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Defense Grid: The Awakening

January 01, 1970

Defense Grid: The Awakening is a tower defense video game developed by Hidden Path Entertainment for Windows and Xbox Live Arcade on the Xbox 360. The game was one of the titles promoted by Microsoft during their Game Developers Conference keynote speech on February 20, 2008.[2] The game was released for Microsoft Windows on December 8, 2008, and for Xbox 360 on September 2, 2009. The OS X version shipped from Virtual Programming on July 7, 2010.[3]

Defense Grid: The Awakening
Developer(s)Hidden Path Entertainment
Publisher(s)Hidden Path Entertainment (Win)
Microsoft Studios (XBLA)
Virtual Programming (OS X)
Designer(s)Michael Austin
EngineGamebryo
Platform(s)
ReleaseMicrosoft Windows
  • WW: December 8, 2008[1]
Xbox 360
  • WW: September 2, 2009[1]
OS X
  • WW: July 7, 2010[1]
Genre(s)Tower defense
Mode(s)Single-player

Players must defend military bases from waves of attacking aliens by positioning a range of tower-based weaponry. New levels provided as downloadable content have been developed in the two years since the game's initial release. Reviewers praised the game, with many noting that the quality of the game was high for a budget title.

From July 1 to July 16 of 2013, Microsoft made the game available free to Xbox 360 Gold members. This giveaway was part of Microsoft's "Games With Gold" Program.[4]

Gameplay edit

 
A grinder challenge on the Veil of Ice level with health indicators on.

The player must defend power cores, which are usually located at a power station, from the invading enemy using ten different tower types. Tower construction is limited to specific platforms.[5] Towers cannot be destroyed by the enemies.[6]

Good tower placement is the key strategic object of the game.[7] Each tower has unique trade-offs that affect ideal placement, such as line-of-sight or ballistic trajectory fire; a large area of effect or damage over time; and minimum and maximum ranges.[8] The "insectoid" enemies arrive in waves and travel along elevated pathways which connect various structures found at the bases. Killing enemies earns resources, which can be used to build more towers and upgrade towers toward two stronger levels.[6] Depending on the tower type an upgrade will provide a more powerful attack, an increased rate of fire and increased range.[9] Tower strength is denoted by the colours green, yellow and red.[10] Towers may be sold (removed) if resources are needed or a player wants to alter pathways.[11] Resources earn interest with the rate increasing the more resources are obtained.[5] The tower defenses are supplemented by the use of an orbital laser which completely destroys all aliens in its blast zone in one strike. The laser is not available in early missions and takes time to recharge. No resources are earned from enemies destroyed by the orbital laser.

During the game, the player battles fifteen types of enemies,[7] each with unique capabilities and strategies.[1] Some aliens are protected by shields which have to be destroyed first before the alien's health will decrease. The aliens will always take the shortest route and some of the aliens fly, requiring towers with aerial weapons for defense. The invaders are able to carry between one and three power cores.[10] If an alien is killed while carrying a core, the orb will slowly float back to the power station.[7] While returning the power core can be grabbed by an alien which will then head for the exit without reaching the power station.[10] A ticker at the top of the screen advises players of the approaching alien wave's formation.[10]

Players have the ability to speed up a game,[7] along with being able to see weapons' range and aerial aliens path, and can also revert to a previously, automatically saved checkpoint.[10] Defense Grid can be viewed at three different levels of zoom.[7] When a level is successfully completed a set of challenges using the same map become available. Players earn medals depending on how well they complete a level.[5] A Steam leaderboard that provides a comparative ranking of player's game scores and other statistics is available.

