WipEout Logo History 1995-2017, Making of the Wipeout Logo Design Plus Various In-game Graphics by Designers Republic and Fans

The Designers Republic (also tDR, and styled as The Designers Republic™) @ianTDR, a British design studio, designed the Wipeout logo and stunning game graphics for this groundbreaking console game; first debuted on the Sony Playstation 1.

The first release of Wipeout for the Playstation 1, back on September 29th, 1995 was a pivotal moment for Sony and the millions of Playstation gamers.

The Designers Republics groundbreaking work on the graphic design for Wipeout, which included everything from packaging to typographic selection in the game menus, has been noticed by many design and gaming publications over the years since the very first Wipeout.

Wipeout Game Logo History 1995-2017: making of Wipeout logo design plus various in-game graphics by Designers Republic, and other Designers and Fans.

The Typeface Agency

The Typeface Agency has a great article: “On how the Designers Republic sculpted childhoods” which looks at the impact the branding and audio aspects of Wipeout had on making this game such a phenomenal success; it’s well worth a read.

Here’s a couple of quotes I’ve pulled out:

Typeface Agency: Liverpool based developer Psygnosis asked Designers Republic to produce a series of brands for each of the games futuristic racing teams. Each team would have its own logo and brand language, this follows through to trackside advertisements sponsor logos and background billboards. In fact, each track is littered with adverts for in game teams and fictional products alongside real world Red Bull adverts.

This is branding at it’s best, the fictional made tangible and relatable.

Wipeout is F1 with hovercraft, it has no story but the setting is established and the experience is rich. Wipeout is peak Designers Republic; it’s confident and bold, it references its pedigree and it has an ordered, other worldly feel to it.

Wipeout v1

For me personally, I vividly remember the day that my friends and I all waited outside HMV in Brighton, to buy the game.

Getting back to my friends house and seeing and hearing the thumping soundtrack, and incredible graphics, will probably never be matched.

I have similar fond memories of getting my ZX81, Commorodre 64 and even Atari ST1040, but Wipeout when played with a bunch of great friends, was just a whole new level of awesome.

It really is a memory that is so vivid…

For this post, there are so many images, blog posts, Pinterest pins, fan artwork that it’s been quite a lengthy, but very cool journey to extrapolate the key Wipeout game logos.

Lunchbox Games Database

The following Wipeout logos, with the games’ release date, and description of each game follows. I eventually found all the Wipeout logos and relevant information in one place, on a website called Lunchbox Games Database, so big credit goes to them!

I created a profile, and saved all the Wipeout games to a collection:
https://gamesdb.launchbox-app.com/collection/games/thelogosmith

If you want to look at all the Wipeout game graphics, the covers, the DVD packaging graphics then this is the place to go. For each iteration of the game, I have included the link back to Lunchbo

x Games Database relevant Wipeout game page.

I have also picked out other Wipeout images and graphics from various places, created by Wipeout fans: Pinterest, DeviantArt, Flickr etc.

Wipeout – Released 1995 on Sony PS1

Wipeout: Set in the year 2052, players compete in the F3600 anti-gravity racing league, piloting one of a selection of craft in races on several different tracks.

There are four different racing teams to choose from, and two ships for each team.

Each ship with its own distinct characteristics of acceleration, top speed, mass, and turning radius.

By piloting their craft over power-up pads found on the tracks, the player can pick up shields, turbo boosts, mines, shock waves, rockets, or missiles, which protect the player’s craft or disrupt the competitors’ craft.

There are seven race tracks in the game total, six of them located in futuristic versions of countries such as Canada and Japan, with a seventh, hidden track set on Mars.

Wipeout 2097 & Wipout XL – (1996)

WipEout XL: set in the year 2097, around four decades after its predecessor. Instead of the F3600 anti-gravity racing competition, the game features an even faster and more dangerous tournament: the F5000 AG league.

The gameplay system is similar to that of the previous game: players race against each other or computer in high-speed futuristic environments, liberally picking up weapons scattered around the stages and using them against the opponents to finish the race in the highest position.

Each vehicle is provided with a shield; once this shield is breached (by weapons or other kinds of damage), the craft explodes. As in the first game, the vehicles move at very high speeds. 

Wipeout 64 – (1998)

WipEout 64: released by Psygnosis as a follow-up to the racing game WipEout XL, taking place one year later in 2098.

Like in previous installments players control highspeed hovercrafts, pick up weapons to damage the opponents’ vehicles and try to finish the race in the first position.

In many aspects, the gameplay is pretty similar to its predecessor, such as selection of hovercrafts, visuals or the handling system.

Beside new racing tracks the main differences include a Split-Screen Multiplayer Mode (up to four players), Weapon & Super Combo Challenges as well as various Special Weapons for each Team!

Wipeout 3 – (1999)

Wipeout 3: a racing game that retains the same basic elements of its predecessors, and introduces players to the F7200 Anti-Gravity Race League.

Players control futuristic anti-gravity ships owned by racing corporations and pilot them on eight circuits.

