Killer App (Xbox)

"*We are pleased to bring the TRON franchise to the Xbox, and the Xbox Live gaming community. With an intriguing storyline, innovative and deep multiplayer features, hit music and wide range of Xbox Live functionality, Killer App is the complete first-person shooter experience.*"
—Bob Picunko
***Tron 2.0: Killer App*** (stylized ***TRON 2.0: Killer App***) is the Xbox port of Monolith Productions' 2003 video game of the same name. Developed by Climax Studios, *Killer App* was designed with the intention of attracting the Xbox's Xbox LIVE player-base, adding a greater focus on the Multiplayer aspect of *Tron 2.0* as opposed to the single player campaign. *Tron 2.0: Killer App* released November 3, 2004 to mixed reviews. In August of 2012, Glu Mobile's purchase of GameSpy led to the eventual shutdown of *Tron 2.0* Multiplayer servers and several others in 2014.

## Official Description

"*Battle through more than 60 single player levels and 10 new, huge multiplayer maps and command an arsenal of 16 high-impact weapons including the powerful Tron disc, digital grenades and cyber sniper rifles. Battle up to 16 players over new multiplayer maps on Xbox Live and link play, and take on six modes of combat including death match mode, Light Cycle racing, and Data Capture. The unique overRIDE mode allows players to instantly switch between first person and light cycle combat, allowing for more control and flexibility. The game features split screen capability for up to four players, voice talent of supermodel and actress Rebecca Romijn-Stamos as Mercury and Bruce Boxleitner reprising his role as Alan Bradley, as well as multiplayer game soundtrack featuring Hollywood Records recording artist Breaking Benjamin including music from their latest album, We Are Not Alone.*"
—Official Description
## Gameplay

Much of *Tron 2.0*, chiefly the single player mode, would remain uncharged in the *Killer App* port for the Xbox. During the pre-Alpha stage of the game's development, Climax Studios redesigned the Control Scheme of *Tron 2.0* for the Xbox to play similar to that of the *Halo* series, the flagship title of the Microsoft console.

Small additions to the console version of the game included new death animations for Enemy Programs, four new weapon types, new multiplayer modes, and ten multiplayer maps not present in the PC version of the game. A potential number of sixteen players could be supported by Climax Studios' servers, however, the minimum of most maps were eight players maximum.

### Multiplayer

With regards to its overhauled Multiplayer, Climax Studios redesigned the mode so that it was compatible with the then current version of Xbox LIVE, Xbox LIVE 3.0. MSN Messenger, leaderboards, Matchmaking, and stat tracking were also enabled in their Xbox LIVE version of the game.

Of the new modes included the game, "Hardware", and "overRIDE" were used as major selling points. In "Data Capture", a team of six players with various skills are required to capture several points on the map and defend their position from the opposing team. The gameplay mode is similar to the Team Fortress mod for id Software's *Quake* series. Early on in the development of the port, "Data Capture" was originally called "Hardware".

"overRIDE" is Light Cycle racing mode wherein players can switch from their Light Cycles and scale structures to snipe opposing teams. "overRIDE" is fully supported for online play, a functionality that was absent in the original release, but added into the game by the game's modding community.

### Weapons

Additional weapons in *Killer App* include Disc Primitive alternate modes such as the Disc Charger, a disc ability that pick weapons or items up from a distance and fire a bolt of electricity. The Sequencer Disc was updated to with the ability to throw three discs instead of two. The Rod Primitive was updated with alternate weapon mode named the Rod Rifle.

The Mesh Primitive was given the addition mode, the Blast Cannon, a massive cannon that fire a devastating blast; and the Ball Primitive was given the addition ability of the Storm Ball, a viral ball that releases a missive explosion that takes out most enemies within its area of effect.

## Production

### Announcement

March 3, 2004, Buena Vista Interactive officially announced the development of the Xbox port for *Tron 2.0*. In an interview with Bob Picunko, then Director of Marketing for Buena Vista, Picunko states that their aim with Climax Studios was to provide "an even edgier, action-packed Tron universe" for Xbox players.

