Form:Prototype

This is the "Prototype" form. To create a page with this form, enter the page name below.

Do not upload

Please do not upload this prototype.

Naming tips

Choose the article name wisely. First choose the canonical game name. Take care to use the proper casing. When in doubt, google it and use the same one Wikipedia uses. Then choose how to call the prototype itself. The convention we use is as follows (use the most descriptive name available; choose the first one, if not available, then the second one, etc.):

1. Use the name that describes where the prototype came from or its purpose, especially if this is the name used in other places.

   e.g. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Nick Arcade prototype), Sonic Rush (E3 2005 prototype)

2. Use the full date, if available.

   e.g. Ecco: The Tides of Time (Apr 13, 1994 prototype)

   • Do not use the time (Apr 13, 1994, not Apr 13, 1994 16:32:42).
   • If there are two prototypes of the same game on the same day, mark the second B, the third C etc.

     e.g. Metal Head (Dec 7, 1994 prototype B)

   • For cartridge/EPROM prototypes, often there is a label with a date, usually a month and a day. The year can often be guessed from the final release date and the state of completion of the prototype.
   • For disc prototypes, this is usually a mix of these:
     • The disc header date (if the disc contains a header).
     • The primary volume creation date at:
       • 0x963d of the first track on raw 2352 (bin/cue) dumps.
       • 0x832d of the first track on 2048 (iso) dumps.
     • The latest file modification date on the disc(s).
       • Beware of early platforms like Sega CD and Sega Saturn, where CD-Rs were burned manually and often had faked volume creation and file modification dates. This is usually the case if all the files are the exact same date/time and/or have a suspiciously "round" date/time, like Jan 1, 1995 00:00:00.
     • Sometimes executables on the disc(s) contain build dates.
3. Use the month and year, if the specific day is unavailable.

   e.g. Ecco: The Tides of Time (Apr 1994 prototype)

4. If the build date is unknown, or suspicious, use any extra information that can identify the prototype from others.

   e.g. Aero the Acro-Bat (PAL prototype)

5. If all else fails, just use Game Name prototype.

   e.g. Lobo prototype

   • If you are not sure what to do, use this convention and don't worry, we will modify the article accordingly.