View source for Cel Damage

{{Short description|2001 video game}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=September 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}}
{{Infobox video game
| title       = Cel Damage
| image       = Cel Damage.jpg
| alt         = The game's cover art.<!-- Please do not change to "250px" or "256px" method. See template instructions. If image is wrong size, your user preferences are to blame, not this command. -->
| caption     = 
| developer   = {{Unbulleted list|[[Pseudo Interactive]]|Finish Line Games {{small|(''HD'')}}}}
| publisher   = {{Unbulleted list|[[Electronic Arts]]|[[System 3 (company)|Play It]] {{small|(''Overdrive'')}}|Finish Line Games {{small|(''HD'')}}}}
| designer    = Kevin Barrett
| platforms   = {{Unbulleted list|[[Xbox (console)|Xbox]]|[[GameCube]]|'''''Cel Damage Overdrive'''''|[[PlayStation 2]]|'''''Cel Damage HD'''''|[[PlayStation 3]]|[[PlayStation 4]]|[[PlayStation Vita]]|[[Xbox One]]|[[Nintendo Switch]]}}
| released    = '''Xbox'''{{Video game release|NA|15 November 2001|EU|3 May 2002}}'''GameCube'''{{Video game release|NA|7 January 2002|EU|3 May 2002}}'''PlayStation 2'''{{Video game release|EU|12 December 2002}}'''PlayStation 3''', '''PlayStation 4''', '''PlayStation Vita'''{{Video game release|NA|22 April 2014|PAL|14 May 2014}}'''Xbox One'''{{Video game release|WW|11 March 2016}}'''Nintendo Switch'''{{Video game release|WW|28 March 2019}}
| genre       = [[Vehicular combat game|Vehicular combat]]
| modes       = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]], [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]]
| composer    = Egg Plant Productions
}}
'''''Cel Damage''''' is a [[Vehicular combat game|vehicular combat]] [[video game]] developed by [[Pseudo Interactive]] and published by [[Electronic Arts]]. The game was first released for [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]] on 14 November 2001, and for [[GameCube]] on 7 January 2002, in North America respectively. In [[Europe]], the game launched for both consoles on 3 May 2002. A Europe-exclusive [[PlayStation 2]] port, titled '''''Cel Damage Overdrive''''', was released as a budget title by [[System 3 (company)|System 3]] under their Play It label on 12 December 2002. A high-definition remaster, developed and published by Finish Line Games, titled '''''Cel Damage HD''''', was released for [[PlayStation 3]], [[PlayStation 4]] and [[PlayStation Vita]] on 22 April 2014 in North America and 14 May 2014 in the [[PAL region]]. An [[Xbox One]] port followed worldwide, via the [[Xbox Games Store]], on 11 March 2016. A [[Nintendo Switch]] port was released via the [[Nintendo eShop]] on 28 March 2019.

''Cel Damage'' is a cartoonish take on vehicular combat games, like those from the ''[[Twisted Metal (series)|Twisted Metal]]'' series. The story focuses on six cartoon characters from a fictional cartoon show called "''Cel Damage''". The characters annihilate each other to the delight of TV audiences and, since they are cartoons, instantly regenerate. The player battles through 12 different levels and three game modes. Weaponry for ''Cel Damage'' includes cartoon staples like vacuum nozzles and portable holes, mundane weaponry like chainsaws and [[baseball bat]]s, and items like freeze rays, giant springs, and portable nuclear devices.

== Gameplay ==
''Cel Damage'' is a vehicle shooter in which players compete against one another using weapons to either gain smack points or stop other opponents from achieving their goal, depending on the game mode. Weapons include black holes, boxing gloves, grenades, chainsaws,<ref name="gameplay">{{cite web |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=35575 |title=Cel Damage (Xbox) - Overview |publisher=[[AllGame]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114113648/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=35575 |archivedate=14 November 2014 |url-status=dead |accessdate=8 November 2015}}</ref> baseball bats, chain guns, axes, and freeze rays.<ref name="gamespot"/> The three game modes are Smack Attack, in which players attack other players and/or computer players to gain a certain number of points first; Gate Relay, in which players race to checkpoints; and Flag Rally, in which players race to collect flags. Smack Attack is the only mode not initially locked (except in the PlayStation 2 version). Additional characters and areas are also unlockable in the game.<ref name="gameplay"/> The HD re-release in 2014 contained small differences from the original such as including life-bars and altering the method to unlock certain items but otherwise contains the same content with a few new weapons and a new stage.

