Lead and Gold: Gangs of the Wild West

Last updated
Lead and Gold: Gangs of the Wild West
Lead and Gold cover.jpg
Cover
Developer(s) Fatshark
Publisher(s) Paradox Interactive
Engine Diesel [1]
Platform(s) Microsoft Windows
PlayStation 3
ReleaseWindows
  • NA: April 8, 2010 [2]
  • EU: May 14, 2010
PlayStation 3
  • EU: April 22, 2010
  • NA: May 4, 2010
Genre(s) Third-person shooter
Mode(s) Multiplayer

Lead and Gold: Gangs of the Wild West is a team-based third-person shooter multiplayer video game. It was developed by Fatshark and published by Paradox Interactive and released in 2010 for Microsoft Windows via Steam and the PlayStation 3 via the PlayStation Network. An Xbox Live Arcade version was announced, but it was cancelled.

Contents

Lead and Gold is set in the American Old West. It features four character classes and six game modes to choose from. Players work as a team to accomplish the objectives of a chosen game mode. The game received mixed reviews; it was often compared as an Old West version of Team Fortress 2 .

Gameplay

Lead and Gold features four unique character classes and six game modes. Leadandgold gameplay.png
Lead and Gold features four unique character classes and six game modes.

Lead and Gold is set in the American Old West. It features four character classes to choose from, each having their own unique weapons, abilities, and "synergies". This "synergy" is a range-based booster that enhances the abilities of all nearby teammates. [3] The Blaster wields a double barrel shotgun and dynamite sticks and radiates a defensive synergy effect. The Deputy wields a repeating carbine, has the ability to tag enemies for teammates, and radiate a damage increasing synergy effect. [3] The Gunslinger carries a highly accurate revolver, has the ability to rapidly fire his revolver with reduced accuracy, and radiates a synergy effect that increases weapon accuracy. Trappers are equipped with a scoped hunting rifle, carry traps that can immobilize enemies, and radiate a critical hit synergy effect. [3] Players can slowly regenerate health by remaining in proximity to other teammates. Additionally, any player can revive a fallen teammate. [3]

Lead and Gold features six game modes to choose from. The first, Shootout, is a standard team deathmatch game mode. [3] Conquest mode is similar to Unreal Tournament 2004 's Onslaught mode. The objective of Conquest is to conquer waypoints in order. One team starts at their home zone and moves towards the enemy zone, while the other team advances in the other direction. Conquering a zone unlocks the next zone in the sequence. Clearing a zone of enemies and staying in the zone until your flag is raised will conquer that zone. [3]

Powder Keg resembles another Unreal Tournament 2004 game mode, Assault. In Powder Keg, one team is trying to destroy objectives using powder kegs, while the other tries to defend these objectives. This mode is played in two rounds with each side taking a turn as attacker and defender. [3] Gold Fever is a single player or two player cooperative game mode. The goal is to fend off endless waves of AI characters while you and your teammate attempt to obtain as many sacks of gold as possible. The game ends when both players die.

The fifth game mode, Robbery, is similar to Powder Keg, with one team the attackers and one the defenders. The attackers need to blow up a bank vault and steal three bags of gold. The defenders attempt to defend the bank and the gold. This mode is played in two rounds with each side alternating as attacker and defender. [3] In the sixth game mode, Greed, players are to deliver as many gold sacks as possible to their team's drop zone. Once a gold sack spawns on the map, both teams fight to bring the sack to their respective areas. Once a team successfully brings the gold sack to their zone they gain a point and a new round begins. [3]

Development and marketing

Lead and Gold was revealed in August 2009, slated for release on the PC via Steam, the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade. [4] The game is powered by the Diesel engine, which was used to power titles such as Bionic Commando Rearmed and Wanted: Weapons of Fate . [5] The music for Lead and Gold was composed by Fathom, who created four tracks for the game. [6] [7] Fathom had previously worked with GRIN, the company from which FatShark was formed, on titles such as Bionic Commando and Terminator Salvation . [6] The soundtrack was made available to the public on July 18, 2010 via iTunes. [7]

Lead and Gold character classes were designed from American frontier archetypes. LeadAndGold characterConcept.png
Lead and Gold character classes were designed from American frontier archetypes.

