Software:X2: The Threat

From HandWiki
Short description: 2003 space trading and combat video game
X2: The Threat
Developer(s)Egosoft
Virtual Programming (OS X)
Publisher(s)
Virtual Programming (OS X)[lower-alpha 1]
Linux Game Publishing (Linux)
Director(s)Bernd Lehahn
Producer(s)Darren Astles
Programmer(s)Thomas Maier
Klaus Meyer
Martin Brenner
Bernd Lehahn
Artist(s)Markus Pohl
Alexander Preuss
Writer(s)Helge Kautz
Thomas Maier
Composer(s)Thomas Egeskov Petersen
Alexei Zakharov
SeriesX
Platform(s)Windows, Mac OS X, Linux
ReleaseWindows
Mac OS X
  • WW: May 31, 2005[3]
Genre(s)Space simulation
Mode(s)Single-player

X2: The Threat is a space simulation video game developed by Egosoft for Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X.[4] It is part of the X series. It was released in 2003 and is a sequel to Software:X: Beyond the Frontier. Freeverse Software ported the game to Mac OS X in 2004/2005, while Linux Game Publishing produced their Linux port in 2005/2006. An expansion pack, X2: The Return, was cancelled.

The sequel to this game is Software:X3: Reunion (2005).

Gameplay

The player's first ship is an Argon Discoverer.

As with the originals, X2: The Threat is a space trading and combat simulator set in the fictional X-Universe, a network of sectors, linked by large space gates. The game features a new graphics engine, a much expanded Universe and 60 different flyable ships, along with a number of new missions available to the player. Unlike the expansion pack, X-Tension, which was almost entirely open-ended, X2: The Threat has a clear background story involving an aggressive alien race known as the Khaak, but the game remains open-ended and the players are free to pursue the plot at their own pace, if at all.

Plot

The player takes the role of Julian Gardna, a Pirate and thief. Early on, the Khaak, a hostile alien race, emerge to threaten the X-Universe. The player is asked to undertake a series of missions to uncover their origins, their intentions, and to determine their connection to his missing father. Ultimately, Julian must fight off a massive attack by Khaak, rescuing numerous other characters in the process. Key non-player characters include:

  • Bret Serra: rogue, pirate and Julian's closest friend.
  • Ban Danna: the head of Argon Secret Service who shares a close relationship with Julian's father dating back to the previous game, Software:X: Beyond the Frontier.
  • Elena Kho, Chief Executive in the influential Terracorp corporation.
  • Saya Kho, daughter of Elena Kho.
  • Kyle Brennan, Julian's father, founder of Terracorp, and protagonist from the previous games.

Due to the expense of completing the plot, the players are periodically prompted to break away from the plot and increase their resources through trade and other open-ended play.

Open ended features

An Argon Centaur patrols Argon Prime.

X2 is set within the X-Universe, which consists of 132 sectors connected by two-way jumpgates. After the plot has been completed, jump co-ordinates for an additional 5 sectors can be obtained. The main area of each sector typically contains several stations and at least one gate. The game is open-ended allowing the player to go where they like, when they like, doing whatever they like; a player is limited only by their in-game status and resources. As such, a driving force of the game is to acquire credits, the universal currency and status.

Using credits, a player can buy wares from a station. These wares may then be flown to another station where they can be sold, ideally for a higher price. The prices vary - from minute to minute, second to second - depending on demand. The less of a ware there is, the higher its price. As such, the X-Universe has a truly dynamic market-driven economy. A player can capitalize on emergent trends to make vast profits; or as easily, can waste money and time on a bad cargo choice. As a player builds profits they can buy equipment, weapons, ships and stations. The player can acquire an unlimited number of ships and stations, of varying size, shape and function. The player can build factories to produce goods (including weapons and shields) to sell or consume. As the factories require resources, the player can set up ships to perform trading tasks for factories such as buying resources from other stations or selling the product.

The game contains numerous races. Several races feature a full economy and can be interacted with by the player through trading, reputation and missions. Several hostile races limit the amount of interactivity to combat. Reputation between the player and the social races can be built up through missions, defending their space, or trading in their space. The reputation affects how these individuals of that races respond to the player, and what kind of missions are offered. A player status is categorized according to 'Mercantile' skill, 'Combat' skill, and a 'Notoriety' ranking for each race.