Each craft is equipped with an energy shield that absorbs damage sustained on the track; if the shield is disabled, the player’s craft can be knocked out of the race.

Shields are regenerated in a pit lane that is set apart from the main course. The less time spent in the pit lane, the less the shield will regenerate.

Wipeout 3 Special Edition – 2000

Wipeout 3 Special Edition isn’t just a slight improvement on Wipeout – it’s a full-blown greatest hits compilation.

The highly refined futuristic racing gameplay is lifted directly from the third game, complete with idiosyncracies such as the boost button and weapons like the Force Wall, and its tracks, vehicles and music all come over too.

However, there are some slight physics tweaks and two prototype tracks, previously exclusive to the Japanese version of the original game.

Wipeout Fusion – 2002

WipEout Fusion: Like WipEout 3, the game contains single-race and league modes, as well as two-player split screen gameplay. The single race mode (called Arcade) is used to unlock new tracks.

The challenge mode from WipEout 64 returns with a few enhancements: each team has its own set of six challenges, which must be completed with a medal in order to unlock the next one.

A new Zone mode requires players to drive as many loops as possible on a track while continuously increasing the speed.

Another new feature in WipEout Fusion are hovercraft upgrades. Depending on their performance, players receive credits after races, which can be used to increase speed, thrust, weapon power, shield strength, lateral stability, and brake force of a vehicle.

Upgraded vehicles can be used in any other game mode, with the exception of the Challenge mode.

Wipeout Pure – 2005

WipEout Pure: the first adaptation for the PSP of the long-running Wipeout series.

Players take part in a futuristic racing league known as the FX300 Racing League and control a fast hovercrafts on tight, cornering tracks, vying for first place in one of many tournaments.

There are ten anti-gravity vehicles available to use (two need to be unlocked), each with their own characteristics in speed, handling and acceleration.

Vehicles are further divided into classes that are unlocked gradually. In later classes most of the vehicles become much faster and require more precise steering at fast speeds. In the same vein, players can unlock new tournaments.

Wipeout Pulse – 2007

Wipeout Pulse: developed by SCE Studio Liverpool for the Sony PlayStation Portable, sequel to Wipeout Pure.

The game was officially announced on March 27, 2007 and was released on December 14, 2007 in Europe.

A PlayStation 2 port was released on June 24, 2009 in Europe. The game is set in the year 2207.

Players take part in the FX400 Anti-Gravity Racing League, competing in various types of race at several race courses set around the world.

Wipeout HD – 2008

Wipeout HD: now with full stereoscopic 3D support for the most realistic and immersive WipEout experience ever.

Delivering High Definition visuals running at a breathtaking 60 frames per second in full stereoscopic 3D, WipEout HD features a selection of the best tracks taken from previous versions of the WipEout franchise, meticulously crafted and fully reworked to showcase the processing power of the PS3 system.

Features eight racing teams, classic tracks from previous WipEout releases, five gameplay modes, plus 8-player online racing and Trophy support.

All set to a hard-hitting techno soundtrack of nine fully-licensed music tracks remixed in Dolby 5.1 surround sound.

Wipeout HD Fury – 2009

Wipeout HD Fury expansion pack: increases the content of the acclaimed racing game with 8 new tracks, 13 new ship models and 3 new game modes, 2 of which will be available for online play!

In addition there will be new trophies to attain, a re-styled front-end and a selection of new & improved multiplayer functionality!

The Eliminator game mode will allow you to release all that pent-up aggression as you use the full arsenal of Wipeout weaponry to destroy your opponents.

Wipeout 2048 – 2012

Wipeout 2048: players experience the thrill and speed of aggressive, antigravity racing in the palm of their hand via the PlayStation Vita.

One of the most exciting launch titles releasing concurrently with the PS Vita, Wipeout 2048 retains the frenetically-paced, futuristic racing action and vehicular combat that has thrilled and challenged fans of the series, while also upping the ante by harnesses the PS Vita’s enhanced controls.

These include motion active tilt, touch interface and even voice-activated commands.

Filled with fast-paced, futuristic racing action and wireless connectivity, Wipeout 2048 is a never-ending battle to stay atop the online leaderboards.

Wipeout Omega Collection – 2017

WipEout Omega Collection brings together all the content from WipEout HD, WipEout HD Fury and WipEout 2048, enhanced for PS4 and PS4 Pro.

Omega Collection takes advantage of the power and memory bandwidth of PS4 to rework all textures in the game.

Compared to the original games, textures are now clear when viewed up close: you can even read some of the small text on the ships for the first time.

As well as a host of other improved graphical effects HDR has been added which massively improves contrast to what was seen before.

Visual Analysis of the Wipeout Logo Designed by tDR

y2kaestheticinstitute: “The Wipeout logo was designed by The Designers Republic in 1995, a landmark icon in Y2K graphic design.

Upon looking at the design closely, one can notice these letters are actually made from partial 8 glyphs. Below are the overlays of the Wipeout logo with Eurostile’s 8 glyph.”