''Cel Damage'' features ten characters, six of whom are immediately available to play as at the beginning of the game. The other four are referred to as "guest star" characters and have to be unlocked.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.celdamage.ea.com/info/gamefeatures.html |title=Cel Damage |publisher=[[Electronic Arts]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080120202113/http://www.celdamage.ea.com/info/gamefeatures.html |archivedate=20 January 2008 |url-status=dead |accessdate=8 November 2015}}</ref>

== Plot ==
In the game, ''Cel Damage'' is a popular animated [[demolition derby]] series that airs weekly on the fictional network "'Toon T.V."<ref name="p7">''Cel Damage'' GameCube Instruction Booklet, p. 7</ref> The characters in ''Cel Damage'' are a select few of cartoon characters who battle every week to achieve fame and glory.<ref name="p7"/> The characters use their own vehicles<ref name="13to16">''Cel Damage'' GameCube Instruction Booklet, pp. 13-16</ref> and battle using a variety of deadly weapons.<ref name="p17">''Cel Damage'' GameCube Instruction Booklet, p. 17</ref> Because the characters in ''Cel Damage'' are cartoons, they cannot be killed and can continuously come back to fight again.<ref name="p7"/>

== Development ==
The ''Cel Damage'' graphics engine uses a rendering technique called [[cel shading]] to produce this cartoon-like appearance.<ref>{{cite web |last=Padilla |first=Raymond |date=July 2001 |url=http://archive.gamespy.com/previews/july01/celldamage/ |title=Cel Damage (Preview) |publisher=[[GameSpy]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050120030139/http://archive.gamespy.com/previews/july01/celldamage/ |archivedate=20 January 2005 |url-status=dead |accessdate=8 November 2015}}</ref> Furthermore, the physics engine in ''Cel Damage'' is unique. Rather than aiming to simulate realistic real-world physics, it emulates complex cartoon physics; the physics engine calculates the relevant parts of physical interaction as they would in reality, and then distorts the physical laws to produce a cartoon-like interaction.<ref name="cartoongraphics">{{cite web |last=Weiss |first=Peter |date=23 January 2002 |url=https://www.sciencenews.org/article/calculating-cartoons |title=Calculating Cartoons |work=Science News Online |publisher=[[Science News]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070301021536/http://www.sciencenews.org/articles/20020126/bob10.asp |archivedate=1 March 2007 |url-status=live |accessdate=8 November 2015}}{{subscription required}}</ref> This can be seen, for example, when a car turns and the entire shape of the car deforms and flexes into the turning direction. Cars and game objects can realistically be sliced into pieces, flattened, frozen, shattered, shredded, impaled, lit on fire (and subsequently burn to a crisp and fall into ashes), and more.<ref name="cartoongraphics"/> Chris Hecker, editor of Game Developer magazine, described Cel Damage's cartoon-style graphics as "state-of-the-art for computer-game physics".<ref name="cartoongraphics"/>

Cel Damage was released as ''Cel Damage: Overdrive'', a Europe-only title for the PlayStation 2. Play It released the game on 12 December 2002.{{fact|date=October 2021}}

