View source for CarnEvil

{{Short description|1998 video game}}
{{good article}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = CarnEvil
| image = Carnevil arcade flyer.jpg
| caption = Arcade flyer
| developer = [[Midway Games]]
| publisher = Midway Games
| designer = Jack Haeger
| released = {{Video game release|NA|October 31, 1998}}
| genre = [[Light-gun shooter]]
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]], [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]]
| producer = {{ubl|Neil Nicastro|Kenneth J. Fedesna}}
| programmer = Samuel Christian Zehr
| artist = {{ubl|Scott Pikulski|Samuel Lewis Crider|Martin Murphy|Rowan Atalla|Martin Martinez|Jack Haeger}}
| composer = Kevin Quinn
| arcade system = Midway Seattle hardware
| platforms = [[Arcade game|Arcade]]
}}
'''''CarnEvil''''' is a 1998 arcade [[light-gun shooter]] game developed and published by [[Midway Games]]. The premise follows a teenager who summons the titular haunted [[Traveling carnival|carnival]], forcing him to fight through waves of gruesome creatures. The game is divided into four [[Level (video games)|levels]], and players use [[pump action]] shotguns to fight enemies, with temporary gun upgrades scattered throughout the levels.

''CarnEvil'' was conceived by Jack Haeger, who was inspired by classic horror themes and films, and the concept was approved by Midway after recent successes in the light-gun shooter genre. Initially lighter in tone, the game was later revamped to accommodate darker humor and gore. Upon release, critics praised the game's visuals, gun design, and gory detail. The game was never ported to home consoles despite its commercial success and that of other light-gun shooters in the home market, though it served as inspiration for [[spiritual successor]]s.

==Gameplay and premise==
[[File:CarnEvil_Gameplay.png|thumb|right|In this example of gameplay in ''CarnEvil'', the player is attacked by an elf in the Rickety Town level.]]
''CarnEvil'' is a [[light-gun shooter]] game in which the player, as an unnamed teenage [[everyman]],<ref name="Story">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/the-story-of-carnevil-an-arcade-frightfest-once-called-the-most-twisted-video-game-ever-created/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118211805/https://www.gamesradar.com/the-story-of-carnevil-an-arcade-frightfest-once-called-the-most-twisted-video-game-ever-created/ |title=The story of ''CarnEvil'', an arcade frightfest once called "the most twisted video game ever created" |website=[[GamesRadar+]] |last=Sullivan |first=Lucas |date=November 15, 2018 |archive-date=November 18, 2018 |access-date=April 15, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> must clear four [[Level (video games)|levels]] by eliminating waves of various gruesome creatures such as [[evil clown]]s, [[Freak show|sideshow freaks]] and [[Krampus]]'s elves.<ref name="OpManual">{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/arcademanual_CarnEvil_2Player_Dedicated_25in_1640069101_Nov_1998/page/n21/mode/2up |title=''CarnEvil'' Operation Manual |year=1998 |publisher=[[Midway Games]] |page=19}}</ref><ref name="GamePro">{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_113_December_1998/page/n135/mode/2up |title=Hot at the Arcades: Arcade World '98 |author1=Johnny Ballgame |author2=Major Mike |magazine=[[GamePro]] |publisher=[[International Data Group]] |date=December 1998 |issue=113 |page=132}}</ref> The game's premise involves a teenager in the town of Greely Valley, [[Iowa]] fulfilling a local legend and becoming trapped in a nightmarish [[traveling carnival|carnival]] ruled by [[Ringmaster (circus)|ringmaster]] Professor Ludwig von Tökkentäkker.<ref name="Story"/> The first three levels can be played in any order with no effect on the gameplay,<ref name="TipsTricks">{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/Tips_Tricks_Issue_049_March_1999/page/n25/mode/2up |title=Arcade Strategy: ''CarnEvil'' |last1=Wilson |first1=Jason |last2=Rodriguez |first2=Tyrone |magazine=[[Tips & Tricks (magazine)|Tips & Tricks]] |date=March 1999 |pages=28–34}}</ref> with the fourth level being accessed upon their completion.<ref name="Story"/><ref name="OpManual"/> Each level opens with a sardonic greeting from Umlaut, a floating [[jester]] skull who serves as the game's host.<ref name="Story"/><ref name="OpManual"/>

