4 ms·
As a kid, my family got a new PC and it came with the full version of Jazz Jackrabbit 2. Both the campaign and the local multiplayer were a lot of fun, but quit
by Nition 3y ago
As a kid, my family got a new PC and it came with the full version of Jazz Jackrabbit 2. Both the campaign and the local multiplayer were a lot of fun, but quite often the multiplayer crashed. I also read about the game having a level editor called the Jazz Creation Station, but my copy absolutely didn't come with it. I looked though the game files and all that. I loved level editors so I was really disappointed.
We had a closer look at the disc and it was a mysterious "OEM Version" (I know what that means now, but none of us did back then). But it said version 1.0 so surely it was meant to have everything? We contacted Gateway, like "is there any way we can upgrade to the actual final version of the game?" And the answer was no.
They were bundling an unfinished version of the game!
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> OEM Versions
> These beta versions were originally distributed alongside Intel's manufactured hardware, as a result of a partnership between Epic and Intel. While most people who acquired these versions assumed they were the same as the retail release, they were actually builds from halfway through the game's development.
> Two OEM versions exist: 1.00g, which is the most common, and 1.00h. These versions have quite a lot of differences compared to the final release, such as different file formats, many levels use different tilesets or are in different orders, many sound effects weren't coded yet into the game, different screens for loading and menus and different and/or glitchy physics for weapons and objects.[0]
[0] https://jazzjackrabbit.fandom.com/wiki/Jazz_Jackrabbit_2/Development_Versions https://jazzjackrabbit.fandom.com/wiki/Jazz_Jackrabbit_2/Dev...
- amacneil 3y agoSame here. I have a vague memory of the level editor being included in the OEM version but not being able to get it working. But I could be mistaken. Was very confused at the time that we appeared to have the full version but it was missing features. Still spent many hours playing it. Edit: Also some motorbike racing game that came with the same (probably Gateway) PC. Can't remember much about it, but many hours wasted.
- Nition 3y agoIf your game bundle was the same as mine, it was Redline Racer!
- amacneil 3y agoAmazing! That's the one.
- Nition 3y agoFunny, I'm in New Zealand and I'm guessing you probably aren't, which means Gateway must have done the same game bundle around the world. Did yours also come with an exceptionally crappy two-button gamepad by any chance? Redline Racer felt really smooth with great graphics for the time. I loved how eventually you started unlocking ridiculous gimmick bikes like a hover bike and a dinosaur. I don't think I ever quite unlocked all of them.
- amacneil 3y agoYep I grew up in NZ too. Now that you mention it I do remember that gamepad, but don’t think we used it much. Ah I do remember the crazy bikes now! I need to find a copy of it. Just found a few YouTube videos.
- zbendefy 3y agoHalf life (1998) also had an OEM version called "Day one" containing the first half of the game along with some slightly last minute changes missing from it, compared to the released version (different handgun ammo count etc). Wondering why oem versions were dumbed down pre-releases
- desi_ninja 3y agoFirst quarter likely as it had first 4 chapters only.
- dtech 3y agoProbably due to deadlines for inclusion, while for normal release they had more time.