Prototype
From Sonic Retro
A prototype is a stage of design before the final one. Prototype video games are created during development for playtesting and bug reporting purposes. Usually, a prototype game doesn't leave the developers' offices, but occasionally one finds its way out and onto the internet.
Prototypical stages
- Pre-Alpha: Only used in certain games for very early development
- Alpha: All the development up to beta
- Beta: All major game modes and features are closed; game is now being heavily tested for bugs by SOA's QA
- Final/Gold: Finished and sold product
Examples of well-known prototypes
- Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Nick Arcade prototype) (Sega Mega Drive/Genesis)
- Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Simon Wai prototype) (Sega Mega Drive/Genesis)
- Sonic the Hedgehog CD build 510 (Sega Mega-CD)
- Sonic Crackers (Sega Mega Drive/Genesis)
- Sonic 3D (cartridge prototype) (Sega Mega Drive/Genesis)
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