Software:Disciples: Sacred Lands

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Short description: 1999 video game
Disciples: Sacred Lands
Developer(s)Strategy First
Publisher(s)GT Interactive
Director(s)Stéphane Rainville
Producer(s)Prokopios Sotos
Designer(s)Danny Bélanger
Programmer(s)Dominic Mathieu
Artist(s)Benoit Carrière
Composer(s)Sébastien Thifault
Platform(s)Windows
Release
  • NA: September 30, 1999[1]
Genre(s)Turn-based strategy
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Disciples: Sacred Lands is a turn-based strategy game published by Strategy First in 1999. Set in a fantasy world known as the Sacred Lands, it depicts a battle for dominance between the races of the world of Nevendaar. In 2001, an expanded version of the game was released titled Disciples: Sacred Lands - Gold Edition, which added 25 new scenarios.

Gameplay

The gameplay is similar to other turn-based strategy games of the era, such as Heroes of Might and Magic and Warlords, and consists of three major components: The capital city, where the player recruits units, constructs buildings, and researches spells; the adventure map, where the player leads heroes and their parties to explore the land; and the battle screen, where battles are fought whenever hostile parties meet on the adventure map.[2][3]

The player can choose one of four different races — the Empire (humans), the Mountain Clans (dwarves), the Legions of the Damned (demons), and the Undead Hordes (undead) — each of which has a different play style and a unique story campaign. The player also selects from three overlord professions with unique skills and abilities. Each race has unique army units to recruit, and the units can be upgraded by constructing buildings at the player's capital city and gaining experience points from battling foes or wandering monster parties.[2][4]

Combat is turn-based, with individual units' speed stat determining what order they will act in. While on the adventure map, the player can move units around and assign them to either the front row or the back row, although while in combat the units cannot be moved. Each unit has a different style of attacking. Some units have a melee attack that targets a single enemy unit in the front row, some units have a ranged attack that targets a single enemy unit anywhere, and some units attack with magic spells that targets all enemy units at once.[4][5][6]

The game can be played in single-player, hotseat multi-player on the same computer, or online multi-player modes.[6]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
GameRankings82%[7]
Review scores
PublicationScore
CGSP3.5/5[3]
CGW1.5/5[9]
GamePro4/5[4]
GameSpot8.3/10[5]
GameZone5.2/10[6]
IGN8.5/10[2]
Jeuxvideo.com13/20[11]
PC Gamer (US)89%[12]

The game received "favorable" reviews according to the review aggregation website GameRankings,[7] and Computer Games Magazine said it received "mostly positive reviews" upon release.[13] However, publisher Strategy First was disappointed with its initial performance, prompting them to release a special "gold edition" of the game in 2001.[14]

GameSpot's associate editor Andrew Park called the game "the most pleasant surprise of 1999." He stated he was initially unimpressed with the game, regarding it as a "watered-down clone" of Heroes of Might and Magic III, and was particularly critical of its "washed out" colors and "tiny sprites." But upon playing a session of the game, he reversed his opinion of it, now praising its "exquisite hand-painted portraits" and "subdued colors" as well as the sound quality of the voice clips.[15]

GameSpot awarded the game "Best Game No One Played" at their Best & Worst of 1999 Awards,[16] and nominated it for the "Best Graphics, Artistic Design" award, although it lost to Software:Rayman 2: The Great Escape.[17]

Sequels

Three sequels have been released: Software:Disciples II: Dark Prophecy in 2002, Software:Disciples III: Renaissance in 2009, and Disciples: Liberation in 2021. A fourth sequel, titled Disciples: Domination, is scheduled to be released in 2026.[18]

