The Lost Sequel to Super Mario 64: What Happened to Super Mario 64-2?

The Origins of the Project

Super Mario 64 is widely regarded as one of the most influential and groundbreaking games of all time. Its 3D gameplay and innovative camera system set the standard for future 3D platformers. However, despite its massive success, a direct sequel to Super Mario 64 was never released. In fact, a sequel was actually planned, code-named "Mario 128," which was intended to take advantage of the Nintendo 64DD’s capabilities.

The Planned Features

According to Shigeru Miyamoto, the planned sequel, Super Mario 64-2, was going to allow Mario and Luigi to be playable at the same time, utilizing the 64DD’s ability to store information. This would have marked a significant step forward in the series, allowing for cooperative play and new gameplay opportunities.

The Failure of the 64DD and the Cancellation of the Sequel

Unfortunately, the 64DD console never gained commercial success, and with it, the planned sequel was cancelled. Nintendo continued to work on the project, considering it for release on the GameCube in 2000. However, another major title, Super Mario Sunshine, was in development at the time, and many of its features and ideas were incorporated into that game instead.

The Legacy of Super Mario 64-2

While Super Mario Sunshine is often seen as a spiritual successor to Super Mario 64, purists argue that it is more of a spin-off than a direct sequel. The ideas and features planned for Super Mario 64-2 were ultimately lost, leaving fans wondering what could have been.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why was Super Mario 64-2 cancelled?
A: The 64DD console failed to gain commercial success, leading to the cancellation of the sequel.

Q: What features were planned for Super Mario 64-2?
A: The game was going to allow Mario and Luigi to be playable at the same time, utilizing the 64DD’s ability to store information.

Q: Was Super Mario Sunshine a direct sequel to Super Mario 64-2?
A: No, while Super Mario Sunshine was developed around the same time, it is more of a spin-off than a direct sequel to Super Mario 64-2.

Nintendo Switch 2: Could it Get AI-Enhanced Upscaling Like PS5 Pro?

New Clue Emerges from Modder’s Code Dive

In just over a week, Nintendo will reveal the specifications of its upcoming Switch 2 console at its next Nintendo Direct event on April 2. While we already know the console will be compatible with existing physical and digital Switch games, details about its performance level remain a mystery. However, a keen-eyed modder has unearthed an intriguing detail in the code of a new Switch game, suggesting that the Switch 2 might feature a feature similar to the AI-enhanced upscaling technology in Sony’s PS5 Pro.

Code Discovery Suggests 60 FPS Mode

Modder MasaGratoR pored over the code of Monolith Soft’s new game Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition, released for existing Switch consoles on March 20. He discovered a line of code referring to a currently unused 60 FPS mode, which he assumes was intended to allow the game to run at 60 frames per second.

Partial Implementation and Weird Issues

MasaGratoR notes that the 60 FPS mode is only partially implemented, causing "weird issues" when enabled. Gameplay is rendered every second frame, and some objects jitter. He speculates that this could be groundwork for a patch that would enable 60 FPS on the upcoming Switch 2 console.

Is it Leftover Code or a Future Feature?

There is a possibility that this code is leftover from a feature that was scrapped during development. However, Switch fans are now excited about the prospect of the Switch 2 having upscaling capabilities for Switch games.

What’s the PS5 Pro’s ‘Performance Pro’ Mode?

The PS5 Pro’s ‘Performance Pro’ mode uses PlayStation Scalable Spatial Rendering (PSSR) to upscale 4K resolution and aim for 60 FPS, resulting in sharper, more detailed visuals. Could Switch 2 also get similar upscaling capabilities? We may find out on April 2 when Nintendo reveals more about the console.

Conclusion

The discovery of this code has sparked speculation about the potential features of the Switch 2 console. While it’s unclear whether this 60 FPS mode will be implemented, the possibility of upscaling for Switch games is an exciting prospect. We’ll be keeping a close eye on the Nintendo Direct event on April 2 to learn more about the Switch 2’s specifications and features.

FAQs

Q: What is the Nintendo Switch 2?
A: The Nintendo Switch 2 is the upcoming successor to the Nintendo Switch console.

Q: What is the release date of the Nintendo Switch 2?
A: The release date is not yet confirmed, but it is expected to be announced at the Nintendo Direct event on April 2.

Q: Will the Switch 2 be compatible with existing Switch games?
A: Yes, the Switch 2 will be compatible with existing physical and digital Switch games.

Q: What is the ‘Performance Pro’ mode on the PS5 Pro?
A: The ‘Performance Pro’ mode on the PS5 Pro uses PlayStation Scalable Spatial Rendering (PSSR) to upscale 4K resolution and aim for 60 FPS, resulting in sharper, more detailed visuals.

