Software:Nexus: The Jupiter Incident

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Short description: 2004 video game
Nexus: The Jupiter Incident
Developer(s)Mithis Entertainment
Publisher(s)HD Interactive
THQ Nordic (Steam)
EngineBlack Sun Engine
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows
Release
  • EU: November 5, 2004
  • NA: February 24, 2005
Genre(s)Real-time tactics, Space combat simulator
Mode(s)Single player, multiplayer
Nexus: The Jupiter Incident: A supply ship with destroyer escort.

Nexus: The Jupiter Incident is a science fiction themed real-time tactics computer game developed by the Hungary-based Mithis Entertainment and published by HD Interactive. The game focuses on tactics and ship management instead of resource collection and base construction.

Gameplay and features

In each of the game's missions, the player is given a small number of large space ships (always less than ten, and sometimes just one or two), along with accompanying fighters and bombers. The ships are large and cumbersome, and the battles between fleets protracted, giving the game a noted cinematic feel.[1] Nexus uses the Black Sun Engine, made specifically for the game. Based on DirectX 9, it makes extensive use of vertex and pixel shaders, a parametric particle system, and other visual effects.

Story

The game is set in the 22nd Century. The player is Marcus Cromwell, a famed spacecraft captain whose father, Richard Cromwell, the first spaceborn human, captained the colony ship Noah's Ark through a wormhole near Mars that was presumed destroyed when the wormhole collapsed. The game begins with Cromwell setting out on the heavy corvette named Stiletto, manufactured by the company Spacetech, for Jupiter as standing escort for a pair of freighters.

Upon arrival at a pair of Spacetech-owned space stations in orbit around Europa, Cromwell is retasked with intercepting a Kissaki Syndicate (a rival corporation to Spacetech) freighter that had been tagged for inspection, and later responding to an SOS call issued by Kissaki-owned station, fighting other corporations' ships and the station's automated defences. Inside the station was a cruiser-sized alien vessel, nicknamed the Angelwing by the Kissaki Syndicate, as well as information regarding another Kissaki station orbiting Pluto.

After a battle with a Syndicate fleet for the control of the Angelwing back at the Spacetech Europa stations, Cromwell is given command of the cruiser and ordered to investigate the secret Kissaki base. At Pluto, an artificial intelligence, named Angel, uploads herself into the Angelwing and advises Cromwell to escape from an alien, orb-like entity - later known as a Mechanoid - through a nearby wormhole, which was the exact same wormhole as the one which collapsed near Mars.

Cromwell exits the wormhole and finds a system (named Noah) populated by the colonists from Noah's Ark, who survived the wormhole collapse and started a colony. The Noah Colony fights as mercenaries for an advanced but pacifist alien race, called the Vardrags, whose technology was given to colonists, against another powerful race, the bloodthirsty, reptilian Gorgs, and a local group of renegade Vardrag elites, known as the Raptors.

After aiding successful raid against a Raptor base, Cromwell is enlisted to fight against the Gorg Empire. In fights against the Gorg, the Ghosts occasionally seem to help the Angelwing. However, all the races would soon find themselves facing their greatest threat: a virulent race of nanomachines called the Mechanoids. Nothing seems capable of stopping the Mechanoid invasion, and the Vardrag homeworld and Earth are overrun. Only an organic, insectile race, known as the energy-consuming Locusts, are immune to the Mechanoids. With technology adapted from the Locusts, Cromwell is able to rescue Earth and all the other solar systems and shut down the main control system of the Mechanoids, the Entity.

Cromwell and their crew eventually decide to eliminate the source of the mechanoids by heading to their home system, the Nexus. This system is not only home to a black hole but several other wormholes that connect to the home systems of all the other races. After a bitter struggle, they succeed, but Angel seemingly sacrifices herself to save the Angelwing and vanishes along with the Nexus.

The fate of Angel, who fought the Mechanoids, is left ambiguous, as she was not shown leaving the Entity and returning to the Angelwing. Cromwell, however, returns safely to Earth along with his crew. He arrives at Stonehenge where Angel, now in control of the Entity, visits him one last time to say farewell. She leaves, revealing to Cromwell her intention to “kill the gods” as she leaves.

