E3 2000 Prototype

This is a sub-page of Proto:Skies of Arcadia.

This prototype is documented on Hidden Palace.

This prototype is documented on Sega Dreamcast Info.

An E3 Demo with a build date of May 9th, 2000. Titled Eternal Arcadia, it is identical to the Japanese Sky Pirates Trial Edition with a workable Airship Battle section. The localization text uses Japanese names for enemies (e.g Battleship Soldiers, Imagotalia, Wardens, so on), items and certain regions. To avoid confusion, the official US localization will be used in this prototype article to refer to the enemies.

Even though Drachma and Gilder can only be seen in the “Laws of the Air Pirate” demonstration, their weapon icons and their Special Move list is present internally. Their battle models, along with Enrique’s, are absent from this build. Gilder can join you as a party member at the very last “Airship Battle!” against Roc; albeit with a blank name. Drachma’s voice lines for combat can be heard from the Debug Menu.

To do: There are tons, and tons… of untranslated Items, Magic, Special Move, Discovery Logs, Naval Ship messages, joke messages, and so on that need to be checked. Galcian and Ramirez do not make an appearance, but internal files show that they are loaded up to an incomplete cutscene (A002XA15 - Attack on Pirate Isle) check if this cutscene can be restored and viewed. Modify Magic and Special Moves that were not shown during the demonstration into existing ones and see if there’s a visual difference between versions. Add in Battle Ship details.

Debug Menu#

A debug menu is accessible by pressing L1 + R1 + Start when booting up the game. May require several tries to work.

CESA ROM - MAY 9TH 2000 - 17:49:36

マップ (Map)

戦闘 (Battle) - Shows a Soldier dying. The game will restart with a much choppier frame rate than normal.

船戦闘 (Naval Battle) - Inaccessible.

サウンドテスト - (Sound Test)

OPTIONS - Inaccessible.

つづきから (Continue) - Inaccessible.

Localization Changes#

Recovery:

Stats Upgrade:

Fish:

Weapons:

Combat#

Magic#

Super Move#

The cost of using the following Super Move was modified.

Cutlass Fury = (8) > (7)

Rain of Swords = (15) > (14)

Alpha Storm = (6) > (4)

Lambda Burst = (12) > (8)

Lunar Glyph = (8) > (3)

Game Over#

Instead of displaying a sword and a boomerang together in a sepia colored image, Vyse is shown dead with his swords next to him.

E3	Final

Character Changes#

The faces of Alan and Lindsi were bigger and rounder in the E3 Demo.

E3	Final

E3	Final

The drunkard in the Air Pirate’s Headquarters from the E3 build is no longer roaming around the docks. He’s now in Sailor’s Island by the bridge(omitted from the western version). Also, an old Air Pirate who would give the player advice on a location of an artifact was repurposed to Esparanza.

E3	Final

Laws of the Air Pirate#

A series of sequences to give potential consumers a general idea of the game narration. A Blue Rogue card will start off with the following text:

Rogues of the air...

Searching the skies for high adventure… and for gold!

Be bold in the face of danger!

The first cutscene starts with Vyse and Aika robbing the Valua battleship.

_{Notable differences:}

Some of the dialogue is slightly altered. Aika’s speech patterns include some stuttering. Fina’s ship is absent.

• The Soldiers are named “BattleshipSoldiers” (軍艦兵 - Gunkanhei) here.

• Instead of the main battle music, the E3 Demo starts off with a boss theme.

• Japanese voiceovers. They can grunt and call out special attacks, but using magic and focus lacks audible lines.

After defeating three Soldiers, the scene fades into the next Blue Rogue card:

Sailors of the sky…

Riding the winds through the clouds and beyond the sunset!

Never hesitate!

The second cutscene starts with Vyse and Aika’s first encounter with Rhaknam before meeting Drachma.

_{Notable differences:}

• Rhaknam’s attack emits black fog instead of blue.

• The intensity of the ship rocking was later toned down.

• The dialogue slightly differs in how Vyse reacts to the Arcwhale(it is called just whale here). Since the affection system is not implemented, there is no sound effect upon choosing the second or third choice.