Plot edit

The story is based on alien invasion of a planet that has a dormant defense grid.[11] As the player is re-activating the defense system with the assistance of a computer to control the machinery and with only limited resources, the aliens attempt to steal power cores. Power cores are "tiny floating orbs" that provide vital power to the defense grid.[10] Cores are carried by aliens, and when the aliens carrying them die, the cores are dropped, and will slowly float back to their central holder. Once all power cores have been taken from the level, the game is over. Only one power core needs to remain when the last wave of aliens are defeated to complete a level.[10]

Defense Grid is set in the distant future. Most levels feature ancient ruins with defensive military bases built amongst the decaying structures. The game was originally planned to be set amongst an urban environment which has been ravaged by war but that was changed to something more original.[12] The main character in the game, which is called Fletcher, is a computer with human-like qualities that wants to protect his homeworld from destruction.

Development edit

During development, which started in late 2007, the game was known as Last Stand.[12] The development team were aiming to create a standard tower defense game but in 3D, downloadable and with high production values.[12]

The game was created by Mark Terrano, the lead designer of Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings, and uses the Gamebryo engine. Defense Grid also uses the Scaleform GFx user interface engine. The lead designer for the game was Michael Austin.[13] Lex Story contributed to the design of the 30 different towers which appear in the game.[12]

Downloadable content edit

Defense Grid: Borderlands was the first set of new levels provided as downloadable content. Defense Grid: Resurgence was announced on 29 May 2010 by Hidden Path Entertainment. The downloadable content is made up of eight new maps, released in installments of two maps each week throughout June 2010. Each map includes a campaign mode and four challenge modes. The content is available for PC and Xbox 360.[14]

In December 2011, Defense Grid: You Monster was released for PC and Xbox 360. Featuring the GLaDOS character from Portal, the add-on pack offers a new story mode of eight levels and 35 challenges. In preparation for the release, Hidden Path updated the core game with user interface enhancements, new game modes and challenge missions.[15]

In December 2012, Hidden Path released four free maps called the Community Levels DLC. These levels were selected from designs submitted by Kickstarter community members using the level visualizer tool given to all backers that pledged $20 or more. The DLC was originally released exclusively to Kickstarter backers in conjunction with the Defense Grid: Containment beta. These levels were later made available to the public for free in exchange for registering to the Hidden Path newsletter.[16]

In January 2013, Defense Grid: Containment was released for PC. It contained 8 maps and a story that bridged the gap between the original Awakening story line and the planned sequel, Defense Grid 2. Kickstarter backers who pledged $50 or more were allowed to test the beta version and were granted pre-release access to the completed DLC.[17]

Reception edit

On December 16, 2009, Gamasutra included Defense Grid on its Best Of 2009: Top 5 Console Downloadable Games.[24] As of years-end 2011 the game sold nearly 116,000 copies on the Xbox 360.[25]

The April 2009 issue of PC Gamer awarded Defense Grid a 90% and an Editor's Choice badge, stating, "Defense Grid is such a charming and challenging experience that shouldn't be missed by tower defense fans. Even if you're not a fan, it may turn you into one."[21] GamePro said, "Defense Grid: The Awakening is a prime example of that sudden transformation of taking an unoriginal, well-known style of video game and turning it into a masterpiece for your PC", awarding the title 4.5 stars out of 5.[7] IGN's 8 out of 10 review stated, "It's an addictive time suck that will have you wishing for more once you've wiped up the last alien."[20] The GameShark review thought Defense Grid was a "solid, well-rounded strategy game".[5] A Thunderbolt Games review thought the game was "a charming little tower defence title with a decent story and challenging gameplay."[23]

The Destructoid review lamented there being only 20 levels.[11] A number of reviewers felt the game would be much better if it came with a level creator.[11] The GamePro review felt some gamers might find the game a little repetitive.[7] A few reviews noted the lack of any multiplayer options.[9] Another review noted that navigating the menus can be a little clumsy.[5]

Sequel edit

Main article: Defense Grid 2

In July 2012, a Kickstarter project was created by Hidden Path Entertainment to help fund a sequel game titled Defense Grid 2. In August 2012, the Kickstarter project failed to reach its ultimate funding goal of US$1,000,000 for Defense Grid 2's development. However, the project did succeed in fully funding development of a new 8 level expansion to the original game which was named Defense Grid: Containment.[26] Hidden Path continued to talk to potential investors in an attempt to secure the funding to develop the aforementioned sequel,[27] and on March 6, 2014, it was announced that Hidden Path had partnered with 505 Games in addition to angel investor Steven Dengler's Dracogen Inc. for the sequel. The sequel was released in September 2014 for Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux, Xbox One and PlayStation 4.