Development

Enlight Software acquired the North American rights to the game in August 2003.[5] The game went gold on November 5 of the same year.[6]

Expansion pack

An expansion pack called X2: The Return was in development but was cancelled in favour of X3.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate scores
AggregatorScore
GameRankings76%[7]
Metacritic72/100[8]
Review scores
PublicationScore
CGWStarStarStarHalf star[9]
Eurogamer5/10[10]
Game Informer7/10[11]
GameSpot7.2/10[12]
GameSpyStarStarStarStarHalf star[13]
GamesTM5/10[14]
GameZone8.4/10[15]
IGN7.3/10[16]
PC Format74%[17]
PC Gamer (US)77%[18]

X2: The Threat received "average" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[8] Many reviewers praised the graphics and the amount of freedom offered to the player. Common complaints were that the game, like its predecessors, was quite slow-paced and had a steep learning curve.

IGN gave the game an average review, praising the visuals and display, but expressing frustration with elements of gameplay: "There are better places to go for trading simulations, and better places to go for space combat. X2s ambitions in trying to meld both themes ended up falling short of what most people would find entertaining.... its complexity [as a trading simulator] is wasted when the money is really made with only one type of product".[16] GameSpot referred to the game as a "diamond in the rough" for patient players, as well as "extremely ambitious but not very accessible".[12] Eurogamer criticized the game for being for "hardcore fans only" because of its complexity, also calling it a "superbly ambitious game which achieves much of what it sets out to do".[10]

See also

  • List of PC games

Notes

  1. ↑ Mac version distributed by Freeverse Inc. in North America.

References

  1. ↑ "X2 nearing launch" (in en-gb). Eurogamer.net. 2004-01-02. https://www.eurogamer.net/news010104x2. 
  2. ↑ Burnes, Andrew (2003-12-01). "X¿: The Threat Ships" (in en). https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/12/01/xa-the-threat-ships. 
  3. ↑ "X2: The Threat now available for download" (in en). https://www.macworld.com/article/175808/x2thethreat.html. 
  4. ↑ "X²: The Threat". Egosoft. http://www.egosoft.com/games/x2/info_en.php. 
  5. ↑ "Enlight Acquires North American Rights to X²: The Threat". August 18, 2003. Archived from the original on December 4, 2003. https://web.archive.org/web/20031204154806/http://enlight.com/news_aug_18_03.htm. Retrieved September 29, 2022. 
  6. ↑ "Enlight Interactive Announces X2: The Threat Goes Gold". November 5, 2003. Archived from the original on February 2, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20040202102045/http://www.enlight.com/news_nov_05_03.htm. Retrieved October 1, 2022. 
  7. ↑ "X2: The Threat for PC". CBS Interactive. http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/533501-x2-the-threat/index.html. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "X2: The Threat for PC Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/x2-the-threat/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. 
  9. ↑ Nguyen, Thierry (March 2004). "X2 - The Threat". Computer Gaming World (236): 86. http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_236.pdf. Retrieved July 30, 2017. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Fahey, Rob (February 6, 2004). "X2: The Threat". http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_x2thethreat_pc. 
  11. ↑ Biessener, Adam (February 2004). "X2: The Threat". Game Informer (130): 112. http://www.gameinformer.com:80/NR/exeres/A1767D33-19B5-4BA7-89BD-3F5A0F3A7FA8.htm. Retrieved July 30, 2017. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Desslock (December 22, 2003). "X2: The Threat Review". https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/x2-the-threat-review/1900-6086003/. 
  13. ↑ Chick, Tom (December 16, 2003). "GameSpy: X2: The Threat". GameSpy. http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/x2-the-threat/6479p1.html. 
  14. ↑ gamesTM staff (February 2004). "X2: The Threat". GamesTM: 119. http://www.totalgames.net:80/pma/18973. Retrieved July 30, 2017. 
  15. ↑ Wrentmore, John (December 11, 2003). "X2 - The Threat - PC - Review". GameZone. http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/x2_the_threat_pc_review. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 McNamara, Tom (December 17, 2003). "X2: The Threat Review". http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/12/18/x2-the-threat-review. 
  17. ↑ Meer, Alec (February 2004). "X²: the Threat". PC Format (158). http://www.pcformat.co.uk:80/reviews/default.asp?pagetypeid=2&articleid=28858&subsectionid=680. Retrieved July 30, 2017. 
  18. ↑ Trollman, J.T. (March 2004). "X2: The Threat". PC Gamer: 66. http://www.pcgamer.com/archives/2005/06/x2_the_threat.html. Retrieved July 30, 2017. 
  • Official page
  • 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. 
  • No URL found. Please specify a URL here or add one to Wikidata.

Template:Atari



Template:X series

Warning: Default sort key "X2: The Threat" overrides earlier default sort key "Mobygames".



Retrieved from "https://handwiki.org/wiki/index.php?title=Software:X2:_The_Threat&oldid=3952416"