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A Brief History of Descent & Related Games

 

Overview
History
Online
Mods
Custom Pilot Packs
Windows Theme
Robots
Vehicles
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Notes

Parallax Software Overview

  1. Most of the information about Parallax (names, dates, locations, etc.) comes from Parallax's website, mainly this press release.
  2. Information regarding Outrage and Volition, and their games, is from their respective websites.
  3. PXO information is from the Parallax Online website
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Descent: First Strike Overview

  1. Information about the PC, Mac and Sony Playstation versions of Descent taken from Parallax's website, Interplay's Official Descent Page, the Descent Network's Descent 1 & 2 website and Gamespy's game info.
  2. Information about the Sega Saturn version of Descent from Interplay's Official Descent Page, Official Descent II Website and Jason Fourier 's resume. The release data was posted at this web page (now offline - obtained via Google's cache). I have not been able to find any reviews or images related to the Saturn version of Descent. The majority of Sega Saturn fansites I searched do not mention it. More information about this version of Descent would be appreciated.
  3. During my online searching, I discovered another version of Descent, named Ultra Descent, planned for the Nintendo 64. This 9-25-97 article at IGN is of particular interest. Little information about this cancelled version is available, anyone have anything more?
  4. Information about Peter Telep's books from his website.
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Descent ][: Counterstrike Overview

  1. Information about the PC, Mac and Sony Playstation versions of Descent ][ taken from Parallax's website, Interplay's Official Descent II Page, the Descent Network's Descent 1 & 2 website and Gamespy's game info.
  2. The existence of an arcade adaptation of Descent ][ was first brought to my attention in a DescentBB message thread and was confirmed by several websites:
      FLOWonline.com
      "..., a large pod of multi-player Descent stations allows the opportunity to play Descent against friends in a custom designed arena level."
      The Adrenaline Vault
      "...Game Arc... ...is actually a large-screen immersive PC screen, currently set up for Redneck Rampage and Descent II."
      Amusement Consultants Ltd.
      "GameArc is waiting for custom software designed by GameWorks, so it is running the home game Descent at this time."
      Ionstorm Interview with Anachronox Lead Programmer Andrew Megowan
      "In 1997, I worked on a collaborative effort between Interplay and Sega Gameworks to develop the 'Game Arc' system, and to adapt 'Descent II' to be a multiplayer arcade experience. I was proud of my work at the time, despite the fact that I tailored the system for hardcode [sic] Descent players rather than the average customer :)"
  3. Information about Peter Telep's books from his website.
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Descent 1 & 2 Extras

  1. Information about the various extra versions of Descent 1 & 2 taken from Parallax's website, Interplay's Official Descent Page and Official Descent II Page, and the Descent Network's Descent 1 & 2 website.
  2. Better images of the Levels of the World and DMB boxes needed; also need image of the Anniversary Edition box art.
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Descent to Undermountain Overview

  1. Information about Descent from Undermountain taken from Interplay's Official Descent Page and Gamespy's game info.
  2. More info about Descent to Undermountain, including patch release dates, would be appreciated.
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Descent: FreeSpace Overview

  1. Information about Descent: FreeSpace - The Great War taken from Volition's FreeSpace website, Interplay's FreeSpace website, the Descent Network's FreeSpace website, FreeSpace Watch and Gamespy's game info.
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Forsaken Overview

  1. Information about Forsaken taken from Acclaim's Forsaken website and Gamespy's game info.
  2. Probe Entertainment is now the UK Division of Acclaim.
  3. Google's Group (Usenet) Archive was used for background information about the Descent community's reaction to Forsaken.
  4. Release dates for the console versions of Forsaken are needed, as well as any other missing information.
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Descent 3: Retribution Overview

  1. Information about Descent 3: Retribution and Descent 3: Mercenary taken from Outrage's Descent 3 website, Interplay's Official DESCENT 3 Website, the Descent Network's Descent 3 website and Gamespy's game info.
  2. Information about Peter Telep's books from his website.
  3. Patch release dates for the Mac and Linux versions of Descent 3 needed.
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Descent 4 Overview

  1. Information about Descent 4 retrieved from Volition's (now offline) Descent 4 website using the Internet Archive Wayback Machine.
  2. Descent 4 official announcement date needed.
  3. The information about Descent 4 being planned as a prequel comes from several individuals who maintained contact with Parallax developers, including Sup and Eagle.
  4. In an ironic twist, Eagle (who at the time was running the Descent4.net website) played an April Fool's prank on the Descent community, posting news that Descent 4 was being cancelled. The bitter truth was revealed only weeks later.
  5. The 26 April 2000 Volition FPS page was not fully retrievable, as it contained a Shockwave animation (SWF). Memory indicates that this was a quote from one of the Volition developers about Geomod technology. If anyone has this quote, or knows where I can find it, it would be appreciated.
  6. Information about Volition's acquisition by THQ from Volition's website.
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FreeSpace 2 Overview

  1. Information about FreeSpace 2 from Volition's FreeSpace 2 website, Interplay's FreeSpace 2 website, the Descent Network's FreeSpace 2 website, FreeSpace Watch and Gamespy's game info.
  2. Box art for FreeSpace 2: Sci-Fi Sim of the Year Edition needed
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Descent IV: Invasion Overview

  1. Information about Descent IV: Invasion taken from the Descent4.net website and DescentBB postings.
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Red Faction Overview

  1. Information about Red Faction from Volition's Red Faction website, THQ's Red Faction website, the Descent Network's Red Faction website, Red Faction Watch and Gamespy's game info.
  2. The 26 April 2000 Volition FPS page was not fully retrievable, as it contained a Shockwave animation (SWF). Memory indicates that this was a quote from one of the Volition developers about Geomod technology. If anyone has this quote, or knows where I can find it, it would be appreciated.
  3. Information about Volition's acquisition by THQ from Volition's website.
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General Info

  1. Google was used extensively in finding information online, including the Image Search and Group (Usenet) Archive features.
  2. Internet Archive Wayback Machine was useful in retrieving webpages that are now offline otherwise

 

 

Descent, Descent ][ © 1997 Parallax Software.
Descent3 © 1999 Outrage Entertainment.
© 2000, 2001, 2002 Outbound Gaming Network
Modified: 04/11/2008

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