Software:SWAT: Global Strike Team

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Short description: 2003 video game

SWAT: Global Strike Team
Developer(s)Argonaut Games
Publisher(s)Vivendi Universal Games[lower-alpha 1]
Producer(s)Sefton Hill
Designer(s)Paul Crocker
Programmer(s)Matt Porter
Artist(s)Jean-François Vanelle
Writer(s)Mike Kitson
Composer(s)Nick Arundel
SeriesPolice Quest
EngineOKRE[1]
Platform(s)PlayStation 2, Xbox
Release
Genre(s)Tactical shooter
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

SWAT: Global Strike Team is a 2003 tactical shooter video game developed by Argonaut Games and published by Vivendi Universal Games for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox. It featured a new game engine developed by Argonaut developed to push the lighting capabilities of the Xbox[4] and was the first SWAT game to ship on console systems. The game was inspired by the strategic elements of SWAT 3 with the instantly accessible arcade action of the Virtua Cop series.[5]

SWAT: Global Strike Team received mixed reviews and was compared unfavorably to contemporary tactical shooters such as Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3 and SOCOM II U.S. Navy SEALs. Poor sales contributed to the closure of developer Argonaut in 2004.

A ninth game in the series, SWAT 4, returned the series to its roots as a tactical police simulation for the PC in 2005.

Synopsis

This is the first Police Quest: SWAT game not based on an actual police organization or present-day SWAT tactics. The game features non-white and female protagonists in deliberate contrast to the original Police Quest games, which were criticized for their sexist and racist overtones.[6]

Setting

Founded in 2008, the Global Strike Team is a fictional paramilitary law enforcement agency tasked with helping countries and organizations around the globe to resolve situations they cannot accomplish successfully on their own.

Plot

Former Delta Force member Mathias Kincaid is an element leader paired with two first lieutenants, a sniper named Kana Lee, and Anthony "TJ" Jackson, a field technician. Together, they take on a pair of rival narco-terrorist organizations, the Omega Cartel and the Whispering Dragon Clan, who are engaged in a bitter turf war over the production and distribution of a deadly new designer drug, LD-50 — nicknamed "Spike."

Gameplay

SWAT: Global Strike Team is a first-person shooter played with two AI teammates.

Unlike military shooters, such as the comparable Rainbow Six games, the player and teammates are cops rather than soldiers. A compliance meter shows how close suspects are to giving up. Before lethal force may be used, players must follow correct procedure, including using verbal commands for suspects to give up their weapons and submit to arrest.[7] Beyond that, SWAT: Global Strike Team is a significant departure from the SWAT series. It leaves many of the tactical simulation elements behind while simplifying others in favor of a much more straightforward action game experience.

Modes

SWAT: Global Strike Team is designed around one campaign mode with 21 linear story-based missions. A time-based game mode adds replayability, putting a time-limit on the campaign. Taking down enemies increases time on the clock. Multiplayer is limited. Both console versions include 10 unique co-op missions.[8] Xbox versions of the game include online leaderboard support and two single-player deathmatch levels which can be downloaded via Xbox Live.[9][10] Online support via Xbox Live was available to players until April 15, 2010. SWAT: Global Strike Team is now supported online on the replacement Xbox Live servers called Insignia.[11]

Characters

Most missions are played in the role of element leader Mathias Kincaid, assisted by the sniper Kana Lee and demolitions man "T.J." Jackson. Some essential tasks such as breaching doors or picking locks are character-specific. Occasionally, the player takes on these secondary roles. For example, the player will briefly control the sniper to clear out a landing zone. If any of the primary characters die, the mission is a failure and restarted from the last checkpoint.[12]

Loadout

The player chooses a loadout before each mission. The choices are straightforward, such as machine gun or shotgun, and include non-lethal options like flashbangs and tranquilizer darts. Unlike its predecessor, no real weapons or trademarks are used.

