Software:Hired Guns: The Jagged Edge

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Short description: 2007 video game
Hired Guns: The Jagged Edge
European cover art
Developer(s)GFI Russia
Publisher(s)
Director(s)Witalij Schutow
Designer(s)Max Tumin
Programmer(s)Leonard Wolik
Writer(s)Alexander Schatrow
Platform(s)Windows
Release
  • RU: October 19, 2007
  • EU: March 20, 2008
  • NA: December 4, 2008
  • UK: May 22, 2009
Genre(s)Turn-based tactics
Mode(s)Single-player

Hired Guns: The Jagged Edge (Russian: Джаз: Работа по найму, romanized: Dzhaz: Rabota po naymu, lit. 'Jazz: Employment')[2] is a turn-based tactics video game developed by GFI Russia and published by GFI / Russobit-M for Windows in October 2007. The game has been called a spiritual successor to the Jagged Alliance series.[4][5]

Gameplay

Hired Guns is a turn-based tactics game. The player is in command of an elite unit of mercenaries in an attempt to depose an African dictator in a fictional country of Diamond Coast.[6] The player hires and equips a group of mercenaries before starting a mission.[7] They are used in tactical battles to capture areas that generate income.[7] In battle, action points (AP) are used for movement and shooting.[7] The game also has a stamina system where running or carrying extra weight depletes the stamina meter and a character will collapse if it empties.[7]

Development

In June 2004, Strategy First and Game Factory Interactive (GFI) announced a deal to develop Jagged Alliance 3D and Jagged Alliance 3 with Russian-based developer MiST Land South working on the games.[8] In September 2005, GFI lost the rights to develop Jagged Alliance 3.[9] In January 2006, the development agreement was terminated but GFI was still under contract to develop Jagged Alliance 3D.[10] In August 2006, GFI dissolved MiST Land South and merged it with itself.[11] In September 2006, GFI also lost the rights to publish Jagged Alliance 3D.[12][13] A few days later GFI announced that it would release the game with a new title.[14] In November 2006, the game was renamed to Jazz: Hired Guns.[15][11] On August 10, 2007, the game was given the English title Hired Guns: The Jagged Edge.[16][17] The game was showcased at Games Convention 2007.[18] It was released in Russia on October 19, 2007, and in other mainland European countries on March 20, 2008.[2][19] Tri Synergy and Matrix Games released the game in North America on December 4, 2008.[20][21][22] The game was released in the United Kingdom on May 22, 2009.[23]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic58/100[24]
Review scores
PublicationScore
4Players58/100[1]
GameStar74/100[19]
IGN5.9/10[7]
Absolute Games55%[2]
Armchair General79%[25]
Computer Bild3.5/5[26]
Pelit84/100[27]
Vandal6.3/10[28]

Hired Guns: The Jagged Edge received "mixed or average" reviews according to review aggregator Metacritic.[24]

Larry Levandowski of Armchair General summarized: "Hired Guns takes great pains to emulate its spiritual ancestor, Jagged Alliance; the result is a fun game that satisfies. Fans of the original game and those turn-based gamers who want a good gunfight can’t go wrong with this one."[25]

Fabian Siegismund of GameStar said: "It takes quite some time to get into the game and a lot of it will be spent loading saved games, but once you're over that stage, Hired Guns offers a lot of fun. The game feels like a graphically enhanced Jagged Alliance 2, which isn't bad - quite the opposite. Hired Guns has its weaknesses, but is appealing nonetheless."[19][24]

Steve Butts of IGN summarized: "Overpowered enemies, underpowered weapons, breathless mercenaries and a complete lack of range and accuracy information keep the game from competing with the other titles in the genre."[7]