== Reception ==
{{Video game reviews
| NGC = true
| PS2 = true
| PS4 = true
| VITA = true
| XBOX = true
| na = true
| GR_NGC = 64%<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/gamecube/538165-cel-damage/index.html |title=Cel Damage for GameCube |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |accessdate=8 November 2015 |archive-date=7 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907133827/http://www.gamerankings.com/gamecube/538165-cel-damage/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
| GR_PS2 = 51%<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/917835-cel-damage-overdrive/index.html |title=Cel Damage Overdrive for PlayStation 2 |publisher=GameRankings |accessdate=8 November 2015 |archive-date=7 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907135113/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/917835-cel-damage-overdrive/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
| GR_PS4 = 59%<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/ps4/765855-cel-damage-hd/index.html |title=Cel Damage HD for PlayStation 4 |publisher=GameRankings |accessdate=8 November 2015 |archive-date=6 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906211729/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps4/765855-cel-damage-hd/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
| GR_VITA = 60%<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/vita/765857-cel-damage-hd/index.html |title=Cel Damage HD for PlayStation Vita |publisher=GameRankings |accessdate=8 November 2015 |archive-date=10 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110011408/http://www.gamerankings.com/vita/765857-cel-damage-hd/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
| GR_XBOX = 66%<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/516533-cel-damage/index.html |title=Cel Damage for Xbox |publisher=GameRankings |accessdate=8 November 2015 |archive-date=7 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907133627/http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/516533-cel-damage/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
| MC_NGC = 67 / 100<ref name=MCGC>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/cel-damage/critic-reviews/?platform=gamecube |title=Cel Damage for GameCube Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |accessdate=9 November 2015 |archive-date=26 January 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240126204730/https://www.metacritic.com/game/cel-damage/critic-reviews/?platform=gamecube |url-status=live }}</ref>
| MC_PS4 = 58 / 100<ref name=MCPS4>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/cel-damage/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4 |title=Cel Damage HD for PlayStation 4 Reviews |website=Metacritic |accessdate=8 November 2015 |archive-date=26 January 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240126204744/https://www.metacritic.com/game/cel-damage/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| MC_VITA = 58 / 100<ref name=MCVITA>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/cel-damage/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-vita |title=Cel Damage HD for PlayStation Vita Reviews |website=Metacritic |accessdate=8 November 2015 |archive-date=26 January 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240126204750/https://www.metacritic.com/game/cel-damage/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-vita |url-status=live }}</ref>
| MC_XBOX = 65 / 100<ref name=MCXB>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/cel-damage/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox |title=Cel Damage for Xbox Reviews |website=Metacritic |accessdate=8 November 2015 |archive-date=26 January 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240126204756/https://www.metacritic.com/game/cel-damage/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox |url-status=live }}</ref>
| Allgame_XBOX = {{Rating|2.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web |last=Mariott |first=Scott Alan |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=35575&tab=review |title=Cel Damage (Xbox) - Review |publisher=AllGame |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114223124/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=35575&tab=review |archivedate=14 November 2014 |url-status=dead |accessdate=8 November 2015}}</ref>
| EGM_XBOX = 7.67 / 10<ref>{{cite magazine |author=EGM staff |title=Cel Damage (Xbox) |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |issue=149 |date=December 2001 |page=250}}</ref>
| EuroG_PS2 = 5 / 10<ref>{{cite web |last=Bramwell |first=Tom |date=7 May 2003 |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_cdoverdrive_ps2 |title=Cel Damage Overdrive |website=[[Eurogamer]] |accessdate=8 November 2015 |archive-date=7 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907180428/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_cdoverdrive_ps2 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| GI_NGC = 5 / 10<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Cel Damage (GC) |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |publisher=[[FuncoLand]] |issue=107 |date=March 2002 |page=81}}</ref>
| GI_XBOX = 5 / 10<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Kato |first=Matthew |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200112/R03.0804.1538.00592.htm |title=Cel Damage (Xbox) |magazine=Game Informer |publisher=FuncoLand |issue=104 |date=December 2001 |page=101 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031201034336/http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200112/R03.0804.1538.00592.htm |archive-date=1 December 2003 |url-status=dead |access-date=8 November 2015}}</ref>
| GamePro_NGC = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine |author=Pong Sifu |date=17 December 2001 |url=http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/gamecube/games/reviews/19200.shtml |title=Cel Damage Review for GameCube on GamePro.com |magazine=[[GamePro]] |publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG Entertainment]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20041222020342/http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/gamecube/games/reviews/19200.shtml |archivedate=22 December 2004 |url-status=dead |accessdate=8 November 2015}}</ref>
| GamePro_XBOX = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine |author=Dan Elektro |date=15 November 2001 |url=http://gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox/games/reviews/18281.shtml |title=Cel Damage Review for Xbox on GamePro.com |magazine=GamePro |publisher=IDG Entertainment |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050207111749/http://gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox/games/reviews/18281.shtml |archivedate=7 February 2005 |url-status=dead |accessdate=8 November 2015}}</ref>
