Arena Wars
{{Short description|2004 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| collapsible =
| state =
| italic title =
| title = Arena Wars
| image = Arena wars.jpg
| alt =
| caption =
| developer = exDream
| publisher = Ascaron Entertainment, Tri Synergy
| series =
| engine =
| platforms = Microsoft Windows
| released = {{vgrelease|GER|July 16, 2004|UK|September 10, 2004|NA|September 21, 2004|FRA|October 8, 2004}}
| genre = Action, real-time strategy
| modes =
}}
Arena Wars is an action and real-time strategy game released by Tri Synergy and Ascaron Entertainment in 2004.
Gameplay
The game is notable for combining strategy and shooter elements in gameplay. The limited unit choices (6) and specials (one for each unit) make the game extremely balanced. There are no resources needed to build units, as every player has exactly 1000 credits. Building units uses credits, but a player that loses a unit regains the money instantly and can rebuild it (or another unit), penalized only by the time taken to rebuild. Players also do not construct buildings, but use buildings located at fixed positions on the map. Players win the game by completing one of three objectives, depending on the game type:
- Capture the Flag - stealing the flag from an opposing base
- Bombing Run - carrying a bomb into an opposing base
- Double Domination - controlling "domination zones" for a period of time
As opposing players have equal options, high-level strategy, fast decision making, and precise micromanagement are key factors for success.
Development
Arena Wars was the first commercial game to utilize the .NET Framework;Nitschke, Benjamin. Professional XNA Game Programming For Xbox 360 and Windows however, it used a managed OpenGL wrapper rather than the XNA Framework/Direct3D API.{{cite web |url=http://www.thezbuffer.com/articles/39.aspx |title=Arena Wars |website=The ZBuffer |date=December 2, 2004 |accessdate=October 8, 2009 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090728233448/http://www.thezbuffer.com/articles/39.aspx |archivedate=July 28, 2009}}
Remake
Arena Wars Reloaded, developed br exDream and published by Ascaron Entertainment, was released on June 22, 2007 for PC and combines elements of real-time strategy and action elements, like its predecessor. The game carries many of the original overall game structure with improvements in graphics and a more stable game engine.{{cite web|url=https://www.gamepressure.com/games/arena-wars-reloaded/z01c93|website=Game Pressure|title=Arena Wars Reloaded|access-date=December 15, 2024}}
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| MC = 77/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/arena-wars/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Arena Wars for PC Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |accessdate=February 29, 2020}}
| 1UP = B{{cite web |last=Durham Jr. |first=Joel |date=October 28, 2004 |url=http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3135988&did=1 |title=Arena Wars |website=1UP.com |publisher=Ziff Davis |accessdate=March 1, 2020 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20041216012846/http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3135988&did=1 |archivedate=December 16, 2004}}
| CGW = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite magazine |last=Edwards |first=Tom |url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_246.pdf |title=Arena Wars |magazine=Computer Gaming World |publisher=Ziff Davis |issue=246 |date=December 25, 2004 |page=92 |accessdate=February 29, 2020}}
| GMaster = 58%{{cite magazine |title=Review: Arena Wars |magazine=GamesMaster |publisher=Future plc |date=December 2004}}
| GSpot = 7.5/10{{cite web |last=Osborne |first=Scott |date=September 29, 2004 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/arena-wars-review/1900-6109218/ |title=Arena Wars Review |website=GameSpot |publisher=CBS Interactive |accessdate=February 29, 2020 |archive-date=February 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229204047/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/arena-wars-review/1900-6109218/ |url-status=live }}
| GSpy = {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{cite web |last=Tsotsos |first=Alex |date=October 6, 2004 |url=http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/arena-wars/554591p1.html |title=GameSpy: Arena Wars |website=GameSpy |publisher=IGN Entertainment |accessdate=March 1, 2020 |archive-date=December 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191228174531/http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/arena-wars/554591p1.html |url-status=live }}
| JXV = 14/20{{cite web |author=Romendil |date=October 18, 2004 |url=http://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0000/00004679_test.htm |title=Test: Arena Wars |language=French |website=Jeuxvideo.com |publisher=Webedia |accessdate=March 1, 2020 |archive-date=March 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200301033733/http://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0000/00004679_test.htm |url-status=live }}
| PCF = 78%{{cite magazine |title=Arena Wars |magazine=PC Format |publisher=Future plc |issue=168 |date=December 2004 |page=94}}
| PCGUS = 76%{{cite magazine |title=Arena Wars |magazine=PC Gamer |publisher=Imagine Media |volume=11 |issue=13 |date=December 25, 2004 |page=94}}
| PCZone = 68%{{cite magazine |title=Review: Arena Wars |magazine=PC Zone |publisher=Future plc |date=December 2004}}
}}
The game received "generally favorable reviews" according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.
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References
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