Prerelease:Shadow Man (Windows)

This page details pre-release information and/or media for Shadow Man (Windows).

Shadow Man entered development sometime after Acclaim acquired Valiant Comics and gave Iguana UK (later Acclaim Studios Teesside) a chance to pick a comic to adapt into a game. The game was first announced in 1997 with Windows as the lead platform, with Dreamcast and Nintendo 64 ports to follow. It was slated for a late 1998 release before being delayed to Fall 1999. A game based on Valiant's Bloodshot was also in development by a second team at Iguana UK at the time, who were then moved to help with Shadow Man after their game was cancelled in late 1998. According to an interview in the official strategy guide, the game took roughly two years and eight months to make.

1997 ECTS Press Kit

What's included on the disc matches the E3 Milestone 2 Demo pretty closely.

Teaser

A short teaser trailer was included, which is mostly comprised of shaky footage of the developer's offices and music and sounds that would find their way into the final game, with a brief glimpse of an early version of the game running.

Screenshots

Artwork

A single sketch was also included, showcasing some potential Gads (skill granting tattoos).

1998 Acclaim: The State of Play Press Kit

This press kit also happens to include a trailer of the cancelled Bloodshot, alongside a more advanced look at Shadow Man.

Trailer

To do:
Further analysis, comparisons where possible.

The trailer included shows a drastically different game, with very few areas resembling those found in the final game. Weapons seem to be using placeholder textures of solid red or green as well. The footage presumably originates from an earlier build as the screenshots also included bare little resemblance.

Summer Camp

Summer Camp	Milton and HUD	Final HUD

Notably, a brief glimpse at the original Florida Summer Camp level can be seen (note the "Camp Ocala" sign). The first area can be found in Remastered while the second doesn't resemble any part of that version of the level. An encounter with Milton and an early HUD are also shown.

Screenshots

General Changes

Enemies

Enemies can be seen intact and laying in pools of blood. In the final game, enemies are blown to gibs and don't stick around.

Skin Bridge

Shadow Man firing his gun on a skin bridge. In the final game, these bridges of skin trigger a short cutscene which transitions Shadow Man into a different level.

Level Specific Changes

Deadside Wasteland

Pre-release	Final

The platform Shadow Man is standing on and the one next to it are not present in the final game.
The breakable vase seems to replace some other object and the vase on the furthest platform is missing.
The hut is missing the door.
Either the button next to the hut isn't there or cannot be seen from the angle shown.
On the ledge in the distance, the unused altar can be seen. The Cadeaux next to it is also not inside a vase as it is in the final game.

Temple of Life