Development

SWAT: Global Strike Team started off as a top-down turn-based action game for the Dreamcast codenamed "Kleaners" where the player controlled a squad of professional killers. When Sega's console stalled in the market, development shifted to the Xbox where the game quickly moved towards being a first-person shooter with two semi-autonomous characters — a sharp-shooting assassin and a tech specialist able to hack security systems.[13]

The graphic engine was designed from the ground-up for the Xbox which gave "Kleaners" a distinct look and feel, including hard-edged shadows, allowing for an almost limitless number of lights and shadows in any given scene, and a photo-realistic film filter that gave the game a true-to-life look.[14]

Sierra took notice of the "Kleaners" demo at the Electronic Entertainment Expo in 2001 and soon thereafter, made a deal with Argonaut to make SWAT games for next-gen console systems based on the game concept.[15]

SWAT: Global Strike Team was formally announced as an Xbox exclusive in October 2001, riding the excitement in the weeks ahead of the system's launch.[14]

The game shone in early previews. "Graphically, Global Strike Team is surprisingly high-quality", said Brad Shoemaker of GameSpot. "The levels and character models themselves are pretty solid, and the visuals convey quite a bit of atmosphere thanks to a really impressive indoor and outdoor lighting effect."[16] The controls were well-tuned, with aiming and movement compared to the console first-person standard set by Software:Halo: Combat Evolved.[17]

Voice command of AI teammates was touted as a major feature, intended to take advantage of the Xbox Live Communicator microphone that had become a popular accessory with the launch of Xbox Live in 2002.[18] Voice could be used to directly influence the action onscreen with shouted commands such as "SWAT! Get down!," intended to achieve a new level of realism and immersion or to replicate D-pad commands. SWAT: Global Strike Team and Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3 were the first to ship with this feature which used the Xbox Development Kit's voice recognition technology added in 2003.[19]

Marketing

Promotion included the release of a SWAT: Global Strike Team mixtape from DJ Whoo Kid and Lloyd Banks in partnership with Sierra's parent Vivendi and Universal Music Group.[20]

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
PS2Xbox
EdgeN/A6/10[21]
EGM5/10[22]5/10[22]
Eurogamer6/10[23]6/10[23]
FamitsuN/A28/40[24]
Game Informer7/10[25]7.5/10[26]
GameProStarStarStarHalf star[27]N/A
GameSpot8.1/10[28]8.1/10[28]
GameSpyStarStarStar[29]StarStarStar[30]
GameZone7.5/10[31]7/10[32]
IGN6.6/10[33]6.6/10[33]
OPM (US)StarStarStar[34]N/A
OXM (US)N/A7.7/10[35]
Aggregate score
Metacritic69/100[36]69/100[37]

Reception ranged from positive to mixed.[36][37] GameSpot gave the Xbox version of the game an 8.1 of 10, calling it "an impressive and successful effort to bring the old series into the 21st century".[38] Other critics called the game as too little, too late amidst a field of tactical shooters that had become very crowded, very quickly. "SWAT: Global Strike Team was initially going to be a bit of a twist on the old squad-based tactical shooter genre", said IGN's Aaron Boulding. "But in the time since it was announced for PS2 and Xbox and its recent arrival on those systems, other titles like SOCOM and Rainbow Six 3 have surpassed and improved on what SWAT: GST set out to do."[39]

The launch of SWAT: Global Strike Team was misfortunately timed. Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3 arrived the same day in North America and SOCOM II U.S. Navy SEALs launched the following week. Both received widespread critical acclaim and would set franchise records.[40] By the time Counter-Strike Xbox edition arrived in the Holiday 2003 release slot previously held by Halo 2,[41] SWAT: Global Strike Team was fading quickly from retail.

In Japan, where the Xbox version was ported and published by Microsoft on December 16, 2004, Famitsu gave it a score of all four sevens for a total of 28 out of 40.[24]

Legacy

Argonaut Closure

Argonaut was under financial pressure during the development of SWAT: Global Strike Team. Much was staked on the game's success.[42] The poor sales of the game led to deepening losses,[43] which would ultimately prove unsustainable and contributed to the studio's closure in November 2004.[44]

SWAT: Urban Justice cancellation and SWAT 4

SWAT: Urban Justice was to be a PC-only SWAT game to launch in 2003.[45] Like SWAT: Global Strike Team, the game would be supported by a brand-new game engine and would have a faster, action-oriented pace. The poor reception to SWAT: Global Strike Team reduced confidence in the project which was already suffering from internal delays. [46] The game was ultimately cancelled. The SWAT series would ultimately resume in 2005 with SWAT 4 which used the same game engine as Rainbow Six and Splinter Cell, and was a more realistic law enforcement simulation.