The big selling point of *Tron 2.0* on the Xbox was the Multiplayer element, which would be enabled for the Xbox LIVE community. Buena Vista placed heavy emphasis on the Light Cycle races and Deathmatch modes that were available in the original release.

July 14, 2004, Buena Vista Interactive announced that music by the Alternative Rock group Breaking Benjamin would be major feature in the game.

## Reception

*Tron 2.0: Killer App* was received by the Xbox gaming audience with mixed reviews. The Xbox port has an overall standing of 70.87% on the aggregate site, Gamerankings, based on a number of thirty seven reviews, but scored 69 on Metacritic, based on thirty six reviews.

IGN's Douglass C. Perry stated that *Killer App* was a game Xbox audiences should give a chance if they were searching for a unique playing experience, but remarked that not many were likely to play it, as *Tron 2.0: Killer App* released the week before *Halo 2*.

The official *Xbox Magazine* highlighted because the singe player aspect of *Killer App* was the where the effort had been placed, the Multiplayer aspects developed by Climax Studios fell short of anything remarkable.

Stacy Code of the defunct Xbox Addict.com, praised the game, noting, "A shooter which genuinely does stand out from the crowd with distinction [is] not an easy accomplishment for a genre which is flooded with clones and has-beens". Oppositely, Console Gold, noted the Multiplayer experience for *Killer App* fell short, saying, "The multiplayer experience isn't so killer, however, and it's a shame because it's just brimming with potential."

Josh Olin of the defunct Xbox Evolved noted that despite an interesting leveling system, the weapons, environment, and character themselves did nothing to inspire the player to finish the game. Russ Fischer of GameSpy praised the game, saying, "This is a fun, visually unique title that shouldn't be overlooked. Pity that the multiplayer doesn't truly shine."

## Videos

### Trailers

Tron 2.0 Killer App Trailer*Tron 2.0: Killer App* TrailerTron 2.0 Killer App - Trailer E3 2004E3 2004 Trailer
### Gameplay

TRON 2.0 Killer App Xbox Gameplay-Cinematic - Cutscene 1TRON 2.0 Killer App Xbox GameplayTRON 2.0 Killer App Xbox Gameplay - Training a littleTRON 2.0 Killer App Xbox Gameplay - Fling your disc!Tron 2.0 Killer App (Xbox) - Demo & Title ScreenTRON 2.0 - KILLER APP - LIGHTCYCLES - XBOX

## Notes

1. ↑ "With the single-player game so clearly in focus, it's disappointing that it plods along so unevenly, and at times, progress feels like you're wading through molasses rather than zipping through the ether."
2. ↑ **Josh Olin:** "The leveling up with build points is interesting, but the weapons, enemies, environments and overall premise of the game aren't enough to encourage you to finish it."

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Tron 2.0: Killer App (Xbox)
2. ↑ BUENA VISTA INTERACTIVE SHIPS TRON 2.0: KILLER APP FOR XBOX®
3. ↑ THE BIG UPLOAD - IGN.com
4. ↑ Tron 2.0: Killer App races to retail
5. ↑ Glu Acquires GameSpy Technology to Expand Connected, Cross-Platform Mobile Leadership
6. ↑ TRON 2.0 Gamespy Master Server Offline For Good?
7. ↑ Powering Down: GameSpy Multiplayer Services Closing
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Tron 2.0: Killer App Hands-On Impressions
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Tron 2: Killer App Updated Hands-On Impressions
10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Tron 2.0: Killer App Multiplayer Details
11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 *Tron 2.0: Killer App* Announced
12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 TRON 2.0 Soundtrack Announced Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; name "xboxaddict" defined multiple times with different content
13. ↑ Breaking Benjamin to be featured in on Tron 2.0 game
14. ↑ Tron 2.0: Killer App for Xbox
15. ↑ Tron 2.0: Killer App - Critical Reviews
16. ↑ Tron 2.0: Killer App (Xbox) - IGN.com
17. ↑ *Official XBox Magazine*, Issue 40, pg. 78, January 2005. ISSN: 1534-7850
18. ↑ Tron 2.0: Killer App
19. ↑ Xbox Evolved - Tron 2.0: Killer App Review
20. ↑ Tron 2.0 Killer App - GameSpy.com