Genewars
European cover art
Developer(s)Bullfrog Productions
Publisher(s)Electronic Arts
Director(s)Richard Reed
Producer(s)Andrew Nuttall
Artist(s)Jonathan Farmer
Composer(s)Russell Shaw
EngineMagic Carpet engine[1]
Platform(s)DOS
Release
  • EU: September 2, 1996
  • NA: October 12, 1996
Genre(s)Real-time strategy
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Genewars is a real-time strategy video game for DOS featuring standard elements of strategy, along with minor terrain editing and cross-species breeding. Its working title was "Biosphere".[1]

Gameplay

Players move through a series of worlds using a small number of sentient humanoids to build small bases and to stun, kill, research, and ultimately breed a variety of animals. Plants are also important, as different plants can be grown and harvested for different purposes. Players must use the various plant and animal species available to them (as well as hybrid animals) to deal with different environments, enemies, and tasks. For instance, a crab is a good armored defender, while a mule is a perfect detritus transporter. The two can be bred to form a creature that is well armored, but also suited to mule work. The more a particular species has been studied and created, the more effective future individuals will be.

The primary resource of the game is goop, which is derived from all kinds of biomass.

Development

Genewars was developed by Bullfrog Productions.

Sean Cooper was brought in to help with the game's development, causing tension between him and Peter Molyneux.[2]

Reception

Genewars received average reviews from video game critics upon release.

It was given the dubious honor of "Most Disappointing Game" of 1996 by GameSpot.[7]

Simon Parkin, writing for IGN, considered the game to be Molyneux's least known creation, noting the game bearing "unmistakable signs of his design influence."[8]

References

  1. 1 2 "preScreen - Bullfrog". Edge. No. 22. Future plc. July 1995. p. 26.
  2. ↑ Wallis, Alistair (April 26, 2007). "Playing Catch Up: Flood's Sean Cooper". Gamasutra. UBM plc. Retrieved September 10, 2017.
  3. ↑ "Review • Gene Wars" (PDF). Computer Gaming World. No. 150. Ziff Davis. January 1997. p. 296.
  4. ↑ Dulin, Ron (October 17, 1996). "Gene Wars Review". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Retrieved September 10, 2017.
  5. ↑ Brooker, Charlie (August 13, 2001). "Gene Wars". PC Zone. Future plc. Archived from the original on January 26, 2007.
  6. ↑ Udell, Scott. "Gene Wars Review". Computer Games Magazine. Archived from the original on May 23, 2003.
  7. ↑ GameSpot Staff. "1996 Best & Worst Awards: Most Disappointing Game". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on June 12, 2007.
  8. ↑ Parkin, Simon (September 6, 2013). "Hunting Down Famous Developer's Lost Games". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved September 10, 2017.
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