Early Text

This is a sub-page of Perfect Dark (Nintendo 64, Xbox 360).

To do: Formatting's kind of ugly, not sure how best to lay it out.

Text from two different beta versions of the game can be found in the North American version's unused European and Japanese language text files, all of which contain English text. The text in the Japanese files is from version 4.4 beta, while the European text is from version 5.3 beta. For reference, the only known NTSC prototype is version 6.4 beta, so both sets of files predate it, and the retail release is version 8.7 final.

This text contains many small differences to the final versions and is missing some strings. Most of the changes are simply corrections to typos, capitalization, and grammar errors, which won't be mentioned here. Some clarification has also been added to certain briefings and objectives. Most text outside of the main story missions is in a very early state in the 4.4 beta files.

Product Identification Screen#

This is how the version numbers have been determined. All of the European language files contain the same text. The 6.4 beta and final game share the same early files.

The 4.4 beta's trademark text made reference to PerfectHead, which was removed and replaced with a trademark on the Rareware logo instead.

Trademark notices were added to the Dolby Surround string after the 4.4 beta.

This text is not present in the 4.4 beta.

Menus#

MultiPlayer has been changed to Combat Simulator when managing files in the final game.

The Controller Pak menu is referred to as a "game notes editor" in the early text files.

"Mission" was dropped off of all of these strings after the 4.4 beta.

Simulants are simply referred to as Sims in the 4.4 beta.

Some clarification and consistency was added to the Controller Pak menus.

Button prompts have been changed to comply with Nintendo's standards.

The 4.4 beta does not have titles for the missions or cutscenes in the Cinema menu.

Weapons and Devices#

The weapons from GoldenEye seem to be in the middle of receiving their new names in 5.3. The names for their cheats are already finalized in this version.

The CMP150's description received a minor update.

The combat knife's description received minor changes in 5.3, but its poison function was clarified for the final version.

The username and password on Cassandra's replacement necklace are stored as a part of the string in 6.4. 8.7 loads these in from elsewhere in the ROM, possibly as an early ROM hacking deterrent (the username and password were never used in the first place, so this was a wasted effort).

• The K7 Avenger is simply called the "Avenger" in 4.4.
• The Night Vision is called the "Night Sight" in both betas.
• While the CamSpy uses its final name in the common text files, it is called the "Eye Spy" in 4.4's mission-specific files.
• The Sedate function used by the Tranquilizer and Crossbow is called "Drug" in 4.4. Sedatives are "drugs."
• The Flight Plans are called the "Safe Item" in 4.4. The same thing applies to Air Base's text file.
• Dr. Caroll's Backup Disc is called a "Backup Tape" in 4.4.
• The short name strings Boost, XRayScan, HorizonScan, and Target Amp were added in 6.4.
• The descriptions for the BombSpy, DrugSpy, and both of Cassandra's necklaces were also added in 6.4.
• The short name Shield and the shield tech item's description are only present in the final version.

GoldenEye Cheats#

Even though they are unused, any text relating to the Bond franchise was removed from these cheat strings left over from GoldenEye. "Happy Now Karl?" referred to Karl Hilton, a member of the GoldenEye development team, who left Rare during Perfect Dark's development.

Carrington Institute Training#

Cassandra De Vries' bio originally had a (copyrighted) source, which was removed after 4.4, although the "analyst note" heading was kept.

Mr. Blonde's profile was updated after 4.4 to remove mention of his voice and instead describe his clothing. An odd choice of descriptor, really, but fitting for the game since Mr. Blonde's voice isn't consistent outside of cutscenes. He also lost his youth.

Both things which were removed from his first profile are still mentioned in his updated profile in all versions. The description of his voice is more favorable than it was in 4.4's first profile, however, which may be why that part was cut.

While 4.4 already gave the player all they really need to know about dataDyne and the Institute, proper descriptions were written for them, but never put into place. These were probably intended to appear in the list of bios on the information room PC.

An amusing debug string. Background refers to map geometry. It doesn't make much sense for this to be in with the text used for training.

The descriptions for vehicles on the hangar PC had yet to be written in 4.4 and used amusing placeholders. The Jumpship was called the Dropship in 4.4.

All of the holotraining courses start out with a similar placeholder text string in the 4.4 beta.

• Holotraining was called "Hologram Training Programs" in 4.4.

holo_tips1
holo_advice1
device_tips1
device_advice1
Instructions for falcon2

All of the tips, advice, and firing range instructions had yet to be written in the 4.4 beta. The firing range strings all use the weapons' internal names.

Instructions for anothersmg

The RC-P120 is simply called anothersmg here.