The four character classes for Lead and Gold were patterned after American frontier archetypes. Staffon Ahlström, Visual Effects Artist for the game said "everyone has their archetypes in their mind of what [different kinds] of cowboys there [were]." [8] "You have really distinct and iconic weapons in the Wild West" stated the game's writer Mangus Liljehdahl, adding "there's an apparent balance in the weapons that are available." [8]

During the development, Gunnar Johnson and Mårten Stormdal of FatShark traveled to the United States to promote Lead and Gold. Johnson and Stormdal filmed the trip, in which they documented their visits to gaming media such as Game Informer and IGN and PC Gamer .[ citation needed ] Journalists played the game in groups of six via networked laptops and Xbox 360 controllers. [9] FatShark has released multiple patches to decrease network lag, add dedicated server support, and provide other fixes and updates to the game. [10] [11] An additional patch containing one new map, Jacob's Bridge, and one new game type, Demolition, was released on May 20, 2010.[ citation needed ]

In December 2009, Gamereactor's Bengt Lemne mentioned stories of developers waiting long amounts of time for their titles to be published on Xbox Live Arcade, to which Lead and Gold producer Robert Bäckström responded "we really want to release it as soon as possible, [but] things might take time." [12] On August 3, 2010 Mark Wester, CEO of the game's publisher Paradox Interactive cited issues with getting the game certified for release on Xbox Live Arcade. "It seems like we have to put it on the backburner," Wester said, further stating that the team was "not really putting any more effort into releasing on XBLA." [13] The reason for the delay was not mentioned, merely that Paradox and Fatshark were waiting for response from Microsoft on Lead and Gold's status. This led some websites to list the game as cancelled or removed the Xbox Live Arcade listing entirely.[ citation needed ]

Reception

Lead and Gold received "average" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic. [14] [15] On July 25, 2010 Lead and Gold: Gangs of the Wild West reached the number one spot in sales on Steam. [28]

The June 2010 issue of PC Gamer UK magazine was positive about the game, saying that it was "easily comparable with titles twice its price. Its core gunplay and design are more airtight than a collapsed mine." [26] GameZone praised the simplicity of the PC version, stating that it was the game's greatest virtue. [23] IGN enjoyed the team dynamics, particularly that players can revive other fallen comrades. [24] IT Reviews commented that "Despite some aiming issues, this ambitious foray into online team shooting set in the golden age of outlaws has plenty of variety and well designed character classes and won't cost you a fistful of dollars." [29] The Australian video game talk show Good Game's two reviewers gave the PC version 7/10 and 7.5/10. [30] Kotaku stated the level designs were unique, providing plenty of choke points in maps and opportunities to flank opponents. [31]

Edge was less enthusiastic about the PC version, saying that "there's wild west fun to be had within these simplistic charms, but it's unlikely to replace your favoured multiplayer shooter." [17] Eurogamer , GameSpot and Kotaku complained of multiplayer lag in the game. [18] [21] [22] [31] Kotaku's Luke Plunkett said he "[couldn't] remember the last online shooter [he] played that was so crippled by it." [31] Subsequent patches have repaired networking issues found in the original release. [10] [11]

Related Research Articles

<i>Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved</i> 2003 video game

Geometry Wars is a video game made by Bizarre Creations. Initially a minigame in Project Gotham Racing 2, an updated version, titled Retro Evolved, was eventually released for the Xbox 360. That version, at one point, held the record for the most downloaded Xbox Live Arcade Game.

<i>Virtua Tennis 3</i> 2006 sports video game

Virtua Tennis 3, known in Japan as Sega Professional Tennis: Power Smash 3, is the second arcade game sequel to Sega's tennis game franchise, Virtua Tennis. The arcade version of Virtua Tennis 3 is powered by the PC-based Sega Lindbergh arcade system board. Ports for the PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation Portable and PlayStation 3 consoles are also available with a traditional collection of tennis minigames that the home versions of Virtua Tennis are known for. In 2009, Sega updated and re-created Virtua Tennis 3 in Virtua Tennis 2009.

