Software:Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive

From HandWiki
Short description: 2001 video game
Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive
European cover art
Developer(s)Spellbound Entertainment
Publisher(s)Infogrames
Director(s)Jean-Marc Haessig
Producer(s)Armin Gessert
Designer(s)Jean-Marc Haessig
Programmer(s)Stéphane Becker
Composer(s)Michael Anarp
Serge Mandon
Giovanni Vindigni
SeriesDesperados
Platform(s)
ReleaseWindows
OS X
  • WW: 4 March 2015[5]
Linux
  • WW: 5 July 2018[6]
Genre(s)Real-time tactics
Mode(s)Single-player

Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive is a real-time tactics video game developed by Spellbound Entertainment and published by Infogrames for Microsoft Windows.

In the game, the player controls up to six characters in an Old West setting. The protagonist is a worldly knife-fighter and gunslinger, John Cooper, who sets out to capture a notorious train-robber named "El Diablo" and claim the bounty on his head. As Cooper sets off on his quest, he is aided by five companions and they work together in a real-time, stealth-based structure, although all-out gunfights are still highly possible in the game.

The game is the first in the Desperados series, initially followed in 2006 by Software:Desperados 2: Cooper's Revenge and in 2007 by a stand-alone expansion Helldorado. A multiplayer-oriented title that would have been called Desperados Gangs was in development when Spellbound shut down.[7] The series was revived in 2020 with Desperados III developed by Mimimi Productions and published by THQ Nordic.[8]

Plot

In 1881, a bandit gang commits armed holdups of several trains. The railroad company Twinnings & Co puts up a reward of $15,000 for whoever brings those responsible in dead or alive. John Cooper, a traveling gunfighter, decides to pursue the bounty and gathers a team of his old acquaintances: explosives fanatic Sam Williams; Doc McCoy, a physician, sharpshooter and lockpicker; and gambler and con-woman Kate O'Hara.

After questioning cantankerous U.S. Marshal Jackson, the group apprehends bandit gang leader Pablo Sanchez, whom Jackson has implicated, but as they attempt to deliver him to the authorities, they run into (and thwart) an ambush set by another gang of bandits. This, and Sanchez's revelation that a masked outlaw known only as "El Diablo" is behind the robberies and has a snitch at Twinnings, convinces Cooper that Sanchez must be innocent.

Cooper deduces that Smith, Twinning's partner, is El Diablo's snitch, but Smith is assassinated before Cooper can get answers. With Jackson sending a posse to pursue the bounty hunters on charges of murder, Cooper frees Sanchez from prison and enlists his help. Sanchez guides the team to Socorro to track down Carlos, a local tavern owner and underling of El Diablo. Mia Yung, a young Chinese American girl, also joins the team after Jackson's deputies kill her father in his own waystation, vowing revenge.

While Cooper listens in on a conversation between Carlos and one of El Diablo's representatives (in which Carlos dies), Doc and Kate are taken hostage. Cooper, Sam, Mia, and Sanchez secretly follow El Diablo's gang as they use a hijacked train to deliver supplies to their boss's hideout in a remote cave. El Diablo captures the group in a trap and imprisons them while he offers Sanchez a chance to join his gang as an alternative to being tortured to death. The gang escapes with the help of Mia's pet monkey, Mr. Leone; Cooper rescues Sanchez and confronts El Diablo. To his shock, Diablo reveals that he is actually Marshal Jackson. After a gunfight, Cooper finishes Jackson off with his knife, and the latter falls out of his office's window to his death.

Gameplay

The game is a top down stealth tactics game, similar to Software:Commandos: Behind Enemy Lines. The player controls up to six characters to navigate through each level and deal with the enemies in a variety of ways, such as John's knife throwing, Sam's snake, Doc's knock out gas, etc etc.

The player can use a "spyglass" function on NPCs to see their fields of vision. Depending on the color of the cone, the player can see the mental state of the NPC. If the cone is green, it means the person is calm. Similarly, a yellow cone signifies suspicion, and a red means the NPC has spotted one of the characters. Some colors signify special status such as a pink cone, meaning the NPC has become attracted to Kate, or a black cone, meaning they have been hit by Mia's blowpipe.

Another special feature is the Quick Action, in which certain actions - from running to a certain place up to using a weapon against a pre-targeted enemy - can be 'pre-programmed' and called upon immediately when needed. For instance, by programming his revolver with Quick Action, Cooper can either concentrate all three shots that he can fire on a single opponent or divide them between up to three targets without having to move the mouse cursor around.

