Alien 3

From Sega Retro

For the Sega System 32 arcade game, see Alien 3: The Gun.

n/a

  • Mega Drive
  • Master System
  • Game Gear

Alien 3 MD Title.png

Alien3 SMS Title.png

Alien3 GG Title.png

Alien 3
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Master System, Sega Game Gear
Publisher: Arena Entertainment
Sega Game Gear
Acclaim Entertainment (US, EU)
Sega Game Gear
Acclaim Japan (JP)
Developer:
Licensor: Twentieth Century Fox
Sound driver: Krisalis sound driver
Genre: Action[1]

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
US
$49.9549.95[2][3] T-81096
Sega Mega Drive
EU
T-81096-50
Sega Mega Drive
DE
DM 119.95119.95[6] T-81096-50
Sega Mega Drive
PT
Sega Mega Drive
UK
£39.9939.99[5][4] T-81096-50
Sega Mega Drive
SE
(Rental)
Sega Mega Drive
AU
Sega Mega Drive
BR
Sega Master System
EU
MK-27043-50
Sega Master System
DE
DM 89.9589.95[9] MK-27043-50
Sega Master System
PT
Sega Master System
UK
£34.9934.99[7][8] MK-27043-50
Sega Master System
GR
Sega Master System
AU
Sega Master System
BR
Sega Game Gear
JP
¥4,5004,500 T-81047
Sega Game Gear
US
$39.9539.95[10] T-81048
Sega Game Gear
EU
T-81048-50
Sega Game Gear
DE
DM 89.9589.95[9] T-81048-50
Sega Game Gear
UK
£27.9927.99[12][13] T-81048-50
Non-Sega versions

This short article is in need of work. You can help Sega Retro by adding to it.


Alien3 (エイリアン3) is a sidescrolling video game loosely based on the movie of the same name. It was developed by Probe Software and published by Arena Entertainment for the Sega Mega Drive, Sega Master System, Sega Game Gear, Amiga and Commodore 64 in 1992. Different games based on the movie were released on the Super NES (which has a Metroid style gameplay) and the Game Boy (top down shooter with limited adventure mechanics).

Certain liberties were taken from the original movie due to gameplay reasons. Movie had little to none gunfights and had only one alien. It has been suggested that the game was completed before the movie was released, as it has a completely different ending than the movie.

Both a Sega Mega-CD version[14] and a Japanese Mega Drive version[15] were planned, but not released.

Gameplay

The player's task in game is to rescue hostages and defeat aliens which have taken over human colonies. There is a set amount of time to complete this task in each level. Failing to rescue all hostages results in instant death, as well as not reaching the exit before time runs out. Some hostages are extraordinarily well hidden, e.g. in chambers behind fully solid walls. Only stage 2-2 requires the player to not rescue hostages and run straight for the exit. Stages 3-2 and 5-1 are basically just rescuing hostages with no enemies to fight (5-1 has one Alien just before the last Elevator)

The player carries all 4 available weapons by default with a limited supply of ammunition: Machine gun, flamethrower, rockets and grenades, all of these are shot with B aiming with the D-pad and holding down B for rapidfire. It is possible to also pick up limited supplies of other ammunition throughout the levels, cycling between each weapon (and the standard gun) with A and using them with B. C jumps. To rescue a hostage or pick up an item, simply touch it.

In 8-bit versions, A is used for firing selected weapon and B jumps. Crouching and pressing B changes the weapon.

There are 5 worlds with 4 stages each. A boss type Alien waits in the 4th stage of each world, although the same boss is recycled for all encounters. The game has no continues and no password system and must thus be cleared in one sitting, which can take ~1 hour when familiar with the stages.

The difficulty level affects the amount of ammunition and time granted to clear a stage.

Weapons

M41 Pulse Rifle: United States Colonial Marines standard issue rifle that fires 10x24mm caseless cartidges. Low damage but can be used to keep most aliens at bay due to its rapid fire capability. Most versatile weapon as it can be fired while moving.


M240 Incinerator Unit: Very short range but fires rapidly.


U1 Grenade Launcher: Underbarrel 30x71mm grenade launcher for the M41. Fires slowly but has devastating firepower.


M40 HEDP Grenade: Palm sized hand grenade. Ripley throws them in a parabolic arc or in a straight line when crouching. Most useful for clearing aliens in the tunnels.