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d . Hidden Path Entertainment. Archived from the original on 2010-08-08.
  2. ^ Microsoft GDC '08 Press Release
  3. ^ . MacGamer. July 7, 2010. Archived from the original on July 14, 2011. Retrieved 2010-08-20.
  4. ^ "Xbox Live Gold: Multiplayer for Everyone | Xbox".
  5. ^ a b c d e f Mitchell Dyer (22 January 2009). . GameShark. Mad Catz, Inc. Archived from the original on 5 August 2010. Retrieved 2 May 2010.
  6. ^ a b Kevin Kelly (2008-08-30). . Joystiq. Weblogs. Archived from the original on 2012-10-28. Retrieved 2008-08-31.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h Sean Ely (2008-12-12). . GamePro. IDG Entertainment. Archived from the original on 2009-03-28.
  8. ^ . Hidden Path Entertainment. Archived from the original on 2009-01-24.
  9. ^ a b c Brian Edey (9 January 2009). "Defense Grid: The Awakening on PC". GameFocus. Retrieved 2 April 2010.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g Nate Ralph (28 November 2008). "Hands On: Defense Grid Sexes Up the Tower Defense Game". Wired. Condé Nast Digital. Retrieved 2 April 2010.
  11. ^ a b c d e Johnathon Ross (December 17, 2008). "Destructoid review: Defense Grid: The Awakening". Destructoid. Retrieved 31 March 2010.
  12. ^ a b c d Dave McCoy (May 27, 2009). "From Concept to Execution - The Art of Defense Grid: The Awakening". Gamasutra. Think Services. Retrieved 31 March 2010.
  13. ^ Gareth Von Kallenbach (January 15, 2009). . OCModShop.com. Archived from the original on 24 July 2009. Retrieved 2 April 2010.
  14. ^ Defense Grid is Now Available on PC, Mac, Xbox 360 & OnLive[permanent dead link]. Hidden Path Entertainment.
  15. ^ . Archived from the original on 2017-02-27. Retrieved 2011-12-08.
  16. ^ . Archived from the original on 2017-02-27. Retrieved 2013-03-18.
  17. ^ . Archived from the original on 2017-02-27. Retrieved 2013-03-18.
  18. ^ "Defense Grid: The Awakening for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 2020-12-20.
  19. ^ "Defense Grid: The Awakening for Xbox 360 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 2020-12-20.
  20. ^ a b Jason Ocampo (2008-12-22). . IGN. IGN Entertainment, Inc. Archived from the original on December 24, 2008.
  21. ^ a b c Dan Stapleton (6 February 2009). "PC Gamer (US) Defense Grid: The Awakening review". PC Gamer. Games Radar.
  22. ^ "Defense Grid: The Awakening review". PC Advisor. IDG. June 24, 2009. Retrieved 2 April 2010.
  23. ^ a b James Frazer (13 August 2009). . Thunderbolt. Archived from the original on 16 October 2012. Retrieved 15 August 2010.
  24. ^ Ryan Langley. "Gamasutra's Best Of 2009: Top 5 Console Downloadable Games". Gamasutra. Think Services.
  25. ^ Langley, Ryan (2012-01-20). "Xbox Live Arcade by the numbers - the 2011 year in review". Gamasutra. Retrieved 2012-01-23.
  26. ^ "Kickstarter Project for Defense Grid 2". August 9, 2012. Retrieved 9 August 2012.
  27. ^ "Update 22: What Comes Next · Defense Grid 2".

