Software:Dark Sun: Wake of the Ravager

From HandWiki
Short description: 1994 video game
Dark Sun: Wake of the Ravager
Cover art by Gerald Brom
Developer(s)Strategic Simulations
Publisher(s)Strategic Simulations
Mindscape
Producer(s)Nicholas Beliaeff
Daniel Cermak
Designer(s)SSI Special Projects Team
Programmer(s)Robert W. Calfee
SeriesDark Sun
Platform(s)MS-DOS
Release1994
Genre(s)Role-playing
Mode(s)Single-player

Dark Sun: Wake of the Ravager is a role-playing video game developed and published by Strategic Simulations in 1994 for the MS-DOS operating system. It is the sequel to Software:Dark Sun: Shattered Lands.

Plot

Wake of the Ravager takes place in the Dungeons & Dragons' campaign setting of Dark Sun, set on a harsh desert world named Athas. The story is a continuation of the events in its predecessor, Software:Dark Sun: Shattered Lands, and takes place in or around the city-state of Tyr. The introductory cut scene introduces the mysterious Dragon and his general, the Lord Warrior, who are planning the conquest of Tyr. Upon starting the game, the player witnesses an assassination of a woman who turns out to be a member of a secret society known as the Veiled Alliance. The player eventually becomes involved with the Veiled Alliance and their struggles against the Dragon and the Lord Warrior.

Gameplay

Wake of the Ravager shares the same engine and gameplay as its predecessor, but with slightly different graphics (most obviously, the use of larger character sprites). The engine uses a top-down view of the world. Players control a party of one to four characters. The game can be started with a pregenerated party, or the player may create their own or import characters from Shattered Lands. As with other Dungeons & Dragons computer titles, combat features prominently in the game play; in the Dark Sun series, combat is turn-based. Like its predecessor, Ravager also incorporates elements unique to the Dark Sun campaign setting, including unique character races (the Mul and the insectoid thri-kreen (Though thri-kreen appear in both Pool of Radiance and Curse of the Azure Bonds)) and extensive use of psionics.

The game has several bugs, some of which result in a crash, others resulting in the game not winnable. For example, due to game engine limitations, graphics for doorways or items may disappear.[1] Some of these issues were addressed in the 1.02 and 1.1 patches.

Release

Wake of the Ravager was initially released in two boxed versions: on floppy disk and on CD-ROM, with the latter featuring digitised voice and music (as Red Book CD tracks). It was included in the 1996 compilation set, the AD&D Masterpiece Collection.[2] The game was re-released in 2015 on GOG.com with support for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
PC Gamer (UK)60%[4]
PC Gamer (US)85%[3]
Electronic EntertainmentStarStarStar[5]

Writing for PC Gamer US, Neil Randall called Wake of the Ravager "a rich and complex title that works from a highly usable interface — the kind of thing roleplayers are always looking for".[3] Al Giovetti of Electronic Entertainment believed that the game "offers well-written, stylish role playing, once you get over some technical hurdles".[5]

In Computer Gaming World, Scorpia wrote that Wake of the Ravager "is a mixed bag, although worth playing if you are a Dark Sun fan and you've waited for the patch or a revised release".[6] PC Gamer UK's Andy Butcher called the game a "missed opportunity", but remarked that it was "still fun if you have the patience".[4]

James V. Trunzo reviewed Dark Sun: Wake of the Ravager in White Wolf Inphobia #54 (April, 1995), rating it a 4 out of 5 and stated that "Wake of the Ravager is one of the few fantasy roleplaying games that uses a three-quarter overhead perspective and a multicharacter party while still allowing for independent character action. It's a pleasant change from the new-common 'through the eyes' perspective of other fantasy games. However, Wake of the Ravager still retains some of the outdated 'Dungeon Master and lead miniatures' feel that most of us were weaned on."[7]

According to GameSpy, "Wake of the Ravager sported enhanced graphics and larger character sprites as well as a number of huge, game-stopping bugs which ensured that for most gamers, The Dragon's lackey still waits to be defeated".[8]

References

  1. ↑ "Software Solution - Dark Sun? Wake of the Ravager". http://support.broderbund.com/fix.asp?isid%3D2712%26prog%3D437. 
  2. ↑ Butcher, Andy (January 1996). "Games Reviews". Arcane (Future Publishing) (2): 80. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Randall, Neil (January 1995). "Dark Sun: Wake of the Ravager". PC Gamer US. http://www.pcgamer.com:80/reviews/314.html. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Butcher, Andy. "Dark Sun: Wake of the Ravager". PC Gamer UK. http://www.pcgamer.co.uk:80/games/gamefile_review_page.asp?item_id=288. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Giovetti, Al (January 1995). "Wake of the Ravager". Electronic Entertainment (13): 84. 
  6. ↑ Scorpia (December 1994). "The Dark Sun Also Rises". Computer Gaming World (125): 185, 186, 188. 
  7. ↑ Trunzo, James V. (April 1995). "The Silicon Dungeon". White Wolf Inphobia (54): 72. https://imgur.com/a/sJqSQq2. 
  8. ↑ Rausch, Allen (2004-08-17). "A History of D&D Video Games - Part III". Game Spy. http://pc.gamespy.com/articles/539/539722p3.html. 
  • Broderbund technical support note
  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

On February 13, 2025, Freyholtz stepped down as the site lead to move onto new projects, leaving operations to Tracy Poff, a veteran coder on the site, and Atari staff.[18]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
  18. ↑ "An update on MobyGames leadership". 2025-02-13. https://www.mobygames.com/forum/3/thread/269628/an-update-on-mobygames-leadership/#post-269628. 
  • No URL found. Please specify a URL here or add one to Wikidata.



de:Dark Sun (Spieleserie)#Wake of the Ravager



Retrieved from "https://handwiki.org/wiki/index.php?title=Software:Dark_Sun:_Wake_of_the_Ravager&oldid=3961749"