| GameRev_PS4 = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite web |last=LaBella |first=Anthony |date=6 May 2014 |url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/cel-damage-hd |title=Cel Damage HD Review (PS4) |website=[[GameRevolution]] |publisher=[[CraveOnline]] |accessdate=8 November 2015 |archive-date=1 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001121812/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/cel-damage-hd |url-status=live }}</ref>
| GameRev_XBOX = C−<ref>{{cite web |last=Gee |first=Brian |date=December 2001 |url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/cel-damage |title=Cel Damage (Xbox) |website=GameRevolution |publisher=CraveOnline |accessdate=8 November 2015 |archive-date=9 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150909103007/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/cel-damage |url-status=live }}</ref>
| GSpot_NGC = 5.7 / 10<ref>{{cite web |last=Villoria |first=Gerald |date=24 January 2002 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/cel-damage-review/1900-2842283/ |title=Cel Damage Review (GC) |website=GameSpot |accessdate=8 November 2015 |archive-date=10 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110011408/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/cel-damage-review/1900-2842283/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| GSpot_XBOX = 5.7 / 10<ref name="gamespot"/>
| GSpy_NGC = 60%<ref>{{cite web |last=Wessel |first=Craig |date=16 February 2002 |url=http://archive.gamespy.com/reviews/february02/celdamagegcn/ |title=Cel Damage (GameCube) |website=GameSpy |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050207205403/http://archive.gamespy.com/reviews/february02/celdamagegcn/ |archivedate=7 February 2005 |url-status=dead |accessdate=8 November 2015}}</ref>
| GSpy_XBOX = 61%<ref name="gspy">{{cite web |last=Davis |first=Brian |date=5 December 2001 |url=http://archive.gamespy.com/reviews/december01/celdamagexbox/ |title=Cel Damage (Xbox) |website=GameSpy |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050208234813/http://archive.gamespy.com/reviews/december01/celdamagexbox/ |archivedate=8 February 2005 |url-status=dead |accessdate=8 November 2015}}</ref>
| GameZone_NGC = 7.9 / 10<ref>{{cite web |last=Bedigian |first=Louis |date=13 February 2002 |url=http://gamecube.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r18618.htm |title=Cel Damage Review - GameCube |publisher=GameZone |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070304041925/http://gamecube.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r18618.htm |archivedate=4 March 2007 |url-status=dead |accessdate=8 November 2015}}</ref>
| GameZone_PS4 = 4.5 / 10<ref>{{cite web |last=Donato |first=Joe |date=13 May 2014 |url=http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/cel-damage-hd-review-i-never-asked-for-this |title=Cel Damage HD review: I never asked for this (PS4) |publisher=GameZone |accessdate=8 November 2015 |archive-date=10 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110011408/http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/cel-damage-hd-review-i-never-asked-for-this |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/ps4 |title=PS4 Reviews |publisher=GameZone |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701060850/http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/ps4 |archivedate=1 July 2014 |url-status=dead |accessdate=8 November 2015}}</ref>
| GameZone_XBOX = 6.5 / 10<ref>{{cite web |last=Lafferty |first=Michael |date=21 November 2001 |url=http://xbox.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r18618.htm |title=Cel Damage Review - Xbox |publisher=GameZone |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090321064524/http://xbox.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r18618.htm |archivedate=21 March 2009 |url-status=dead |accessdate=8 November 2015}}</ref>
| IGN_NGC = 6.3 / 10<ref>{{cite web |last=Mirabella III |first=Fran |date=11 January 2002 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/01/11/cel-damage |title=Cel Damage (GCN) |website=IGN |accessdate=8 November 2015 |archive-date=20 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150920235141/http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/01/11/cel-damage |url-status=live }}</ref>
| IGN_XBOX = 6.5 / 10<ref name="ign"/>
| NGen_XBOX = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref name="ngen">{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/NextGen85Jan2002/page/n27/mode/2up |title=Cel Damage (Xbox) |magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|NextGen]] |publisher=[[Future US|Imagine Media]] |issue=85 |date=January 2002 |page=26 |accessdate=10 October 2021}}</ref>
| NP_NGC = 3.2 / 5<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Cel Damage |magazine=[[Nintendo Power]] |publisher=[[Nintendo|Nintendo of America]] |volume=153 |date=February 2002 |page=149}}</ref>
| OXM_XBOX = 6.8 / 10<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Cel Damage |magazine=[[Official Xbox Magazine]] |publisher=Imagine Media |date=December 2001}}</ref>
}}
''Cel Damage'' was generally praised for its cartoon graphics, but received "mixed or average reviews" on all platforms according to video game [[review aggregator]] [[Metacritic]].<ref name=MCGC/><ref name=MCPS4/><ref name=MCVITA/><ref name=MCXB/> Gerald Villoria of ''[[GameSpot]]'' called the Xbox version's visuals "impressive," and stated that the player "can easily think that [they are] playing a real-time cartoon".<ref name="gamespot">{{cite web |last=Villoria |first=Gerald |date=16 November 2001 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/cel-damage-review/1900-2825349/ |title=Cel Damage Review (Xbox) |website=[[GameSpot]] |accessdate=8 November 2015 |archive-date=15 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151115231711/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/cel-damage-review/1900-2825349/ |url-status=live }}</ref> However, he added that some weapons in the game were far more useful than others, making the game a repetitive race to get the best weapon.<ref name="gamespot"/> Vincent Lopez of ''[[IGN]]'' said the cel shading in the same version "was one of the best examples of the effect on the market," but that the game play is too difficult due to both the computer players and the small arenas.<ref name="ign">{{cite web |last=Lopez |first=Vincent |date=6 November 2001 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/11/07/cel-damage-3 |title=Cel Damage (Xbox) |website=IGN |accessdate=8 November 2015 |archive-date=20 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150920094128/http://www.ign.com/articles/2001/11/07/cel-damage-3 |url-status=live }}</ref> Brian Davis of ''[[GameSpy]]'' praised the same version for its characters and maintaining its cartoon feel, but found that the game play was too short.<ref name="gspy"/> ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|NextGen]]'' said of the same version, "Pseudo Interactive deserves credit for taking cel shading to the next level by adding truly cartoonish physics, but a great look doesn't make a great game. This is a real missed opportunity."<ref name="ngen"/>