External links edit

  • Official website

January 01, 1970
defense, grid, awakening, tower, defense, video, game, developed, hidden, path, entertainment, windows, xbox, live, arcade, xbox, game, titles, promoted, microsoft, during, their, game, developers, conference, keynote, speech, february, 2008, game, released, m. Defense Grid The Awakening is a tower defense video game developed by Hidden Path Entertainment for Windows and Xbox Live Arcade on the Xbox 360 The game was one of the titles promoted by Microsoft during their Game Developers Conference keynote speech on February 20 2008 2 The game was released for Microsoft Windows on December 8 2008 and for Xbox 360 on September 2 2009 The OS X version shipped from Virtual Programming on July 7 2010 3 Defense Grid The AwakeningDeveloper s Hidden Path EntertainmentPublisher s Hidden Path Entertainment Win Microsoft Studios XBLA Virtual Programming OS X Designer s Michael AustinEngineGamebryoPlatform s Microsoft WindowsXbox 360OS XReleaseMicrosoft WindowsWW December 8 2008 1 Xbox 360WW September 2 2009 1 OS XWW July 7 2010 1 Genre s Tower defenseMode s Single player Players must defend military bases from waves of attacking aliens by positioning a range of tower based weaponry New levels provided as downloadable content have been developed in the two years since the game s initial release Reviewers praised the game with many noting that the quality of the game was high for a budget title From July 1 to July 16 of 2013 Microsoft made the game available free to Xbox 360 Gold members This giveaway was part of Microsoft s Games With Gold Program 4 Contents 1 Gameplay 2 Plot 3 Development 4 Downloadable content 5 Reception 6 Sequel 7 References 8 External linksGameplay edit nbsp A grinder challenge on the Veil of Ice level with health indicators on The player must defend power cores which are usually located at a power station from the invading enemy using ten different tower types Tower construction is limited to specific platforms 5 Towers cannot be destroyed by the enemies 6 Good tower placement is the key strategic object of the game 7 Each tower has unique trade offs that affect ideal placement such as line of sight or ballistic trajectory fire a large area of effect or damage over time and minimum and maximum ranges 8 The insectoid enemies arrive in waves and travel along elevated pathways which connect various structures found at the bases Killing enemies earns resources which can be used to build more towers and upgrade towers toward two stronger levels 6 Depending on the tower type an upgrade will provide a more powerful attack an increased rate of fire and increased range 9 Tower strength is denoted by the colours green yellow and red 10 Towers may be sold removed if resources are needed or a player wants to alter pathways 11 Resources earn interest with the rate increasing the more resources are obtained 5 The tower defenses are supplemented by the use of an orbital laser which completely destroys all aliens in its blast zone in one strike The laser is not available in early missions and takes time to recharge No resources are earned from enemies destroyed by the orbital laser During the game the player battles fifteen types of enemies 7 each with unique capabilities and strategies 1 Some aliens are protected by shields which have to be destroyed first before the alien s health will decrease The aliens will always take the shortest route and some of the aliens fly requiring towers with aerial weapons for defense The invaders are able to carry between one and three power cores 10 If an alien is killed while carrying a core the orb will slowly float back to the power station 7 While returning the power core can be grabbed by an alien which will then head for the exit without reaching the power station 10 A ticker at the top of the screen advises players of the approaching alien wave s formation 10 Players have the ability to speed up a game 7 along with being able to see weapons range and aerial aliens path and can also revert to a previously automatically saved checkpoint 10 Defense Grid can be viewed at three different levels of zoom 7 When a level is successfully completed a set of challenges using the same map become available Players earn medals depending on how well they complete a level 5 A Steam leaderboard that provides a comparative ranking of player s game scores and other statistics is available