M314 Motion Tracker: Not really a weapon but rather a radar that detects prisoners (red dots) and aliens (white dots). Requires batteries to keep working. (In the Master System version, it can be activated or deactivated the same way for changing weapons.)


Due to a slight delay before firing and moving, the high amount of rescue missions and rather weak firepower in general, the game puts heavy focus on memorization.

Versions

  • The game is not region protected and runs on any region hardware.
  • The Sega Master System and Sega Game Gear versions are basically identical in terms of content to the Sega Mega Drive. Master System version has a "two-player mode". However it is not simultaneous two-player play. It is turn based: player two starts after player one dies. (Similar to the Master System version of Alien Syndrome.)
  • The Sega Mega Drive version appears to be the "definitive" version as it contains parallax scrolling backgrounds and additional stage details (e.g. animated lights and flowing liquids in world 4) not found in any other version. Sound quality is only marginally inferior to the Amiga release.

Production credits

Mega Drive version

  • Design and Production by: Probe Software
  • Programmer: Tim Round of Eden Software
  • Producer: Joe Bonar
  • Graphics: Lee Ames, Lloyd Baker, Richard Beston, Jason Green, Joe Bonar, Tim Round, Hugh Riley
  • Mapping: Richard Beston, Lloyd Baker, Joe Bonar
  • Music and Sound Effects: Matt Furniss
  • Sound Driver: Shaun Hollingworth
  • Design Support: Fergus McGovern, Tony Beckwith, Neil Young, Keith Burkhill, Tim Round, Mike Archer
  • Quality Assurance in the UK: Adrian Curry, Ian Wickenden
  • And in the US: Tom Gibson, Joe Libertella, Dan Feinstein, Don Nauert, Lucy Fenn, Jane Biddle, Seth Rubine
  • Technical Support: Carl Muller, Stuart Middleton
Source:
In-game credits

Master System and Game Gear versions

Alien 3™
©™1992 Twentieth Century Fox
©1992 Acclaim Entertainment Inc
  • Design and Production by: Probe Software
  • Producer: Joe Bonar
  • Design Support: Fergus McGovern, Tony Beckwith, Neil Young, Keith Burkhill, Tim Round, Mike Archer
  • Programmer: Keith Burkhill
  • Graphics: Hugh Riley, Lisa Wand, Mark Jones
  • Mapping: Hugh Riley, Lisa Wand, Keith Burkhill
  • Music and Sound Effects: Matt Furniss
  • Technical Support: Carl Muller, Stuart Middleton
  • Quality Assurance in the UK: Adrian Curry
  • And in the US: Tom Gibson, Dan Feinstein, Don Nauert, Seth Rubine and many others
Source:
In-game credits
Alien 3 SMS credits.pdf
[16]

Magazine articles

Main article: Alien 3/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Main article: Alien 3/Promotional material.

Physical scans

Mega Drive version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
89 №13, p66-68
Sega Mega Drive
89
Based on
1 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
50
[17]
Ação Games (BR)
100
[18]
Alaab Alcomputtar (SA)
88
[19]
Alaab Alcomputtar (SA)
85
[20]
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
68
[21]
Console Mania (IT)
86
[22]
Cool Gamer (RU)
60
[23]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
90
[24]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1 (RU)
50
[25]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 5 (RU)
50
[26]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
89
[27]
FX (UK)
90
[28]
GameFan (US)
92
[29]
Game Power (IT)
90
[30]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
88
[31]
Gamers (DE)
67
[32]
Game Zone (UK) PAL
89
[33]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
91
[34]
Igry Sega Luchshiye iz luchshikh. Vypusk 2 (RU)
70
[35]
Joypad (FR) PAL
94
[36]
Joystick (FR) PAL
91
[37]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK) PAL
62
[38]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK) PAL
62
[39]
Mega (UK) PAL
79
[40]
Mega Action (UK)
89
[41]
Mega Fun (DE) PAL
75
[42]
MegaTech (UK) PAL
94
[43]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
78
[44]
Mean Machines (UK)
89
[45]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
89
[46]
OK Consolas (ES)
92
[47]
Player One (FR)
77
[48]
Play Time (DE)
82
[49]
Power Up! (UK)
90
[50]
Power Play (DE)
66
[51]
Sega Magazin (DE)
69
[6]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
82
[52]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
87
[53]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
77
[54]
Sega Force (SE)
83
[55]
Sega Force (UK) PAL
92
[56]
Supergame (BR) NTSC-U
87
[57]
Supersonic (FR)
88
[58]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
63
[59]
User (GR) PAL
82
[60]
VideoGames & Computer Entertainment (US) NTSC-U
80
[3]
Video Games (DE)
68
[61]
Sega Mega Drive
80
Based on
47 reviews