References

  1. ↑ Godbolt, Matt (March 2, 2010). "Game Development: SWAT's artwork". https://xania.org/201003/swat-artwork. Retrieved March 23, 2018. 
  2. ↑ "What's New?" (in en-gb). Eurogamer.net. 2003-12-05. https://www.eurogamer.net/news051203whatsnew. 
  3. ↑ Scott, Jonathan (2003-10-28). "Deliver Justice Around the Globe" (in en). https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/10/28/deliver-justice-around-the-globe. 
  4. ↑ "Sierra and Argonaut Games Announce SWAT: Global Strike Team". Gamezone. October 16, 2001. https://www.gamezone.com/news/sierra_and_argonaut_games_announce_swat_global_strike_team/. 
  5. ↑ "SWAT: Global Strike Team Overview". http://xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/swat-global-strike-team/. 
  6. ↑ "Police Quest: In Pursuit of the Death Angel Review". Computer Games Magazine (1): 33. October 1988. 
  7. ↑ Hutchinson, Simon (December 21, 2003). "SWAT Global Strike Team Xbox Review". https://www.tweaktown.com/gaming/1961/swat_global_strike_team_xbox_review/index.html. 
  8. ↑ "SWAT: Global Strike Team - PlayStation 2 Back Cover". https://www.mobygames.com/game/swat-global-strike-team/cover-art/gameCoverId,151426/. 
  9. ↑ "SWAT: Global Strike Team - Xbox Back Cover". https://www.mobygames.com/game/swat-global-strike-team/cover-art/gameCoverId,175198/. 
  10. ↑ "SWAT: Global Strike Team Review at Next Level Gaming!". 2006-05-09. http://www.nlgaming.com/nl/asp/id_769/nl/reviewDisp.htm. 
  11. ↑ Xbox, Pure (2023-11-16). "Xbox Live 1.0 Replacement 'Insignia' Now Supports 150 Games" (in en-GB). https://www.purexbox.com/news/2023/11/xbox-live-1-0-replacement-insignia-now-supports-150-games. 
  12. ↑ patt3rson (January 9, 2006). "SWAT: Global Strike Team – Guide and Walkthrough". GameFAQs. Gamespot. https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/ps2/589697-swat-global-strike-team/faqs/32304. 
  13. ↑ Godbolt, Matt. "Game Development: SWAT". https://xania.org/201002/developing-swat-gst-introduction. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "Sierra and Argonaut Games Announce SWAT: Global Strike Team". Gamezone. October 16, 2001. https://www.gamezone.com/news/sierra_and_argonaut_games_announce_swat_global_strike_team/. 
  15. ↑ IGN Staff (August 31, 2001). "SWAT Goes to Kleaners: Sierra to publish new SWAT games using Argonaut's action shooter title Kleaners". IGN. https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/08/31/swat-goes-to-kleaners. 
  16. ↑ Shoemaker, Brad (July 31, 2003). "SWAT: Global Strike Team Preview: We play through a few missions from this upcoming tactical shooter". Gamespot. https://www.gamespot.com/articles/swat-global-strike-team-preview/1100-6072838/. 
  17. ↑ Boulding, Aaron (March 6, 2003). "GDC 2003: SWAT: Global Strike Team: We get up close and personal with Argonaut's action FPS". Gamespot. https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/03/06/gdc-2003-swat-global-strike-team. 
  18. ↑ Boulding, Aaron (April 14, 2003). "SWAT: GST Interview: We talk to the producer behind the voice-recognizing tactical shooter". IGN. https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/04/14/swat-gst-interview. 
  19. ↑ "Microsoft Xbox Games Utilize Fonix Speech". Speech Technology News. November 1, 2003. https://www.speechtechmag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.aspx?ArticleID=34259. 
  20. ↑ "DJ Whoo Kid & Lloyd Banks – SWAT". https://www.discogs.com/DJ-Whoo-Kid-Lloyd-Banks-SWAT/release/7698634. 
  21. ↑ Edge staff (December 25, 2003). "SWAT: Global Strike Team (Xbox)". Edge (Future plc) (131): 116. 
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 EGM staff (December 2003). "SWAT: Global Strike Team". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (173): 192. 
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 Reed, Kristan (December 9, 2003). "SWAT: Global Strike Team". Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_swatgst. Retrieved December 21, 2018. 
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 "Famitsu review scores - with PSP scores". Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.. December 10, 2004. http://www.the-magicbox.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-10645.html. Retrieved December 21, 2018. 
  25. ↑ Zoss, Jeremy (December 2003). "SWAT: Global Strike Team (PS2)". Game Informer (GameStop) (128): 150. http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/8227EA91-8E6D-4A5F-87BB-97BBFD64A2D5.htm. Retrieved December 21, 2018. 