There’s a great Twitter thread from @y2k_aesthetic (seeimgly taken from their original Tumblr post) that breaks down the construction of the WipEout logo by The Designers Republic (which is where I got the above image from), and how and why the repeating 8’s was used.

I have taken screenshots each of the individual threads, and place then one under each other in order, 1st to last.

I’ve also copy/pasted the text from each of the Tweets, with the relevant Tweet Thread URL link as well.

What’s in a logo? We will focus on tDR’s Wipeout logo and its inspirations.

Twitter Thread #2

The Wipeout logo was designed by The Designers Republic in 1995, a landmark studio in Y2K graphic design.

Upon looking at the design closely, one can notice these letters are actually made from partial 8 glyphs.

Above are the overlays of the Wipeout logo with Eurostile’s 8 glyph.

Twitter Thread #3

So why the repeating 8s?

In an LCD screen, all numerals in a 7-segment display are created with the 8 numeral.

Twitter Thread #4

Why the ‘ and “ marks?

They denotate the minutes and seconds used in racing and implies speed.

Twitter Thread #5

And finally, why is the typography set in Eurostile?

Eurostile, and its predecessor Microgramma, has been established in the sci-fi canon since the late 60s as a symbol of futurism, as seen in user interfaces, signage, and in interiors.

Wipeout is set in a futuristic world.

Twitter Thread #6

I contacted Ian Anderson, the head of tDR about this over a year ago, and he was able to confirm it.

Twitter Thread #7

Successful design is always intentional.

Every decision here made in the Wipeout logo has a logical connection back to racing, and within the in-game universe of Wipeout.

This teaches us a lesson to always make sure your design decisions hold weight.

Angryman -> An Unhappy Human

Wip3out Racing Ver. 03.01.99.000

Team Listing:
Auricom Ind
AG-Sytems
Goteki 45
Qirex-RD
Piranha
Assegai
Feisar
Icaras 

The following Wipeout Game Timeline was created by Robin Ottens, and is it’s staggeringly detailed.

The actual image size is 4800 x 5393px, so you can really zoom in and read all the text. 

A great graphic to print out on a large format printer and frame, should you feel so inclined.

→ View Full Size Timeline

Robin also has sliced this massive image up, and you can view all of the individual segments:

→ View Sliced Segments

Wipeout Logo – Team Logos

@BrySkyeGaming complied this awesome graphic showing ALL the Wipeout Team logos, and how they evolved over the years:

Bryskye: Evolution of the team logos in the whole WipEout series, as far as I know, this is all the team logos in the series. It’s all the ones I could gather to compile at any rate.

Typeface Agency: Wipeout came out in 1995, it was a snapshot of the future. Fast, smooth racing, pounding beats and slick graphic design. It referenced F1 and the brand language that surrounds modern teams and sponsors.

Now either Designers Republic had the foresight and vision to take modern F1 branding to its logical conclusion, predicting the future only a couple of decades early.

Or contemporary sports teams and brands are looking towards video games and esports to stay visually relevant. Here is the 2017 Formula 1 rebrand. It’s very slick.

I’ve previously written about the F1 Typeface, and have provided an ‘unofficial’ F1 Font download link:

This lovely Wipeout Pulse Team Logo Collage was created by Deviant Art user NyaNyaSerik, and you can download some differing sizes to use as wallpapers:

Sugoi: Their solid work on the graphic design for Wipeout, which included everything from packaging to typographic selection in the game menus, has been noticed by several design and gaming publications over the years.

With their visually futuristic and unique design language, they also managed to appeal to a whole new target group who were not previously interested in the game medium.

Below you will find a visual series of visual eye candy produced for Wipeout 3.

I’m coming across more Wipeout graphics on regular basis, so will be updating this post ad-hoc.

Olitte20: “These are the vectorized logos and texts I made while designing the fan shirts.

At least should be the most of them. Made in CS3.”

Fictitious corporate brands were developed for legendary futuristic racing game Wipeout HD on the PlayStation®3.

Supporting environmental graphics and livery were applied to the 3D space and animated as interstitials by the development team.

→ View Alex Townsend’s Behance Project

The Designers Republic⁠™ Founded by Ian Anderson in 1986, The Designers Republic ⁠™ is an internationally renowned pop-cultural hyper-creative design studio focussing on graphic design and brand communication across all media, fuelled by strategic thinking, problem solving (thinking and doing) and strong narrative.

We focus on people — the ambition of the client, and their story (in their voice), × the desire and aspiration of their audience, in a language (both written and visual) designed to provoke the desired response. We focus on ideas and what ideas look like.

We’re good at Creative and Art Direction; Brand, Brand Comms and Identity; Concept Development; Copywriting; Environmental Design & Location Branding; Exhibition Design; Print; Packaging; Signage; UX Design and Web Design.

We have key experience with Media and Cultural / Arts clients; the Music and Computer Games industries; TV Channels; collaborations with Architects; FMCG; Corporate clients; Universities and Festivals globally, nationally and locally. We can help you tell your story.