Dark Alliance Engine
Encyclopedia
The Dark Alliance game engine also referred to as the Snowblind engine is a game engine
created by Snowblind Studios
for perspective correct overhead third person view role-playing games. It was first used by Snowblind Studios
to create Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance
. The previous Baldur's Gate games used the Infinity Engine
which was created by BioWare
for isometric role-playing games. The difference is that Dark Alliance was created to use real-time strategy
whereas Baldur's Gate
used pausable real-time strategy, also Dark Alliance was graphically superior to Baldur's Gate. Dark Alliance allowed for 3D Graphics that were critically acclaimed whereas Infinity only allowed 2D Sprites to be animated.
and Snowblind Studios. Interplay then used the engine for all their ports of the game except the Game Boy version, which used its own game engine. These ports of the game greatly expanded on how much content the game was able to use and the amount of saving slots present in the game.
The game was then used by Snowblind Studios in its EverQuest
starting with Champions of Norrath
. Snowblind improved the engine in their own ways, such as adding new features such as character creation and online multiplayer. Interplay, however, continued to use the engine, due to the fact they partly owned the engine, for their console games. Interplay used the engine for their sequel to Dark Alliance, Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance II
, which was developed by Black Isle Studios
. This sequel once again improved on the engine's capabilities and added more features, improved graphics and better audio; it added features from the Infinity Engine Baldur's Gate games such as Companions. Interplay then released Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel
and The Bard's Tale, both game's improved on the engine in their own way. Brotherhood of Steel added a reputation system to the game and The Bard's Tale improved on other features of the engine, such as audio. The Bard's Tale was the Dark Alliance Engine's first PC release. Interplay was developing a sequel to Brotherhood of Steel, Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel 2
. This game would have added the features of sniping, stealth and a more advanced reputation system, it would have still been simpler compared to other Fallout games, it was, however, canceled.
Snowblind Studios then released Champions: Return to Arms
, which refined the online multiplayer and changed the linear portion of the game's released for the engine and allowed characters to change the ending. Around this time, Snowblind began to license the engine out to indie developers, however, of these developers, only one could make a game. The game was met with a lawsuit by Titus Software
, the owners of Interplay, and Acclaim Entertainment
but in the end, it was ultimately released as Combat Elite: WWII Paratroopers
. Combat Elite is the only game made using the Dark Alliance Engine to have gotten an extremely negative review.
Snowblind then created Justice League Heroes
with the same engine in 2006. The game was released around the time the next gen of video game consoles was out, but due to it being created for the previous gen, it was released for Xbox and PlayStation 2. A portable version of the engine was used for the PlayStation Portable but the Game Boy and Nintendo DS versions used their own engine. To fit the superhero theme of the game, Snowblind Studio's put most of their effort into the length of the game, thereby taking out many features of the engine.
The engine was not used again until the 2011 release of The Lord of the Rings: War in the North
. The engine has been massively upgraded and as revealed by Snowblind Studios employee, the engine used in War in the North is an updated version of the Dark Alliance one as it uses an updated version of the toolset featured.
Game engine
A game engine is a system designed for the creation and development of video games. There are many game engines that are designed to work on video game consoles and personal computers...
created by Snowblind Studios
Snowblind Studios
Snowblind Studios is a video game developer located in Kirkland, Washington. They were founded in 1997, specializing in RPGs. In 2009, Snowblind Studios was acquired by Time Warner, through its Warner Bros...
for perspective correct overhead third person view role-playing games. It was first used by Snowblind Studios
Snowblind Studios
Snowblind Studios is a video game developer located in Kirkland, Washington. They were founded in 1997, specializing in RPGs. In 2009, Snowblind Studios was acquired by Time Warner, through its Warner Bros...
to create Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance
Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance
Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance is an action role-playing game developed by Snowblind Studios for the PlayStation 2; later released for the Xbox, Nintendo GameCube and Game Boy Advance. It was re-released on the PlayStation 2 as a Greatest Hits title...
. The previous Baldur's Gate games used the Infinity Engine
Infinity Engine
Infinity Engine is a game engine which allows the creation of isometric computer role-playing games. It was originally developed by BioWare for a prototype RTS game codenamed Battleground Infinity, which was ultimately re-engineered to become the first installment of the Baldur's Gate series...
which was created by BioWare
BioWare
BioWare is a Canadian video game developer founded in February 1995 by newly graduated medical doctors Ray Muzyka, Greg Zeschuk, and Augustine Yip. BioWare is currently owned by American company Electronic Arts...
for isometric role-playing games. The difference is that Dark Alliance was created to use real-time strategy
Real-time strategy
Real-time strategy is a sub-genre of strategy video game which does not progress incrementally in turns. Brett Sperry is credited with coining the term to market Dune II....
whereas Baldur's Gate
Baldur's Gate
Baldur's Gate is a computer role-playing game developed by BioWare and released in 1998 by Interplay Entertainment. The game takes place in the Forgotten Realms, a high fantasy campaign setting, using modified Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition rules...
used pausable real-time strategy, also Dark Alliance was graphically superior to Baldur's Gate. Dark Alliance allowed for 3D Graphics that were critically acclaimed whereas Infinity only allowed 2D Sprites to be animated.