To do: More stuff to document in LmiscX.

dataDyne Defection#

The time's format was updated in these unused strings.

Just some minor rewording to the warning about the security system coming back online. The new line makes it sound like the system coming back up is automated, whereas the old one could be misinterpreted as someone reactivating the system.

The strings for the Executive's lines when he's logging onto his terminal are missing in 4.4. Interestingly, this text is present in footage from an earlier version of the game than 4.4.

dataDyne Investigation#

A hint about using the Data Uplink was added to the end of Carrington's briefing in 5.3, even though its use was already implied by the mention of Joanna's "remote comlink" earlier in the briefing.

The secret weapon compartment's interaction string was made more specific in 5.3, likely as a hint that it can be opened if the player isn't detected by any guards.

dataDyne Extraction#

"Evacuation" in this objective's name was abbreviated in the betas.

This text was added in 5.3 and was likely intended to be used as interaction text for the locked elevator doors, but it was never implemented.

Carrington Villa#

The wind generator objective's description was updated to clarify that it unlocks the lower basement doors. Text about the hit squad also gaining access was removed, probably because there are already guards in the lower basement before activating the generator.

The capture enemy guard objective's description is a little less serious in 4.4, suggesting making a guard give up if the player is really good. This was changed to flavor text about preventing the guard from escaping, which also serves as an explanation for why a guard can't simply be left alive to complete the objective.

Strangely, a mistake was made in 8.7 which was not present in either earlier file. On Special Agent difficulty, both the eliminate rooftop snipers and activate wind generator objectives are given as objective two in the briefing. This was later corrected for the European and Japanese versions of the game.

This string isn't present in 4.4. It's shown when attempting to deactivate the cooling or power system after the windmill has been activated.

This one's only in 8.7; it's shown upon entering the lower basement without first knocking out a guard. It's actually kind of deceptive, since knocking out a guard after it is displayed will still complete the objective and allow the mission to be completed successfully.

Chicago#

The gain entry to G5 Building objective was rewritten to specify that the crashing cab would draw all of the guards into the street, not just the one working the control panel. A reminder not to harm civilians was also shoehorned in at the end.

The string displayed after killing a civilian was updated to specify that the mission was failed.

This string about wasting the remote mine is only present in the final version.

G5 Building#

The damping generator originally prevented recording equipment from working. This was changed to it preventing the transmission of recordings.

The record meeting objective was changed to holographing the conspirators in the final version, which is basically a fancier, world-building way of saying the same thing.

The place Joanna obtains Dr. Caroll's backup is definitely more of a vault than a safe. Regardless, both the interaction string with the door and Grimshaw still refer to it as a safe in the final version.

Joanna's line when approaching the meeting room was completely rewritten. As mentioned in the weapons section, the CamSpy is called the Eye-Spy (and Eye Spy, and EyeSpy - this beta isn't very consistent about things like this) in 4.4.

Grimshaw's line was rewritten to be more in character, implying things that are stated in the 4.4 line and sounding lazier overall. The part where he reasoned the safe's encryption level from its size was cut, in favor of just stating that it's heavily encrypted.

This Mr. Blonde line received a very minor change for the final version, removing a single word.

Area 51 Infiltration#

In 4.4, Joanna's first objective on Agent was to plant the comms rider on the antenna array. This was changed to disabling the air intercept radar in 5.3.

An awkwardly worded hint about the radar control unit's location was added at the end of the shut down air intercept radar objective's description for the final version. The foreshadowing about destroying the unit activating the laser grid was removed.

This message was rewritten in 5.3 to claim an intruder was detected, rather than a foreign object. This was likely done as an explanation for why the lasers activate. The term "security fields," referring to the lasers, was also changed to the more generic "security system."

Carrington's normally unheard hint about the hangar lift was rewritten to say that the lift was on the other side of the door, rather than being the other side of the door. His spoken dialogue was never updated, however.

This line was added in 5.3. Sound familiar? It's similar to the wording 4.4 used when the explosives were attached to the radar control unit. This line is used on Agent difficulty, while the rewritten one is used on Special and Perfect Agent. There are no lasers on Agent, which explains why it was given a slightly different line.

Area 51 Rescue#

The disguise objective was updated in 5.3 to make sure the player knew to use the disguise after obtaining it. Additionally, this was objective one of every difficulty in 4.4. It was moved to being placed before the gain access to autopsy lab objective, which is all the disguise is needed for, likely so players wouldn't grab the disguise at the beginning of the mission and not have enough time to complete the other objectives.

