Software:Ishar 2: Messengers of Doom

From HandWiki
Short description: 1993 video game
Ishar 2: Messengers of Doom
Developer(s)Silmarils
Publisher(s)
Director(s)André Rocques
Designer(s)Michel Pernot
Pascal Einsweiler
Programmer(s)André Rocques
Fabrice Hautecloque
Michel Pernot
Artist(s)Pascal Einsweiler
Writer(s)André Rocques
Louis-Marie Rocques
Michel Pernot
Composer(s)Fabrice Hautecloque
SeriesIshar
EngineALIS[lower-alpha 2]
Platform(s)Amiga, Atari ST, MS-DOS, Atari Falcon, Macintosh
ReleaseAmiga, Atari ST, MS-DOS
  • EU: April 1993
  • UK: May-June 1993 (ST)
  • UK: July 1993 (Amiga)
Atari Falcon
Macintosh
Genre(s)Role-playing game
Mode(s)Single-player

Ishar 2: Messengers of Doom is a 1993 role-playing video game developed and published by Silmarils for the Amiga, Atari ST, MS-DOS, Atari Falcon, and Macintosh home computers. It is the second entry in the Ishar trilogy.

Gameplay

Atari ST version screenshot

The party from Ishar can be imported to the sequel. The party consists maximum of five persons.[2] When recruiting party members, race and personality traits have to be considered since all characters don't get along with each other.[3] Compared to the previous game, the game world is three times bigger, and the interface has been rearranged and streamlined.[2][4] The game can be controlled entirely with a mouse. The combat is in real-time.[2]

Plot

An evil wizard has made a drug that poisons the people of Arborea. The drug causes hallucinations and makes them accept the wizard as ruler. The party's objective is to travel through the game's seven islands and stop the wizard.[4]

Development and release

GOG.com released an emulated version for Windows in 2009.[5][6]

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
CVG87% (Amiga)[8]
CU Amiga93% (1993)[4]
88% (1995)[9]
Génération 482% (DOS/ST)[10]
80% (Amiga)[10]
85% (Amiga 1200)[11]

Amiga Action called the game "a good solid RPG" but said it lacks originality.[2] CU Amiga called the game "a must buy" and "an astounding sequel".[4] In a re-review CU Amiga said Ishar 2 is the best game in the trilogy.[9] ST Format said the game is "an absorbing and atmospheric challenge".[3] Computer and Video Games called it one of the best Amiga games of the year.[8] Génération 4 compared the Amiga and Atari ST versions to the DOS version and said Amiga/ST version has fewer colours (16) and the ST version has comparable sound, and Amiga version has better sound with an Ad Lib card.[10] The Amiga 1200 version was said to be equivalent to the DOS version.[11]

Notes

  1. ↑ Amiga, Atari ST, and MS-DOS versions.
  2. ↑ Short for Actor Language Integrated System.[1]

References

  1. ↑ Vaillant, Aurélien (Wasabim) (7 October 2017). "Interview with Fabrice Hautecloque". Atari Legend. https://www.atarilegend.com/interviews/interviews_detail.php?selected_interview_id=26. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 McNally, Steve (August 1993). "Action Review - Ishar 2 Messengers of Doom". Amiga Action (Europress) (47): 24–26. https://archive.org/details/amigaaction47/page/n23/mode/2up. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Mead, Rob (August 1993). "Screenplay Game Review - Ishar 2 Messengers of Doom". ST Format (Future plc) (49): 70–71. http://www.atarimania.com/atari-magazine-issue-st-format-issue-49_1211.html. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Dillon, Tony (July 1993). "Game Review - Ishar 2 Messengers of Doom". CU Amiga (EMAP) (41): 72–73. https://archive.org/details/cuamiga-magazine-041/page/n71/mode/2up. 
  5. ↑ "New release: Ishar 1+2". CD Projekt. 28 April 2009. https://www.gog.com/news/new_release_ishar_1_2. 
  6. ↑ "Ishar Compilation". CD Projekt. https://www.gog.com/en/game/ishar_compilation. "This game is powered by DOSBox." 
  7. ↑ Baum, Thomas (August 1993). "Reif für die Inseln" (in German). Aktueller Software Markt (Tronic-Verlag) (8/93). https://www.kultboy.com/index.php?site=t&id=13844&s=1. "Grafik: 11/12, Steuerung: 9/12, Handlung: 10/12, Atmosphäre: 10/12, Gesamtnote: 10/12". 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Review - Ishar 2". Computer and Video Games (Future plc) (141): 88. August 1993. https://archive.org/details/Computer_and_Video_Games_Issue_141_1993-08_EMAP_Images_GB/page/n87/mode/2up. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Traquir, Michael (April 1995). "Budget Software - Ishar 2". CU Amiga (EMAP) (62): 71. https://archive.org/details/cuamiga-magazine-062/page/n69/mode/2up. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Latil, Didier; Huong, Michel (July 1993). "Test - Ishar 2 Messengers of Doom" (in French). Génération 4 (SARL Pressimage) (57): 74–77. https://archive.org/details/generation4-magazine-057/page/n73/mode/2up. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Tests Express - Ishar 2" (in French). Génération 4 (SARL Pressimage) (59): 60–61. September 1993. https://archive.org/details/generation4-magazine-059/page/n59/mode/2up. 
  • 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.





Retrieved from "https://handwiki.org/wiki/index.php?title=Software:Ishar_2:_Messengers_of_Doom&oldid=2626533"