Plot editThe story is based on alien invasion of a planet that has a dormant defense grid 11 As the player is re activating the defense system with the assistance of a computer to control the machinery and with only limited resources the aliens attempt to steal power cores Power cores are tiny floating orbs that provide vital power to the defense grid 10 Cores are carried by aliens and when the aliens carrying them die the cores are dropped and will slowly float back to their central holder Once all power cores have been taken from the level the game is over Only one power core needs to remain when the last wave of aliens are defeated to complete a level 10 Defense Grid is set in the distant future Most levels feature ancient ruins with defensive military bases built amongst the decaying structures The game was originally planned to be set amongst an urban environment which has been ravaged by war but that was changed to something more original 12 The main character in the game which is called Fletcher is a computer with human like qualities that wants to protect his homeworld from destruction Development editDuring development which started in late 2007 the game was known as Last Stand 12 The development team were aiming to create a standard tower defense game but in 3D downloadable and with high production values 12 The game was created by Mark Terrano the lead designer of Age of Empires II The Age of Kings and uses the Gamebryo engine Defense Grid also uses the Scaleform GFx user interface engine The lead designer for the game was Michael Austin 13 Lex Story contributed to the design of the 30 different towers which appear in the game 12 Downloadable content editDefense Grid Borderlands was the first set of new levels provided as downloadable content Defense Grid Resurgence was announced on 29 May 2010 by Hidden Path Entertainment The downloadable content is made up of eight new maps released in installments of two maps each week throughout June 2010 Each map includes a campaign mode and four challenge modes The content is available for PC and Xbox 360 14 In December 2011 Defense Grid You Monster was released for PC and Xbox 360 Featuring the GLaDOS character from Portal the add on pack offers a new story mode of eight levels and 35 challenges In preparation for the release Hidden Path updated the core game with user interface enhancements new game modes and challenge missions 15 In December 2012 Hidden Path released four free maps called the Community Levels DLC These levels were selected from designs submitted by Kickstarter community members using the level visualizer tool given to all backers that pledged 20 or more The DLC was originally released exclusively to Kickstarter backers in conjunction with the Defense Grid Containment beta These levels were later made available to the public for free in exchange for registering to the Hidden Path newsletter 16 In January 2013 Defense Grid Containment was released for PC It contained 8 maps and a story that bridged the gap between the original Awakening story line and the planned sequel Defense Grid 2 Kickstarter backers who pledged 50 or more were allowed to test the beta version and were granted pre release access to the completed DLC 17 Reception editReceptionAggregate scoreAggregatorScoreMetacriticPC 81 100 18 X360 82 100 19 Review scoresPublicationScoreDestructoid7 10 11 GamePro4 5 5 7 IGN8 9 10 20 PC Gamer US 90 21 PC Advisor4 5 5 22 GameFocus9 10 9 GameSharkB 5 Thunderbolt Games8 10 23 AwardPublicationAwardPC GamerEditor s Choice badge 21 On December 16 2009 Gamasutra included Defense Grid on its Best Of 2009 Top 5 Console Downloadable Games 24 As of years end 2011 the game sold nearly 116 000 copies on the Xbox 360 25 The April 2009 issue of PC Gamer awarded Defense Grid a 90 and an Editor s Choice badge stating Defense Grid is such a charming and challenging experience that shouldn t be missed by tower defense fans Even if you re not a fan it may turn you into one 21 GamePro said Defense Grid The Awakening is a prime example of that sudden transformation of taking an unoriginal well known style of video game and turning it into a masterpiece for your PC awarding the title 4 5 stars out of 5 7 IGN s 8 out of 10 review stated It s an addictive time suck that will have you wishing for more once you ve wiped up the last alien 20 The GameShark review thought Defense Grid was a solid well rounded strategy game 