The destroy computer records objective's description received a couple changes in 5.3: A hint about the terminal was inserted into the middle of it, it is now noted that the terminal has to be destroyed, and the ability to upload the virus into other terminals is mentioned. 4.4 warned that an alarm could sound after installing the virus, which isn't true in the final version.

Part of the locate conspiracy evidence objective's description was reworded to make it clear the player only has to X-ray one Maian body, rather than three. Jonathan's name is spelled "Johnathan" in 4.4.

While the briefing uses the final "crash survivor" terminology, 4.4's objectives list text referred to Elvis by name, which the player obviously couldn't know yet.

Joanna's line was rewritten, possibly to avoid any confusion over what body was being discovered. Three exclamation points were added to it too, which seems rather excessive.

These two lines were slightly reworded in 5.3.

4.4 lacks this string, used when the weak wall is blown up with something other than the hovercrate after the crate has been destroyed.

This lab technician line intended for the outro was removed after 4.4. If it sounds familiar, that's because it's used in Escape's intro instead. Other lines from Escape's intro are present in Rescue's final text file - only this one was removed in 5.3.

This line, used when the autogun in one of the labs is disabled with the Data Uplink's virus, took the place of the lab technician's dialogue above in the final version.

Area 51 Escape#

Escape is inconsistent about the spelling of Jonathan's name in 4.4. It is spelled "Johnathan" in the briefing, but "Jonathan" everywhere else. The final game uses the latter spelling.

Like Rescue, Escape's briefing in 4.4 uses the final terminology but refers to Elvis by name in the objectives list. "Using Medpack" was removed from the string, possibility for length, but more likely because the medpack is only needed on Perfect Agent.

Jonathan calls the hoverbike a jetbike in 4.4. Joanna still uses this name when the player opts to escape on it in the final version.

Elvis's line here had an addition to make it more grammatically correct in the final version.

None of these strings are present in 4.4. The omission of the lines used in the intro, paired with the fact that they appear in Rescue's text file, makes it seem like the beginning of this mission's intro was originally a part of Rescue's outro.

Air Base#

The check in equipment objective's description was updated in 5.3 with a hint about the hover trolley. The line the addition was made to was reworded slightly to better complement this new text.

The flight plans are using the placeholder name "safe item" in 4.4. The objective's description already acknowledges this item as the flight plans.

The secretary's line was completely rewritten for the final version. The original line is actually more accurate to how the game handles weapons in the air base: Joanna simply has to switch to unarmed to proceed.

Carrington refers to the suitcase as a bag in this line in 4.4. It's probably nothing, but the head stewardess Joanna steals the uniform from carries a bag. His line about Joanna using the case to conceal her equipment is the same as the final version.

None of these strings are in 4.4.

Air Force One#

Joanna's objectives on Agent difficulty were different in 4.4. She originally had to retrieve her equipment, but did not have to detach the Skedar shuttle from Air Force One. Carrington's briefing was updated to account for the retrieve equipment objective being removed.

This string is not in 4.4.

Crash Site#

Joanna's objectives changed on both Agent and Special Agent. Retiring the clone of the President on these difficulties not only makes more sense from a story perspective, it also keeps the location of the objectives closer together.

Joanna magically deduces the location of the jamming device in the final intro.

Pelagic II#

Corporations are people too. It's worth noting that the 4.4 beta doesn't use a Roman numeral for the Pelagic II's name. This applies not only to this text file, but any mention of the ship.

Hints have been added to the disable primary power source and deactivate GPS and autopilot objectives' descriptions.

Here's something different. Elvis's "time for a swim" line was removed from 5.3, but put back into place for the final version.

None of these lines are in 4.4. The first four have been recycled from dataDyne Investigation.

Deep Sea#

One part of Carrington's briefing received a very minor rewording.

Two different hints were added to the disable Cetan megaweapon objective's description, depending on difficulty, since the objective is actually completed differently on each difficulty.

Elvis's line was rewritten, giving it more personality.

Dr. Caroll's first line in the betas was a bit...different.

This line is not in 4.4.

This line related to disabling the megaweapon on Perfect Agent is only present in the final version.

Carrington Institute - Defense#

The name of the hostage objective was changed. "Release hostages" certainly sounds better than "minimize casualties," even if the latter is closer to what Joanna must do.

This might be a simple oversight, but the beta text makes it sound like there was only one panel that would activate all of the autoguns.

The deactivate bomb objective's description was almost entirely rewritten after 4.4. The earlier description specifically states that the approach used in the final version won't work, so the bomb needs to be deactivated. It also makes it sound like the bomb was not inside the craft originally, but that may have been changed for additional clarity. Joanna even has an unused line in the final version that seems related to deactivating the bomb.

