| Robotech: Crystal Dreams | |
|---|---|
 Preliminary cover art | |
| Developer(s) | GameTek |
| Publisher(s) | N/A |
| Designer(s) | Doug Lanford, Lizard Harac |
| Platform(s) | Nintendo 64 |
| Release | Canceled |
| Genre(s) | Flight simulator |
| Mode(s) | Single player, multiplayer |
Robotech: Crystal Dreams is a canceled Robotech video game for the Nintendo 64 developed by GameTek.[1]
Crystal Dreams follows the adventures of Kyle Bartley, a disgraced Robotech Defense Force veritech mecha pilot turned mercenary who fights to protect the Earth and the SDF-3 from new Zentraedi enemies.
After purchasing the license for Robotech video games from Activision, GameTek pitched the game to Nintendo. Nintendo approved the project, and a team of ten was assembled to work on the game.[2] It was announced in May 1995 as a launch game for Nintendo 64 with the working title, Robotech Academy.[citation needed] By mid-1996, the name had changed to Robotech: Crystal Dreams.[2]
Nintendo provided support to GameTek in learning the Nintendo 64 hardware. According to art director Mimi Doggett, "They know we're just getting used to this new hardware, so they've been patiently supportive. They're not pushing us to get the game out - they'd rather we take our time to make sure that it's good."[2]
Originally planned for a December 1996 release, it was rescheduled to the second quarter of 1997.[3] Following further delays, the release was pushed back again, to December 1997.[4] GameTek filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in early December 1997, more than two years into development. The company stated that development of Robotech: Crystal Dreams would not be affected by the bankruptcy.[5] By the end of 1997, Ocean had acquired the rights to the game and said they intended to finish and release it.[6] However, it was canceled days after a working demo was shown at the 1998 E3 trade show. Antarctic Press produced a black and white promotional comic book that was handed out at E3 and is now a collectors item. GameTek was liquidated in late 1998.
Crystal Dreams was primarily a space fighter simulation game with some resource management elements. The protagonist worked as a mercenary and could obtain different numbers of credits based on the type of missions completed. Between levels the player would return to base and be able to interact with a variety of other characters, buy upgrades and modify his mecha. The game also had a continuing war time line where the player could get reports of what was happening in various locations of space, and could rush to the aid of those that needed his help the most and receive more credits for it.[7] The mecha can be transformed into three different forms: "Fighter mode", "Guardian mode", and "Battloid mode".[2]