Software:Independence War 2: Edge of Chaos

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Short description: 2001 video game
Independence War 2: Edge of Chaos
Developer(s)Particle Systems
Publisher(s)Infogrames
Director(s)Michael Powell
Richard Aidley
Producer(s)Kim Blake
Roger Godfrey
Designer(s)Nigel Kershaw
Programmer(s)Will Vale
Artist(s)Matt Clark
Andrew Turner
Composer(s)Christopher Mann
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows
Release
  • EU: June 29, 2001
  • NA: August 28, 2001[1]
  • AU: November 7, 2001[2]
Genre(s)Space combat simulator
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Independence War 2: Edge of Chaos (sometimes called Independence War 2: The Edge of Chaos), released as Edge of Chaos: Independence War 2 in Europe, is a sequel to the space combat simulator video game Independence War (also known as I-War in Europe). Developed by Particle Systems - the developers of the first game - and published by Infogrames, the game was released in 2001. It was nominated for an interactive BAFTA award for its soundtrack which was composed by Christopher Mann.

Plot

Edge of Chaos is set in the 24th century, 100 years after the first game, in an isolated part of space called the Badlands Cluster. The star cluster is far removed from Earth, the Core Systems, and their central governing body, the New Alliance; also, the Alliance government was in a state of near-collapse due to corruption and massive overspending. As a result, huge corporations step in to take control, and they rule quite tyrannically.

The game begins with a CGI video showing the murder of 12-year-old Cal Johnston's father by industrial heir Caleb Maas. The player then assumes the role of young Cal as he is instructed in space ship piloting by the digitized personality of Commonwealth Navy captain Jefferson Clay, a character familiar from the original I-War. After getting used to basics of space flight, Clay guides Cal to the base of his space pirating grandmother. After some more practice missions, Cal encounters the infamous Caleb Maas. Trying to avenge his father, Cal ends up in prison instead. The story then fast-forwards 15 years showing a now-adult Cal Johnston with some of his fellow inmates escaping the prison space station, where the core gameplay begins.

Upon returning to his grandmother's base, Cal begins to set up his own piracy organization. Other groups in Hoffer's Wake begin to notice his work, and as he advances in fame and fortune he learns more about the current situation affecting the Badlands. For a long time, a group called the Marauders have been attacking at random—essentially terrorizing the people of the Cluster. Despite numerous attempts to run them down, the Badlands government and gangs have had no luck in stopping the attacks: the Marauders don't seem weakened even by major losses, and they don't seem to have any single base of operations.

The player is soon given access to other systems in the Cluster, with the assignment to find help fighting the Marauders in Hoffer's Wake. Most are only too happy to lend ships, supplies, and personnel once their own Marauder problems are taken care of, and the Marauders are successfully driven from Hoffer's Wake before long. However even that loss didn't slow them down, and further investigation on Cal's part reveals that they have been maintaining their primary base in the Dante system, long abandoned and thought uninhabitable after the unstable binary star flooded the system with radiation and cut it off from outside travel. The Rebel Fleet, now very large and well-organized, mounts a successful assault—only to be nearly destroyed anyway when the Marauders receive help from the Maas Corporation, who started the Marauders to "keep you peasants in line."

The Rebels can't hope to directly match Maas's forces, so they fall back and try to think of alternative strategies. They conclude that the most effective action would be to find help outside of the Badlands, so they attack and secure the Santa Romera Jump Accelerator, a highly advanced piece of technology that allows travel over significantly longer distances than even Lagrange points. Cal arrives in the Fomalhaut system in the Gagarin Cluster to find much the same situation as in the Badlands: oppressive corporate rule, roving Marauders, and a desperate need for assistance.

After working for a while, Cal receives a seemingly innocuous mission in which he is sent to spy on a number of corporate cruisers in the Gagarin Cluster. The story takes a sharp turn when, against Caleb Maas's wishes, corporate scientists activate an alien artifact that Cal himself stole for them, thinking to use it as some sort of weapon. The device goes out of control and begins to emit glowing red alien ships that eat (and thus destroy) any advanced power sources (such as ships) in their path; within days, the entire Gagarin Cluster is overrun. Cal and the fleet hold the aliens back from the Fomalhaut Jump Accelerator as refugees escape, then dash through at the last second and destroy the Accelerator, effectively isolating the Badlands indefinitely from the rest of human civilization. Cal remarks that they are safe from the aliens, but he's not sure about human civilization elsewhere.

The gameplay is a mix of free movement in space and missions. In free play, Cal can act independently, move throughout the Hoffer's Wake system and eventually the entire Badlands Cluster, and steal cargo. Game missions allow the player to gain new weapons and ships, and contribute to the rebellions against the corporations that control the Badlands.

Gameplay

The view from inside the playership showing the virtual HUD

Development

The technological improvements over the first game included support for Direct3D compatible hardware accelerated 3D graphics, network multiplay and a new user interface. Edge of Chaos gave a nod to Elite style gameplay by adding free roaming piracy to the Independence War games' universe. The familiar Newtonian mechanics obeying flight model with a flight computer assistance was retained, although combat was somewhat simplified and made more accessible to the player.