<i>Hydrophobia</i> (video game) Action adventure video game with dynamic water

Hydrophobia is an action adventure video game developed and published by Dark Energy Digital for Microsoft Windows, the PlayStation 3 and by Microsoft Studios for Xbox Live Arcade. The game was released for Xbox Live Arcade on September 29, 2010, as part of Xbox Live's Games Feast promotion, marking the first of three episodes. The PC version was released in 2011.

<i>Screwjumper!</i> 2007 video game

Screwjumper! is an action video game for the Xbox 360 via Xbox Live Arcade, developed by Frozen Codebase and published by THQ. The game was released on November 14, 2007. The game was the 100th game released by THQ for the Xbox Live Arcade service.

<i>Roogoo</i> 2008 video game

Roogoo is a downloadable puzzle video game for the Xbox Live Arcade and Microsoft Windows developed by American studio SpiderMonk Entertainment and published by SouthPeak Games. The game is followed by Roogoo Twisted Towers (Wii) and Roogoo Attack.

<i>Age of Booty</i> 2008 video game

Age of Booty is a real-time strategy video game developed by Certain Affinity and published by Capcom for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Microsoft Windows. Set in the swashbuckling era, the game puts the players in the control of a pirate ship with the goal of looting and capturing towns for a pirate faction, while defeating the enemy ships on the way.

<i>The Maw</i> 2009 video game

The Maw is an action-adventure video game developed by Twisted Pixel Games and released for Xbox 360 and Microsoft Windows. The game centers on the extraterrestrial Frank and a purple, amorphous creature called The Maw, who have crash-landed their spacecraft on an alien planet. The player assumes the role of Frank and directs The Maw—which can take on the abilities of objects and fauna it consumes—via a leash.

<i>Zeno Clash</i> 2009 video game

Zeno Clash is a first-person fighting video game with elements of a first-person shooter. It is the debut game of developer ACE Team and uses the Source engine. It was released for download through content delivery service Steam on 21 April 2009. The Xbox 360 version, entitled Zeno Clash: Ultimate Edition, was released 5 May 2010 and contains additional features not found in the Windows version. The game is set in the fantasy world of Zenozoik, and follows Ghat, a young man who is on the run from his vengeful siblings, and Deadra, his female companion, as they travel through strange and exotic lands.

<i>OutRun Online Arcade</i> 2009 video game

OutRun Online Arcade is a racing video game and the most recent release in the OutRun series. It was developed by Sumo Digital and published by Sega. The game was released on April 15, 2009 on Xbox Live Arcade and released exclusively in Europe for the PlayStation 3 a day later via the PlayStation Network. Gameplay involves players racing their choice of Ferrari through a selection of fifteen stages in the shortest time possible.

<i>Super Meat Boy</i> 2010 platform game

Super Meat Boy is a 2010 platform game designed by Edmund McMillen and Tommy Refenes under the collective name of "Team Meat". It was self-published as the successor to Meat Boy, a 2008 Flash game designed by McMillen and Jonathan McEntee. In the game, the player controls Meat Boy, a red, cube-shaped character, as he attempts to rescue his girlfriend, Bandage Girl, from the game's antagonist Dr. Fetus. The gameplay is characterized by fine control and split-second timing, as the player runs and jumps through over 300 hazardous levels while avoiding obstacles. The game also supports the creation of player-created levels. Super Meat Boy was first released on the Xbox 360 through Xbox Live Arcade in October 2010, and was later ported to Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Wii U, and the Nintendo Switch. A Wii version was in development but was ultimately cancelled.

<i>Splosion Man</i> 2009 video game

'Splosion Man is a 2.5D action platform video game developed by Twisted Pixel Games for the Xbox 360, available through the Xbox Live Arcade digital download service. It was released on July 22, 2009, as part of the Xbox Live Summer of Arcade. Players control 'Splosion Man, an escaped science experiment with the ability to explode himself repeatedly, as he works his way through obstacles and traps trying to exit the fictional laboratory known as Big Science.

<i>Droplitz</i> 2009 video game

Droplitz is a 2009 puzzle video game developed by Blitz Arcade and published by Atlus USA. It was released for Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network, Microsoft Windows and iOS in June 2009 In May 2012 a sequel called Droplitz Delight was released for Windows Phone.

