Software:Hidden & Dangerous 2

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Hidden & Dangerous 2
Cover art
Developer(s)Illusion Softworks
Publisher(s)
Director(s)Petr Vochozka
Producer(s)Lukáš Kuře
Designer(s)Radek Havlíček
Programmer(s)Marek Rabas
Artist(s)
  • Martin Beneš
  • Peter Kubek
  • Radek Marek
Writer(s)Radek Havlíček
Composer(s)Michal Szlavik
EngineLS3D engine
Platform(s)Windows
Release
Sabre Squadron
  • EU: September 24, 2004
  • NA: October 21, 2004
Genre(s)Tactical shooter
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Hidden & Dangerous 2 is a tactical shooter video game developed by Illusion Softworks and published by Gathering. It was released October 2003 for Microsoft Windows. It is the second installment and the direct sequel to 2K Czech's predecessor Hidden & Dangerous, it features similar gameplay concepts and themes. Illusion Softworks and creative director Petr Vochozka based the game's setting on stealth based British Special Air Service operations behind Axis lines during the Second World War.

Gameplay

Hidden & Dangerous 2, like its predecessor, focuses on the British Special Air Service during the Second World War. It follows the same concept as the original tactical first/third-person shooter. The game's LS3D engine was used by the game Mafia.

Gameplay elements such as the vocal commands, plan or real-time map control, vehicle usage, equipment selection and the first person mechanic were significantly enhanced from the original. The ability to take POWs, added enhanced stealth options for the player which include the acquisition of enemy uniforms. Mission types include, espionage, sabotage, search and destroy, town liberation, prisoner rescue, retrieval of enemy officers and documents, partisan assistance and assassination. The variety of locales include Norway, Libya, a Norwegian fjord, Burma, Austria, France and Czechoslovakia.

The expansion pack Sabre Squadron adds missions in France, Libya and Sicily. Some of the missions are modeled on real SAS exploits. However most of the game takes liberty with the historical time and place of SAS operations.[2] The missions are based on sandbox style gameplay where players are free to roam a map and pursue objectives usually at their leisure and choice of sequence. A real time strategy mechanic also allows players to control events for staged sequential tactical maneuvers or through real time overhead command.

Campaign mode

The campaign mode in Hidden & Dangerous 2 allows for a single-player, playing as a lone wolf or a team leader. Players may choose from a roster of 30 men to comprise up to a four man team. Detailed mission briefings and full load-out inventory selection for each new campaign/mission. There are over 20 levels with missions in seven campaigns, set in Europe, Africa and Asia where the players visit many historical areas. The game does not possess an overarching narrative. Players can achieve promotions and decorations for bravery, successfully completed missions and/or specific objectives.

Multiplayer

Hidden & Dangerous 2 has a multiplayer mode that can be played via internet or local area network with up to 99 players. After the 2012 closure of GameSpy servers, there is no longer official multiplayer support. In 2014, a fan-made multiplayer server was set up. It is not officially supported by the creators, as the company and its games network holder no longer exist. There is currently an active worldwide fan community in this game. In multiplayer, there are four game modes represented: Cooperative, Combat, Capture, Quests HD2.

Hidden & Dangerous 2: Sabre Squadron

An expansion pack titled Sabre Squadron was released on October 19, 2004, in the US, and introduced nine new single player missions, seven new multi-player maps and a now finished death-match map called "Poland", which had been featured in the game's intro and was titled "London" and available for play in its unfinished state before this release. It also introduced new weapons (the RPzB 54, the MAS-36, the G43, a suppressed P08 and a Harrington & Richardson Mk VI flare pistol), the ability to hold your breath while looking through a telescopic sight, a cooperative multi-player mode, and access to the original Hidden & Dangerous 2 missions through Sabre Squadron's interface.

Reception

Hidden & Dangerous 2

Hidden & Dangerous 2
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic75/100[3]
Review scores
PublicationScore
CGWStarStarStarHalf star[4]
Edge8/10[5]
Eurogamer9/10[6]
Game Informer6/10[7]
GameProStarStarStarHalf star[8]
GameRevolutionB[9]
GameSpot7.3/10[10]
GameSpyStarStarStar[11]
IGN7.9/10[12]
PC Format88%[13]
PC Gamer (US)80%[14]

The game received "generally favorable reviews" according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[3]

Eurogamer said that "it takes all that was good about the original, improves every element, successfully adds new features and delivers a well-rounded game".[6] GamesTM claimed that the game's "minor flaws have to be put into perspective against the sheer quality and quantity on offer".[15] Computer Gaming World stated that Hidden and Dangerous 2 is a "really good game", but also complained about the "dubious tradition of bugs" and criticised the "same pesky bugs and problematic A.I. as the original".[4] Edge called it "one of the finest WWII games of recent memory. Hidden & Dangerous 2 manages to distract you from errors that would cripple a lesser game through its sheer ambition and scale".[5] IGN stated that Hidden & Dangerous 2 is "a great game lurking somewhere underneath all of these questionable design decisions".[12] Game Revolution criticised the difficulty level, artificial intelligence and controls, but praised the game overall, saying "the atmosphere, graphics, scope, versatility and ultimately fun gameplay keeps the bad bits in check".[9] GameSpy called it "a compelling World War II experience".[11] GameSpot called it "frustrating to play" and said "there's clearly a wonderful game hidden amongst the major bugs, cumbersome controls, questionable AI, and other flaws".[10] GamePro also criticised the A.I., while stating that "if you dig tactical shooters, Hidden & Dangerous 2 should be in your sights".[8] Game Informer said that "though the campaign is long, you could pack all of the action into a container half of the size of the Max Payne 2 quest".[7]