Unreal Engine 5: A New World of Creative Possibilities for 3D Artists

Unreal Engine 5 offers a vast array of creative opportunities for 3D artists, making it a tempting platform for those who specialize in product and motion graphics rendering. For those familiar with 3D content creation applications such as Cinema 4D and Maya, Unreal presents a new way of working that requires learning. The potential speed of real-time rendering options makes it an attractive platform for 3D artists, especially those who specialize in product and motion graphics rendering, a core area for Cinema 4D users.

Get Started with Atlux and Cineware

To begin, 3D artists need to download and install the Atlux plugin, which can be found on the Atlux website. Once installed, enable the plugin in the Unreal Engine menu (Edit>Plugins) and restart the project. This will allow artists to create their own unique level within the software, which is the closest equivalent to a new scene or file within the larger Unreal project.

Creating the Atlux Level

To create a new Atlux level, open the Unreal Engine and click on the Platforms dropdown menu. Press on the Atlux icon to open the Atlux interface. From there, select the "Create New Studio Level" option at the top of the Studio Preset list to create a new, clean Atlux level with only the Atlux studio elements.

Importing a Cinema 4D File

To import a Cinema 4D file, go to the "Quickly add to Project" icon at the top of the Unreal Window and select Datasmith>File Import. Choose the Cinema 4D file required and select where in the Content Directory to place the Cinema 4D assets. Choose which assets from the C4D scene are required and press Import. The model should appear in the center of the Atlux studio.

Tips and Tricks

• Use the Studio Scale Multiplier to quickly adjust all Atlux elements, including light and camera values, to the desired size.
• Use the Cineware plugin to import Cinema 4D files directly into the Atlux level.
• Experiment with different Atlux studio presets to create unique scenes and animations.

Conclusion

Unreal Engine 5 offers a wealth of creative possibilities for 3D artists, and the Atlux plugin provides a seamless integration with Cinema 4D files. With its real-time rendering capabilities and vast array of assets, Unreal Engine 5 is an attractive platform for 3D artists looking to push the boundaries of their creativity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Atlux?
A: Atlux is a plugin for Unreal Engine that provides a traditional layout environment for 3D artists.

Q: How do I import a Cinema 4D file into Unreal Engine?
A: To import a Cinema 4D file, go to the "Quickly add to Project" icon at the top of the Unreal Window and select Datasmith>File Import. Choose the Cinema 4D file required and select where in the Content Directory to place the Cinema 4D assets.

Q: What is Cineware?
A: Cineware is a plugin for Unreal Engine that allows for the import of Cinema 4D files directly into the Unreal Engine.

Q: Can I use the Studio Scale Multiplier to adjust the size of my model?
A: Yes, you can use the Studio Scale Multiplier to quickly adjust all Atlux elements, including light and camera values, to the desired size.

The Tesla Logo: A Story of Evolution and Innovation

The Tesla Logo History

To clarify, we’re talking here about the logo and branding of Tesla, the US-based electric car company-turned-humanoid robot developer, not the Czech radio maker of the same name, although we’ll take a look at their logo too just out of curiosity.

Tesla Inc was founded in 2003 by Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning and is now run by South African CEO Elon Musk. It has only had one major change in its logo, and that accompanied a change in its name.

Original Tesla Motors Logo – 2003 to 2017

The company was originally called Tesla Motors since it was conceived as an electric carmaker, and the first Tesla logo looked much more like a traditional car badge. It sported the same wordmark and symbol as today, but these were placed in a shield shape. The brand also used a separate wordmark displaying the full brand name in a different font.

The logo was designed by the New Jersey-based creative agency RO Studio, which would also design the logo for Space X. It’s been said that the use of a shield was intended to evoke security and safety, areas where Tesla has since seen a spot of controversy, but it’s just as likely that the shield was chosen simply because that’s the traditional form of a car logo.

As such, the design combined an element of traditional car branding with the more minimalist and futuristic-looking custom Tesla Slab typeface and that spiky ‘T’ shape (we’ll see what that’s supposed to represent shortly). The design achieved what Tesla was aiming for, seeking to convince doubters that electric vehicles could be serious luxury vehicles while emphasizing its focus on innovation.

The Tesla Logo – 2017 to Today

The original Tesla logo remained unchanged for nearly 14 years, through the release of the Roadster – the first Tesla car in 2008 – as well as the subsequent Model S, Model X, and Model 3.

But in 2017, Tesla rebranded, dropping the ‘Motors’ part of its name. The aim was to reflect a broader focus on tech innovation rather than cars. This also meant a corresponding logo design change. The shield was removed, and the Tesla name was placed below the symbol. The change made the logo look more minimalist and less like a traditional car brand.

Tesla Logo Meaning

Believe it or not, the intention was not to make the Tesla logo look like an IUD. Nor is it merely intended to be a futuristic-looking, pointy letter ‘T’ from the brand’s name. The logo is more inspired than that.