<i>The Misadventures of P.B. Winterbottom</i> 2010 video game

The Misadventures of P.B. Winterbottom is a puzzle-platform game for Xbox Live Arcade and Windows PC developed by The Odd Gentlemen. Reviews of the game praised its unique puzzle mechanics, comparing them to the likes of Portal and Braid. It was released for the Xbox 360 on February 17, 2010. It was originally a student's graduate thesis at the University of Southern California. It was published by 2K Play. The PC version was released exclusively via Steam on April 20, 2010.

<i>Lazy Raiders</i> 2010 video game

Lazy Raiders is a video game developed by Sarbakan and published by Microsoft Game Studios for Xbox Live Arcade in 2010. It was later ported and published by Namco Networks for iOS in 2012, and for Android in 2013.

<i>Aqua</i> (video game) 2010 video game

Aqua is an arcade-action shooter with tactical elements, driven by a steampunk story in which the vast majority of the world is covered with water. Aqua was developed by Games Distillery on their own proprietary engine and published by Microsoft Game Studios. It was released for the Xbox 360 via Xbox Live Arcade on May 19, 2010. The game is set in an alternate reality where most of the Earth is covered with water and factions war for the remaining pieces of land.

<i>Alien Breed 2: Assault</i> 2010 video game

Alien Breed 2: Assault is a video game in Team17's Alien Breed series and is the second new title in the series since 1996 after Alien Breed Evolution. It was released on Steam, Xbox Live Arcade, and PlayStation Network in 2010. The follow-up Alien Breed 3: Descent was released on 17 November 2010.

<i>Perfect Dark</i> (2010 video game) 2010 video game

Perfect Dark is a 2010 first-person shooter developed by 4J Studios and published by Microsoft Game Studios for the Xbox 360 through its Xbox Live Arcade download service. The game is a remaster of the original Perfect Dark, which was released for the Nintendo 64 in 2000. Although the gameplay remains largely unchanged, the remaster features significant technical improvements over the original, including new higher-resolution textures and character models, a higher frame rate, and a multiplayer mode that supports the Xbox Live online service. The story of the game follows Joanna Dark, an agent of the Carrington Institute organization, as she attempts to stop a conspiracy by rival corporation dataDyne.

<i>Defenders of Ardania</i> Strategy video game

Defenders of Ardania is a hybrid tower defense and real-time strategy video game for Microsoft Windows, iOS, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3. It was developed by Most Wanted Entertainment and published by Deep Silver and Paradox Interactive.

<i>Warhammer: End Times – Vermintide</i> 2015 video game

Warhammer: The End Times – Vermintide is a 2015 cooperative survival video game developed and published by Fatshark. The game is set in the Warhammer Fantasy universe. The game is multiplayer-only, and its structure is similar to Valve's Left 4 Dead series. Set during an apocalyptic event called the End Times, players can team up with three other players to fight against the Skaven, a race of rodent-like creatures, in the city of Ubersreik. At the end of each match, the players are given the opportunity to roll dice, which determine the weapons they will receive as reward.

<i>Boulder Dash-XL</i> 2011 video game

Boulder Dash-XL is an action-puzzle video game developed by Catnip Games and published by Kalypso Media for the Xbox 360 (XBLA) in July 2011. It is part of the Boulder Dash series. A PC version was released later in 2011. A Nintendo 3DS and iOS ports were released in 2012. The 3DS port is known as Boulder Dash-XL 3D.

