View source for PO'ed

{{Short description|1995 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
|title      = PO'ed
|image      = 3DO PO'ed cover art.jpg
|developer  = Any Channel
|publisher  = '''3DO'''{{vgrelease|NA|Any Channel|EU|[[The 3DO Company]]}} '''PlayStation'''{{vgrelease|NA|[[Accolade (company)|Accolade]]|JP|Coconuts Japan Entertainment|EU|[[Time Warner Interactive|Warner Interactive Europe]]}} '''Definitive Edition'''{{vgrelease|WW|[[Nightdive Studios]]}}
|producer   = Brian Yen
|designer   = Russ Pflughaupt
|programmer = Irene Pan<br>Nate Huang
|artist     = Jane Sommerhauser
|writer     = Phil Lam
|composer   = Jim Savitt
|platforms  = {{Unbulleted list|[[3DO Interactive Multiplayer|3DO]]|[[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]]|}}
{{Unbulleted list|'''Definitive Edition:'''|[[Nintendo Switch]]|[[PlayStation 4]]|[[PlayStation 5]]|[[Windows]]|[[Xbox One]]|[[Xbox Series X/S]]}}
|released   = '''3DO'''{{vgrelease|NA|November 20, 1995<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.anychannel.com/poed/pr1.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/19961028105553/http://www.anychannel.com/poed/pr1.html|title=Any Channel releases PO'ed for the Holiday Season|website=anychannel.com|archivedate=October 28, 1996|date=November 20, 1995|accessdate=April 15, 2023}}</ref>|EU|1995}}'''PlayStation'''{{vgrelease|NA|May 8, 1996<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 8, 1996 |title=Accolade Ships ''PO'ed™'' for the PlayStation™ Game Console |url=http://www.accolade.com/pr/05.08.96_poed.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19961023165610fw_/http://www.accolade.com/pr/05.08.96_poed.html |archive-date=October 23, 1996 |access-date=May 13, 2024 |website=[[Accolade (company)|Accolade]]}}</ref>|JP|August 23, 1996<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tk-nz.game.coocan.jp/gamedatabase/software/DB_SNC1_PS1996.html|title=PlayStation Soft > 1996|publisher=GAME Data Room|accessdate=2018-09-13|lang=ja}}</ref>|EU| November 1996}}'''Definitive Edition'''{{vgrelease|WW|May 16, 2024}}
|genre      = [[First-person shooter]]
|modes      = [[Single-player]]
}}
'''''PO'ed''''' is a 1995 [[first-person shooter]] video game developed and published by Any Channel for the [[3DO Interactive Multiplayer]].<ref>{{cite web|title=PO'ed Review for Playstation|url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/ps/572516-poed/reviews/review-74448|publisher=CBS Interactive Inc|accessdate=2 May 2011}}</ref> It follows a chef attempting to escape a hostile, alien world. A [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]] port was published in May 1996 by [[Accolade (company)|Accolade]]. A remastered version of the game developed by [[Nightdive Studios]], titled '''''PO'ed: Definitive Edition''''', was released on May 16, 2024 for [[Microsoft Windows]], [[Nintendo Switch]], [[PlayStation 4]], [[PlayStation 5]], [[Xbox One]] and [[Xbox Series X/S]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/fps/nightdives-next-game-about-a-chef-in-space-who-battles-aliens-with-a-frying-pan-is-coming-next-week/|title=Nightdive's next game, about a chef in space who battles aliens with a frying pan, is coming next week|last=Chalk|first=Andy|website=[[PC Gamer]]|date=May 9, 2024|access-date=May 9, 2024}}</ref>
==Plot==
A chef's [[spacecraft]] has crash-landed on an alien world, and he must escape.
==Gameplay==
[[File:3DOIM PO'ed.png|thumb|left|Ingame screenshot of the 3DO version]]
''PO'ed'' is a first-person shooter using primitive weapons such as a [[frying pan]] and a [[drill]], as well as futuristic alien weapons. The player must advance through 26 levels filled with alien monsters. A [[jet pack]] can also be acquired to facilitate the player's exploration of levels. When the jet pack is selected, the jump button instead causes the player character to accelerate skyward, and releasing the button causes the player character to fall, accelerating downwards. The physics-based jet pack thus does not allow the player character to naturally hover, though they can maintain a relatively steady altitude by rhythmically tapping the jet pack button.
{{clear left}}
==Development==
The developers of ''PO'ed'', Any Channel, was founded in July 1993 by former employees of [[Sun Microsystems]].<ref name=affilLabel>{{cite web |title=3DO, Any Channel Enter Long-Term Affiliated Label Agreement; 3DO Braces for Smash Hit with PO'ed; Retailers Abuzz with Consumer Demand for New Title |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/3DO%2C%2BAny%2BChannel%2BEnter%2BLong-Term%2BAffiliated%2BLabel%2BAgreement%3B%2B3DO...-a016897023 |website=[[Business Wire]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160328055238/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/3DO%2c+Any+Channel+Enter+Long-Term+Affiliated+Label+Agreement%3b+3DO...-a016897023 |archive-date=March 28, 2016 |date=May 23, 1995}}</ref> ''PO'ed'' began development in October 1993, initially as a spare-time project. Russel Pflughaupt of Any Channel recalled, "We looked at games like ''[[Doom (1993 video game)|Doom]]'', ''[[Marathon (video game)|Marathon]]'', and ''[[Star Wars: Dark Forces|Dark Forces]]'', and took what we felt were their best elements. But we wanted to get away from the tunnel-based feel of those games, so we made the environments in ''PO'ed'' very open, and not formulaic at all."<ref name=NGen6>{{cite magazine|title=PO'ed |magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|issue=6|publisher=[[Imagine Media]]|date=June 1995|pages=94–95}}</ref>
The team originally wanted to include a motorcycle and a tank for the player character to ride in addition to the jet pack, but couldn't find a way to incorporate their use into the level designs.<ref name=NGen6/>
On May 23, 1995, [[The 3DO Company]] entered an "Affiliated Label" agreement with Any Channel, which granted The 3DO Company the rights to distribute Any Channel's games in North America and both publish and distribute them everywhere else in the world for the next three years, starting with ''PO'ed''.<ref name=affilLabel/>
An [[MS-DOS]] version was planned, but cancelled.