  26. ↑ Zoss, Jeremy (November 2003). "SWAT: Global Strike Team (Xbox)". Game Informer (GameStop) (127): 166. http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/A95A315A-148A-453F-96B1-82AC6A40C7BE.htm. Retrieved December 21, 2018. 
  27. ↑ Air Hendrix (October 28, 2003). "SWAT: Global Strike Team Review for PS2 on GamePro.com". GamePro (IDG Entertainment). http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/31521.shtml. Retrieved December 22, 2018. 
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 Shoemaker, Brad (November 6, 2003). "SWAT: Global Strike Team Review". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/swat-global-strike-team-review/1900-6079028/. Retrieved December 21, 2018. 
  29. ↑ Steinberg, Steve (November 29, 2003). "GameSpy: SWAT: Global Strike Team (PS2)". IGN Entertainment. http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/swat-global-strike-team/497660p1.html. 
  30. ↑ Steinberg, Steve (November 29, 2003). "GameSpy: SWAT: Global Strike Team (Xbox)". IGN Entertainment. http://xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/swat-global-strike-team/498488p1.html. 
  31. ↑ Wrentmore, John (November 11, 2003). "SWAT: Global Strike Team - PS2 - Review". https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/swat_global_strike_team_ps2_review/. 
  32. ↑ Valentino, Nick (November 9, 2003). "SWAT: Global Strike Team - XB - Review". https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/swat_global_strike_team_xb_review/. 
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 Boulding, Aaron (October 27, 2003). "SWAT: Global Strike Team". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/10/28/swat-global-strike-team. Retrieved December 21, 2018. 
  34. ↑ "SWAT: Global Strike Team". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine (Ziff Davis): 142. November 2003. 
  35. ↑ "SWAT: Global Strike Team". Official Xbox Magazine (Future US): 124. December 2003. 
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 "SWAT: Global Strike Team for PlayStation 2 Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/swat-global-strike-team/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2. Retrieved August 19, 2013. 
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 "SWAT: Global Strike Team for Xbox Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/swat-global-strike-team/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox. Retrieved August 19, 2013. 
  38. ↑ Brad, Shoemaker (November 6, 2003). "SWAT: Global Strike Team Review SWAT: Global Strike Team is an impressive and successful effort to bring the old series into the 21st century.". Gamespot. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/swat-global-strike-team-review/1900-6079056/. 
  39. ↑ Aaron, Boulding (October 27, 2003). "SWAT: Global Strike Team Argonaut's tactical shooter has a strong premise and a weak delivery.". IGN. https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/10/28/swat-global-strike-team. 
  40. ↑ Jenkins, David (November 7, 2003). "SOCOM II Sets Online Record". Gamasutra. https://gamasutra.com/view/news/93332/SOCOM_II_Sets_Online_Record.php. 
  41. ↑ Reed, Kristan. "Xbox Plans Revealed Mass slippage, Live scratch cards, price cuts, new titles, the works...". Eurogamer. https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/a_xboxplansrevealed. 
  42. ↑ Jenkins, David (October 8, 2003). "Argonaut Records Major Loss". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/argonaut-records-major-loss. 
  43. ↑ Jenkins, David (March 11, 2004). "Argonaut Losses Deepen". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/argonaut-losses-deepen. 
  44. ↑ Fahey, Rob (November 1, 2004). "End of the line for Argonaut as Edgware studio shuts". gamesindustry.biz. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/end-of-the-line-for-argonaut-as-edgware-studio-shuts. 
  45. ↑ Adams, Dan (February 19, 2002). "SWAT: Urban Justice Announced: Sierra announces the fourth SWAT titles to come from their cupboard.". IGN. https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/02/19/swat-urban-justice-announced. 
  46. ↑ Parker, Sam (March 7, 2003). "SWAT: Urban Justice delayed: Sierra confirms that the next PC game in the close-quarters tactical series won't ship this year.". Gamespot. https://www.gamespot.com/articles/swat-urban-justice-delayed/1100-2912248/. 
  1. ↑ Released under the Sierra Entertainment brand.
  • 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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