History
The first game to use the engine was Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance, a joint collaboration between Interplay EntertainmentInterplay Entertainment
Interplay Entertainment Corporation is an American video game developer and publisher, founded in 1983 as Interplay Productions by Brian Fargo. The company had been a quality developer until they started publishing their own games in 1988, like Neuromancer and Battle Chess. The company was renamed...
and Snowblind Studios. Interplay then used the engine for all their ports of the game except the Game Boy version, which used its own game engine. These ports of the game greatly expanded on how much content the game was able to use and the amount of saving slots present in the game.
The game was then used by Snowblind Studios in its EverQuest
EverQuest
EverQuest, often shortened to EQ, is a 3D fantasy-themed massively multiplayer online role-playing game that was released on the 16th of March, 1999. The original design is credited to Brad McQuaid, Steve Clover, and Bill Trost...
starting with Champions of Norrath
Champions of Norrath
Champions of Norrath: Realms of EverQuest is an online-capable action role-playing game for the PlayStation 2, set in the EverQuest universe. It is playable with one single player or cooperative for up to four players. However, with a Network Adapter, players can take the game online with others...
. Snowblind improved the engine in their own ways, such as adding new features such as character creation and online multiplayer. Interplay, however, continued to use the engine, due to the fact they partly owned the engine, for their console games. Interplay used the engine for their sequel to Dark Alliance, Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance II
Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance II
Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance II is an action role-playing game released for the PlayStation 2 on December 2, 2003 and the Xbox on January 20, 2004...
, which was developed by Black Isle Studios
Black Isle Studios
Black Isle Studios was a division of the computer and video game developer and publisher Interplay Entertainment. Black Isle Studios was a division that developed computer role-playing games, and also published several games from other developers. It was based in Orange County, California, USA. The...
. This sequel once again improved on the engine's capabilities and added more features, improved graphics and better audio; it added features from the Infinity Engine Baldur's Gate games such as Companions. Interplay then released Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel
Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel
Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel is an action role-playing game developed and produced by Interplay for the Xbox and PlayStation 2. Released on January 13, 2004, Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel was the fourth video game to be set in the Fallout universe and the first to be made for consoles...
and The Bard's Tale, both game's improved on the engine in their own way. Brotherhood of Steel added a reputation system to the game and The Bard's Tale improved on other features of the engine, such as audio. The Bard's Tale was the Dark Alliance Engine's first PC release. Interplay was developing a sequel to Brotherhood of Steel, Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel 2
Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel 2
Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel 2 was the canceled sequel to Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel and was in development by Interplay Entertainment who would self-publish it if it were ever made. The development of the game started before the completion of the original and its development caused the...
. This game would have added the features of sniping, stealth and a more advanced reputation system, it would have still been simpler compared to other Fallout games, it was, however, canceled.
Snowblind Studios then released Champions: Return to Arms
Champions: Return to Arms
Champions: Return to Arms is an Action RPG set in the EverQuest universe. It is the sequel to Champions of Norrath and is developed by Snowblind Studios.-Gameplay:...
, which refined the online multiplayer and changed the linear portion of the game's released for the engine and allowed characters to change the ending. Around this time, Snowblind began to license the engine out to indie developers, however, of these developers, only one could make a game. The game was met with a lawsuit by Titus Software
Titus Software
Titus Software, later known as Titus Interactive S.A., was a long-running French software publisher that produced and published video games for various formats over its lifetime....
, the owners of Interplay, and Acclaim Entertainment
Acclaim Entertainment
Acclaim Entertainment was an American video game developer and publisher. It developed, published, marketed and distributed interactive entertainment software for a variety of hardware platforms, including Sega's Mega Drive/Genesis, Saturn, Dreamcast, and Game Gear, Nintendo's NES, SNES, Nintendo...
but in the end, it was ultimately released as Combat Elite: WWII Paratroopers
Combat Elite: WWII Paratroopers
Combat Elite: WWII Paratroopers is a third-person Action computer game for one or two players released November 21, 2005 in the US. It is published by SouthPeak Interactive and was developed by BattleBorne Entertainment....
. Combat Elite is the only game made using the Dark Alliance Engine to have gotten an extremely negative review.