The cabinet comes with two [[pump action]] shotguns that can be reloaded by either physically cocking the gun or pulling the trigger off-screen.<ref name="OpManual"/><ref name="GamePro"/><ref name="EGMPreview">{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/electronic-gaming-monthly-issue-111-october-1998_202212/page/n205/mode/2up |title=Arcade Previews: ''Carnevil'' |last=Hain |first=Mark |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |date=October 1998 |page=202}}</ref> The gun fires single shots much like a pistol,<ref name="OpManual"/> and most of the enemy characters are dispatched in four shots.<ref name="TipsTricks"/> The player can temporarily upgrade their gun by shooting bullet-shaped symbols, granting it the quality of a shotgun, [[machine gun]], [[flamethrower]], or [[Acid attack|acid rounds]].<ref name="OpManual"/><ref name="GamePro"/><ref name="TipsTricks"/> Enemy attacks drain the player's [[Health (game terminology)|health]], which can be replenished by shooting heart-shaped symbols.<ref name="OpManual"/>

The player's [[Score (game)|score]] is displayed on the upper side of the screen and is constantly updated.<ref name="OpManual"/> Extra points can be earned by eliminating enemies attempting to victimize the [[non-player character]] Betty.<ref name="OpManual"/><ref name="TipsTricks"/> However, if Betty is shot instead, the player incurs a health penalty.<ref name="OpManual"/> When a level is cleared, shooting accuracy percentages are displayed for the players.<ref name="OpManual"/> Upon a playthrough's conclusion, top scorers can use the shotgun to write their initials or name, which will be displayed in a high score table.<ref name="OpManual"/><ref name="TipsTricks"/>

==Development and release==
''CarnEvil'' was conceived by games designer Jack Haeger in 1988 while working on the [[Shoot 'em up|run and gun]] game ''[[Narc (video game)|Narc]]''. As part of the development team's experiments with live digitized footage for video games, Haegar began working with [[stop motion]] puppets in an attempt to recreate a cinematic experience. Haegar was fond of the classic horror movie premise of a teenager daring a friend to run through a graveyard, and sketched a concept piece based on this idea titled "Horror Show". The sketch, primarily depicting a decrepit haunted house, featured a poster with the "CarnEvil" name and a prototypical version of Umlaut named "Smeek". Although Haeger was aware that technical limitations at the time made the concept impractical, he saw potential in the "dark carnival" theme.<ref name="Story"/>

Midway Games approved Haeger's concept following the successful releases of the light-gun shooters ''[[Terminator 2: Judgment Day (arcade game)|Terminator 2: Judgment Day]]'' (1991) and ''[[Revolution X]]'' (1994), which Haegar co-directed. The game originally had a tone similar to [[The Haunted Mansion]], and featured an old caretaker character with a [[Punch and Judy]]-style puppet. After this version was harshly reviewed by Midway's management, the development team revamped the concept with characters that were more aggressive and darkly humorous. This tone was set by Haeger's conceptual character Hambone, a large brute with a [[goaltender mask]] and a [[gatling gun]] arm who would become the [[miniboss]] of the Haunted House stage. Over 40 characters were created and modeled in [[3D Studio Max]]. Artist and 3D modeler Scott Pikulski recalled that "Many ideas for characters and level content came from us just joking around while working on the game. It always felt like the project would be cancelled at any time, so we worked on it like we had nothing to lose. Jack has a great sense of humor, and many of the great ideas came from his head".<ref name="Story"/>

The spindly, angular qualities of Haeger's concept sketches were influenced by ''[[The Nightmare Before Christmas]]'', while the expressive and disturbing qualities of the characters' faces were inspired by a black-and-white photobook titled ''Fellini's Faces''. ''[[The Avengers (TV programme)|The Avengers]]'' episode "Look — (Stop Me If You've Heard This One) — But There Were These Two Fellers...", which features a pair of murderous clowns, was also an influence. The [[Fatality (Mortal Kombat)|fatalities]] in Midway's ''[[Mortal Kombat]]'' pushed the development team to increase the game's graphic violence, with Pikulski responsible for many of the game's goriest effects.<ref name="Story"/> However, in response to objections from potential distributors, the development team installed a [[DIP switch]] that would allow operators to replace the giant infant boss character Junior with a giant [[teddy bear]] character named Deaddy.<ref name="Story"/><ref name="TipsTricks"/> The opening and closing cutscenes were created by [[Blur Studio]] under the direction of [[Tim Miller (director)|Tim Miller]].<ref name="Story"/> The music and sound effects were created by Kevin Quinn.<ref name="EndCredits">''CarnEvil'' (arcade) end credits</ref> Haeger voiced the game's opening narration as well as the characters Umlaut, Tökkentäkker, Hambone and Krampus. The enemy character Muertito the Bat Boy was created and voiced by artist Martin Martinez.<ref name="Story"/>

