MindRover
MindRover: The Europa Project | |
---|---|
Developer(s) | CogniToy |
Publisher(s) | CogniToy |
Platform(s) | Windows, Linux, Mac OS X |
Release | |
Genre(s) | Strategy |
MindRover: The Europa Project, also known as simply MindRover, is a video game for PC, developed by CogniToy.
Gameplay
[edit]The game, which can be thought of as a successor to the Learning Company's Robot Odyssey, revolves around three activities:
- Assemble virtual robots from a library of stock parts.
- Programming robots using a special graphical interface (referred to in the game as "wiring") with a paradigm more based on multicomponent circuitry construction than on traditional programming.
- Participate in events such as robot battles and racing games with newly programmed robot.
Development
[edit]The game had a budget of $500,000.[4] In October 2000, CogniToy signed a contract with Tri Synergy to distribute the game to retail stores.[5]
The game was developed for Microsoft Windows and was released for online retail in 1999, and for traditional retail stores a year later. Add-ons were available to control Lego Mindstorms robots.
The game was ported to Linux by Loki Software and Linux Game Publishing and to the Mac by MacPlay.
Reception
[edit]Aggregator | Score |
---|---|
GameRankings | 87%[6] |
Publication | Score |
---|---|
CNET Gamecenter | 8/10[7] |
Computer Games Strategy Plus | [8] |
EP Daily | 9/10[9] |
GameSpot | 8/10[10] |
IGN | 8.5/10[11] |
Next Generation | [12] |
PC Gamer (US) | 89%[13] |
PC Zone | 86%[14] |
Corvallis Gazette-Times | [15] |
The PC version received favorable reviews. Carla Harker of NextGen called the retail version "A truly amazing title for anyone looking for something unique and challenging."[12]
The same PC version was nominated for the "Best Strategy Game for PC", "Best Independent PC Game", and "Most Innovative Game of the Year" awards at The Electric Playground's Blister Awards 2000, which went to Sacrifice, Combat Mission: Beyond Overlord, and Jet Grind Radio, respectively.[16][17]
See also
[edit]- Armored Core: Formula Front
- Armored Core: Verdict Day, featuring UNACs, AI controlled Armored Cores which players can create and customize
- BASIC STUDIO Powerful Game Koubou, a 2001 PS2 game creation title by Artdink featuring a sample game based on their title Carnage Heart
- Breeder, a 1986 Famicom algorithm-based simulation combat game by SoftPro
- ChipWits
- COMSIGHT, a 1987 PC88, X1 , and X68000 algorithm-based simulation combat game by Technosoft
- Omega (video game)
- Pandora Project: The Logic Master, a 1996 PS1 algorithm-based simulation combat game by Team Bughouse very similar to Carnage Heart
- Robot Odyssey
- Robot X Robot, a 1999 PS1 algorithm-based simulation combat game by Nemesys
- RoboSport
- Logic simulation
References
[edit]- ^ Walker, Trey (December 5, 2000). "MindRover Now Available". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on January 27, 2001. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
- ^ Fudge, James (November 11, 1999). "MindRover the Europa Project Ships". Computer Games Strategy Plus. Strategy Plus, Inc. Archived from the original on May 24, 2003. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
- ^ IGNMac (October 7, 2003). "Hearts of Iron, MindRover Ship". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
- ^ "These gamespeople play out their dreams". The Boston Globe. June 14, 2000. p. 106. Retrieved December 20, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Walker, Trey (October 10, 2000). "MindRover deal announced". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on February 10, 2001. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
- ^ "MindRover: The Europa Project for PC". GameRankings. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on June 9, 2019. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
- ^ Williamson, Colin (September 14, 2000). "MindRover: The Europa Project (PC; Online)". Gamecenter. CNET. Archived from the original on October 17, 2000. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
- ^ Vanous, Cindy (January 28, 2000). "MindRover (Online)". Computer Games Strategy Plus. Strategy Plus, Inc. Archived from the original on May 3, 2003. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
- ^ Walker, Mark H. (December 20, 2000). "MindRover: The Europa Project (PC)". The Electric Playground. Greedy Productions Ltd. Archived from the original on August 23, 2002. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
- ^ Ryan, Michael E. (January 18, 2000). "MindRover: The Europa Project Review (PC; Online)". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on March 31, 2001. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
- ^ Rouse, Rick (September 20, 2000). "MindRover: The Europa Project (PC; Online)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on September 9, 2021. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
- ^ a b Harker, Carla (June 2001). "Mindrover: The Europa Project [sic]". NextGen. No. 78. Imagine Media. p. 91. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
- ^ Trotter, William R. (2000). "Mind Rover [sic]". PC Gamer. Imagine Media. Archived from the original on March 15, 2006. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
- ^ Wand, Phil (December 2000). "MindRover: The Europa Project". PC Zone. No. 96. Dennis Publishing. p. 86. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
- ^ Jones, Micah (March 9, 2001). "Computer games: 'MindRover' is the ultimate robot race". Corvallis Gazette-Times. Lee Enterprises. p. 51. Retrieved December 20, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ EP staff (2001). "Blister Awards 2000 (PC Games 2)". The Electric Playground. Greedy Productions Ltd. Archived from the original on August 18, 2001. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
- ^ EP staff (2001). "Blister Awards 2000 (Special Awards)". The Electric Playground. Greedy Productions Ltd. Archived from the original on August 18, 2001. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
External links
[edit]- 1999 video games
- Classic Mac OS games
- Linux games
- Linux Game Publishing games
- Loki Entertainment games
- Programming games
- Robotics simulation software
- Strategy video games
- Tank simulation video games
- Video games developed in the United States
- Video games set in outer space
- Windows games
- Strategy video game stubs