Spearhead (video game)
{{Short description|1998 video game}}
{{infobox video game
| image = Spearhead cover.jpg
| image_size =
| developer = Zombie Studios, MAK Technologies, Inc.
| publisher = {{vgrelease|NA|Interactive Magic|EU|Midas Interactive Entertainment}}
| director =
| producer =
| artist =
| writer =
| composer =
| series =
| platforms = Microsoft Windows
| released = {{vgrelease|NA|August 24, 1998{{cite web |author=GameSpot staff |date=August 24, 1998 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-releases/1100-2464159/ |title=New Releases [date mislabeled as "April 28, 2000"] |website=GameSpot |publisher=Fandom |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/19990218114228/http://headline.gamespot.com/news/98_08/24_new/index.html |archivedate=February 18, 1999 |url-status=live |accessdate=April 7, 2021}}|EU|1998}}
| genre = Tank simulation, action
| modes = Single-player, multiplayer
}}
Spearhead is a tank simulation / action video game developed by Zombie Studios and MAK Technologies, Inc., and published by Interactive Magic and Midas Interactive Entertainment for Microsoft Windows in 1998.
Development
Spearhead was jointly developed by Zombie Studios and MAK Technologies, Inc. The networking protocols used in the game were originally developed by MAK for the United States Air Force.{{cite magazine |title=The Fall of BMG: Spearhead |magazine=Next Generation|issue=41 |publisher=Imagine Media |date=May 1998|page=45}} The game was showcased at E3 1997.{{cite web |author=GameSpot staff |date=February 25, 1998 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/spearhead-goes-to-imagic/1100-2462774/ |title=Spearhead Goes to IMagic [date mislabeled as "April 28, 2000"] |website=GameSpot |publisher=Fandom |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20001011064536/http://headline.gamespot.com/news/98_02/25_imagic/index.html |archivedate=October 11, 2000 |url-status=live |accessdate=February 9, 2023}} The original publisher, BMG Interactive, shut down a few months later, and I-Magic acquired the publication rights.
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| align = left
| GR = 62%{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/pc/198730-spearhead/index.html |title=Spearhead for PC |website=GameRankings |publisher=CBS Interactive |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190605140445/https://www.gamerankings.com/pc/198730-spearhead/index.html |archivedate=June 5, 2019 |accessdate=April 7, 2021}}
| Allgame = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite web |last=Smith |first=Nick |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=14307&tab=review |title=Spearhead - Review |website=AllGame |publisher=All Media Network |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115185643/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=14307&tab=review |archivedate=November 15, 2014 |accessdate=April 7, 2021}}
| CNG = 4/10{{cite web |last=Brenesal |first=Barry |date=September 3, 1998 |url=http://www.gamecenter.com/Reviews/Item/0,6,0-2059,00.html |title=Spearhead |website=Gamecenter |publisher=CNET |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20000711231910/http://www.gamecenter.com/Reviews/Item/0,6,0-2059,00.html |archivedate=July 11, 2000 |accessdate=April 7, 2021}}
| CGSP = {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{cite web |last=Walker |first=Mark H. |date=September 24, 1998 |url=http://www.cdmag.com/articles/014/109/spearhead_review.html |title=Spearhead |website=Computer Games Strategy Plus |publisher=Strategy Plus, Inc. |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20030529153530/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/014/109/spearhead_review.html |archivedate=May 29, 2003 |accessdate=April 7, 2021}}
| CGW = {{Rating|2|5}}{{cite magazine |last=Cobb |first=Jim |url=https://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_173.pdf |title=Blunt Instrument (Spearhead Review) |magazine=Computer Gaming World |publisher=Ziff Davis |issue=173 |date=December 1998 |page=378 |accessdate=April 7, 2021}}
| GamePro = {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{cite magazine |last=Dultz |first=Marc |url=http://gamepro.com/computer/pc/games/reviews/834.shtml |title=Spearhead Review for PC on GamePro.com |magazine=GamePro |publisher=IDG Entertainment |year=1998 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050214064637/http://gamepro.com/computer/pc/games/reviews/834.shtml |archivedate=February 14, 2005 |accessdate=April 7, 2021}}
| GameRev = D+{{cite web |author=Brian B. |date=September 1998 |url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/32821-spearhead-review |title=Spearhead Review |website=GameRevolution |publisher=CraveOnline |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151012060519/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/spearhead |archivedate=October 12, 2015 |url-status=live |accessdate=April 7, 2021}}
| IGN = 7/10{{cite web |last=Buckman |first=Chris |date=September 29, 1998 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1998/09/30/spearhead |title=Spearhead |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |accessdate=April 7, 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/19981205063817/http://pc.ign.com/reviews/3132.html |archivedate=5 December 1998 |url-status=live}}
| PCA = 7/10{{cite magazine |last=Mahood |first=Andy |url=https://archive.org/details/PCXL03Nov1998/page/n99/mode/2up |title=Spearhead |magazine=PC Accelerator |publisher=Imagine Media |issue=3 |date=November 1998 |page=100 |accessdate=April 7, 2021}}
| PCZone = 55%{{cite magazine |last=Dobbings |first=Steve |url=https://archive.org/details/PC_Zone_70_December_1998/page/n125/mode/2up |title=Spearhead |magazine=PC Zone |publisher=Dennis Publishing |issue=70 |date=December 1998 |page=126 |accessdate=April 7, 2021}}
}}
Spearhead received mixed reviews according to the review aggregation website GameRankings.
The game was described as a mix between tank simulation and an action game. GameSpot said, "The game offers a handful of features and elements that seem ideal for hard-core sim fans, but the mission designs and the general feel of gameplay seem more appropriate for an action game than a serious sim." IGN said, "the emphasis here is definitely more on fun than it is on realism." PC Accelerator called it an "action/strategy/tank sim hybrid".
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References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{moby game|id=/windows/spearhead}}
{{Interactive Magic}}
{{Zombie games}}
Category:IEntertainment Network games
Category:Midas Interactive Entertainment games
Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games
Category:Tank simulation video games
Category:Video games developed in the United States
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