Seen on the games listed above. Regular version appeared on Incredible Crash Dummies.
+'''Variants:'''
-Editor's Note: None.
+* On the SNES version of ''The Ren & Stimpy Show: Veediots!'' is Ren and Stimpy banging their butts together, like the [[THQ]] logo that precedes the game. Also, the logo is shifted to the bottom.
+* On the SNES version of ''B.O.B.'', the logo is beveled, and takes place on a space background with moving planets.
+* On the SNES and Genesis versions of ''Wayne's World'', the logo is on a marble background, and the credits are shown behind the logo. The logo is tinted {{color|blue}} on the SNES version, and the logo is tinted {{color|green}} on the Genesis version.
+* On ''Super R.B.I. Baseball'', the logo is 3D on a white background. Credits appear on the bottom right.
+'''Technique:''' A still graphic.
+'''Audio:''' The opening theme of the game.
+'''Availability:''' Seen on the SNES and Genesis versions of ''The Incredible Crash Dummies'', as well as on the aforementioned games mentioned above.
-rd Logo
-(1995)
+===4th Logo (1995)===
-Gray Matter Inc. (1995)Gray Matter Inc. (1995)
+<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
+GrayMatterNHLAllStar95GG.png|''NHL All-Star Hockey'' (Game Gear)
+GrayMatterNHLAllStar95SS.png|''NHL All-Star Hockey'' (Sega Saturn)
+GrayMatterPhoenix3A.png|''Phoenix 3'' (opening)
+</gallery>
+{{YouTube|id=hHygSXnSUoA}}
+'''Visuals:''' On a {{color|#4176af|blue}} marble background, the screen pans up to reveal a black square, which moves to the center. Behind the square is the word "GRAY" in a condensed font. A {{color|gold}} light flashes from behind the word, and then the logo zooms out and moves around and the other word "MATTER" in a condensed font wipes in and stands next to the rectangle. The logo then flashes.
-Logo: A circle with a G, bolt, and explanation mark in a circle at a angle is seen with name below.
+'''Variants:'''
-Variant: On Phoenix 3, the background is cloudy blue and has a star in the corner.
+* On the intro of ''Phoenix 3'' for 3DO, the logo is in widescreen.
+* On ''NHL All-Star Hockey'' for Game Gear, the logo is in its print form on a black background, with a white logo, and the word "DEVELOPED BY" is shown above the logo.
+'''Technique:''' 2D computer animation.
-FX/SFX: None.
+'''Audio:''' An ascending synth drone, with some whooshes, and ends in a synth note.
-Music/Sounds: None.
-Availability: Appeared twice: on Foes of Ali and Phoenix 3, both for 3DO.
+'''Availability:''' Seen on ''NHL All-Star Hockey'' for Game Gear and Sega Saturn, and the opening cutscene of ''Phoenix 3'' for 3DO.
+===5th Logo (1995)===
-Editor's Note: None.
+<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
+GrayMatterFoesofAli.png|''Foes of Ali''
+GrayMatterPhoenix3B.png|''Phoenix 3'' (screensaver)
+</gallery>
+'''Visuals:''' Over a black background, the logo starts with {{color|#00bcfa|light blue}} crystalized pieces while circular pieces move around, and some pieces reveal the crystalized blue letter "{{color|#00bcfa|'''G'''}}" with some moving circles zooming out over a space background and a {{color|blue}} lightning picture standing on the right of the letter. A light then flashes, and then the logo turns metallic with an exclamation point shown on the left of the letter. The word "'''GRAY MATTER'''" wipes below the logo.
+'''Variant:''' A still version, where the logo is shown on a space background, and the words are shown in spaced out letters, is used on 3DO screensaver files.
+'''Technique:''' The crystal pieces of the logo moving, the logo flashing.
-th Logo
-(1995)
+'''Audio:''' Hollow synth notes similar to the previous logo, with bells, and some whooshes at the end.
+'''Availability:''' Seen on ''Foes of Ali'' for 3DO. The variant is shown on screensaver files of ''Foes of Ali'' and ''Phoenix 3'' for 3DO (the game itself used the last logo).
