Scientists

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Scientists
Debut	Jetpack Joyride (2011)
Role	Main opponents
Occupation	Legitimate Research employees

The scientists are the antagonists in Jetpack Joyride, working at Legitimate Research on various inventions, many of which are used by Barry in-game. 

History

Jetpack Joyride

Though rather enigmatic, the scientists working at Legitimate Research are neutral antagonists trying to defend themselves from Barry’s theft and intrusions into their laboratory. Despite this, their intentions are stated to be rather evil (For example, in "The Story of Barry Steakfries" trailer and by the fact, that they work for Professor Brains, the main antagonist of Barry's other games with the intentions to take over the world, in Jetpack Joyride Shorts.)

In-game, the scientists are NPCs used for aesthetic purposes. Despite not directly affecting Barry, they activate the lasers, missiles, and zappers to stop Barry. Like Barry, they themselves can also be harmed and/or KO’d by these things, including the jetpacks and Vehicles.

Though they are scientific geniuses (inventing all of the jetpacks, gadgets, and Vehicles, including S.A.M.), the scientists are sometimes shown as absent-minded and clumsy, occasionally walking right into one of their own zappers and getting themselves knocked-out with no provocation from Barry. They are also very easily startled and tend to panic, dashing haphazardly about the lab, sometimes for completely unknown reasons (e.g. even when Barry is using a harmless jetpack and is not equipped with any vehicle or gadgets). Some of the scientists seem to faint or pass out from fear at times, falling randomly to the laboratory floor on their backs after running (with no injury or physical contact from jetpacks or vehicles involved). Oftentimes, a frightened scientist will duck for cover in the middle of a hallway by crouching and holding his gloved hands to his hazmat helmet and remaining still in this position (which occasionally leaves him vulnerable to injury if there is danger). Oddly, their own defense systems, namely zappers and missiles, can injure them while they are trying to protect themselves from Barry. Interestingly, S.A.M. appears to roll right past the scientists without posing injury (though they do run in fear and duck for cover when they see it coming).

The scientists themselves pose no threat to Barry whatsoever. They look genderless and are possibly all males, sharing a seemingly brotherly relationship with each other, and are seen to be obsessed with high-fives.

In-game, Barry causes much trouble for the scientists, and doesn’t seem to have any sympathy for the scientists he frightens and/or knocks-out upon stealing their inventions and trying to escape their lab. Even so, Barry and the scientists have a love-hate type of friendship or friendly-rivalry (as shown in much of Halfbrick’s official artwork and videos). Barry and the scientists will occasionally high-five each other upon passing by (in-game, as part of a mission, and in much official artwork as well). Barry is often shown playfully teasing the scientists (and vice-versa) in official material from Halfbrick, cementing that no real harm is truly done to either the scientists or Barry aside from some rather intense slapstick and cartoon action.

Jetpack Joyride 2

According to the Science Crew's bio from Jetpack Joyride 2, the scientists are all clones of Peter Simpkins, a close friend of Professor Brains who died during the development of Mr. Cuddles, and since that, Brains has struggled to create successful replicas which explains their different physiologies, similar behavior and high-five obsession, the latter of which we can assume the late Simpkins had.

Appearance

A scientist (average shape)

The scientists come in variations:

• Gas mask:
  • Fat

    

    A chubby scientist

  • Tall
  • Average

A tall scientist

• Clear visor:
  • Fat
  • Tall
  • Average

Android Mascot

• Android mascot (used to be available exclusively on Android devices; removed in current versions)
  • Average

The scientists are all male and come in many shapes, being short and tall, thin and fat.

They wear full-body hazmat suits, and may have either a clear visor or gas mask over their heads, so their faces are never seen. Even when not in the lab working, the scientists tend to keep their identities a secret at all times. This is shown in Halfbrick's official videos (such as when two of them are out in public in their hazmat suits with Barry after befriending him in the 2019 "Level 2" video).

In gameplay, their gloves can be either yellow or blue in color. The chubby scientists are only seen in blue gloves, while the tall and thin scientists are only seen in yellow gloves. The average-height scientists can be clad in either blue or yellow gloves. In promotional art materials, rare dark-brown and grey gloved scientists can be spotted, as well as presumably female scientists shown wearing violet or purple gloves.

Related gadgets

Scientists are affected by the following gadgets:

• Nerd Repellent: Clears the lab of all scientists, leaving only tumbleweeds in their place.
• X-Ray Specs: Barry can "leer" at the scientists to see a humorous visual effect of them in their underwear.
• Freeze-O-Matic: Freezes them solid if Barry passes them while frozen.
• Flash: May be knocked over by him as he jumps at them.

Related missions

• Reach x meters without harming any scientists.
• High five x scientists (in one game).
• Knock down x scientists with Lil Stomper.

Related achievements

• Germaphobe - Fly 2km, without touching any coins, scientists or tokens.
• For science - Knock over 1,000 scientists.

Notable scientists

• Toni - A high-ranking scientist with a yellow stripe on his helmet, appearing in the Robot Bird music video. He's the creator of Profit Bird, Mr. Cuddles and Flash.
• Lab Lady - A female scientist, and the only one without the mask. She appears exclusively in Barry Steakfries: From The Files Of Jetpack Joyride.
• Craig - One of Barry's friends with a cracked helmet, appearing as an assistant in Jetpack Joyride Shorts and Jetpack Joyride 2.
• Steve - Another friend of Barry, appearing as a minor character in Jetpack Joyride Shorts.
• The Science Crew - A trio of scientists, serving as a mini-boss in the middle of each laboratory in Jetpack Joyride 2.

Appearances in other video games

Battle Racing Stars

Scientists are playable characters in Battle Racing Stars. The scientists have many abilities just like Barry does. They have four abilities:

• Beam Throw: Scientists throw a powerful beam forward to opponents in front of them.
• Sentinel: Dropping a laser which stays on the ground for a certain time, damaging opponents if hit.
• Electroshield: Shocks your enemies, and can protect you depending on a certain level.
• RPG: Scientists launch 3 Missiles in the air, which aim at their opponents and slow them down.

The scientists play a major role in the "Robotic Invention" event, where the scientists ask Barry to help Professor Brains build his invention, convincing him to help. They also briefly appear in the "Colossatron's Menace" event, asking if the Vendor from Dan The Man sells nuts. The Vendor asks how much he wants, making the scientist happy.

Dan The Man

Early scientist designs from The Art of Halfbrick

The scientists make an appearance in the Jetpack Joyride Event in Dan The Man as enemies and costumes for Custom Character. As enemies, they appear throughout the special stages in the event, trying to defeat the player character. Hazmat suited scientist, dubbed Scientist #10911, can be earned by collecting all medals and rewards. The Gas Mask scientist, Scientist #210226, can be bought through a special offer.

When changing Custom's gender to male or female, the design of the outfits remains intact. Plus, dressing up as a Scientist (as the Custom Character) will not camouflage or save them from an attack, as the other "scientists" will not be fooled by the player's appearance.

Both scientist designs were first shown in The Art of Halfbrick book, along several other unused designs for Custom Character's costumes.

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