Periodical

THE MAKING OF Overboard!

Bibliographic Details
Title: THE MAKING OF Overboard!
Authors: CARROLL, MARTYN
Source: Retro Gamer; 2026, Issue 287, p68-73, 6p, 2 Color Photographs, 2 Black and White Photographs, 35 Cartoon or Caricatures
Subject Terms: Video game development, PlayStation video game consoles, Computer programmers, Adventure games, Video game consoles, Video games
Abstract: This article focuses on the development and unique qualities of *Overboard!* (known as *Shipwreckers!* in the US), a 1997 arcade adventure game by Psygnosis for PlayStation and PC. Designed by Nick Harper and programmed by Robert Dibley, the game combined seafaring, shooting, and puzzle elements with a lighthearted, arcade-style approach that contrasted with the darker, more common game themes of the time. The development team, based in Psygnosis’ Liverpool studio, faced technical limitations of the original PlayStation hardware and a shortened timeline, which influenced design decisions such as the inclusion of a simplified multiplayer mode to support Sony’s Multitap peripheral. Despite modest commercial impact, *Overboard!* received positive critical reception for its originality and fun gameplay, and it remains notable for its collaborative and creative development process within Psygnosis before the studio’s integration into Sony Computer Entertainment. [Extracted from the article]
Copyright of Retro Gamer is the property of Future Publishing Ltd. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Complementary Index
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
Header DbId: edb
DbLabel: Complementary Index
An: 194889033
RelevancyScore: 1067
AccessLevel: 6
PubType: Periodical
PubTypeId: serialPeriodical
PreciseRelevancyScore: 1067.42175292969
IllustrationInfo
Items – Name: Title
  Label: Title
  Group: Ti
  Data: THE MAKING OF Overboard!
– Name: Author
  Label: Authors
  Group: Au
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22CARROLL%2C+MARTYN%22">CARROLL, MARTYN</searchLink>
– Name: TitleSource
  Label: Source
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  Data: Retro Gamer; 2026, Issue 287, p68-73, 6p, 2 Color Photographs, 2 Black and White Photographs, 35 Cartoon or Caricatures
– Name: Subject
  Label: Subject Terms
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Video+game+development%22">Video game development</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22PlayStation+video+game+consoles%22">PlayStation video game consoles</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Computer+programmers%22">Computer programmers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Adventure+games%22">Adventure games</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Video+game+consoles%22">Video game consoles</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Video+games%22">Video games</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: This article focuses on the development and unique qualities of *Overboard!* (known as *Shipwreckers!* in the US), a 1997 arcade adventure game by Psygnosis for PlayStation and PC. Designed by Nick Harper and programmed by Robert Dibley, the game combined seafaring, shooting, and puzzle elements with a lighthearted, arcade-style approach that contrasted with the darker, more common game themes of the time. The development team, based in Psygnosis’ Liverpool studio, faced technical limitations of the original PlayStation hardware and a shortened timeline, which influenced design decisions such as the inclusion of a simplified multiplayer mode to support Sony’s Multitap peripheral. Despite modest commercial impact, *Overboard!* received positive critical reception for its originality and fun gameplay, and it remains notable for its collaborative and creative development process within Psygnosis before the studio’s integration into Sony Computer Entertainment. [Extracted from the article]
– Name: Abstract
  Label:
  Group: Ab
  Data: <i>Copyright of Retro Gamer is the property of Future Publishing Ltd. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Languages:
      – Code: eng
        Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 6
        StartPage: 68
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Video game development
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: PlayStation video game consoles
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Computer programmers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Adventure games
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Video game consoles
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Video games
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: THE MAKING OF Overboard!
        Type: main
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          Name:
            NameFull: CARROLL, MARTYN
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          Dates:
            – D: 01
              M: 07
              Text: 2026
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
          Identifiers:
            – Type: issn-print
              Value: 17423155
          Numbering:
            – Type: issue
              Value: 287
          Titles:
            – TitleFull: Retro Gamer
              Type: main
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