The ‘T’ is based on the shape of a segment from the cross-section of an electric motor. The main body represents poles protruding from the rotor while the curved lines at the top represent the air gap and stator. This creates a visual link to the brand’s original impetus: electric motors.

Tesla Logo Memes

Unfortunately for the brand, despite the clever Tesla logo inspiration, most people fail to recognize the abstract reference, leading to all kinds of other theories. People have compared the design to an IUD, a cat’s nose, Thor’s hammer, and a push dagger. The confusion is perhaps proof that a clever idea isn’t always great brand design in practice if nobody gets it.

And the Original Tesla?

There was already a company called Tesla before Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning founded Tesla Inc in the US in 2003. Tesla AS was originally a state monopoly producer of electronic appliances and components in Czechoslovakia during the Soviet era.

It seems that, like the US Tesla, the company was named after the Serbian engineer Nikola Tesla, but after the USSR broke off relations with Yugoslavia in 1948, it would be claimed that the name was an abbreviation ‘TEchnika SLAboproudá’ – low-current technology. The brand logo reflects its focus on radio electronics.

FAQs

Q: Who designed the Tesla logo?
A: The Tesla logo was designed by a New Jersey-based creative agency called RO Studio, which also designed the logo for Space X.

Q: Why did Tesla change its logo and brand name?
A: Tesla changed its name and logo in 2017 to become simply Tesla instead of Tesla Motors. This was intended to reflect a broader focus on technology rather than only cars.

Q: What does Tesla mean?
A: Tesla is a Serbian/Croatian surname. The most famous Tesla was Nikola Tesla, a Serbian engineer who was born in Smiljan (now in Croatia). He migrated to the US in the late 19th century and worked on a range of electrical and mechanical inventions, including an AC induction motor. He tried to develop ideas for wireless lighting and communication but ran out of funds. Tesla Inc is named after him.

Making the vastness of the Mint

Reflecting on the environment of the vault, Chris says: “A lot of our work – like all the work in the vault – was shot in a blue screen studio. There were a few practical elements, such as the ground they’re walking on, the security droid puppet and a partial set for the spaceship where they sit on the ramp. Apart from that, everything else is bluescreen.”

The vast industrial space of the vault seen at the end of Skeleton Crew evokes the seemingly bottomless space below the Theed Hangar in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, and Chris says of such spaces: “In the Mint there was the landing platform. Before it gets to the bottom of the Mint, the characters look and see the ‘credit maker’, which is this big machine that’s making all of those credits. We had to create the vault and the credit maker in CG as this really massive environment.”

Developing the look of At Achrann

Chris explains that DNEG’s sequences in Episode 4 of Star Wars: Skeleton Crew showcase the team’s environment work in relation to practical set work. In this episode, the hero kids arrive on At Achrann, a war-torn, bombed-out version of their homeworld of At Attin.

“At Achrann was shot on a set,” Chris notes. “Any rocks or ground that the characters walked on were practical sets. Generally, everything was blued off in the background and then we extended the set. What was difficult about that sequence was the smoke, dust and mist which gave it that post-war kind of look. There was a lot of smoke on set, but it was difficult to maintain a consistent look and feel, so we needed to balance that out in post.”

The Influence of Classic Star Wars

The opportunity to work on Star Wars: Skeleton Crew has been a very special opportunity for Chris and it’s evident when he recalls how he “grew up loving those films and loving the world: its design and artwork and production design”.

Chris’s enthusiasm for the worlds of Star Wars underpins his closing comment when he notes that, “Probably my favourite shot that we worked on is of the Onyx Cinder spaceship coming in and landing on At Achrann. The shot has lots of dust, big fiery engines, and elements flying into camera. The animation of the ship coming in and landing took quite a few goes and the way that it settles and its weight readjustment was all quite refined”.

Chris pauses and adds with satisfaction that this shot, “is classic Star Wars fare”.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the team at DNEG has created an impressive array of environments, from the vast industrial space of the vault to the war-torn landscape of At Achrann. With their expertise in visual effects, they have brought these worlds to life, drawing inspiration from classic Star Wars and using a range of techniques, from bluescreen to practical sets. The result is a visually stunning and immersive experience that immerses viewers in the world of Star Wars: Skeleton Crew.

FAQs

Q: What was the most challenging part of creating the vault environment?
A: The most challenging part was replacing the entire environment, including the ground, security droid puppet, and partial set for the spaceship, in CG.

Q: How did you approach creating the war-torn environment of At Achrann?
A: We deconstructed the suburban setting of At Attin to create something that felt familiar, even in its devastation. We used a range of real-world reference images to help us achieve the desired look.

Q: What was your favorite shot to work on?
A: My favorite shot was the Onyx Cinder spaceship coming in and landing on At Achrann. It was a complex animation process, but the end result was worth it.