In September 1998, ''CarnEvil'' was showcased at the Amusement & Music Operators Association Expo in [[Nashville, Tennessee]].<ref name="GamePro"/><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_48/page/n19/mode/2up |title=Arcadia: Games Galore |last=Webb |first=Marcus |magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]] |publisher=[[Imagine Media]] |issue=48 |date=December 1998 |page=18}}</ref> It was released on [[Halloween]] 1998, and it was considered a competitor to [[Atari Games]]'s ''[[Area 51: Site 4]]'' and [[Namco]]'s ''[[Time Crisis II]]''.<ref name="EGMPreview"/> In 1999, Midway confirmed that the game would not be ported to consoles.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/psm-issue-27-volume-3-number-11-november-1999/page/n181/mode/2up?q=carnevil |title=Letters |last=Frost |first=Stephen |magazine=[[PlayStation: The Official Magazine]] |publisher=[[Imagine Media]] |date=November 1999 |issue=27 |page=182}}</ref>

==Reception and legacy==
Mark Hain of ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'' praised the game's visuals and comfortable pump action gun, but was disappointed by the lack of extra gameplay features and hidden background secrets compared to [[Atari Games]]' ''[[Area 51 (1995 video game)|Area 51]]'' and ''[[Maximum Force]]''.<ref name="EGMPreview"/> Jason Wilson and Tyrone Rodriguez of ''[[Tips & Tricks (magazine)|Tips & Tricks]]'' also praised the graphics, writing that "the stunning 3D environments are portrayed in such gruesome detail, you will think you're trapped in a horror film".<ref name="TipsTricks"/> French magazine ''Player One'' gave the game a score of 69%, regarding it as a ''[[The House of the Dead|House of the Dead]]'' clone, but commending the gun's design and precision as well as the gory graphics.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=L'Arcade Dépasse les Bornes!: ''CarnEvil'' |language=French |magazine=Player One |publisher=Média Système Édition |issue=96 |date=April 1999 |page=79}}</ref> Adam Bregman of ''[[LA Weekly]]'' proclaimed ''CarnEvil'' to be "undoubtedly the best of the genre" and "perhaps the most twisted video game ever created".<ref name="LAWeekly">{{cite web |url=https://www.laweekly.com/cruising-for-zombies/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809001837/https://www.laweekly.com/cruising-for-zombies/ |title=Cruising for Zombies |last=Bregman |first=Adam |website=[[LA Weekly]] |date=July 14, 1999 |archive-date=August 9, 2020 |access-date=April 15, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>

According to Haeger, the game's sales exceeded those of ''[[Mortal Kombat 4]]'', which encouraged Midway's arcade team to conceptualize a [[4D film|4D ride]] adaptation that ultimately never materialized. ''CarnEvil'' was never ported to home consoles despite the success of ''[[The House of the Dead]]'', ''[[Time Crisis]]'' and ''[[Point Blank (video game series)|Point Blank]]'' on those platforms. Pikulski claimed that a developer had intended to create an original home console game that bore the ''CarnEvil'' title.<ref name="Story"/> Bregman observed that by July 1999, the game had disappeared from most [[Los Angeles County, California|Los Angeles County]] arcades, which he attributed to the game's perverse presentation.<ref name="LAWeekly"/>

In September 2015, the [[fansite]] "Greely Valley Cemetery" was created as an archive for the game's concept sketches, promotional art, music tracks and voice clips. Lucas Sullivan of ''[[GamesRadar+]]'' considered ''[[Killing Floor (video game)|Killing Floor]]'' and [[Killing Floor 2|its sequel]] to be [[spiritual successor]]s to ''CarnEvil'', and he saw a thematic influence on the "Loony Park" level in ''[[Painkiller (video game)|Painkiller]]'''s ''Battle Out of Hell'' expansion pack and ''[[Until Dawn: Rush of Blood]]''.<ref name="Story"/>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{official website|https://web.archive.org/20000302181056/http://www.carnevil.com/}}
{{wikiquote}}
{{Portal|Video games|1990s}}

[[Category:1998 video games]]
[[Category:Amusement parks in fiction]]
[[Category:Atari games]]
[[Category:Arcade video games]]
[[Category:Arcade-only video games]]
[[Category:Cooperative video games]]
[[Category:Krampus in popular culture]]
[[Category:Light gun games]]
[[Category:Midway video games]]
[[Category:Halloween video games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:Rail shooters]]
[[Category:Video games about zombies]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]
[[Category:Video games set in amusement parks]]
[[Category:Video games set in Iowa]]
[[Category:Video games with pre-rendered 3D graphics]]