Buena Vista Interactive's TRON 2.0 PC game, which debuted Aug. 26, 2003 across North America ($49.99 and Windows® 98/Me/2000/XP compatible), reunites the legendary film's writer-director Steven Lisberger with famed conceptual artist Syd Mead and celebrated visual and computer effects supervisor Richard Taylor. TRON 2.0 is a first-person PC game inspired by the Disney film that delivers immersive gameplay, virtual viral villains and a unique visual style. Mead (BLADE RUNNER, ALIENS) updated the iconic light cycles seen in the title, while Lisberger and Taylor consulted on game. Original composer Wendy Carlos performed music duties as well.
Developed by critically acclaimed Monolith Productions, TRON 2.0 takes place in the present day, approximately 20 years after the events of the film. Playing as Jet Bradley, son of ENCOM programmer Alan Bradley from the TRON film, gamers are digitized into cyberspace and will race on light cycles, battle corruption both inside and outside of the computer world and explore various locations, including the Internet Hub, Firewall, Corrupted Server and Light Cycle Game Grid.
In addition to more than 30 enormous levels of story-driven single-player gameplay, players can challenge themselves for up to eight others in 16 levels of light cycle racing. They can also compete individually or as teams with up to 16 opponents in 20 different gladiatorial disc combat arenas.
TRON 2.0 also features the voice talent of original TRON cast members Bruce Boxleitner, who reprises his role as Alan Bradley, and Cindy Morgan, who portrays Ma3a (mah-THREE-ah), an artificial intelligence program, as well as Rebecca Romijn-Stamos, who provides the voice of Mercury, the undefeated champion light cycle racer, who teams up with lead character Jet Bradley to combat corruption in the computer world.
TRON 2.0's popularity has inspired ancillary products, including action figures from NECA (National Entertainment Collectibles Assn.) and a forthcoming TRON comic book mini-series from 88 MPH Studios. Action figures based on Jet, Mercury, IC Regular and Thorne are now available online at www.necaonline.com. The comic book follows the adventures of Jet Bradley as he explores the TRON universe, and streets this winter.
For more information about TRON 2.0, visit www.tron20.net .
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