Alien 3

Mega Drive, US
Alien3 MD US Box.jpg
Cover
Alien 3 MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
Alien3 md us manual.pdf
Manual
Alien3 MD US PCB.jpg
PCB
Mega Drive, EU
Alien 3 MD EU Box.jpg
Cover
Alien3 MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Alien3 MD EU Manual.jpg
Manual
Alien3 MD EU Manual back.jpg
Manual (back)
Mega Drive, PT
Alien3 MD PT cover.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, SE
Alien3 MD SE rental cover.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, AU
Alien3 MD AU Cover.jpg
Cover
Alien3 MD AU Cart.jpg
Cart
Alien3 MD AU Manual.jpg
Manual
Mega Drive, BR
Alien3 MD BR Box.jpg
Cover
Alien3 MD BR Cart Top.jpg
Alien3 MD BR Cart.jpg
Cart
Alien3 md br manual.pdf
Manual

Master System version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
58
[62]
Consoles + (FR)
53
[63]
Digitiser (UK) PAL
80
[64]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
90
[65]
Joypad (FR)
84
[66]
Joystick (FR) PAL
80
[67]
Megablast (DE)
70
[68]
Player One (FR)
65
[69]
Sega Magazin (DE) PAL
73
[6]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
72
[8]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
90
[70]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
90
[71]
Sega Force (SE)
95
[72]
Sega Force (UK) PAL
77
[73]
Supergame (BR)
86
[74]
Video Games (DE)
63
[75]
Sega Master System
77
Based on
16 reviews

Alien 3

Master System, EU
Alien 3 SMS EU Box.jpg
Cover
Alien3 SMS EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Alien3 SMS EU Manual.pdf
Manual
Master System, PT
Alien3 SMS PT cover.jpg
Cover
Master System, GR
<div style="margin:auto; max-width:Expression error: Unexpected < operator.px"> 320x120px
Cover
Alien3 SMS EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Alien3 SMS EU Manual.pdf
Manual
Master System, AU
Alien3 SMS AU cover.jpg
Cover
Alien3 SMS AU Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, BR
Alien 3 SMS BR Box.jpg
Cover
Alien3 SMS BR Cart.jpg
Cart
Alien3 sms br manual.pdf
Manual

Game Gear version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
53
[76]
Consoles + (FR)
55
[77]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
92
[13]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
73
[78]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
91
[79]
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
53
[80]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
75
[10]
GamesMaster (UK) PAL
80
[81]
Joypad (FR)
87
[82]
Joystick (FR) PAL
83
[83]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
78
[84]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
90
[85]
Player One (FR)
69
[86]
Sega Magazin (DE)
72
[6]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
88
[87]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
88
[88]
Sega Zone (UK) PAL
90
[89]
Sega Force (UK) PAL
84
[12]
Video Games (DE)
63
[90]
Sega Game Gear
77
Based on
19 reviews

Alien 3

Game Gear, JP
Alien3 GG JP Box Back.jpgNospine-small.pngAlien3 GG JP cover.jpg
Cover
Alien3 gg jp cart.jpg
Cart
Game Gear, US
Alien3 GG US Box Back.jpgNospine.pngAlien3 GG US Box Front.jpg
Cover
Alien3 GG US Cart.jpg
Cart
Alien 3 GG US Manual.pdf
Manual
Game Gear, EU
Alien3 GG EU Box Back.jpgAlien3 GG EU Box Spine.jpgAlien3 GG EU Box Front.jpg
Cover
Alien 3 GG EU cart.jpg
Cart
Alien3 GG EU Manual.jpg
Manual