Snowblind then created Justice League Heroes
Justice League Heroes
Justice League Heroes is a console video game for the Xbox, PlayStation 2, Nintendo DS, and PlayStation Portable systems. It is based on DC Comics' premiere superhero team, the Justice League of America. It was developed by Snowblind Studios and published and distributed by Warner Bros...
with the same engine in 2006. The game was released around the time the next gen of video game consoles was out, but due to it being created for the previous gen, it was released for Xbox and PlayStation 2. A portable version of the engine was used for the PlayStation Portable but the Game Boy and Nintendo DS versions used their own engine. To fit the superhero theme of the game, Snowblind Studio's put most of their effort into the length of the game, thereby taking out many features of the engine.
The engine was not used again until the 2011 release of The Lord of the Rings: War in the North
The Lord of the Rings: War in the North
The Lord of the Rings: War in the North is a role-playing video game developed by Snowblind Studios. It is based on the events taking place in the northern regions of Middle-earth in the background of the main story of J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, more specifically in Peter Jackson's...
. The engine has been massively upgraded and as revealed by Snowblind Studios employee, the engine used in War in the North is an updated version of the Dark Alliance one as it uses an updated version of the toolset featured.
Games
- Baldur's Gate: Dark AllianceBaldur's Gate: Dark AllianceBaldur's Gate: Dark Alliance is an action role-playing game developed by Snowblind Studios for the PlayStation 2; later released for the Xbox, Nintendo GameCube and Game Boy Advance. It was re-released on the PlayStation 2 as a Greatest Hits title...
(2001) - Developed by Snowblind StudiosSnowblind StudiosSnowblind Studios is a video game developer located in Kirkland, Washington. They were founded in 1997, specializing in RPGs. In 2009, Snowblind Studios was acquired by Time Warner, through its Warner Bros...
. - Champions of NorrathChampions of NorrathChampions of Norrath: Realms of EverQuest is an online-capable action role-playing game for the PlayStation 2, set in the EverQuest universe. It is playable with one single player or cooperative for up to four players. However, with a Network Adapter, players can take the game online with others...
(2004) - Developed by Snowblind Studios. - Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance IIBaldur's Gate: Dark Alliance IIBaldur's Gate: Dark Alliance II is an action role-playing game released for the PlayStation 2 on December 2, 2003 and the Xbox on January 20, 2004...
(2004) - Developed by Black Isle StudiosBlack Isle StudiosBlack Isle Studios was a division of the computer and video game developer and publisher Interplay Entertainment. Black Isle Studios was a division that developed computer role-playing games, and also published several games from other developers. It was based in Orange County, California, USA. The...
. - Fallout: Brotherhood of SteelFallout: Brotherhood of SteelFallout: Brotherhood of Steel is an action role-playing game developed and produced by Interplay for the Xbox and PlayStation 2. Released on January 13, 2004, Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel was the fourth video game to be set in the Fallout universe and the first to be made for consoles...
(2004) - Developed by Interplay EntertainmentInterplay EntertainmentInterplay Entertainment Corporation is an American video game developer and publisher, founded in 1983 as Interplay Productions by Brian Fargo. The company had been a quality developer until they started publishing their own games in 1988, like Neuromancer and Battle Chess. The company was renamed...
. - The Bard's Tale (2004) - Developed by InXile EntertainmentInXile EntertainmentinXile Entertainment is a video game developer formed in late 2002 by Brian Fargo, a founder of Interplay Productions...
. - Champions: Return to ArmsChampions: Return to ArmsChampions: Return to Arms is an Action RPG set in the EverQuest universe. It is the sequel to Champions of Norrath and is developed by Snowblind Studios.-Gameplay:...
(2005) - Developed by Snowblind Studios. - Combat Elite: WWII ParatroopersCombat Elite: WWII ParatroopersCombat Elite: WWII Paratroopers is a third-person Action computer game for one or two players released November 21, 2005 in the US. It is published by SouthPeak Interactive and was developed by BattleBorne Entertainment....
(2005) - Developed by Battlebourne Entertainment. - Justice League HeroesJustice League HeroesJustice League Heroes is a console video game for the Xbox, PlayStation 2, Nintendo DS, and PlayStation Portable systems. It is based on DC Comics' premiere superhero team, the Justice League of America. It was developed by Snowblind Studios and published and distributed by Warner Bros...
(2006) - Developed by Snowblind Studios. - The Lord of the Rings: War in the NorthThe Lord of the Rings: War in the NorthThe Lord of the Rings: War in the North is a role-playing video game developed by Snowblind Studios. It is based on the events taking place in the northern regions of Middle-earth in the background of the main story of J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, more specifically in Peter Jackson's...
(2011) - Developed by Snowblind Studios.
Canceled
- Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel 2Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel 2Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel 2 was the canceled sequel to Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel and was in development by Interplay Entertainment who would self-publish it if it were ever made. The development of the game started before the completion of the original and its development caused the...
(2004) - Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance III (2005)