==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| EGM = 6.125/10 (PS1)<ref name="EGM83"/>
| rev1 = ''Maximum''
| rev1Score = {{rating|1|5}} (3DO)<ref name="Max3"/>
| NGen = {{rating|4|5}} (3DO, PS1)<ref name="NGen14"/><ref name="NGen19"/>
| rev2 = ''[[Power Unlimited]]''
| rev2Score = 79% (3DO)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.powerweb.nl/database/index.php?&query%5border%5d=platform&ending=DESC&query%5bstart%5d=3980|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20030828172958/http://www.powerweb.nl:80/database/index.php?&query%5border%5d=platform&ending=DESC&query%5bstart%5d=3980|title=Power Unlimited Game Database|website=powerweb.nl|language=nl|archivedate=August 28, 2003|accessdate=September 11, 2022}}</ref>
}}
''PO'ed'' met with polarizing opinions among critics. Reviewing the 3DO version, Scary Larry of ''[[GamePro]]'' commented that the game has serious control problems, with the character often careening off edges or failing to turn at crucial moments. He nonetheless concluded that the game sufficiently fills the role of first-person shooter for the 3DO, citing the unique assortment of weapons, aggressive enemy AI, sense of humor, and relatively strong graphics.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=ProReview: PO'ed|magazine=[[GamePro]]|issue=90|publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|date=March 1996|page=66}}</ref> ''Maximum'' summarized the game as the "worst 3D action title ever seen on any format, with the exception of [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]] ''[[Crime Crackers]]'' and some early PC [[public domain]] games (indeed, the graphics and gameplay are very reminiscent of such past atrocities)." They elaborated that the 3D environments constantly glitch, the floors are untextured, the attempts at humor are feeble, enemies show heavy [[pixelation]] even at medium distances, and the controls are extremely poor.<ref name="Max3">{{cite magazine|title=Maximum Reviews: PO'ed|magazine=Maximum: The Video Game Magazine|issue=3 |publisher=[[Emap International Limited]]|date=January 1996|page=161}}</ref>
A reviewer for ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]'' noted that ''PO'ed'' began as an independent project by a small group of programmers, and said that its "labor of love" nature "is both a blessing and a curse." He elaborated that the game plays smoothly, doesn't limit the player to just walking to get around, and generally stands out from other first person shooters, but that "the meticulously over designed level layouts" and intricate textures often make the game confusing to the point of frustration. He concluded, "It's well done, very well done, but too tricky for its own good."<ref name="NGen14">{{cite magazine|title=PO'ed|magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|issue=14 |publisher=[[Imagine Media]] |date=February 1996|page=167}}</ref>
Reviewing the PlayStation version, most of the four reviewers of ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'' felt that ''PO'ed'' was a dull first-person shooter with nothing to set it apart from other games in the genre save for its sense of humor, which quickly wears thin. Mark Lefebvre also criticized the lack of improvement over the 3DO version. Mike Desmond, in a dissenting opinion, called ''PO'ed'' "an all-around good title that ranks highly among titles such as ''[[Doom (1993 video game)|Doom]]'' and ''[[Duke Nukem 3D]]''." He praised the detailed graphics, variety of "topsy turvy" level designs, and large selection of weapons.<ref name="EGM83">{{cite magazine|title=Review Crew: PO'ed |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |issue=83|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=June 1996 |page=24}}</ref> In ''GamePro'', Slo Mo said that the game lacks the terror and atmosphere of games like ''Doom'' and ''[[Alien Trilogy]]'', but "does a nice job of tip-toeing between fierce and funny." He particularly commented on the aggressive enemy AI and unique weapons.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=ProReview: PO'ed|magazine=[[GamePro]]|issue=94|publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|date=July 1996|page=64}}</ref> ''Next Generation'' said that the PlayStation version retains the bizarre style and overall experience of the 3DO original while making it easier to play, due to better controls and graphics while more clearly delineate the extremely intricate levels.<ref name="NGen19">{{cite magazine|title=PO'ed |magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|issue=19|publisher=[[Imagine Media]]|date=July 1996|pages=75–76}}</ref>
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
* [https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/3do/584457-poed ''PO'ed''] at GameFAQs
* [https://www.giantbomb.com/poed/3030-17977/ ''PO'ed''] at Giant Bomb
* [http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/poed/ ''PO'ed''] at Hardcore Gaming 101
{{DEFAULTSORT:PO'ed}}
[[Category:1995 video games]]
[[Category:3DO Interactive Multiplayer games]]
[[Category:Accolade (company) games]]
[[Category:Cancelled DOS games]]
[[Category:First-person shooters]]
[[Category:Nightdive Studios games]]
[[Category:PlayStation (console) games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Sprite-based first-person shooters]]
[[Category:Video games about extraterrestrial life]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]
[[Category:Video games with 2.5D graphics]]