The game's prototype name was Twisted Flipper. The producer of the game, Richard Robbins, initially pursued the name Headbangers Ball, but MTV balked at a license and Mötley Crüe was added relatively late in development.[citation needed]
This game was designed by Mark Sprenger (artist for Space Shuttle, High Speed, and Diner) and Brian L. Schmidt (composer for Space Station and Black Knight 2000). The game was awarded the Sega Seal of Quality Award for Best Sound at the Consumer Electronics Show.[1]