The game sold over 1 million units as of August 2004.[16]

Sabre Squadron

Hidden & Dangerous 2: Sabre Squadron
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic67/100[17]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Eurogamer7/10[18]
GamesMaster76%[19]
GameSpot7.3/10[20]
IGN7/10[21]
PC Format72%[22]
PC Gamer (US)78%[23]
PC Zone77%[24]

The Sabre Squadron expansion pack received "average" reviews according to Metacritic.[17]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "GATHERING". 2006-03-24. http://www.gathering.com/news_pop.php?id=g3f98370f1d4cd. 
  2. ↑ Kemp, Anthony (1991). The SAS at War 1941–1945. New York: Signet. ISBN 0-451-17456-9
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Hidden & Dangerous 2 for PC Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/hidden-and-dangerous-2/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Liberatore, Raphael (February 2004). "Hidden & Dangerous 2". Computer Gaming World (235): 78. http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_235.pdf. Retrieved January 30, 2017. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Hidden & Dangerous 2". Edge (131): 120. December 25, 2003. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 McNamara, Tom (October 23, 2003). "Hidden & Dangerous 2". http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_hiddenanddangerous2_pc. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Biessener, Adam (January 2004). "Hidden and Dangerous II [sic"]. Game Informer (129): 156. http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/4885B193-3100-4403-8A86-C35024210789.htm. Retrieved November 23, 2008. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Funky Zealot (December 29, 2003). "Hidden & Dangerous 2 Review for PC on GamePro.com [score mislabeled as "4/5""]. GamePro. http://www.gamepro.com/computer/pc/games/reviews/32357.shtml. Retrieved January 30, 2017. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Sanders, Shawn (October 2003). "Hidden and Dangerous 2 Review". Game Revolution. http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/hidden-and-dangerous-2. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Osborne, Scott (October 28, 2003). "Hidden & Dangerous 2 Review". http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/hidden-and-dangerous-2-review/1900-6077470/. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Durham Jr., Joel (November 5, 2003). "GameSpy: Hidden & Dangerous 2". GameSpy. http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/hidden-dangerous-2/6334p1.html. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 McNamara, Tom (October 29, 2003). "Hidden and Dangerous 2 Review". http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/10/30/hidden-and-dangerous-2-review. 
  13. ↑ Griliopoulos, Dan (December 25, 2003). "Hidden and Dangerous 2". PC Format (156). http://www.pcformat.co.uk/reviews/default.asp?pagetypeid=2&articleid=27906&subsectionid=680. Retrieved January 30, 2017. 
  14. ↑ Klett, Steve (January 2004). "Hidden & Dangerous 2". PC Gamer: 112. http://www.pcgamer.com/archives/2005/07/hidden_dangerou.html. Retrieved January 30, 2017. 
  15. ↑ "Hidden & Dangerous 2". GamesTM: 104. December 25, 2003. http://www.totalgames.net/pma/18394. Retrieved January 30, 2017. 
  16. ↑ "Hidden & Dangerous 2: Sabre Squadron Screens". Gamers Hell. August 31, 2004. http://www.gamershell.com/news_16912.html. 
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 "Hidden & Dangerous 2: Sabre Squadron for PC Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/hidden-and-dangerous-2-sabre-squadron/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. 
  18. ↑ Reed, Kristan (September 24, 2004). "Hidden & Dangerous II [sic: Sabre Squadron"]. http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_hiddenanddangerous2sabresquadron_pc. 
  19. ↑ "Hidden & Dangerous 2: Sabre Squadron". GamesMaster. December 25, 2004. 
  20. ↑ Osborne, Scott (October 27, 2004). "Hidden & Dangerous 2: Sabre Squadron Review". http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/hidden-and-dangerous-2-sabre-squadron-review/1900-6111597/. 
  21. ↑ McNamara, Tom (January 21, 2005). "Hidden & Dangerous 2: Sabre Squadron". http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/01/21/hidden-dangerous-2-sabre-squadron. 
  22. ↑ Griliopoulos, Dan (December 2004). "Hidden and Dangerous 2 Sabre Squadron". PC Format (168): 101. http://www.pcformat.co.uk/reviews/default.asp?pagetypeid=2&articleid=33988&subsectionid=680. Retrieved January 30, 2017. 
  23. ↑ "Hidden & Dangerous 2: Sabre Squadron". PC Gamer: 72. February 2005. 
  24. ↑ "PC Review: Hidden & Dangerous 2: Sabre Squadron". PC Zone. December 2004. http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=110379. Retrieved January 30, 2017. 
  • 2K Czech
  • 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.



  • 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.



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