Technical information

ROM dump status

System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
Sega Mega Drive
CRC32 a3b00d6e
MD5 f9e32be60028206b3716f64f2ba0ab00
SHA-1 1f4b969592f98d2692cb06eca550da9c03062593
512kB Cartridge (US/EU)
Sega Mega Drive
CRC32 b327fd1b
MD5 793b92cd4a66921db6ca4f582a690db5
SHA-1 26959752d0683298146c2a89599fa598d009651b
512kB 1992-10 Cartridge Rev. 01
Sega Master System
CRC32 b618b144
MD5 7d6b3351e820b6afa7cf80713dc139e3
SHA-1 be40ffc72ee19620a8bac89d5d96bbafcefc74e7
256kB Cartridge (EU)
Sega Game Gear
CRC32 11a68c08
MD5 653310b476cab68eeb8d3520c26b9755
SHA-1 f3b976fefc331f37c3e4d883791eba68890279a5
256kB Cartridge (US/EU)
Sega Game Gear
CRC32 06f6eebb
MD5 25decd5633847246b38fb9188496d2c8
SHA-1 f09885d76ea7af75fb605261a08143d3ccdc4ca8
256kB Cartridge (JP)

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 http://sega.jp/fb/segahard/gg/soft_licensee.html (Wayback Machine: 2013-01-01 20:24)
  2. 2.0 2.1 GamePro, "October 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 49
  3. 3.0 3.1 VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "November 1992" (US; 1992-1x-xx), page 45
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 MegaTech, "August 1992" (UK; 1992-07-20), page 10
  5. Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "November 1992" (UK; 1992-xx-xx), page 33
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Sega Magazin, "September/Oktober 1993" (DE; 1993-09-01), page 86
  7. Sega Force, "January 1993" (UK; 1992-12-10), page 47
  8. 8.0 8.1 Sega Power, "September 1992" (UK; 1992-08-06), page 24
  9. 9.0 9.1 Sega Magazin, "September/Oktober 1993" (DE; 1993-09-01), page 87
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 GamePro, "December 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 169
  11. GamesMaster, "January 1993" (UK; 1992-12-03), page 14
  12. 12.0 12.1 Sega Force, "February 1993" (UK; 1993-01-14), page 80
  13. 13.0 13.1 Computer & Video Games, "March 1993 (Go! Issue 17)" (UK; 1993-02-15), page 6
  14. Acclaim US product catalogue; 1993, page 33
  15. Beep! MegaDrive, "January 1995" (JP; 1994-12-08), page 83
  16. File:Alien 3 SMS credits.pdf
  17. 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 16
  18. Ação Games, "Outubro 1992" (BR; 1992-10-01), page 20
  19. Alaab Alcomputtar, "" (SA; 1995-06-xx), page 80
  20. Alaab Alcomputtar, "" (SA; 1995-08-xx), page 72
  21. Aktueller Software Markt, "November 1992" (DE; 1992-10-09), page 144
  22. Console Mania, "Novembre 1992" (IT; 1992-1x-xx), page 44
  23. Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 12
  24. Computer & Video Games, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-15), page 26
  25. Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1, "" (RU; 1999-xx-xx), page 287
  26. Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 5, "" (RU; 200x-xx-xx), page 91
  27. Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 18
  28. FX (UK) (+0:00)
  29. GameFan, "Volume 1, Issue 1: October 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 6
  30. Game Power, "Novembre 1992" (IT; 1992-1x-xx), page 65
  31. GamePro, "October 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 48
  32. Gamers, "Dezember/Januar 1993" (DE; 1992-11-19), page 36
  33. Game Zone, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-24), page 18
  34. Hobby Consolas, "Octubre 1992" (ES; 1992-xx-xx), page 74
  35. Igry Sega Luchshiye iz luchshikh. Vypusk 2, "" (RU; 2001-08-27), page 19
  36. Joypad, "Octobre 1992" (FR; 1992-10-xx), page 54
  37. Joystick, "Novembre 1992" (FR; 1992-1x-xx), page 145
  38. Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "November 1992" (UK; 1992-xx-xx), page 32
  39. Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 90
  40. Mega, "January 1994" (UK; 1993-12-16), page 87
  41. Mega Action, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-20), page 65
  42. Mega Fun, "09/92" (DE; 1992-09-22), page 32
  43. MegaTech, "September 1992" (UK; 1992-08-20), page 26
  44. Micromanía (segunda época), "Diciembre 1992" (ES; 1992-1x-xx), page 44
  45. Mean Machines, "September 1992" (UK; 1992-08-27), page 66
