Software:WarGames: Defcon 1

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WarGames: Defcon 1
European cover box
Developer(s)Interactive Studios
Publisher(s)MGM Interactive
Director(s)John Whigham
Richard Hackett
Producer(s)Robb Alvey
Jim Banting
Robert Rader
Sean Wilson
Designer(s)Leigh Griffiths
Satty Mann
Programmer(s)Ian Bird
Andrew Oliver
John Whigham
Richard Hackett
Artist(s)Stephen Thomson
Writer(s)John Badham
John Tarnoff
Composer(s)Tommy Tallarico
Fabian Del Priore
Platform(s)PlayStation, Windows
Release
  • EU: June 1998 (PS)
  • NA: 29 July 1998[1][2]
  • EU: 21 August 1998 (PC)
Genre(s)Tactical shooter, Real-time strategy
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

WarGames: Defcon 1 (known simply as WarGames on PC) is a video game for the PlayStation and Microsoft Windows developed by Interactive Studios and co-published by MGM Interactive and Electronic Arts (in North America, MGM Interactive solely published the game). Although both versions possess the same missions and content, the PlayStation version is a tactical vehicle-shooting game while the PC version is a real-time strategy game (similar to Jeff Wayne's The War of the Worlds). The game is loosely based on the movie WarGames; the story was scripted by John Badham, director of the original film.[3]

PlayStation version

The player plays as NORAD or WOPR. The game takes place 20 years after the film: WOPR attempts to exterminate humanity and NORAD tries to stop it.[4] During a mission the player takes control of a vehicle and can change the controls of any vehicle the team has—for example, while NORAD has heavily armored and armed tanks and aircraft, WOPR possesses exotically futuristic mechs and hovercraft. Vehicles can recharge ammo by obtaining powers. The player can command their team to send resupply on ammos, repair damage units, attack, or follow the player's main vehicle.

Multiplayer

WarGames: Defcon 1 features 2-player split screen VS. or Co-op.[5] The Co-op allows the players to play all single player levels with a partner. Unlike most multiplayer games, the screen is split diagonally.[5]

PC version

Unlike the PlayStation version, the PC version is a real-time strategy game,[6] in which the player can control different units at once. The missions are identical to the PlayStation version.

The electronic registration program included on the game CD contained the Marburg computer virus; playing the game would not cause the player's computer to be infected with the virus, but registering it electronically would.[7]

Development

WarGames: Defcon 1 was one of the few strategy games of its time to not use a tile system, instead allowing troops to be place and moved freely across the landscape. Team leader John Whigham commented, "While this is of great benefit to the player and to the game in general, the programming nightmares it raises have given us more than one sleepless night over the last few months."[8] The game was showcased at E3 1997[9]

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
PCPS
CGSPStarStarStarStar[13]N/A
CGWStarHalf star[14]N/A
Edge8/10[15]7/10[16]
EGMN/A7.125/10[17]
Game InformerN/A7.25/10[18]
GameProStarStarHalf star[19][lower-alpha 1]StarStarStarStarHalf star[20][lower-alpha 2]
GameRevolutionC+[21]N/A
GameSpot7.1/10[22]7.6/10[23]
IGN7/10[24]N/A
Next GenerationStarStarStar[25]StarStarStar[26]
OPM (US)N/AStarStarStarStar[27]
PC Gamer (US)81%[29]N/A
Aggregate score
GameRankings66%[10]78%[11]

The PlayStation version received favourable reviews, while the PC version received average reviews, according to the review aggregation website GameRankings.[10][11] Next Generation called the former version "a fun romp that is, unfortunately, a bit on the short side. A two-player combat option alleviates this problem somewhat. The bottom line? If you have a second player handy, get it. If not, rent it – it makes for a good three-day weekend of fun";[26] and called the latter "a fairly competent and well-crafted game. It just doesn't take the genre in any new direction and feels like little more than a me-too effort."[25] Mark Kanarick of AllGame gave Defcon 1 two-and-a-half stars out of five, saying, "I like what MGM Interactive is trying to do in WarGames Defcon 1, but the game just seems to far out there for someone who is not a strategy/wargame enthusiast to grasp. I think it is enjoyable for those looking for a 'different' game, but there is nothing substantial here to warrant anything more than a rental."[30]

Notes

  1. ↑ GamePro gave the PC version two 4/5 scores for graphics and sound, 2/5 for control, and 2.5/5 for overall fun factor.
  2. ↑ GamePro gave the PlayStation version three 4.5 scores for graphics, sound, and control, and 4.5/5 for overall fun factor.