A line about the obvious consequences of dataDyne or the Skedar getting a hold of the sensitive information was replaced with a hint about using the laser to cut through the safe's door.

The Devastator in this unused line was simply called a grenade launcher in 4.4.

None of these strings are in 4.4. Note that every one of them is related to the disarm bomb objective.

Attack Ship#

"We're" was removed from Elvis's dialogue after 4.4, however his spoken dialogue was never updated.

A slight change to Elvis's word of warning.

Elvis's line here was replaced with one from Pelagic II.

These strings are not in 4.4.

The strings for Cassandra's replacement necklace are only found in the final version.

Skedar Ruins#

Hints were added to Elvis's briefing and two of the objectives' descriptions.

The number of objectives on Agent and Special Agent was reduced after 4.4.

This line was completely reversed.

A slight change here. The line was probably originally intended to play in the Inner Sanctum, not before it.

Elvis's second line here was made into a separate string for the final version.

Minor change here, Joanna asks Elvis specifically for his gun in the final version.

These strings are not in 4.4. The bottom one was stripped out of one of Elvis's other lines, as mentioned above.

That string was also modified between 5.3 and 8.7.

Mr. Blonde's Revenge#

All three difficulties' briefings use copies of this same description in 4.4. The location string, present but unused in final briefings, is not in this file, so Special Agent and Agent's briefings are one string above where they normally are.

Moneypenny's briefing from the first Surface mission in GoldenEye can be found at the end of 4.4's incomplete briefings, where the Agent briefing would be in the final version.

The Skedar bomb was originally a nuke. It is still referred to as one in its menu description.

The dataDyne Captain was originally titled the Head of Security, which makes a lot more sense. She's referred to as the security chief when killed in all versions.

This string for the locked elevator is only present in the final version.

Maian SOS#

A line from GoldenEye's first Bunker mission is found before the briefings in 4.4, where the Perfect Agent briefing is in the final file.

Like Mr. Blonde's revenge, Maian SOS uses a simple description of the mission for all three briefings. The location string is missing here too, with Perfect Agent's briefing taking its place.

Speaking of the location string, the third Perfect Agent objective was mistakenly placed before it, rather than after objective two of the Perfect Agent briefing in 5.3.

None of these strings are present in 4.4.

WAR!#

This may have been the original name of the mission. Found in 4.4 where the Perfect Agent briefing is in the final file.

Like the other Special Assignments, there is only a basic description of the mission used for all three briefings.

The Skedar Kings are called Captains in 4.4.

The Maian leader is called the "Elvii" leader in 4.4. This name is exclusive to this text file - Maians are still called Maians everywhere else. This might indicate this as a joke.

The Duel#

Found where the Perfect Agent briefing is in the final file in 4.4. This makes it clearer that The Duel is supposed to be the test where Joanna got her "Perfect Dark" rank. The final briefing's background calls it her "final test."

As usual, the briefings are using simple placeholders in 4.4

4.4 does not have the names of the opponents that need to be defeated, but does have separate strings for each one.

Combat Simulator#

Nearly all of the sim names were changed for the final version. The old versions even make more sense in some cases, such as the PredatorSim being changed to PreySim. It looks like this was done to shorten the length of their names, probably for use in the smaller four player menus:

• The Classic arenas taken from GoldenEye were called "Golden" in 4.4.
• Grid's name in 4.4 was "Matrix", after the movie, which part of its design was based on.
• Car Park's original name in both betas was "Car Parking Lot". Yeah.
• Hold the Briefcase was called "Capture the Briefcase" in 4.4.
• The Hacker Central game mode was called "Hack That Mac" in 4.4. The Highlight Terminal option was "Highlight Mac".
• Capture the Case was called "Capture The Flag". Capture Options was "Flags Options" and its short name was Flags instead of Capture.
• The Suicides stat is not in the 4.4 text file.
• The pink team was originally the purple team.
• dataDyne Infantry and dataDyne Trooper characters had the more generic names "DataDyne Guard 1" and "DataDyne Guard 2".
• The NSA Bodyguard was called "Stripes".
• The Pelagic II Guard was only the "Pelagic Guard".

Credits#

Where to start? Nearly every position listed in the credits changed. Developers got nicknames, more positions and people were added, and some jokes were removed while others were added. Another reference to PerfectHead was removed, and Joanna's name was swapped in favor of Perfect Dark in the last line.

perfect dark 2 is finished and sitting on a shelf

A little bit of humor found in both betas that didn't make it to the final version. Comes after the "joanna dark is forever" line.