Aliens

  • Vardrags: one of the most advanced races in the game, their main home system is Chakaris (which was eventually evacuated after the attack of the Mechanoids on Chakaris III). They are very peaceful and have many strong allies. Their squadrons are led by the fearful Raptors. Though they do not know much of war tactics, they could gather very useful information on the enemy and could subsequently defeat them. The Catacalysm Missile is one of the deadliest creations of this alien group.
  • Gorgs: the terrific and bloodthirsty and enemies of Vardrags and their allies. Though most of the clans of the Gorgs are brave, some, like the Raghara clan, execute many cowardly attacks. They do not even fear the Black Moon. The siege laser is one of the deadliest weapons of this alien group. Notable ships are Titan base and Warcry (Gorg Emperor's ship).
  • Ghosts: a mysterious and mystic race. Their home system is Mist and generally perform stealth missions for the Vardrags. Their ships have the special ability of camouflage.
  • Locust: insect-like creatures. Like ants or honey bees, their community is divided into warriors, workers and queen. The Energy Skeeter is their most powerful weapon.
  • Mechanoids: A rogue group of AI that can create special bodies via nano machines. They are resistant to almost all forms of weapons, are powerful enough to devastate entire systems and fleets, and are the game’s main antagonists. Their base of operations is the Nexus, a star that was converted into a black hole.

Development and Release

Nexus: The Jupiter Incident was developed by the Hungary-based Mithis Entertainment, intended by the publisher CDV originally as Imperium Galactica 3.[2] After the business relationship between Mithis and CDV broke apart and also the Imperium Galactica license got lost, the game was revised as a tactical strategy game. The game was in development for more than four years.[3]

The game was released in Europe in 2004[4] and in North America in 2005 for Windows distributed by Vivendi Universal Games through their Sierra Entertainment label in all territories except for France, Spain, Italy, Benelux, and Russia.[5]

Sequel

A technical demonstration video for the sequel, Nexus: The Jupiter Incident 2, was leaked to the Internet in 2006.

On August 16, 2011 Most Wanted Entertainment announced a sequel, named Nexus 2, on the crowdfunding website GamesPlant with a funding goal of €400,000.[6] The €104,867 pledged fell short of the €400,000 goal.[7]

In 2012 the original Nexus was digitally re-released on GOG.com.[8]

On September 28, 2012 a second campaign on Kickstarter was launched to fund the development of a sequel named Nexus 2: The Gods Awaken, but ultimately failed to raise the required amount, with only $161,731 of the $650,000 goal.[9]

Legacy

Nordic Games announced that they acquired the intellectual property on September 16, 2015.[10]

In March 2016 a patch was released for the game fixing long-standing issues, like widescreen support.[11]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic77/100[12]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Eurogamer7/10[13]
Game Informer8.25/10[14]
GameProStarStarStarStar[15]
GameSpot8.3/10[1]
GameSpyStarStarStar[16]
GameZone7.5/10[17]
IGN8.2/10[18]
PC Gamer (US)83%[19]
VideoGamer.com8/10[20]
X-PlayStarStar[21]
The Sydney Morning HeraldStarStarStarHalf star[22]

The game received "generally favorable reviews" according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[12] It was praised particularly for its visual effects, but criticized for its steep learning curve, trial-and-error gameplay, and poorly designed stealth missions.[1]