5 A Thunderbolt Games review thought the game was a charming little tower defence title with a decent story and challenging gameplay 23 The Destructoid review lamented there being only 20 levels 11 A number of reviewers felt the game would be much better if it came with a level creator 11 The GamePro review felt some gamers might find the game a little repetitive 7 A few reviews noted the lack of any multiplayer options 9 Another review noted that navigating the menus can be a little clumsy 5 Sequel editMain article Defense Grid 2 In July 2012 a Kickstarter project was created by Hidden Path Entertainment to help fund a sequel game titled Defense Grid 2 In August 2012 the Kickstarter project failed to reach its ultimate funding goal of US 1 000 000 for Defense Grid 2 s development However the project did succeed in fully funding development of a new 8 level expansion to the original game which was named Defense Grid Containment 26 Hidden Path continued to talk to potential investors in an attempt to secure the funding to develop the aforementioned sequel 27 and on March 6 2014 it was announced that Hidden Path had partnered with 505 Games in addition to angel investor Steven Dengler s Dracogen Inc for the sequel The sequel was released in September 2014 for Microsoft Windows OS X Linux Xbox One and PlayStation 4 References edit a b c d Defense Grid is Now Available on PC Mac Xbox 360 amp OnLive Hidden Path Entertainment Archived from the original on 2010 08 08 Microsoft GDC 08 Press Release Defense Grid The Awakening Released for OS X MacGamer July 7 2010 Archived from the original on July 14 2011 Retrieved 2010 08 20 Xbox Live Gold Multiplayer for Everyone Xbox a b c d e f Mitchell Dyer 22 January 2009 Defense Grid The Awakening Review GameShark Mad Catz Inc Archived from the original on 5 August 2010 Retrieved 2 May 2010 a b Kevin Kelly 2008 08 30 PAX 2008 hands on Defense Grid The Awakening Joystiq Weblogs Archived from the original on 2012 10 28 Retrieved 2008 08 31 a b c d e f g h Sean Ely 2008 12 12 GamePro Defense Grid The Awakening review GamePro IDG Entertainment Archived from the original on 2009 03 28 Official Defense Grid The Awakening page Hidden Path Entertainment Archived from the original on 2009 01 24 a b c Brian Edey 9 January 2009 Defense Grid The Awakening on PC GameFocus Retrieved 2 April 2010 a b c d e f g Nate Ralph 28 November 2008 Hands On Defense Grid Sexes Up the Tower Defense Game Wired Conde Nast Digital Retrieved 2 April 2010 a b c d e Johnathon Ross December 17 2008 Destructoid review Defense Grid The Awakening Destructoid Retrieved 31 March 2010 a b c d Dave McCoy May 27 2009 From Concept to Execution The Art of Defense Grid The Awakening Gamasutra Think Services Retrieved 31 March 2010 Gareth Von Kallenbach January 15 2009 Interview with Defense Grid The Awakening s Michael Austin OCModShop com Archived from the original on 24 July 2009 Retrieved 2 April 2010 Defense Grid is Now Available on PC Mac Xbox 360 amp OnLive permanent dead link Hidden Path Entertainment Blog Archived from the original on 2017 02 27 Retrieved 2011 12 08 Blog Archived from the original on 2017 02 27 Retrieved 2013 03 18 Blog Archived from the original on 2017 02 27 Retrieved 2013 03 18 Defense Grid The Awakening for PC Reviews Metacritic Retrieved 2020 12 20 Defense Grid The Awakening for Xbox 360 Reviews Metacritic Retrieved 2020 12 20 a b Jason Ocampo 2008 12 22 IGN US Defense Grid The Awakening review IGN IGN Entertainment Inc Archived from the original on December 24 2008 a b c Dan Stapleton 6 February 2009 PC Gamer US Defense Grid The Awakening review PC Gamer Games Radar Defense Grid The Awakening review PC Advisor IDG June 24 2009 Retrieved 2 April 2010 a b James Frazer 13 August 2009 Defense Grid The Awakening Thunderbolt Archived from the original on 16 October 2012 Retrieved 15 August 2010 Ryan Langley Gamasutra s Best Of 2009 Top 5 Console Downloadable Games Gamasutra Think Services Langley Ryan 2012 01 20 Xbox Live Arcade by the numbers the 2011 year in review Gamasutra Retrieved 2012 01 23 Kickstarter Project for Defense Grid 2 August 9 2012 Retrieved 9 August 2012 Update 22 What Comes Next Defense Grid 2 External links editOfficial website Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Defense Grid The Awakening amp oldid 1198478919, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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