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''Deathrow'' is a sports video game developed by Southend Interactive and published by Ubisoft Entertainment. It was released as an Xbox gaming system exclusive on 18 October 2002 in Europe and four days later in North America. ''Deathrow'' development began in May 1999 as an online PC (player computer) game. In early 2001, Southend transitioned to an Xbox console release, which let the team use pixel shaders, bump mapped textures, and specular lighting. ''Deathrow'' was built on an in-house 3D game engine and was Southend's first full release. The game is based on the fictional extreme sport Blitz, a futuristic full-contact hybrid of hockey and basketball played with a flying disc. Two teams of four players attempt to move the disc through their opponent's goal, and teams can either win on points or by knocking out their opposing team. There are 150 individual characters across 18 thematic teams. The single-player campaign's plot is set in the 23rd century, when Blitz is a popular, televised sport and the teams battle to scale the ranks and win the championship. Players earn credits from their goals scored, opponent knockouts, and crowd-pleasing to be spent on player upgrades, bets, and new teammates. The game also supports split-screen and System Link multiplayer for up to eight players across up to eight Xbox consoles. ''Deathrow'' received largely favorable reviews. Reviewers praised the game's fast-paced action, and surround sound, but complained of its high difficulty curve, generic soundtrack, and lack of online multiplayer. Some critics felt the game's use of profanity was excessive, while others thought it was a highlight. Reviewers considered the game's concept and mechanics similar to other series, specifically ''Speedball''. IGN and ''TeamXbox'' both named ''Deathrow'' an Editor's Choice. The game won the ''TeamXbox'' 2002 Breakthrough Game of the Year award and the IGN 2002 Best Game Nobody Played. IGN later reported that a sequel would be unlikely due to the original's low revenue. Southend dissolved in 2013. == Gameplay == ''Deathrow'' is set in the year 2219,〔 where Blitz is the world's most popular sport.〔 Players attempt to toss a disc through a hoop while avoiding full-contact from their opponents, including punches, kicks, throws, and stomps.〔 Like a futuristic rugby,〔 the sport combines elements of hockey, basketball,〔 and full-contact American football.〔 Critics compared the game's mechanics to ''Discs of Tron'', ''Mortal Kombat'',〔 ''Blood Bowl'',〔 ''Final Fantasy X''s Blitzball,〔 ''Blades of Steel'',〔 and ''Speedball'',〔〔〔 and its aesthetic to that of ''Blade Runner''.〔 The game's premise was also compared to the 1975 film ''Rollerball''.〔〔 There are four rounds in a match of Blitz,〔 where two teams of four computer or human players〔 score points for each energized Blitz disc thrown through their opponent's hoop, which is eight feet off the ground.〔 Players pass and travel with the disc across the arenas,〔 and the game continues without pause between points scored.〔 The team with the most points at the end of a match wins. Players can choose to brawl when not scoring points. Fighting depletes character health, depending on who takes the blows. Once his health is completely depleted, a character is removed from the game, and teams with all players knocked out are disqualified (though players can be substituted between rounds).〔 If a player tends towards belligerence, the game's artificial intelligence will compensate and exact revenge for its teammates.〔 Friendly fire, where teammates can intentionally or inadvertently hurt each other with attacks meant for their opponents, is permitted.〔 There are 150 unique players on 18 teams,〔 each with thematic personalities in appearance, play style, and profanity.〔 Teams also vary in skill set, and attributes such as defense, speed, strength, and teamwork.〔 Examples include the Sea Cats (fast all-female team with European accents), the Marines (who wear camouflaged garb and use military jargon), the Demons (high strength attribute with demonic language),〔 and the Black Dragons (ninjas with high agility and combat skills).〔 Teams battle in 32 arenas—one half with traditional, open-style stadiums, and the other half with environmental obstacles, such as the underground mines. Minor power-ups including health, credits, and skill augments for individual players regenerate regularly on the field.〔 Players earn credits for knocking out opponents, scoring points, and impressing the crowd with violence and skill. The credits can be used towards player enhancements such as black market performance-enhancing drugs.〔 A crowd meter displays audience support,〔 which boosts the player's team abilities when filled.〔 IGN found the game to heavily rely on teamwork. Computer players on teams rated with low teamwork will not take initiative to pursue the disc or to help teammates in need. This attribute can be raised over the course of a game. Players can call plays including physical offense, fast offense, neutral, defense, and goal defense.〔 The game supports single-player, four-player local multiplayer, and System Link〔 with up to eight players across up to eight Xbox consoles, but does not support Xbox Live online play.〔〔 ''Deathrow'' has a futuristic electronic dance music soundtrack〔 and over 3,000 words of voice acting.〔 It also supports 5.1 surround sound and customized soundtracks.〔 The game is backwards compatible with the Xbox 360.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Deathrow (video game)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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