The Great Machine

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PLEASE NOTE: This page refers to content that is not present in the final versions of the game due to being cut, removed or repurposed.

The Great Machine is a level that was cut from MediEvil.[1] According to the game's producer, Chris Sorrell, it was going to be a very platform-oriented level where Sir Dan would navigate around the outside of a huge steam powered machine avoiding moving pistons and jets of steam. The Time Device was redesigned to accommodate the loss of the Great Machine. The Cathedral Spires level from MediEvil 2 ended up being similar in concept to this level.[2]

The Great Machine
MediEvilECTSPreAlpha-TheGreatMachine7.png
General information
AKA Train Level
Enemies Flying Eyeballs
Music Dan's Waltz
Chronological information
Previous level 26. The Hub[1]
Next level 28. The Time Device[1]
Location on Land Map
   
   
Sir Daniel Fortesque
   

The level appears in the MediEvil ECTS Pre-Alpha, albeit in a very rough form. There are no enemies to fight or items to collect.

In promotional materials

Bits of the level can be seen in an early promotional trailer for the game. Flying Eyeballs can briefly be seen in the footage.

In the final game

The machine was turned into the exterior of Zarok's Lair:

MediEvil ECTS Pre-Alpha Final
   
MediEvil ECTS Pre-Alpha Final
   
MediEvil ECTS Pre-Alpha Final
   
MediEvil ECTS Pre-Alpha Final
   
MediEvil ECTS Pre-Alpha Final
   

Several objects from The Great Machine also remain in the Programmer's Playground WAD.

Gallery

Main article: Images of The Great Machine

Concept art

Screenshots

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 MediEvil Rolling Demo. Developed by SCEE Cambridge Studio. Published by Sony Computer Entertainment in September 1997.
  2.   "It's true, there was a level called The Great Machine in the original plan for the game. It was to be a very platform oriented level where Dan navigates around the outside of a huge steam powered machine avoiding moving pistons, jets of steam, etc. I recall we did a little bit of work blocking it out but ultimately it was still just a rough concept at the time we needed to rationalize our plan for completing the game. It's possible a few ideas made it into The Time Device - in fact that level (including the whole train section) was redesigned to accommodate the loss of The Great Machine.

    Visually you can see some of the ideas that we had in mind for The Great Machine in the FMV sequence that introduces The Time Device (i.e. the pan over Zarok's underground domain).

    Interestingly The Cathedral Spires level that they created at the end of MediEvil 2 had a very similar feel to our concepts for The Great Machine. Not sure whether that was an accident or by design (perhaps even subconsciously on Jason's part)!"
    — Chris Sorrell, MediEvil developers - Q&A; on MediEvil Boards. Published June 14, 2013.

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