References

  1. ↑ Callaham, John (August 10, 2009). "Lead and Gold: Gangs of the Wild West announced". Big Download. AOL. Archived from the original on September 20, 2009. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  2. ↑ "Lead and Gold: Gangs of the Wild West". Steam . Valve Corporation . Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Herring, Will (March 17, 2010). "GDC 2010: Lead and Gold Hands-On". GamePro . GamePro Media. Archived from the original on October 7, 2010. Retrieved September 8, 2010.
  4. ↑ Purchese, Robert (August 10, 2009). "Wild West PSN/XBLA shooter revealed". Eurogamer . Gamer Network . Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  5. ↑ Faylor, Chris (January 29, 2010). "Lead and Gold Sees Brief Delay, New Media". Shacknews . Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  6. 1 2 "MUSIC FOR MEDIA - PORTFOLIO". Fathom. Retrieved September 15, 2010.[ dead link ]
  7. 1 2 "Lead and Gold: Gangs of the Wild West (Original Game Soundtrack) - EP". Apple Music . Apple Inc. June 18, 2010. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
  8. 1 2 Gamereactor (February 18, 2010). "Interview: Lead and Gold: Gangs of the Wild West". YouTube . Google. Archived from the original on December 20, 2021. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
  9. ↑ Eddy, Andy (December 14, 2009). "Lead and Gold Hands-On Preview (Xbox 360)". TeamXbox . IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on January 4, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  10. 1 2 Burnes, Andrew (April 20, 2010). "Lead And Gold: Gangs Of The Wild West PC Patch Released". Voodoo Extreme. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on March 9, 2012. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  11. 1 2 Johnson, Erik (June 23, 2010). "Lead and Gold Gets Dedicated Servers". Gaming Dead. Retrieved September 22, 2010.
  12. ↑ Gamereactor (December 20, 2009). "Lead and Gold: Gangs of the Wild West interview". YouTube. Google. Archived from the original on December 20, 2021. Retrieved September 16, 2010.
  13. ↑ Gilbert, Ben (August 3, 2010). "XBLA Lead and Gold isn't happening, says Paradox CEO". Engadget (Joystiq). Yahoo . Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  14. 1 2 "Lead and Gold: Gangs of the Wild West for PC Reviews". Metacritic . Fandom . Retrieved September 9, 2010.
  15. 1 2 "Lead and Gold: Gangs of the Wild West for PlayStation 3 Reviews". Metacritic. Fandom. Retrieved September 9, 2010.
  16. ↑ Fischer, Russ (April 12, 2010). "Lead And Gold: Gangs Of The Wild West (PC)". The A.V. Club . G/O Media. Archived from the original on April 15, 2010. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  17. 1 2 Edge staff (June 2010). "Lead and Gold: Gangs of the Wild West (PC)". Edge . No. 215. Future plc. p. 103.
  18. 1 2 Reed, Kristan (April 30, 2010). "Download Games Roundup (Page 3)". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  19. ↑ de Matos, Xav (May 11, 2010). "Downloadable Games Round-Up: May 11th Edition". GamePro. GamePro Media. Archived from the original on May 14, 2010. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  20. ↑ "Lead and Gold: Gangs of the Wild West (PS3)". GamesMaster . Future plc. July 2010. p. 98.
  21. 1 2 Watters, Chris (April 14, 2010). "Lead and Gold: Gangs of the Wild West Review (PC)". GameSpot . Fandom. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  22. 1 2 Watters, Chris (May 10, 2010). "Lead and Gold: Gangs of the Wild West Review (PS3)". GameSpot. Fandom. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  23. 1 2 Rowe, Brian (May 12, 2010). "Lead and Gold: Gangs of the Wild West Review (PC)". GameZone. Archived from the original on April 23, 2011. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  24. 1 2 3 DeVries, Jack (May 5, 2010). "Lead and Gold: Gangs of the Wild West Review". IGN . Ziff Davis . Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  25. ↑ "Lead and Gold: Gangs of the Wild West". PC Format . No. 240. Future plc. June 2010. p. 94.
  26. 1 2 "Lead and Gold: Gangs of the Wild West". PC Gamer UK . Future plc. June 2010. p. 94.
  27. ↑ "Review: Lead and Gold: Gangs of the Wild West". PC PowerPlay . No. 178. Next Media Pty Ltd. July 2010. p. 58.
  28. ↑ Fatshark [@fatsharkgames] (July 25, 2010). "Epic day for #Fatshark #leadandgold just hit the #1 spot on #Steam" (Tweet). Retrieved September 29, 2010– via Twitter.
  29. ↑ "Paradox Interactive - Lead & Gold: Gangs of the Wild West review". IT Reviews. April 20, 2010. Archived from the original on June 11, 2011. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  30. ↑ "Good Game stories - Lead and Gold: Gangs of the Wild West". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. May 10, 2010. Retrieved September 9, 2010.
  31. 1 2 3 Plunkett, Luke (April 28, 2010). "Lead and Gold Review: Fool's Gold". Kotaku . G/O Media. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.