  46. Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 137
  47. OK Consolas, "xxxx 1992" (ES; 1992-xx-xx), page 36
  48. Player One, "Octobre 1992" (FR; 1992-10-10), page 72
  49. Play Time, "12/92" (DE; 1992-11-04), page 88
  50. Power Up!, "Saturday, October 03, 1992" (UK; 1992-10-03), page 1
  51. Power Play, "11/92" (DE; 1992-10-14), page 153
  52. Sega Power, "September 1992" (UK; 1992-08-06), page 22
  53. Sega Pro, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-10), page 30
  54. Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 64
  55. Sega Force, "1/93" (SE; 1993-01-14), page 10
  56. Sega Force, "September 1992" (UK; 1992-08-13), page 68
  57. Supergame, "Novembro 1992" (BR; 1992-11-xx), page 20
  58. Supersonic, "Novembre 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 20
  59. Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 7
  60. User, "Mártios 1993" (GR; 1993-0x-xx), page 48
  61. Video Games, "10/92" (DE; 1992-09-30), page 94
  62. Aktueller Software Markt, "August 1993" (DE; 1993-07-12), page 136
  63. Consoles +, "Janvier 1993" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 150
  64. Digitiser (UK) (1993-01-04)
  65. Hobby Consolas, "Octubre 1992" (ES; 1992-xx-xx), page 78
  66. Joypad, "Novembre 1992" (FR; 1992-1x-xx), page 74
  67. Joystick, "Décembre 1992" (FR; 1992-1x-xx), page 177
  68. Megablast, "4/93" (DE; 1993-09-29), page 46
  69. Player One, "Décembre 1992" (FR; 1992-12-10), page 132
  70. Sega Pro, "December 1992" (UK; 1992-11-12), page 70
  71. Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 70
  72. Sega Force, "2/93" (SE; 1993-03-18), page 20
  73. Sega Force, "January 1993" (UK; 1992-12-10), page 46
  74. Supergame, "Janeiro 1993" (BR; 1993-01-xx), page 39
  75. Video Games, "11/92" (DE; 1992-10-28), page 55
  76. Beep! MegaDrive, "June 1994" (JP; 1994-05-07), page 21
  77. Consoles +, "Février 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 118
  78. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "December 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 38
  79. Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 164
  80. Famitsu, "1994-06-03" (JP; 1994-05-20), page 40
  81. GamesMaster, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-18), page 80
  82. Joypad, "Février 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 112
  83. Joystick, "Février 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 185
  84. Micromanía (segunda época), "Marzo 1993" (ES; 1993-0x-xx), page 50
  85. Mean Machines Sega, "February 1993" (UK; 1993-01-28), page 80
  86. Player One, "Février/Mars 1993" (FR; 1993-02-10), page 94
  87. Sega Pro, "February 1993" (UK; 1993-01-14), page 44
  88. Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 74
  89. Sega Zone, "February 1993" (UK; 1993-01-20), page 1
  90. Video Games, "3/93" (DE; 1993-02-24), page 107


Alien 3

Alien 3 MD Title.png

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Alien and Predator games for Sega systems/published by Sega
Sega Mega Drive
Alien 3 (1992) | Predator 2 (1992) | Aliens (unreleased) | Aliens vs. Predator (unreleased) | Operation: Aliens (unreleased)
Sega Master System
Alien 3 (1992) | Predator 2 (1992)
Sega Game Gear
Alien 3 (1992) | Predator 2 (1992)
Arcade
Alien 3: The Gun (1993)
Sega Saturn
Alien Trilogy (1996) | Aliens vs. Predator (unreleased) | Alien: Resurrection (unreleased)
Xbox 360
Sony PlayStation 3
Windows PC
Aliens: Crucible (unreleased) | Aliens vs. Predator (2010) | Aliens: Colonial Marines (2013) | Alien: Isolation (2014)
Nintendo DS
Aliens: Infestation (2011)
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Aliens: Colonial Marines (unreleased)
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Alien: Isolation (2014)
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Alien: Isolation (2019)
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Alien Trilogy Taikenban (199x) | Preview Sega Saturn Vol. 1 (199x)
Alien and Predator related media
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Aliens: Colonial Marines Original Soundtrack Recording (2013)
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