References

  1. ↑ GameSpot staff (29 July 1998). "New Releases". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on 28 January 1999. https://web.archive.org/web/19990128171339/http://headline.gamespot.com/news/98_07/29_new/index.html. Retrieved 30 March 2021. 
  2. ↑ Muldoon, Moira (31 July 1998). "videogames.com's Game Calendar [date mislabeled as "March 14, 2000""]. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 21 April 1999. https://web.archive.org/web/19990421121901/http://headline.gamespot.com/news/98_07/31_consolecal/index.html. Retrieved 30 March 2021. 
  3. ↑ "Sneak Previews: WarGames". GamePro (IDG) (114): 64. March 1998. 
  4. ↑ "WarGames: Defcon 1". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (104): 60. March 1998. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "WarGames: Defcon 1". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (106): 47. May 1998. 
  6. ↑ "In the Studio". Next Generation (Imagine Media) (32): 19. August 1997. https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_32/page/n20. "MGM Interactive is the most recent publisher to catch the real-time strategy bug. ... A PlayStation strategy title of the same name is following, but will be distinctly different in design.". 
  7. ↑ Bates, Jason (13 August 1998). "WarGames Plagued by Virus". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/1998/08/14/wargames-plagued-by-virus. 
  8. ↑ "NG Alphas: WarGames". Next Generation (Imagine Media) (36): 144–45. December 1997. https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_36/page/n145/mode/2up. Retrieved 30 March 2021. 
  9. ↑ Johnston, Chris (June 9, 1997). "MGM's E3 Lineup". Archived from the original on January 19, 1998. https://web.archive.org/web/19980119052411/http://headline.gamespot.com/news/97_06/09_mgm/index.html. Retrieved July 26, 2022. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "WarGames for PC". CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 9 June 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190609144626/https://www.gamerankings.com/pc/46083-wargames/index.html. Retrieved 30 March 2021. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "WarGames: Defcon 1 for PlayStation". CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 1 May 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190501050239/https://www.gamerankings.com/ps/199262-wargames-defcon-1/index.html. Retrieved 30 March 2021. 
  12. ↑ Rausch, Allen (23 July 1998). "WarGames". CNET. Archived from the original on 16 August 2000. https://web.archive.org/web/20000816112040/http://www.gamecenter.com/Reviews/Item/0,6,0-1962,00.html. Retrieved 30 March 2021. 
  13. ↑ Hunter, Scott (25 August 1998). "WarGames". Strategy Plus, Inc.. Archived from the original on 29 May 2003. https://web.archive.org/web/20030529181325/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/014/003/wargames_review.html. Retrieved 31 March 2021. 
  14. ↑ Clarkson, Mark (November 1998). "Your Move–If You Want It (WarGames Review)". Computer Gaming World (Ziff Davis) (172): 324. http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_172.pdf. Retrieved 31 March 2021. 
  15. ↑ Edge staff (September 1998). "Wargames [sic (PC)"]. Edge (Future Publishing) (62): 95. https://archive.org/details/edgeuk062/page/n85/mode/2up. Retrieved 30 March 2021. 
  16. ↑ Edge staff (August 1998). "Wargames [sic (PS)"]. Edge (Future Publishing) (61): 96. https://archive.org/details/edgeuk061/page/n83/mode/2up. Retrieved 30 March 2021. 
  17. ↑ EGM staff (September 1998). "WarGames: Defcon 1". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (110). 
  18. ↑ "Wargames [sic]: Defcon 1". Game Informer (FuncoLand) (65). September 1998. 
  19. ↑ Boba Fatt (August 1998). "WarGames". GamePro (IDG Entertainment) (119): 87. https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_109_August_1998/page/n87/mode/2up. Retrieved 30 March 2021. 
  20. ↑ Boba Fatt (September 1998). "WarGames: Defcon 1 Review for PC on GamePro.com". GamePro (IDG Entertainment) (120). Archived from the original on 14 February 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050214062518/http://gamepro.com/sony/psx/games/reviews/365.shtml. Retrieved 30 March 2021. 
  21. ↑ Hubble, Calvin (September 1998). "WarGames Review". CraveOnline. Archived from the original on 10 September 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150910133823/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/wargames. Retrieved 30 March 2021. 
  22. ↑ Ryan, Michael E. (10 August 1998). "WarGames Review [date mislabeled as "May 2, 2000""]. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 27 January 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050127163830/https://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/wargames/review.html. Retrieved 30 March 2021. 
  23. ↑ Gerstmann, Jeff (7 August 1998). "WarGames: Defcon 1 Review [date mislabeled as "May 2, 2000""]. CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/wargames-defcon-1-review/1900-2550152/. Retrieved 30 March 2021. 
  24. ↑ Bates, Jason (18 August 1998). "WarGames". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/1998/08/19/wargames. Retrieved 30 March 2021. 
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 "WarGames". Next Generation (Imagine Media) (46): 134. October 1998. https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_46/page/n137/mode/2up. Retrieved 30 March 2021. 
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 "WarGames: Defcon 1". Next Generation (Imagine Media) (46): 130. October 1998. https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_46/page/n133/mode/2up. Retrieved 30 March 2021. 
  27. ↑ "WarGames: Defcon 1". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine (Ziff Davis) 1 (12). September 1998. 
  28. ↑ Lee, John (October 1998). "WarGames". PC Accelerator (Imagine Media) (2): 108. https://archive.org/details/PCXL02Oct1998/page/n113/mode/2up. Retrieved 30 March 2021. 
  29. ↑ McDonald, T. Liam (October 1998). "WarGames". PC Gamer (Imagine Media) 5 (10): 204–5. Archived from the original on 10 December 1999. https://web.archive.org/web/19991210205048/http://www.pcgamer.com/reviews/76.html. Retrieved 31 March 2021. 
  30. ↑ Kanarick, Mark. "WarGames: Defcon 1 - Review". All Media Network. Archived from the original on 15 November 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141115120636/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=7995&tab=review. Retrieved 30 March 2021. 
  • Short description: Video game database
MobyGames
Logo since March 2014
Screenshot
Frontpage as of April 2012
Type of site
Gaming
Available inEnglish
OwnerAtari SA
Websitemobygames.com
CommercialYes
RegistrationOptional
LaunchedJanuary 30, 1999; 26 years ago (1999-01-30)
Current statusOnline