References

  1. ↑ Fudge, James (September 30, 1999). "Disciples: Sacred Lands Hits Retail". Strategy Plus, Inc.. Archived from the original on May 24, 2003. https://web.archive.org/web/20030524194039/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/023/047/disciples.html. Retrieved July 8, 2022. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Ward, Trent C. (October 18, 1999). "Disciples: Sacred Lands". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/10/19/disciples-sacred-lands. Retrieved July 22, 2017. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Rickmann, Merrie (September 15, 1999). "Disciples: Sacred Lands". Strategy Plus, Inc.. Archived from the original on May 12, 2003. https://web.archive.org/web/20030512051004/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/022/175/disciples_review.html. Retrieved July 8, 2022. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Brenesal, Barry (October 7, 1999). "Disciples: Sacred Lands Review for PC on GamePro.com". GamePro (IDG Entertainment). Archived from the original on June 24, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20040624210736/http://www.gamepro.com/computer/pc/games/reviews/2327.shtml. Retrieved July 22, 2017. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Park, Andrew Seyoon (September 28, 1999). "Disciples: Sacred Lands Review". Red Ventures. Archived from the original on December 29, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20041229221448/http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/disciplessacredlands/review.html. Retrieved July 8, 2022. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Lupos (September 19, 1999). "Disciples: Sacred Lands Review". Archived from the original on January 14, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20040114113310/http://www.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r13266.htm. Retrieved July 22, 2017. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Disciples: Sacred Lands for PC". CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 30, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190530130916/https://www.gamerankings.com/pc/197131-disciples-sacred-lands/index.html. Retrieved July 8, 2022. 
  8. ↑ Conley, Eric (October 5, 1999). "Disciples: Sacred Lands". CNET. Archived from the original on August 16, 2000. https://web.archive.org/web/20000816171017/http://gamecenter.com/Reviews/Item/0,6,0-3222,00.html. Retrieved July 8, 2022. 
  9. ↑ Green, Jeff (December 1999). "Disciples: Sacred Lands". Computer Gaming World (Ziff Davis) (185): 158. https://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_185.pdf. Retrieved July 22, 2017. 
  10. ↑ Grant, Jules (October 25, 1999). "Disciples: Sacred Lands". Greedy Productions Inc.. Archived from the original on April 30, 2003. https://web.archive.org/web/20030430233815/http://www.elecplay.com/review.html?article=1465&full=1#mr_toppy. Retrieved July 8, 2022. 
  11. ↑ pilou (January 22, 2002). "Test: Disciples : Sacred Lands" (in fr). Webedia. Archived from the original on September 18, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200918135412/https://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0000/00001872_test.htm. Retrieved July 8, 2022. 
  12. ↑ Trotter, William R. (December 1999). "Disciples [Sacred Lands"]. PC Gamer (Imagine Media) 6 (12). Archived from the original on March 15, 2006. https://web.archive.org/web/20060315131454/http://www.pcgamer.com/archives/2005/07/disciples.html. Retrieved July 22, 2017. 
  13. ↑ Yans, Cindy (February 2002). "Reborn and Polished – The Maturation of Disciples: Dark Prophecy". Computer Games Magazine (theGlobe.com): 47-48. 
  14. ↑ Asher, Mark (June 2001). "GameSpin #14 -- Strategy First (Page 2)". IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on February 15, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050215042222/http://archive.gamespy.com/gamespin/june01/gamespin14/index2.shtm. Retrieved July 8, 2022. 
  15. ↑ Park, Andrew (1999). "GameSpot Question of the Week: What was the most surprisingly good game of 1999?". Gamespot. Ziff Davis. http://www.gamespot.com/features/question/122099/p7.html. 
  16. ↑ GameSpot staff (2000). "The Best & Worst of 1999 (Best Game No One Played)". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on August 23, 2000. https://web.archive.org/web/20000823200046/http://www.gamespot.com/features/1999/p2_08.html. Retrieved July 8, 2022. 
  17. ↑ GameSpot staff (2000). "The Best & Worst of 1999 (Best Graphics, Artistic Design)". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on August 23, 2000. https://web.archive.org/web/20000823200006/http://www.gamespot.com/features/1999/p2_05.html. Retrieved July 8, 2022. 
  18. ↑ Romano, Sal (August 7, 2025). "Dark fantasy strategy RPG Disciples: Domination announced for PS5, Xbox Series, and PC". Gematsu. https://www.gematsu.com/2025/08/dark-fantasy-strategy-rpg-disciples-domination-announced-for-ps5-xbox-series-and-pc. 
  • 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 lengthy 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]

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. 
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