== Cancelled sequel ==
In 2002, Pseudo Interactive created an early prototype for a sequel to ''Cel Damage'' and pitched the project to [[Electronic Arts]], [[Sega]], [[Ubisoft]], and [[Midway Games]]. The proposal was declined by each of the publishers it was offered to, due to the poor sales performance of the first game and concerns with the marketability of the property.<ref>{{Citation|last=Liam Robertson|title=Cel Damage 2: The Unreleased Sequel - Unseen64|date=2016-07-09|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5X0xsJ4vZl4 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/5X0xsJ4vZl4| archive-date=2021-12-13 |url-status=live|accessdate=2016-07-13}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

{{clear}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Portal|Video games|2000s}}
* {{Official website|www.celdamage.ea.com}}{{Dead link|date=November 2015}}
* {{MobyGames|/cel-damage}}

[[Category:2001 video games]]
[[Category:GameCube games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Switch games]]
[[Category:PlayStation 2 games]]
[[Category:PlayStation 3 games]]
[[Category:PlayStation 4 games]]
[[Category:PlayStation Network games]]
[[Category:PlayStation Vita games]]
[[Category:Pseudo Interactive games]]
[[Category:System 3 (company) games]]
[[Category:Vehicular combat games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Canada]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]
[[Category:Video games with cel-shaded animation]]
[[Category:Xbox games]]
[[Category:Xbox One games]]