MobyGames is a commercial website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes nearly 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] The site is supported by banner ads and a small number of people paying to become patrons.[2] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It is currently owned by Atari SA.

Content

The database began with games for IBM PC compatibles. After two years, consoles such as the PlayStation, were added. Older console systems were added later. Support for arcade video games was added in January 2014 and mainframe computer games in June 2017.[3]

Edits and submissions go through a leisurely verification process by volunteer "approvers". The approval process can range from immediate (minutes) to gradual (days or months).[4] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copyediting.[5]

Registered users can rate and review any video game. 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 subforum.

History

Logo used until March 11, 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999 by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, then joined by David Berk 18 months later, three friends since high school.[6] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience.

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[7] This was announced to the community post factum and a few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.

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).[8] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel.[9]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[10] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[11][12]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ "MobyGames Stats". https://www.mobygames.com/moby_stats. 
  2. ↑ "MobyGames Patrons". http://www.mobygames.com/info/patrons. 
  3. ↑ "New(ish!) on MobyGames – the Mainframe platform.". Blue Flame Labs. 18 June 2017. http://www.mobygames.com/forums/dga,2/dgb,3/dgm,237200/. 
  4. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  5. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/32856/Report_MobyGames_Acquired_By_GameFly_Media.php. 
  8. ↑ 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. 
  9. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/207882/Game_dev_database_MobyGames_getting_some_TLC_under_new_owner.php. 
  10. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  11. ↑ "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/. 
  12. ↑ "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/. 



  • Short description: Video game database
MobyGames
Logo since March 2014
Screenshot
Frontpage as of April 2012
Type of site
Gaming
Available inEnglish
OwnerAtari SA
Websitemobygames.com
CommercialYes
RegistrationOptional
LaunchedJanuary 30, 1999; 26 years ago (1999-01-30)
Current statusOnline

MobyGames is a commercial website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes nearly 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] The site is supported by banner ads and a small number of people paying to become patrons.[2] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It is currently owned by Atari SA.

Content

The database began with games for IBM PC compatibles. After two years, consoles such as the PlayStation, were added. Older console systems were added later. Support for arcade video games was added in January 2014 and mainframe computer games in June 2017.[3]

Edits and submissions go through a leisurely verification process by volunteer "approvers". The approval process can range from immediate (minutes) to gradual (days or months).[4] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copyediting.[5]

Registered users can rate and review any video game. 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 subforum.

History

Logo used until March 11, 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999 by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, then joined by David Berk 18 months later, three friends since high school.[6] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience.

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[7] This was announced to the community post factum and a few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.

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).[8] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel.[9]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[10] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[11][12]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ "MobyGames Stats". https://www.mobygames.com/moby_stats. 
  2. ↑ "MobyGames Patrons". http://www.mobygames.com/info/patrons. 
  3. ↑ "New(ish!) on MobyGames – the Mainframe platform.". Blue Flame Labs. 18 June 2017. http://www.mobygames.com/forums/dga,2/dgb,3/dgm,237200/. 
  4. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  5. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/32856/Report_MobyGames_Acquired_By_GameFly_Media.php. 
  8. ↑ 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. 
  9. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/207882/Game_dev_database_MobyGames_getting_some_TLC_under_new_owner.php. 
  10. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  11. ↑ "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/. 
  12. ↑ "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/. 





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