According to NPD Group, Nexus sold 11,500 copies by June 2005.[23]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Jason Ocampo (March 9, 2005). "Nexus: The Jupiter Incident Review". https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/nexus-the-jupiter-incident-review/1900-6120086/. Retrieved November 17, 2017. 
  2. ↑ James Yee (October 10, 2012). "Nexus 2 Interview". Kickstarter. Archived from the original on November 18, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131118102020/http://www.kickstarter-conversations.com/2012/10/nexus-2-interview.html. Retrieved July 26, 2013. "Nexus had a long history already before it was published. The game was developed by Mithis, a Hungarian games development studio in Budapest. They had signed the game at the time with German publisher CDV. CDV decided that they wanted a license for the game and they acquired the license for Imperium Galactica. So, the game we know as Nexus would have been Imperium Galactica 3 as far as CDV was concerned." 
  3. ↑ Bramwell, Tom (September 21, 2004). "Incidental Details". Archived from the original on October 11, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20041011185827/http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=56656. Retrieved August 29, 2024. 
  4. ↑ Stew Shearer (April 26, 2014). "Nexus: The Jupiter Incident - Rigid Space". The Escapist. http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/video-games/goodoldreviews/11352-Nexus-The-Jupiter-Incident-Rigid-Space. 
  5. ↑ "Vivendi to distribute Nexus: The Jupiter Incident". https://www.gamespot.com/articles/vivendi-to-distribute-nexus-the-jupiter-incident/1100-6107175/. 
  6. ↑ "Most Wanted team up with GamesPlant to bring Nexus 2 to fans". Blue's News. 2011. https://www.bluesnews.com/a/2457/most-wanted-team-up-with-gamesplant-to-bring-nexus-2-to-fans. Retrieved August 13, 2013. 
  7. ↑ "Nexus 2". GamesPlant. Archived from the original on January 4, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120104204447/http://www.games-plant.com/nexus2/. 
  8. ↑ Fallout-Junge (September 26, 2012). "GOG: Nexus - The Jupiter Incident 60 Prozent günstiger" (in German). Gamers Global. http://www.gamersglobal.de/news/59156/gog-nexus-the-jupiter-incident-60-prozent-guenstiger. 
  9. ↑ "Nexus 2: The Gods Awaken (PC & MAC)". Kickstarter. 28 September 2012. http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mostwanted/nexus-2-the-gods-awaken. 
  10. ↑ "Nordic Games acquires 'Nexus'". September 16, 2015. https://www.gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/253716/Nordic_Games_acquires_Nexus.php. 
  11. ↑ "Nexus just got really nice update". SpaceSimCentral.com. March 21, 2016. Archived from the original on September 13, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160913044437/http://spacesimcentral.com/ssc/topic/5480-nexus-just-got-really-nice-update/. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Nexus: The Jupiter Incident for PC Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/nexus-the-jupiter-incident/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. Retrieved November 18, 2017. 
  13. ↑ Rob Fahey (November 3, 2004). "Nexus - The Jupiter Incident". http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_nexus_pc. Retrieved November 18, 2017. 
  14. ↑ Adam Biessener (March 2005). "Nexus: The Jupiter Incident". Game Informer (143): 138. http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/148057C2-E34A-4264-90B5-863115EB080A.htm. Retrieved November 18, 2017. 
  15. ↑ Deuce Magnum (March 10, 2005). "Nexus: The Jupiter Conspiracy [sic Review for PC on GamePro.com"]. GamePro. Archived from the original on March 20, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050320041342/http://www.gamepro.com/computer/pc/games/reviews/43070.shtml. Retrieved November 18, 2017. 
  16. ↑ Allen Rausch (March 4, 2005). "GameSpy: Nexus: The Jupiter Incident". GameSpy. http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/nexus-the-jupiter-incident/593799p1.html. Retrieved November 18, 2017. 
  17. ↑ Matt Eberle (March 31, 2005). "Nexus - The Jupiter Incident - PC - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on October 2, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20081002000330/http://pc.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r24844.htm. Retrieved November 18, 2017. 
  18. ↑ Dan Adams (March 21, 2005). "Nexus: The Jupiter Incident". http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/03/22/nexus-the-jupiter-incident. Retrieved November 18, 2017. 
  19. ↑ "Nexus: The Jupiter Incident". PC Gamer: 74. April 2005. 
  20. ↑ Adam Jarvis (November 25, 2004). "Nexus - The Jupiter Incident Review". VideoGamer.com. https://www.videogamer.com/reviews/nexus-the-jupiter-incident-review. Retrieved November 18, 2017. 
  21. ↑ Greg Bemis (March 7, 2005). "Nexus: The Jupiter Incident Review". X-Play. Archived from the original on March 9, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050309032441/http://www.g4tv.com/xplay/features/51268/Nexus_The_Jupiter_Incident_Review.html. Retrieved November 18, 2017. 
  22. ↑ Bennett Ring (January 29, 2005). "Fight leader". The Sydney Morning Herald. http://www.smh.com.au/news/Games/Fight-leader/2005/01/26/1106415606362.html. Retrieved November 18, 2017. 
  23. ↑ Saltzman, Marc (June 18, 2005). "Top PC games can end up in bargain bin". CNN. Archived from the original on July 2, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050702011558/http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/fun.games/06/17/bargain.games/index.html. 
  • 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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