The next Blue Rogue Card appears.

Treasure hunters…

Traveling the world in search of untold riches!

Discover incredible treasures!

The third cutscene starts with Vyse and Gilder on what eventually became Daccat’s Island. They had just found a big treasure chest, not knowing Aika and Fina were right behind them.

_{Notable differences:}

Daccat is named Tagatt here.

• Instead of zooming into the chest, the E3 Demo build zooms out from it. The transition to Aika and Fina is already zoomed in. In the final build, an additional scene transition was made to have them both stand in the dark cave before the aforementioned panning.

• Gilder looks to the side, while the final build had him look at the girls as they approach Vyse. Also, his reaction to the reunion is slightly different. Here, he comments on being envious of Vyse and asks them to focus on the treasure now that they’ve re-gathered. In the retail build, he makes a flirtatious comment about not knowing Vyse’s partner was the cute girl he met all the way back in Nasr.

In the full version, a boss commences, while the E3 Demo goes straight to the next part of the cutscene.

The next Blue Rogue card appears.

Chivalrous gentlemen…

Bringing honor and pride to the skies through their deeds.

Don’t let evil go unpunished!”

The fourth cutscene starts with Alfonso disposing of the Vice Captain for tarnishing his reputation.

_{Notable differences:}

• Nervous Crisis 2 is playing instead of Armada.

The Vice Captain’s text added “The preparations for you to escape” while the prototype specifies a general escape route.

Alfonso’s reason to dispose of the Vice Captain in the E3 Demo alludes to the robbery being carried out due to a betrayal within his ranks, so to prevent his reputation being stained he woefully declares the guard must die. The Vice Captain begs for forgiveness before being flung off the ship. Alfonso remarks how he had no choice in getting rid of the traitor.

In the retail version, Alfonso can’t admit to the queen about losing a fair fight and needs a scapegoat to save his own skin. Here, the Vice Captain expresses betrayal instead. Alfonso then makes a comment that even in death, he’ll serve the admiral well.

Another dialogue change is how Vyse uses a sailor’s honorary code to challenge Alfonso to a battle, whereas in later builds, the challenge comes from a clash of morals after witnessing murder.

Antonio is summoned, and a boss fight commences. A new Blue Rogue card appears after defeating the beast.

Fierce warriors…

Facing grave dangers and formidable enemies!

Brave the odds!

The fifth cutscene starts at Valuan gates. Vyse, Aika and Drachma are trying to find a way to enter the city to rescue Fina and Dyne.

_{Notable differences:}

• The sound effect of the fortress overpowers the music. When viewing this part of the showcase it is recommended to turn down your volume considerably.

Aika mentions how she felt like they passed through some sort of checkpoint. In the actual game, a passport is provided to a Valuan Patrol Ship to allow access to the “Grand Fortress”.

When Drachma says the only way to really escape Valuan execution is to die and be thrown off the island, Aika snarkily responds “So only a free man is a dead man… That’s just great.” This was later changed to “That’s just great! What are we going to do now?”

A new Blue Rogue card appears.

Brave Adventurers…

Forever challenge the impossible!

Never give up!

The sixth and final cutscene takes us to the desert after Belleza calls off Recumen the Red Gigas and the two ships make an emergency landing.

_{Notable Differences:}

Belleza refers to the Kingdom of Ixa’taka as Montezuma, which is the Japanese name of a continent under the Green Moon. She also calls Vyse “Kid” which later turned into “Handsome”. The dialogue had a glow up in the final build.

Little Jack’s sails and side flappers slightly differentiate from the full release.

Miniature Navigation#

A small in-game demonstration of what players can expect when traveling outside Pirate Isle. It starts with the cutscene of Vyse, Aika and Fina on The Lookout witnessing moon stones falling from the sky – one landing straight into Shrine Island.

The player can do sidequests, such as Hide & Seek, collecting fish for Vyse’s mom, following the mysterious ship and finding Ben for rewards. Three Discovery Logs can be collected. A merchant ship is stationed outside saying the world will be more expansive when the game is fully released. The trial ends when you defeat Sentinel (アガタウマス - Agathamaus) in Shrine Island.

