Software:Star Wars: X-Wing Alliance

From HandWiki
Star Wars: X-Wing Alliance
Developer(s)Totally Games
Publisher(s)LucasArts
Designer(s)Lawrence Holland
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows
Release
Genre(s)Space simulation
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Star Wars: X-Wing Alliance, also known as simply X-Wing Alliance, is a space simulation video game, the sequel to both Star Wars and Star Wars. X-Wing Alliance presents the story of the Azzameen family, a family of space traders. The player assumes the role of Ace Azzameen, the youngest of the Azzameen children, juggling military duty as a fighter pilot for the Rebel Alliance, and allegiance to his family, flying larger heavily armed freighters for the family business, amid a bloody family feud and in the larger context of a galactic civil war.

Features

Screenshot featuring the second Death Star, the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon, and a few starships and starfighters.

Apart from the usual badges and medals for winning missions – a feature shared by the other games of the X-Wing computer game series – progress is also indicated by the number of souvenirs collected in Ace's room. There is also a "mail" delivery between missions that helps to evolve Ace's background story while also providing a deeper look into his personal relationships and his family's whereabouts.

XWA is the first game of the series to offer a full voiceover soundtrack and full in-flight dialogue. Flight control is marginally updated from the previous games of the series, allowing the player to link different energy weapons to fire together, as well as the addition of rudder support. Graphics are also overhauled in this game; high resolution textures, more complex models, and full three dimensional cockpits were added. However, the cockpits are not faithful to the other games; indicators and screens are separated from the cockpit, depicted as floating windows as part of the in-flight heads-up display. The player also has three "mission skips" that allow them to proceed through the linear storyline without having to complete a particular mission. "Family missions," however, cannot be skipped.

The ability to fly multi-crew craft like the Millennium Falcon was a major new feature because the player could freely choose to be the pilot or operate one of the turrets. The AI would take over any position not controlled by the player, but could be given orders by the player. X-Wing Alliance also introduced multi-part missions that involved making hyperjumps from one region to the next; in previous games, any hyperjumps the player experienced were either to start or end the mission.[3] Additionally, players could now enter a starship's hangar bay to rearm and/or receive repairs before rejoining the fight. They could even witness the battle continuing to unfold outside the hangar. Finally, X-Wing Alliance added a much-desired custom mission builder feature. This allowed players to quickly set up a variety of battle scenarios involving almost every vessel in the game, including dozens of fighters and combat transports that had been fought against in the single-player game and were now flyable in this mode.

Story

The game's prologue (and tutorial) concerns Ace's "family missions" in which his elder family members and Emkay instruct him in the flying of Corellian transports so that he can begin working for the family.

These missions reveal that the Azzameen family are in heated competition with the Viraxo and are generally sympathetic to the Rebel Alliance. Due to their sympathies, the patriarch of the family, Tomaas Azzameen, smuggles bacta for the Alliance in the aftermath of the Battle of Hoth. This causes them to pay dearly as the Galactic Empire raids their home station for running bacta to an Alliance outpost. Tomaas and Ace's older brother are killed and the family subsequently seeks asylum with a Rebel task force.

As a Rebel pilot, Ace participates in a variety of missions for the Rebellion while also helping his family fight the Viraxo. During his tour with the Rebel Alliance, he proves himself to be a significant pilot as he participates in missions that uncover new Imperial projects, such as experimental TIE fighters and the second Death Star.

Some events connect the game to the movies The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, such as sequences that track the Rebellion's situation after the Battle of Hoth,[3] as well as the theft of the shuttle Tydirium. The game also concludes with the climactic Battle of Endor.[3] Several events connect to the Star Wars story, such as a mission to assist Dash Rendar in the capture of the Imperial freighter Suprosa, which carries the plans to the second Death Star.

Release

Star Wars: X-Wing Alliance was released in 1999,[2] and it was released on Steam and GOG.com in 2015 along with other games in the series.[4]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
GameRankings84%[5]
Review scores
PublicationScore
CGSPStarStarStarStarHalf star[7]
CGWStarStarStarHalf star[8]
Edge8/10[9]
Game Informer8.5/10[10]
GameProStarStarStarStarHalf star[11]
GameRevolutionA−[12]
GameSpot8.4/10[13]
IGN8.2/10[3]
PC Gamer (US)92%[15]

The game received favourable reviews according to the review aggregation website GameRankings.[5]

Tal Blevins of IGN praised the ability to hyperjump from area to area and the space battles for being much larger than the game's predecessors, with up to 96 ships in space. He also praised the game's graphics and called the game "the best-looking Star Wars title from Totally Games", but criticized its software mode when 3D hardware mode is set off. Blevins felt that the game's improved details added cinematic elements that make players feel as if they are Rebels fighting in a never-to-be-released movie.[3]

