Software:S.W.I.N.E.

From HandWiki
S.W.I.N.E.
Developer(s)StormRegion
Publisher(s)Ravensburger Interactive Media
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows
Release
  • EU: October 30, 2001
  • NA: December 3, 2001[1]
Genre(s)Real-time tactics
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

S.W.I.N.E. (Strategic Warfare In a Nifty Environment) is a real-time tactics video game designed by Hungarian video game developer StormRegion and published by Ravensburger Interactive Media under their mature game label Fishtank Interactive. The player chooses to fight as either the brutal invading pigs or the campy rabbits, and plays a series of missions. There are many units, including mortar, artillery, and tank units. There are also 10 multiplayer campaigns, each with many modes of play, including capture the flag and deathmatch. In 2005, S.W.I.N.E. was made available to download for free by its developer, StormRegion.[2] Owing to the GameSpy shutdown, multiplayer is no longer available.

On January 29, 2019,[3] S.W.I.N.E. HD Remaster was announced by Kite Games and is developed by some of the original developers of the game, and even fans. and released on Steam and GOG on May 23, 2019.

Gameplay

Like many other real-time tactics games, S.W.I.N.E. focuses on the tactical aspects of the battle. There is no building construction or resource gathering. Instead, the player is given a determined number of Strategic Points (or SPs) after the accomplishment of a mission, and these points can be either used to buy new units or to activate certain special abilities possessed by some units during battle. It is possible, however, to buy units during the missions.

Like many other 3D strategy games, it is possible for the player to zoom in and out of the battle, as well as rotating the camera around the battlefield. When selected, the units make random statements based on a wide variety of circumstances, such as the time of the day, the type of the terrain or their current health.

Each type of unit has its own special capabilities and weaknesses. Scouts, for instance, are great for exploring or luring the enemy and are the only unit capable of traversing water, but have little armor and do not last long on the frontline. On the other hand, tanks have both a good offensive and defensive capability but are vulnerable against units which have greater sight.

The rabbit campaign deals with the aftermath of the Pig's initial offensive and Carrotland's attempt to cut off the N.P.A. supply lines; the Pig campaign shows the final battle against the rebels of New Porkshire and the initial offensive against the Rabbits, as well as the continuation of succeeding combat operations as if the Pigs had won the war. The pig campaign is aimed at experienced players, and has a greater difficulty level compared to its rabbit counterpart.[4]

One of the special and innovative features of the game engine is the direct display of the minimal and maximal firing range of a unit by dotted lines surrounding the unit. These lines fully adhere to the terrain just above the texture layer and are displayed in red for minimal and yellow for maximal range. While obvious, this tool from the world of turn-based strategies was most likely the first implementation in real-time tactics. The feature greatly enhances the gameplay and is also a signature component of the following StormRegion's Codename: Panzers series.

Story

On July 26, the Republic of the Pigs was overthrown by the General Iron Tusk. After dealing with the remaining Republican loyalist forces in his territory, Tusk turned its attention to the neighboring nation of Carrotland, home of the rabbits. On August 3, without warning, the National Army of the Pigs, (also referred to as the National Pig Army) crossed the border between the two nations, and launched a brutal and swift campaign against the rabbits. Within only two weeks, they’d laid waste to Carrotland, and had its capital under siege. As a result of the intense fighting, the rabbit army is nearly decimated. Towns and villages are deserted. Carrotland's military defensive efforts haven't been crowned by success, and their reduced army cannot stop the hordes of swine. In desperation, the government and the staff of generals reach the following decision: Because overwhelming Iron Tusk's war machine with a frontal attack is impossible, they would have to resort to subterfuge. From the remains of their reserves, the rabbits decided to create a powerful fighting force. Without suffering too many losses, this force must harass and sneak attack the enemy until they lose all their supply lines and military objectives. Now, all that remains is to find a capable officer who can lead this operation.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic65/100[5]
Review scores
PublicationScore
AllGameStarStarStar[6]
CGMStarStar[7]
CGWStarStar[8]
Game Informer8.5/10[9]
GameSpot7.8/10[10]
GameSpy66%[4]
GameZone7/10[11]
IGN6.5/10[1]
PC Gamer (US)65%[12]
PC Zone61%[13]

The game received "mixed" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[5] Critics complimented its graphics and voice acting, while criticizing the unit AI.[10][1]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Adams, Dan (December 7, 2001). "S.W.I.N.E.". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/12/08/swine. 
  2. ↑ Bramwell, Tom (December 20, 2005). "S.W.I.N.E. released for free!". Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/news201205swine. 
  3. ↑ Kite Games (January 29, 2019). "S.W.I.N.E. HD Remaster Announcement trailer 2019". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNqSPNrK-JI. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Osborne, Scott (December 26, 2001). "S.W.I.N.E.". IGN Entertainment. http://archive.gamespy.com/reviews/december01/swine/. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "S.W.I.N.E. for PC Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/s-w-i-n-e/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. 
  6. ↑ Allen, Christopher. "S.W.I.N.E. - Review". All Media Network. http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=35265&tab=review. 
  7. ↑ Chick, Tom (March 25, 2002). "S.W.I.N.E.". theGlobe.com. http://www.cgonline.com/reviews/swine-01-r1.html. 
  8. ↑ Price, Tom (May 2002). "S.W.I.N.E.". Computer Gaming World (Ziff Davis) (214): 75. http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_214.pdf. Retrieved November 19, 2017. 
  9. ↑ Brogger, Kristian (March 2002). "S.W.I.N.E.". Game Informer (FuncoLand) (107): 89. http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200203/R03.0801.1014.50136.htm. Retrieved November 19, 2017. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Beers, Craig (December 12, 2001). "S.W.I.N.E. Review". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/swine-review/1900-2832151/. 
  11. ↑ Gerbino, Robert (December 27, 2001). "S.W.I.N.E. Review". http://pc.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r18992.htm. 
  12. ↑ Preston, Jim (March 2002). "S.W.I.N.E.". PC Gamer (Imagine Media) 9 (3): 68. http://www.pcgamer.com/archives/2005/06/swine.html. Retrieved November 19, 2017. 
  13. ↑ Pullin, Keith (January 23, 2002). "PC Review: S.W.I.N.E.". PC Zone (Future plc). http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=23815. Retrieved November 19, 2017. 
  • Stormregion's official site, now defunct
  • 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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