Antstream officially launches on PlayStation 4 and 5 today. Happy Launch day. To celebrate this moment on Antstream Arcade, we look back at the Net Yaroze, Sony’s attempt to bring PlayStation console development to the world.
While it revolutionised video gaming when released back in 1994, the Sony PlayStation, unlike the popular home computers of the previous decade, was way beyond the reach of most individuals interested in creating games for the console. The official Sony PlayStation game development kit cost thousands – then, seemingly out of nothing but a well-intentioned attempt to bring programming to the masses, Sony launched the Net Yaroze console in 1996 (Japan) and 1997 (rest of the world).
The concept was simple. A PlayStation console with some unique tweaks that connected to a PC or Mac, allowing fans to make their own games. The idea harked back to the bedroom coder phenomenon of the Eighties, solitary individuals creating whole games in their spare time. In a neat echoing of this and the early home computer scene, many Net Yaroze games were clones of popular arcade machines such as Defender and Pacman
It’s hard to discern Sony’s ambition with the Net Yaroze; maybe they really did want to give their console to the world, empowering anybody to create games on its machines. Well, not exactly ‘give’ – the Net Yaroze cost £549 in the UK. For that considerable sum, you got the sexy black PlayStation and two controllers, a serial cable for connecting it to a computer, a disc containing a limited set of PlayStation dev libraries, tools (including a C compiler and debugger) and full support for wannabe coders with access to exclusive forums.
Of course, Sony had to differentiate somehow between the kit that big developers paid thousands for and the Net Yaroze. The most significant difference was the Net Yaroze’s inability to use the CD to store data, restricting developers to the console’s 2MB of primary RAM. This is likely why, despite many imaginative games, there were no commercial releases of Net Yaroze games, despite some games, most notably Devil Dice, being confused for Net Yaroze titles. Today, we may pile scorn on pointless FMV, but back in 1997, it was obligatory for many commercial games.
With Net Yarozes available via mail order and sent to universities and schools for students to dabble with, it seems Sony had a long game plan after all. “Our view was that we wanted to allow people to have a grown-up development system at home,” Sony Europe’s Paul Holman told Official PlayStation UK magazine back in March 1997. “… if people are getting involved and doing some good work, they can go to a publisher with a great demo of what they’ve been doing.” Consequently, Sony had no intellectual right over Net Yaroze games – developers were free to do what they wanted with their efforts. Many of the games ended up magazine cover discs, most notably on the aforementioned Official PlayStation magazine.
Eventually, the Net Yaroze helped form the notion of indie developers via services such as XBLIG and now Steam. Without this sleek black unit, which allowed fans to create games on the best-selling console of the time, the development landscape today could be very different.
Antstream Arcade’s Favourite Net Yaroze Games
Blitter Boy: Operation Monster Hall
Developer: Chris Chadwick
Blitter Boy is one of the Net Yaroze’s better-known games, unsurprising when you realise it won awards and netted its creator a serious amount of cash. The objective is to guide the eponymous lad around each level, rescuing babies before the enemies get to them. It’s a smooth and playable game that could have easily satisfied as a PlayStation budget title.
Haunted Maze
Developer: Ed Federmeyer
Even by Net Yaroze standards, Haunted Maze is an uncomplicated game. It is, however, remarkably fun, considering all you do is glide through each maze, collecting items and avoiding the clay-like zombies. It also features some cool classical tunes.
Total Soccer
Developer: Charles Chapman
Inspired by the 16-bit classic footie game Sensible Soccer, Total Soccer is a fast-paced, top-down action football game that eschews fancy visuals for compulsive gameplay. Watch out for some hilarious team and player names.
Developer: Matt Verran
This neon twin-stick shooter (even though the original PlayStation controller didn’t have sticks) is a furious experience with an ethereal look. It’s easy to pick up, but the enemies soon come thick and fast.
Developer: Gerhard Rittenhofer
Mah Jongg is an excellent version of the ancient Japanese tile game. Its tiles are impressively ornate, and while it lacks any extra gameplay, it’s still a great little puzzler.
Terra Incognita
Developer: Team Fatal
This platform/RPG hybrid from Japan proved that the Net Yaroze could produce more complex games in the right hands.
Manic Miner
Developer: Andy Noble, Matt Simmonds and Lee Tonks
The original Spectrum classic by Matthew Smith is recreated here with a loving sheen – the developers are clearly fans of the platform legend. There are even some new levels, but beware: they’re just as tricky!
Rocks N Gems
Developer: Gerhard Rittenhofer & Manfred Tucmandl
Boulder Dash has inspired many clones (you can play the originals on Antstream Arcade), and this Net Yaroze game is tougher than most when it comes to the rock-dodging gem-collecting genre. From the very start, each cavern is devious and deadly – tread carefully!
Developer: Ben James
Fans of Team 17’s Alien Breed will find much to love with this Net Yaroze game, a top-down shooter with a grim futuristic aesthetic.
Developer: Tuna Technologies
If there’s one thing time has taught us, it’s that Namco’s ghost-chasing arcade game from 1980 has a particular gameplay that inspires developers and gamers alike. This Pacman upgrade features more power-ups and diverse mazes and is a real Net Yaroze gem.
Thank you for reading the latest Antstream Arcade Retro Gaming History feature!
Did you play any Net Yaroze games? What were your favourites? Let us know on the Antstream Arcade social channels: @AntstreamArcade on Twitter/X, our Facebook group and Discord server. Finally, to learn more about Antstream Arcade and our mission to bring retro gaming to all, head over to our website.