Development

Physical copies of the game released in the United States featured an alternate cover art by famed comic book artist Glenn Fabry.[9]

An add-on was announced, but it was never released.[10]

A modernised update, Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive - Modernized, released in July 2018 improved compatibility with newer Windows 10 OS, as well as ports to MacOS and Linux, added foreign dubs that were previously missing from most digital versions, and its mission from the game's demo brought into the full game.[11][12]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic78/100[13]
Review scores
PublicationScore
CGMStarStarStarHalf star[14]
CGWStarStarStarStar[15]
Edge5/10[16]
Game Informer7.25/10[17]
GameSpot6.8/10[18]
GameSpy83%[19]
GameZone8/10[20]
IGN8.1/10[21]
Next GenerationStarStarStarStar[22]
PC Gamer (US)81%[23]

Rob Smolka reviewed the PC version of the game for Next Generation, rating it four stars out of five, and stated that "this gets an extra star just for being that rare Western-themes game that does justice to its source. Stick with it through the tough times, or you'll miss out on a great story and a stable full of action".[22]

The game received "generally favorable reviews" according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[13]

References

  1. ↑ "Desperados". http://www.chipsworld.co.uk/detProd.asp?ProductCode=4648. 
  2. ↑ "Enfin un duel à la hauteur de vos espérances" (in fr). April 18, 2001. http://www.infogrames.fr/news/arcavr01.htm. 
  3. ↑ "EBgames.com". http://www.ebgames.com:80/ebx/default.asp. 
  4. ↑ "Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive". 2002-02-11. http://pc.ign.com/games/15315.html. 
  5. ↑ "Desperados raiding the Appstore". March 4, 2015. https://www.rune-soft.com/News/Current_News/News-256/news=Desperados_raiding_the_Appstore-72. 
  6. ↑ "Desperados - Wanted Dead or Alive has been updated with official Linux support" (in en). 2018-07-05. https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2018/07/desperados-wanted-dead-or-alive-has-been-updated-with-official-linux-support/. 
  7. ↑ "Desperados Gangs [Cancelled - Xbox 360 / PS3 / PSvita / PC"]. 28 May 2012. https://www.unseen64.net/2012/05/28/desperados-gangs-cancelled-xbox-360-ps3-psvita/. Retrieved 18 September 2017. 
  8. ↑ "Archived copy". https://desperadosgame.com/. 
  9. ↑ "Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive (2001) box cover art". Blue Flame Labs. https://www.mobygames.com/game/desperados-wanted-dead-or-alive/cover-art/gameCoverId,36266/. 
  10. ↑ "Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive (2001) Trivia". Blue Flame Labs. https://www.mobygames.com/game/desperados-wanted-dead-or-alive/trivia. 
  11. ↑ MegalomaniacNG (5 July 2018). "Update: Modern System Compatibility (Win8, Win10, Mac and Linux support) and Demo Level added!". Valve. https://steamcommunity.com/games/260730/announcements/detail/1681414719795322682. 
  12. ↑ "Desperados now updated to shoot straight on modern systems". CD Projekt. 11 July 2018. https://www.gog.com/news/desperados_now_updated_to_shoot_straight_in_modern_systems. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive for PC Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/desperados-wanted-dead-or-alive/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. 
  14. ↑ Abner, William (21 August 2001). "Desperados - Wanted Dead or Alive". theGlobe.com. http://www.cgonline.com/reviews/desperados-01-r1.html. 
  15. ↑ Kapalka, Jason (October 2001). "A Fistful of Puzzles (Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive Review)". Computer Gaming World (Ziff Davis) (207): 95. http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_207.pdf. Retrieved 17 February 2020. 
  16. ↑ Edge staff (May 2001). "Desperados [Wanted Dead or Alive"]. Edge (Future plc) (97): 70–71. https://archive.org/details/edgeuk097/page/n57/mode/2up. Retrieved 18 February 2020. 
  17. ↑ Mason, Lisa (September 2001). "Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive". Game Informer (FuncoLand) (101). http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200109/R03.0805.1705.54625.htm. Retrieved 18 February 2020. 
  18. ↑ Osborne, Scott (23 July 2001). "Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive Review". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/desperados-wanted-dead-or-alive-review/1900-2795563/. 
  19. ↑ Hansen, Philip (3 October 2001). "Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive". IGN Entertainment. http://archive.gamespy.com/reviews/september01/desperados/. 
  20. ↑ Lupos (21 September 2001). "Desperados - Wanted Dead or Alive Review". http://pc.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r15385.htm. 
  21. ↑ Butts, Steve (24 July 2001). "Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/07/24/desperados-wanted-dead-or-alive. 
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 Smolka, Rob (October 2001). "Finals". Next Generation (Imagine Media) 4 (10): 99. 
  23. ↑ Chan, Norman (October 2001). "Desperados [Wanted Dead or Alive"]. PC Gamer (Imagine Media) 8 (10). http://www.pcgamer.com/reviews/review_2001-10-04f.html. 
  • 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. 
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