Software:Jagged Alliance: Deadly Games

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Short description: 1996 video game
Jagged Alliance: Deadly Games
Developer(s)Sir-Tech
Publisher(s)
  • NA: Sir-Tech
  • EU: Virgin Interactive
Producer(s)Ian Currie
Designer(s)Ian Currie
Linda Currie
Shaun Lyng
Alex Meduna
Programmer(s)Ian Currie
Alex Meduna
Artist(s)Jennifer Hamilton
Writer(s)Shaun Lyng
Composer(s)Guido Henkel
Steve Wener
SeriesJagged Alliance
Platform(s)DOS
Release
Genre(s)Tactical role-playing,
turn-based tactics
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Jagged Alliance: Deadly Games is a 1996 tactical role-playing game developed and published by Sir-Tech and a sequel to Jagged Alliance.

Gameplay

In Deadly Games, the player takes a group of mercenaries through a series of missions. The missions are linked chronologically, removing the need for micro-management on a strategic map. The scenario branches somewhat depending on the player's successes and failures. There are multiple terrain types, the mercenaries are hired and fired between missions, and Micky, the first equipment trader of the series, offers his services; for example, he may occasionally sell the player junk equipment, thereby prompting the mercs to voice their displeasure with the deal. The game features the same engine and top-down perspective as the original game. The scenario missions place the player under orders of soldier of fortune Gus Tarballs. Initially, they do not appear connected, however, the ultimate objective is to annihilate the DfK, an organisation attempting to launch satellites in space for destructive use. Non-scenario missions are also under the orders of Tarballs.

The most innovative aspects of Deadly Games include a wide variety of special ops mission types like hostage rescues, demolition and infiltration missions. It featured turn limits and a boosted artificial intelligence (AI) as well as networked multiplayer capabilities. The integrated scenario and campaign editors allow for the creation of custom strategic scenarios, adding to the replay value. Mercenary weapons can be modified by adding scopes, Suppressors and barrel extenders. Heavier equipment such as Grenade launchers and mortars are available as well.

Development

In July 1996, Sir-Tech announced that Deadly Games would appear on the Total Entertainment Network multiplayer service.[2]

GOG.com released an emulated version for Microsoft Windows in 2008.[3]

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
CGWStarStarStarStar[4]
PC Zone79/100[5]
PC MagazineStarStarStarStar[6]
Computer Games Strategy PlusStarStarStarStar[7]
PC GamesB+[8]

Like its predecessor, Deadly Games was a commercial success. William R. Trotter of PC Gamer US wrote that it "sold very well", while Jagged Alliance designer Ian Currie called it "hugely successful".[9]

Deadly Games was a runner-up for Computer Game Entertainment's 1996 "Best Strategy Game" prize, which ultimately went to Civilization II. The editors called Deadly Games "an excellent expansion pack".[10]

Reviews

  • Australian Realms #30[11]

References

  1. ↑ Curtis, Terri A. (June 18, 1996). "Deadly Games Ships". http://www.sir-tech.com/press/06deadsh.html. 
  2. ↑ Staff (July 30, 1996). "TEN snags another one". Computer Games Strategy Plus. http://www.cdmag.com:80/news/0730961.html. 
  3. ↑ "New release: Jagged Alliance: Deadly Games". CD Projekt. November 11, 2008. https://www.gog.com/news/new_release_jagged_alliance_deadly_games. 
  4. ↑ Case, Loyd (December 1996). "Jagged Alliance, Part Deux". Computer Gaming World (149): 396, 398. 
  5. ↑ Brooker, Charlie (February 1997). "Pick n Mix; Jagged Alliance II: Deadly Games". PC Zone (47): 85. 
  6. ↑ Mooney, Shane (December 3, 1996). "After Hours; The Mercs Are Back". PC Magazine 15 (21): 506. 
  7. ↑ Mayer, Robert (1996). "Jagged Alliance: Deadly Games". Computer Games Strategy Plus. http://www.cdmag.com:80/articles/005/114/deadly_games_review.html. Retrieved January 29, 2020. 
  8. ↑ Olafson, Peter. "Deadly Games". PC Games. http://www.pcgames.com:80/reviews/strategy/deadly.html. 
  9. ↑ Trotter, William R. (November 1997). "SCOOP!; Jagged Alliance 2: Feeding Grounds". PC Gamer US 4 (11): 56–58. 
  10. ↑ Staff (July 1997). "The Computer Game Entertainment Awards 1996". Computer Game Entertainment (1): 54–58. 
  11. ↑ "Australian Realms Magazine - Complete Collection". June 1988. https://archive.org/details/australian-realms-magazine/Australian%20Realms%20%2330%201996%20November/page/34/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. 
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