Editing Robotech: Crystal Dreams

{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2022}}
{{Infobox video game
|title  = Robotech: Crystal Dreams
| image = Robotech-crystal-dreams-game-box.jpg
| caption = Preliminary cover art
| developer = [[GameTek]]
| publisher = N/A
| designer = Doug Lanford, Lizard Harac
| engine =
| released = Canceled
| genre = [[Flight simulator]]
| modes = [[Single player]], [[multiplayer]]
| platforms = [[Nintendo 64]]
}}
'''''Robotech: Crystal Dreams''''' is a canceled ''[[Robotech]]'' [[video game]], developed by GameTek for the [[Nintendo 64]].<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Games for the American Ultra 64 |magazine=[[GamePro]] |issue=90 |publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|date=March 1996|page=26}}</ref>

==Gameplay==
''Crystal Dreams'' takes place between the first and second story arcs of the animated series. It 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. It is primarily a [[List of fictional spacecraft#Space fighters|space fighter]] simulation game with some resource management elements. The protagonist works as a mercenary and obtains credits based on the type of missions completed. Between levels, the player returns to the base to interact with a variety of characters, buy upgrades, and modify his mecha. The player gets wartime reports of events through space, and can rush to the aid of those that need his help the most and receive more credits for it.<ref>Nintendo Power, volume 86, page 98.</ref> The mecha can be transformed into three different forms: "Fighter mode", "Guardian mode", and "Battloid mode".<ref name=GPro94/>

==Development==
After purchasing the license for ''Robotech'' video games from [[Activision]], [[GameTek]] [[Sales presentation|pitched]] the game to [[Nintendo]]. Nintendo approved the project, and a team of ten was assembled to work on the game.<ref name=GPro94>{{cite magazine |title=Shooter's Dream: Robotech for the Nintendo 64 |magazine=[[GamePro]] |issue=94 |publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|date=July 1996|pages=28–29}}</ref> It was announced in May 1995 as a [[launch game]] for Nintendo 64 with the working title, ''Robotech Academy''.{{citation needed|date=June 2017}} By mid-1996, the name had changed to ''Robotech: Crystal Dreams''.<ref name=GPro94/>

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."<ref name=GPro94/>

Originally planned for a December 1996 release, it was rescheduled to the second quarter of 1997.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=News Bits|magazine=[[GamePro]]|issue=102 |publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]] |date=March 1997|page=24}}</ref> Following further delays, the release was pushed back again, to December 1997.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Parade of Popular PC and Arcade Titles Coming to Home Systems this Winter|magazine=[[GamePro]]|issue=104|publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|date=May 1997|page=24}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Tidbits... |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |issue=103|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|date=February 1998|page=26}}</ref> By the end of 1997, [[Ocean Software|Ocean]] had acquired the rights to the game and said they intended to finish and release it.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Letters |magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|issue=37|publisher=[[Imagine Media]] |date=January 1998 |pages=171–2}}</ref> However, it was canceled days after a working demo was shown at the 1998 [[E3]] trade show. [[Antarctic Press]] produced a black and white [[Robotech (comics)#Antarctic Press (1997-1998)|promotional comic book]] that was handed out at E3. GameTek was liquidated in late 1998.

==See also==
* ''[[List of Macross video games#Cancelled|Macross: Another Dimension]]'' is the canceled Japanese conversion of ''Crystal Dreams''.

==References==
{{reflist}}
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite web | title=Modern Vaporware | work=ign.com | url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/701/701364p1.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060413214302/http://pc.ign.com/articles/701/701364p1.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=April 13, 2006 | accessdate=May 2, 2006}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
* {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970117173147/http://www.gametek.com/webfinall/coming_soon/robotech/robo.html | title=Official website}}
* [http://www.opusgames.com/games/rcd/rcd.html OpusGames.com] - Comic book, list of vintage magazine articles, and unfinished ROM from the developers of ''Crystal Dreams''
* ''[http://ign64.ign.com/objects/000/000519.html Robotech: Crystal Dreams]'' game profile at [[IGN]]

{{Robotech}}

[[Category:Cancelled Nintendo 64 games]]
[[Category:GameTek games]]
[[Category:Robotech games|Crystal Dreams]]
[[Category:Video games adapted into comics]]