Niko Nirvi of Pelit called it a good tactical strategy game and the best game in the genre since Silent Storm. Nirvi criticized the lack of strong character personalities and attention to detail that are present in the Jagged Alliance series.[27]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Kleffmann, Marcel (5 April 2008). "Test: Hired Guns: The Jagged Edge" (in German). https://www.4players.de/4players.php/dispbericht/PC-CDROM/Test/4504/58428/0/Hired_Guns_The_Jagged_Edge.html. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Khromov, Mikhail (4 November 2007). "Рецензия на Hired Guns: The Jagged Edge" (in Russian). http://www.ag.ru/reviews/hired_guns_the_jagged_edge. 
  3. ↑ "Hired Guns: The Jagged Edge". Valve Corporation. http://store.steampowered.com/app/33500/. 
  4. ↑ Meer, Alec (17 February 2012). "Jagged Alliance: Back in Action Review". Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/jagged-alliance-back-in-action-review. 
  5. ↑ Dumitrescu, Andrei (19 December 2008). "Hired Guns: The Jagged Edge Gets Patch 1.07.001". SoftNews NET SRL. https://news.softpedia.com/news/Hired-Guns-The-Jagged-Edge-Gets-Patch-1-07-001-100456.shtml. 
  6. ↑ Younger, Paul (28 May 2009). "Restaurant Empire II and Hired Guns On Steam". Gamurs. https://www.pcinvasion.com/restaurant-empire-ii-and-hired-guns-on-steam/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 Butts, Steve (12 December 2008). "Hired Guns: The Jagged Edge Review". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/12/12/hired-guns-the-jagged-edge-review. 
  8. ↑ Fudge, James (4 June 2004). "Jagged Alliance 3, Disciples 3 Announced". IGN Entertainment. http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/jagged-alliance-3/521272p1.html. 
  9. ↑ Goryachev, Vladimir; Fomin, Konstantin (11 September 2006). "Interview: Hired Guns: The Jagged Edge". http://www.ag.ru/articles/interviews/hired_guns_the_jagged_edge/3743. 
  10. ↑ Bramwell, Tom (12 January 2006). "Disciples III changing devs". Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/news120106disciples3. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Nirvi, Niko (1 October 2008). "Jagged Alliancen perintö - Paha saa poikasia" (in Finnish). Fokus Media Finland. https://www.pelit.fi/artikkelit/jagged-alliancen-perinto-paha-saa-poikasia/. 
  12. ↑ "STRATEGY FIRST TERMINATES THEIR AGREEMENT WITH GAME FACTORY INTERACTIVE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF JAGGED ALLIANCE GAMES.". 1 September 2006. http://www.strategyfirst.com/press/DisplayArticle.asp?sLanguageCode=EN&iArticleID=3299. 
  13. ↑ Goryachev, Vladimir (2 September 2006). "GFI осталась без Jagged Alliance" (in Russian). http://www.ag.ru/news/02-09-2006#16480. 
  14. ↑ Goryachev, Vladimir (3 September 2006). "GFI потеряла JA3D, но не сдается" (in Russian). http://www.ag.ru/news/03-09-2006#16481. 
  15. ↑ Goryachev, Vladimir (8 November 2006). "Jagged Alliance 3D обрела новое имя" (in Russian). http://www.ag.ru/news/08-11-2006#16668. 
  16. ↑ "GFI Announces Three New Names for Three Great Games". 10 August 2007. http://www.gfi.su/index_text_and_img.php?idt=827&langid=2&categ_id=34&men_id=7. 
  17. ↑ "News". http://www.gfi.su/news_shabl.php?page=news&langid=2&categ_id=34&men_id=7. 
  18. ↑ "GFI goes to GC 2007". Gamer Network. 16 August 2007. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/gfi-goes-to-gc-2007-a. 
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 Siegismund, Fabian (21 March 2008). "Hired Guns: The Jagged Edge im Test - Strategiespiel mit Elementen aus Jagged Alliance" (in German). Webedia. https://www.gamestar.de/artikel/hired_guns_the_jagged_edge,1943804.html. 
  20. ↑ "Hired Guns: The Jagged Edge - GFI's turn-based mercs game signed by Tri Synergy for North America.". Gamer Network. 31 October 2008. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/hired-guns-the-jagged-edge-gfi-s-turn-based-mercs-game-signed-by-tri-synergy-for-north-america. 
  21. ↑ "A New Hired Guns: The Jagged Edge Video Now Available". 24 November 2008. https://www.matrixgames.com/news/a-new-hired-guns-the-jagged-edge-video-now-available24-11-08. 
  22. ↑ "Hired Guns: The Jagged Edge Now Available From Matrix Games!". 4 December 2008. https://www.matrixgames.com/news/hired-guns-the-jagged-edge-now-available-from-matrix-games-04-12-08. 
  23. ↑ "Hired Guns: The Jagged Edge - An overview of GFI's mercs RTS, out in the UK on May 22nd.". Gamer Network. 7 May 2009. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/hired-guns-the-jagged-edge-an-overview-of-gfi-s-mercs-rts-out-in-the-uk-on-may-22nd. 
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 "Hired Guns: The Jagged Edge for PC Reviews". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/hired-guns-the-jagged-edge/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. 
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 Levandowski, Larry (12 March 2009). "Hired Guns: The Jagged Edge – PC Game Review". Weider History Group. http://armchairgeneral.com/hired-guns-the-jagged-edge-pc-game-review.htm. 
  26. ↑ "Hired Guns – The Jagged Edge" (in German). Axel Springer SE. 14 April 2008. https://www.computerbild.de/artikel/cbs-Tests-PC-Hired-Guns-The-Jagged-Edge-Strategiespiel-Jagged-Alliance-3D-2455621.html. 
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 Nirvi, Niko (October 2008). "Paha puhuu saksaa" (in Finnish). Pelit (10/2008): 40–41. https://www.pelit.fi/artikkelit/hired-guns-the-jagged-edge-pc/. Retrieved 17 March 2023. 
  28. ↑ Pastor, Alberto (11 May 2009). "Análisis de Hired Guns: The Jagged Edge (PC)" (in Spanish). El Español. https://vandal.elespanol.com/analisis/pc/hired-guns-the-jagged-edge/8600#p-13. 

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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