Edge of Chaos was initially developed for Windows-based PCs, PlayStation, Nintendo 64 and Dreamcast, but the PlayStation, Nintendo 64 and Dreamcast versions were cancelled. The dual platform development affected some design decisions. Most of the ship's function interface was made navigable through a joystick hat control, but on the negative side, partly due to being designed for a game console without a hard disk, game progress could only be saved between missions, in the home base.

A browser-based game, Edge of Chaos Online, was created as part of the marketing campaign in late 2001.

On July 6, 2010, GOG.com re-released the game digitally.[3]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic83/100[4]
Review scores
PublicationScore
CGMStarStarStarHalf star[5]
CGWStarStarStarStarHalf star[6]
Game Informer9/10[7]
GameProStarStarStarStar[8]
GameSpot8.9/10[9]
GameSpy81%[10]
GameZone8.5/10[11]
IGN8.2/10[12]
Next GenerationStarStarStar[13]
PC Gamer (US)80%[14]
Playboy80%[15]

The game received favorable reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[4] John Lee of NextGen said of the game, "Only a too-accurate space flight model mars this otherwise compelling space Western."[13]

The game was a nominee for Computer Gaming World's 2001 "Best Simulation Game" award, which ultimately went to IL-2 Sturmovik.[16] It was also a runner-up for the "Best Game No One Played" award at GameSpot's Best and Worst of 2001 Awards, which went to Clive Barker's Undying.[17]

The game was a critical, but not financial, success, contributing to the eventual acquisition of developers Particle Systems by Argonaut Games, which changed the team name to Argonaut Sheffield.

References

  1. ↑ IGN staff (August 28, 2001). "Independence War 2 in Stores". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/08/28/independence-war-2-in-stores. 
  2. ↑ "I War 2 - Edge of Chaos". http://gamenation.com.au/product/?action=view&id=497. 
  3. ↑ "Independence War 2: Edge Of Chaos (2001) Windows release dates". Blue Flame Labs. https://www.mobygames.com/game/windows/independence-war-2-edge-of-chaos/release-info. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Independence War 2: Edge of Chaos for PC Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/independence-war-2-edge-of-chaos/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. 
  5. ↑ Sones, Benjamin E. (December 12, 2001). "Independence War 2: The Edge of Chaos [sic"]. theGlobe.com. http://www.cgonline.com/reviews/indepenwar-02-r1.html. 
  6. ↑ Berg, Gordon (January 2002). "Independence War 2: Edge of Chaos". Computer Gaming World (Ziff Davis) (210): 106–7. http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_210.pdf. Retrieved September 7, 2021. 
  7. ↑ "Independence War 2: Edge of Chaos". Game Informer (FuncoLand) (103): 128. November 2001. 
  8. ↑ Air Hendrix (August 22, 2001). "Independence War 2: Edge of Chaos Review for PC on GamePro.com". GamePro (IDG Entertainment). http://www.gamepro.com/computer/pc/games/reviews/16304.shtml. Retrieved September 7, 2021. 
  9. ↑ Janicki, P. Stefan "Desslock" (August 24, 2001). "Independence War 2: The Edge of Chaos [sic Review"]. CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/independence-war-2-the-edge-of-chaos-review/1900-2807830/. 
  10. ↑ McConnaughy, Tim (September 19, 2001). "Independence War 2: Edge of Chaos". IGN Entertainment. http://archive.gamespy.com/reviews/september01/iw2/. 
  11. ↑ Gerbino, Robert (September 7, 2001). "Independence War 2: The Edge of Chaos [sic Review"]. http://pc.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r15066.htm. 
  12. ↑ Butts, Steve (August 27, 2001). "Independence War 2: The Edge of Chaos [sic"]. Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/08/27/independence-war-2-the-edge-of-chaos. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Lee, John (November 2001). "Independence War 2: The Edge of Chaos [sic"]. NextGen (Imagine Media) (83): 113. https://archive.org/details/NextGen83Nov2001/page/n113/mode/2up. Retrieved September 7, 2021. 
  14. ↑ Whitta, Gary (January 2002). "Independence War 2 [Edge of Chaos"]. PC Gamer (Imagine Media) 9 (1). http://www.pcgamer.com/archives/2005/07/independence_wa.html. Retrieved September 7, 2021. 
  15. ↑ Steinberg, Scott (September 11, 2001). "Independence War 2: Edge of Chaos". Playboy Enterprises. http://www.playboy.com/sports/games/iwar2/index.html. 
  16. ↑ CGW staff (April 2002). "Games of the Year (Best Simulation Game)". Computer Gaming World (Ziff Davis) (213): 82–83. http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_213.pdf. Retrieved September 7, 2021. 
  17. ↑ GameSpot staff (2002). "GameSpot's Best and Worst PC Games of 2001 (Best Game No One Played)". CNET. http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/pc/bestof_2001/p2_09.html. 
  • 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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