-Gray Matter Inc. (1995)Gray Matter Inc. (1995)
+===6th Logo (June 5, 1996)===
-Logo: A big black object turns as the screen marbleizes and beams form "GRAY" in rectangle. "MATTER" comes in and flash occurs.
+<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
+GrayMatterNBAAction.png
+</gallery>
+'''Visuals:''' On a black background, there is the text "{{Font|Times New Roman|Gr}}{{color|#00bcfa|@}}{{Font|Times New Roman|y}}" in a grungy typewriter font, with the outlined word "<span style="font-size: 14px; color: black; -webkit-text-stroke: 0.7px black; -webkit-text-fill-color: white;>'''Matter'''</span>" shown on the right, and the tiny word "Inc" shown on the right side. Below it is the text "{{color|#00bcfa|entertainment software}}" in a typewriter font.
-Variant: On NHL All-Star Hockey for Game Gear, the "GRAY" appeared in white rectangle, and other parts on black. It also has "DEVELOPED BY" above.
+'''Technique:''' A still graphic.
-FX/SFX: The beams.
+'''Audio:''' A horn sound that continues into the NBA logo.
-Music/Sounds: The hollow bell clinging with a spring sound.
+'''Availability:''' Seen on ''NBA Action'' for Sega Saturn.
-Availability: Seen on NHL All-Star Hockey. The still version in also saved in Phoenix 3 for 3DO and can be found in game resources. However, it was replaced on the final release.
+===7th Logo (November 21, 1996-August 1997)===
-Editor's Note: None.
+<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
+GrayMatterCrowCityofAngelsPS1.png|''The Crow: City of Angels'' (PlayStation)
+GrayMatterCrowCityofAngelsSS.png|''The Crow: City of Angels'' (Sega Saturn)
+GrayMatterCrowCityofAngelsPC.png|''The Crow: City of Angels'' (PC)
+GrayMatterPerfectWeaponPS1.png|''Perfect Weapon'' (PlayStation)
+</gallery>
+{{YouTube|id=j9xAixLOsKc}}
+'''Visuals:''' On an {{color|orange}} background, there is a black figure walking and skip hopping towards the viewer, with shadows around him. Then the figure bounces and a black rectangle appears over his head, making it an exclamation point. The figure continues to look around, then does a double backflip, and as he lands, the animation freezes. The logo zooms out, and the black arched words "'''GRAY MATTER'''" fade in on the left and right sides of the figure.
+'''Variants:'''
+* On the PlayStation version of ''Perfect Weapon'', a print version of the logo is seen, where the logo is in white on a black background.
+* On the PC version of ''The Crow: City of Angels'', the print version of the logo features {{color|orange}} sides on the figure.
+* On the Saturn version of ''The Crow: City of Angels'', the logo is still, with the figure gaining a white outline, and the shadow is absent.
+'''Technique:''' 2D digital animation.
-th Logo
-(1996)
+'''Audio:''' Various cartoon sound effects, followed by a guitar note when the logo zooms out.
-Gray Matter Inc. (1996)Gray Matter Inc. (1996)
+'''Availability:''' The standard version is seen on the PlayStation version of ''The Crow: City of Angels'' and the PC version of ''Perfect Weapon''. The still versions are seen on the PlayStation version of ''Perfect Weapon'' and the PC and Sega Saturn versions of ''The Crow: City of Angels''.
-Logo: There is a figure skip-hopping in orange room, coming towards the screen looking around. He hops in surprised fashion and explanation mark part appear over his head. He then looks around again and does a flip into final position. The name appears in custom font in arched fashion. The camera eases back into final position.
+[[Category:Canadian video game logos]]
-Variants:
+[[Category:Canada]]
-On Perfect Weapon and The Crow for PC, the still logo appeared mostly black-and-white, in high quality. The figure had some orange strokes.
+[[Category:Video game logos]]
-On Perfect Weapon for PS, there were no orange strokes.
-FX/SFX: The figure's animation.
-Music/Sounds: A ping, then few rubber sounds, an echoed clang.
-Availability: The orange version appears on PS and Saturn ports of The Crow: City of Angels. Still version appears on the PC port and on Perfect Weapon.
-Editor's Note: None.