_{Notable differences:}

• Vyse and Aika start with Pirate Clothes instead of Vyse’s Uniform and Aika’s Shorts. Fina starts off with a Silk Robe, which is changed to Fina’s Robe.

• A lady resides in Aika’s house as a temporary clerk. She's a common shop NPC otherwise.

• The camera angle is panned inwards when talking to the villagers.

E3	Final

• Fina joins the party. In the full release version, she stays behind as Vyse and Aika go to the Shrine Island. Dyne does not call out to Vyse as the Purple Moon Stone is already in the item bag.

• Unused.

You can interact with a group of kids who want to play hide ‘n seek. Doing so grants you a hint from Jimmy, who gives a clue about one of the artifacts. Later on, it was changed to giving a hint about the Captain Quarters having a secret passageway through a bookshelf.

• Overworld battles play normal battle music and use The Albatross as a background stage.

Menu:

• The music does not fade when in the menu.
  • The sound effect for healing is vastly different from the retail build.
    • Several items were translated closer to the Japanese version. See Localization Changes above.

• Despite being able to fish in this demonstration and seeing “Riches” appear above the ship when catching some, you won’t get currency from it. Only unusable items. Later on, “Rich” were relabeled as Gold, and the overworld sprite obtains a different popup.

• Topple Rocks is named “Dumpling Rocks”.

• The Grieving Prince Statue took away “Statue” away from its name later on.

• Penguin was renamed to Icebird.

Air Pirate’s Headquarters had a major design overhaul by giving the place a look that was built from ship scraps.

E3	Final

• Shrine Island’s design is also different.

E3	Final

In the Prototype version, going into the temple leads Vyse and Aika directly to an encounter with the Sentinel. A puzzle leading up to the boss was added later.

After defeating the Sentinel:

Vyse and Aika do their duo pose, and the trial comes to an end. A new screen will appear if you cleared everything the mode offered to you. Otherwise it will tell you what you’ve accomplished and what was missed at the top left. Either way, you’re congratulated on clearing Miniature Navigation stating the game will be released soon. Any buttons will send you back to the splash screen.

Finished without doing all the sidequests	Cleared everything

4 Consecutive Fights#

A battlemode where you fight enemies back to back.

• Item box, armor and accessory is displayed in gray.

4CF	Final

The first battle takes place on the Valuan rails against two Patrol Guards (航行士 - Cruise Patrol) and a Royal Guard (護送将兵 - Escort Officer)

• Royal Guard’s distance attack can sometimes hang the game.

The second battle takes place in the Valuan Catacombs against Bleigock (イマゴタリア - Imagotalia )

• Bleigock has a rendering error where the abdomen sometimes flickers on and off a bright, translucent green color.

The third battle takes place directly in the Colosseum against three Executioners( 獄長 - Warden) In the retail build, you fight against one Executioner and two Spell Wardens. Spell Warden can be found during a sidequest in the Miniature Navigation section.

The fourth and last battle takes place in the Temple of Pyrynn, where Vyse and co fight against the Rokwyrm ( ラァス - Laas )

Airship Battle!#

Test your skills in the air! Fight various battles across the sky!

• The animation for using the GUARD command is different than the other versions.

Battle 1: “the Blackbeard”

“We are the Black Pirates! Just because you’re guests at E3 doesn’t mean you’ll get away easy! Prepare yourselves!”

• A Japanese version can be fully viewed from the Debug Menu (504A) which reveals a different icon than what's being shown from this build.

Japanese Demo Disc	E3

Battle 2: “Baluan Battleship”

“I’ve heard of you, Vyse! You Air Pirates think you can resist Balua? I’ll send you screaming through the clouds!!”

• Baluan is a typo of “Valuan”.

Battle 3: “Roc”

• Gilder joins the party.

It is not possible to encounter Roc while sailing on Little Jack.

“Aaaahh! What is this huge thing?!”

“It’s… It’s the giant bird of legend from South Ocean, the Roc!”

“This is our next opponent? Heh… this is going to be fun. Bring it on!”

Game Over Screen. An extended version of the Game Over music will play for a few seconds before going back to the splash screen.