From the Audiovisual Identity Database, the motion graphics museum
Ocean Software was a British video game publisher and developer founded in 1983. In 1998, it was bought by Infogrames and became one of its UK branches as Infogrames United Kingdom Limited. The final game Ocean Software published was GT 64: Championship Edition for Nintendo 64. In 2009, Bandai Namco Entertainment purchased Atari SA's UK assets, including the remains of Ocean Software.
Visuals: On a black background, there is a shiny rounded rectangle with the word "ocean" on it. Sometimes, either "PRESENTS", "LICENSED BY NINTENDO", "LICESNED BY SEGA ENTERPRISES, LTD." or the copyright notice is seen underneath the logo. Also, the logo varies on each pre-1995 Ocean game.
Variants:
On early games, the logo is situated on the title screen of the game.
Darkman for Game Boy has the logo in the default green tint and the title logo above it.
The Addams Family for Super NES and Genesis has a purple background.
Pushover has the title screen under the logo.
Lethal Weapon, The Addams Family: Pugsley's Scavenger Hunt, and Choplifter III: Rescue Survive for Super NES has a /black gradient background.
Jurassic Park for Amiga and DOS has the island covering the Ocean logo.
The Shadow for Super NES has the logo shining with a scroll of various blue gradients. The pixelated Dolby Surround logo is also seen in the bottom right corner.
Addams Family Values for Super NES and Genesis has a graveyard background.
Syndicate and Theme Park for Atari Jaguar has this logo in purple with no rectangle box.
The Flintstones for Super NES has a teal background and the Ocean logo carved out of stone. Then, Fred Flintstone enters from the left and yells his catchphrase "Yabba-Dabba-DOO!".
Technique: Depends on the variant.
Audio: None, or the opening theme of the game. However, on The Addams Family, a tune similar to the THX Deep Note can be heard.
Availability: It can be seen on Ocean games of the era, like The Addams Family and Lethal Weapon, among others. It also appears on the European NES version of Rainbow Islands: The Story of Bubble Bobble 2.
2nd Logo (August 31, 1995-May 15, 1998)
Visuals: There is the same Ocean logo on a black background, this time with an image of reflecting waves inside. The logo animates in the form of ripply waves, and a spinner dolphin comes in from the left, looking at the camera and smiling. The dolphin leaves and the logo stops rippling as the screen fades out.
Later Variant: Starting with Tunnel B1, there is a shark instead of a dolphin across the Ocean logo. Then the shark leaves and three spinner dolphins are seen. The second dolphin looks at the camera, embarrassed. The Ocean logo looks different as well, being brighter. However, some games have a version that lacks the shark, moves at a faster pace, and fades out before the music finishes.
Variants:
A still version of this logo can be seen on some games.
Sometimes, the logo freezes before the animation finishes.
Technique: CGI.
Audio:
Single dolphin: A mystical synth jingle with high-pitched beeping sounds (a reference to dolphins' ultrasound locator).
Shark/multiple dolphins: An ascending dream soundtrack with a dolphin's locating signal.
Audio Variants:
Motor Mash has the single dolphin variant with a slightly sped-up version of the multiple dolphin jingle.
On True Pinball, a different soundtrack plays.
On Cheesy, the PAL version of Jersey Devil, and the PlayStation version of Break Point Tennis, a 5-note synth jingle with wailing dolphin sounds is heard. The latter game has a higher-pitched variation.
If listened to in stereo, the dolphin sounds pan from the left to right speakers, while the synth jingle is centered.
On Guts'n'Garters in DNA Danger, wave sounds are heard, without any music or dolphin sounds.
Visuals: Just the Ocean logo on a white background.
Technique: A still, digital graphic.
Audio: None.
Availability: Seen on GT 64: Championship Edition, Fighters Destiny, MRC: Multi-Racing Championship for Nintendo 64, and Lucky Luke for PlayStation. It can be also seen on Hexplore in high quality.
4th Logo (October 6, 1997-July 15, 1998)
Visuals: The screen zooms out over the sea surface to a construction site containing "ocean", made of wooden twigs. The background clears down, leaving the sketch logo, which then fills with white and blue color and becomes relieved.
Technique: CGI.
Audio:
Total Drivin': A portion of "Reach for It" by Chaser, featured on the game's soundtrack.
Viper: Humming followed by jingles.
Availability: Only appears on Total Drivin/M6 Turbo Racing and Viper for PlayStation.
5th Logo (November 9, 1997-June 12, 1998)
Visuals: On a black background, the same Ocean logo, colored blue, zooms out. It pauses for a few seconds, then begins to spin around once, and the screen fades out.
Variants:
On Wetrix, the logo emerges from the water. Then the words "presented by" appear above the logo. The logo then flies away.
On Heart of Darkness, the word "ocean" rotates at a 90° angle to face the camera as the rounded rectangular border with a registered trademark symbol on the top-right corner zooms out to surround it. Then, the logo slowly fades out.
Technique: CGI.
Audio: Usually none, but on Heart of Darkness, it's the opening theme of the game.
Availability: Seen on Wetrix, Mission: Impossible for Nintendo 64, and Heart of Darkness for PlayStation and PC.
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