New World Computing
EnormousRat
Background
New World Computing (no relation to New World Entertainment) was an American game company, best known for its Might & Magic universe series. It was founded in 1984 by Jon Van Caneghem, his wife, Michaela Van Caneghem, and Mark Caldwell, and became the subsidiary of 3DO in July 10, 1996 from NTN Communications, after NTN purchased New World Computing for $10 million in stock. Since that time it acted as merely a M&M-developing appendix. When 3DO filed for bankruptcy in May 2003, New World Computing also ceased to exist with the dissolution of its parent organization.
1st Logo (1986-1999)
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Visuals: This is a pool of common logos based on the same design. There is a starfield and Earth rotating on it. The sword pierces the planet through its axis. The company's name often appears in capital italics over the globe.
Variants:
- Nuclear War: The planet is red and blue, the sword and the company's name (placed over the picture with "PRESENTS" word) are golden.
- Inherit the Earth: Quest for the Orb: Simple blue and green version of Earth and the name written above with "A PRESENTATION OF" addition.
- Iron Cross: The name is shining gold without italics.
- Anvil of Dawn: - The name letters are red and have 3D effect with yellow sides.
- Zephyr: The sparkle runs over the solar system and passes the same logo as in the previous variant.
- Heroes of Might and Magic: Very similar to the above, except a bit brighter and the name cast shadow. The planet rotates and stars shine.
Technique: Usually a still, graphic; either sprite-based, or a CG render. The Zephyr version was in CGI and built in the intro movie.
Audio: Either synthesized, space-kind music, the opening theme of the game, or none.
Availability: Appears on many early games named above. Debuted on Might and Magic: Book One - Secret of the Inner Sanctum for the Apple II.
2nd Logo (1988-1990)
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Visuals: There is a simple space field on a black background, consisting of three small planets, stars and Earth pierced with a sword. The text in the special font can be read: NEW WORLD COMPUTING and below: PRESENTS...
Technique: A still, sprite-based graphic.
Audio: None.
Availability: Appears on King's Bounty and Might & Magic II.
3rd Logo (1991)
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Visuals: An early manifestation of the Earth globe logo, this one has the sword vertically and the name in two lines, in red computerized font.
Technique: A still, sprite-based graphic.
Audio: None.
Availability: Appears on Planet's Edge.
4th Logo (1991)
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Visuals: On a line of sky, the words "NEW WORLD" and "COMPUTING" below take place in golden font, with first O shaped like globe and has a sword through it. "PRESENTS" in black appears below, moves down and touches the water, making ripple. The space field at the very bottom fades in and a shooting star passes by.
Technique: 2D computer animation.
Audio: Either the opening theme of the game or the sound when the water is touched.
Availability: Appears on Might & Magic III: Isles of Terra for the MS-DOS.
5th Logo (1991)
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Visuals: On a sky-blue background, there is a sword-pierced Earth, with the outline, continents and the sword gray, and oceans blue. Around this is the thick gray circle with the name written in blue. The logo has a bevelled 3D look.
Technique: A still, digital graphic.
Audio: None.
Availability: Appears on Joe & Mac: Caveman Ninja for PC.
6th Logo (1992-1994)
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Visuals: There are two logos based on the same idea: the dragon face in the MGM-kind ribbon and the name below in exactly the same way as the 3rd logo (only turquoise color).
Variants:
- On Clouds of Xeen, a gray dragon is facing left. A fly comes and buzzes around, and the monster takes it down with his fire breathing. Then he roars triumphantly.
- On Darkside of Xeen, a different blue dragon watches right. When the fly appears, he tries to burn it but fails and becomes angry, then he gets a bug repellent and uses it, grinning as the fly falls down.
Technique: Sprite-based animation.
Audio: The synthesized sound of the fly buzzing, the sound of the flames whooshing, two tinkles, a brief hiss, and the roar of the dragon.
Availability: Appears on fourth and fifth Might & Magic games, respectively subtitled Clouds of Xeen and Darkside of Xeen.
7th Logo (November 1, 1995)
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Visuals: Just the black italics of the company's name written with the red glow.
Technique: A still, digital graphic.
Audio: None.
Availability: Appears on Wetlands.
8th Logo (November 18, 1996-1999)
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Visuals: The logo starts with Earth rotating is space, as the name "NEW WORLD COMPUTING" fades over in a shiny red italics font. Then an elaborate golden sword pierces the planet, letting away the golden dust. The logo quickly shines in three spots and the 3DO byline appears.
Technique: CGI.
Audio: A sweet soundtrack with piercing and shining sounds.
Availability: Seen on Arcomage (still), Wages of War and Heroes of Might & Magic 2. Also appears on the intro movie of Might & Magic VI - The Mandate of Heaven.
9th Logo (1998)
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Visuals: There is a night view of a sandy beach, with clear water. There is the moon rising on the sky, while a dolphin jumps out of the water. The moon, after settling, fades into the pierced globe logomark. "NEW WORLD COMPUTING" in a shiny red italic font (like before) fades in front of the globe and the sword glows. The beach then fades out and the logo zooms into the center.
Technique: CGI.
Audio: An ethereal choir and orchestra theme.
Availability: Seen on the PC version of Vegas Games 2000.
10th Logo (1999-2003)
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Visuals: There are several changing images depicting the NWC logo at the stages of world existence. First picture shows burning orange planet pierced by formless pike and surrounded with fiery universe. Then it changes to the logo across the ancient rock carvings, then in the middle of relief wall, with Earth supported by Atlas and name in the serif font written as "NEW WORLD COMPVTING". Next shot shows a Medieval print with castles and knights, the calendar slowly rotating in the circle of Zodiac. Next shot shows the Renaissance age stylization of the logo with Michelangelo's "The Creation of Adam" in the background, and the logo finally turns into normal starfield, mostly similar to the previous one. An electric charge passes through the words from top to bottom, painting them with blue-gold chrome, as the byline reading "A division of The 3DO Company" on the bottom-right corner in the Impact font fades in. The shine runs and ends on the right side.
Technique: CGI.
Audio: A slow, orchestral fanfare with a rising finish. Composed using samples from EastWest's Scoring Tools sample CD.
Availability: Seen on Heroes of Might & Magic III and IV, as well as on Might & Magic VII: For Blood and Honor, VIII: Day of the Destroyer and IX.