The game's sales reached 143,371 copies in the U.S. during 1999.[16]

The game was a finalist for the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences' "Computer Simulation Game of the Year" award, which ultimately went to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2000.[17] It was also nominated for CNET Gamecenter's "Best Sci-Fi Simulation" award and for PC PowerPlay's "Best Fantasy Sim" award, but lost both to MechWarrior 3.[18][19] Likewise, the game was nominated for Computer Gaming World's 1999 "Science Fiction Simulator of the Year" award, which went to Freespace 2.[20]

References

  1. ↑ "Gone Gold : EuroGold". 2001-02-10. http://www.gonegold.com/golden/eurogold99.shtml. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 I. G. N. Staff (1999-03-12). "Marching Into a Store Near You" (in en). https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/03/12/marching-into-a-store-near-you. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Blevins, Tal (31 March 1999). "Star Wars: X-Wing Alliance". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/04/01/star-wars-x-wing-alliance-2. 
  4. ↑ Chalk, Andy (28 April 2015). "X-Wing and TIE Fighter now available on Steam". Future plc. https://www.pcgamer.com/x-wing-and-tie-fighter-now-available-on-steam/. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Star Wars: X-Wing Alliance for PC". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamerankings.com/pc/145678-star-wars-x-wing-alliance/index.html. 
  6. ↑ Ocampo, Jason (30 March 1999). "X-Wing Alliance". CNET. http://www.gamecenter.com/Reviews/Item/0,6,0-2612,00.html. 
  7. ↑ Sones, Benjamin E. (5 April 1999). "X-Wing Alliance". Strategy Plus, Inc.. http://www.cdmag.com/articles/018/194/xwinga_review.html. 
  8. ↑ Nguyen, Thierry (July 1999). "Death Star Duel (X-Wing Alliance Review)". Computer Gaming World (Ziff Davis) (180): 134–35. http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_180.pdf. Retrieved 6 May 2021. 
  9. ↑ Edge staff (May 1999). "X-Wing Alliance". Edge (Future Publishing) (71): 76–77. https://archive.org/details/edgeuk071/page/n69/mode/2up. Retrieved 7 May 2021. 
  10. ↑ Bergren, Paul (June 1999). "X-Wing Alliance". Game Informer (FuncoLand) (74). 
  11. ↑ Sterbakov, Hugh (1999). "X-Wing Alliance Review for PC on GamePro.com". GamePro (IDG Entertainment). http://www.gamepro.com/computer/pc/games/reviews/729.shtml. Retrieved 7 May 2021. 
  12. ↑ Johnny B. (May 1999). "Star Wars: X-Wing Alliance Review". CraveOnline. https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/32837-star-wars-x-wing-alliance-review. 
  13. ↑ Janicki, P. Stefan "Desslock" (6 April 1999). "X-Wing Alliance Review [date mislabeled as "April 29, 2000""]. CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/x-wing-alliance-review/1900-2537940/. 
  14. ↑ Lee, Ed (June 1999). "X-Wing: Alliance [sic"]. PC Accelerator (Imagine Media) (10): 76–77. https://archive.org/details/PCXL10Jun1999/page/n75/mode/2up. Retrieved 6 May 2021. 
  15. ↑ Whitta, Gary (June 1999). "X-Wing Alliance". PC Gamer (Imagine Media) 6 (6): 118–19. https://archive.org/details/pcgamer199906/page/n127/mode/2up. Retrieved 6 May 2021. 
  16. ↑ "PC Gamer Editors' Choice Winners: Does Quality Matter?". PC Gamer (Imagine Media) 7 (4): 33. April 2000. https://archive.org/details/PCGamer_April_2000/page/n35/mode/2up. Retrieved 6 May 2021. 
  17. ↑ "Third Interactive Achievement Awards: Personal Computer". http://www.interactive.org/iaa/finalists_pc.html. 
  18. ↑ Gamecenter staff (21 January 2000). "The Gamecenter Awards for 1999! (Sci-Fi Sims)". CNET. http://gamecenter.com/Features/Exclusives/Awards99/ss02q.html. 
  19. ↑ "Game of the Year 1999". PC PowerPlay (Next Media Pty Ltd) (47): 30. April 2000. https://archive.org/details/PCPowerplay-047-2000-04/page/n29/mode/2up. Retrieved 18 June 2021. 
  20. ↑ CGW staff (March 2000). "The 2000 Premier Awards (Science Fiction Simulator of the Year)". Computer Gaming World (Ziff Davis) (188): 73. http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_188.pdf. Retrieved 11 June 2021. 
  • 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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