Star Chamber: The Harbinger Saga

Last updated
Star Chamber
Developer(s) Nayantara Studios
Publisher(s) Matrix Games
Designer(s) Paul Dennen
Platform(s) Microsoft Windows, Mac OS
ReleaseOriginal
November 13, 2003
Expansions released in 2004-2007
Genre(s) Online collectible card game, turn-based strategy
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

Star Chamber was an online collectible card game (CCG) first released as just "Star Chamber" in 2003 by Nayantara Studios, later owned by Matrix Games and Worlds Apart Productions, and now owned by Sony Online Entertainment. The game ran on both the Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X platforms. It was free to download and play, with additional cards available for purchase. There was one base set and five expansion sets released for Star Chamber. The game was shut down on March 29, 2012. As compensation, Sony Online Entertainment offered players 3 months of Gold Membership in the online fantasy role-playing games EverQuest and EverQuest II , becoming available four days later. [1]

Contents

Reception

The original Star Chamber received "favorable" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic. [2]

The staff of Computer Games Magazine presented the game with their 2005 "Best Independent Game" award, and named it the year's ninth-best computer game. [7]

Related Research Articles

<i>EverQuest</i> 1999 video game

EverQuest is a 3D fantasy-themed massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) originally developed by Verant Interactive and 989 Studios for Windows PCs. It was released by Sony Online Entertainment in March 1999 in North America, and by Ubisoft in Europe in April 2000. A dedicated version for Mac OS X was released in June 2003, which operated for ten years before being shut down in November 2013. In June 2000, Verant Interactive was absorbed into Sony Online Entertainment, who took over full development and publishing duties of the title. Later, in February 2015, SOE's parent corporation, Sony Computer Entertainment, sold the studio to investment company Columbus Nova and it was rebranded as Daybreak Game Company, which continues to develop and publish EverQuest.

<i>Star Wars Galaxies</i> 2003 video game

Star Wars Galaxies (Galaxies) was a Star Wars- themed massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) for Microsoft Windows, developed by Sony Online Entertainment and published by LucasArts.

<i>Gran Turismo</i> (series) Series of racing video games

Gran Turismo is a series driving simulators developed by Polyphony Digital and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment for PlayStation consoles. Gran Turismo simulators are intended to emulate the appearance and performance of a large selection of vehicles, most of which are licensed reproductions of real-world automobiles. Since the franchise's debut in 1997, over 90 million units have been sold worldwide, making it the best selling driving simulator under the PlayStation brand. The series has partnerships with Japan Race Promotion, Brembo, Michelin, Mazda, Toyota Gazoo Racing, BBS and Fanatec. The series uses data from car companies and real-life races for its car physics simulation. It is also used as a concept car simulator for many car manufacturers. In 2023, the series received a film adaptation, and it became a sport for the Olympic Esports with the backing of the FIA.

In the history of video games, the sixth generation era is the era of computer and video games, video game consoles, and handheld gaming devices available at the turn of the 21st century, starting on November 27, 1998. Platforms in the sixth generation include consoles from four companies: the Sega Dreamcast (DC), Sony PlayStation 2 (PS2), Nintendo GameCube (GC), and Microsoft Xbox. This era began on November 27, 1998, with the Japanese release of the Dreamcast, which was joined by the PlayStation 2 on March 4, 2000, the GameCube on September 14, 2001 and the Xbox on November 15, 2001, respectively. On March 31, 2001, the Dreamcast was among the first to be discontinued. Xbox in 2006, GameCube in 2007 and PlayStation 2 was the last, in January 2013. Meanwhile, the seventh generation of consoles started on November 22, 2005, with the launch of the Xbox 360.

2003 saw many sequels and prequels in video games, such as Tony Hawk's Underground, Madden NFL 2004, NBA Live 2004, ESPN NBA Basketball, Saya no Uta: The Song of Saya, Final Fantasy X-2, Mario Kart: Double Dash, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, Sonic Heroes, Postal 2, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Uru: Ages Beyond Myst, and WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain. New intellectual properties included Beyond Good & Evil, Boktai: The Sun is in Your Hand, Call of Duty, Disgaea, Drakengard, Manhunt, PlanetSide, TrackMania, True Crime: Streets of LA, and Viewtiful Joe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daybreak Game Company</span> American video game developer

Daybreak Game Company LLC is an American video game developer based in San Diego. The company was founded in December 1997 as Sony Online Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment, but was spun off to an independent investor in February 2015 and renamed Daybreak Game Company. On December 1, 2020, Daybreak Game Company entered into an agreement to be acquired by Enad Global 7.

<i>Tsugunai: Atonement</i> 2001 video game

Tsugunai: Atonement is a 2001 role-playing video game developed by Cattle Call and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 2. It was released in North America by Atlus USA.

<i>EverQuest II</i> 2004 video game

EverQuest II is a 3D fantasy massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) originally developed and published by Sony Online Entertainment for Microsoft Windows PCs and released in November 2004. It is the sequel to the original EverQuest, released five years earlier, and features updated graphics and more streamlined gameplay compared to the previous entry, as well as an abundance of voice acting with contributions from actors such as Christopher Lee and Heather Graham. In February 2015, Sony Online Entertainment's parent corporation Sony Computer Entertainment sold it to investment company Inception Acquisitions, where it continues to develop and publish the game under its new name, Daybreak Game Company.

<i>Lego Star Wars: The Video Game</i> 2005 video game

Lego Star Wars: The Video Game is a 2005 Lego-themed action-adventure video game based on the Lego Star Wars line of construction toys, and the first installment in the Lego video game franchise developed by Traveller's Tales, which would develop all future Lego titles from that point on. It was first released on 29 March 2005, and is a video game adaptation of the Star Wars prequel trilogy: The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith, with a bonus level from A New Hope.

<i>Madden NFL 2002</i> 2001 video game

Madden NFL 2002 is an American football video game. It features former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper on the cover. Pat Summerall and John Madden are the commentators. The Madden NFL 2002 commercial first aired during Super Bowl XXXVI, three days after Madden NFL 2002 started selling in Japan. Notably, it does not feature the Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady, who is included on later editions of the game as a roster update. It is also the first game to be developed by Budcat Creations.

<i>Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec</i> 2001 video game

Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec is a 2001 racing simulation video game developed by Polyphony Digital and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 2. It is the third installment in the Gran Turismo series. During its demonstration at E3 2000 and E3 2001, the game was known under the working title Gran Turismo 2000.

<i>Lords of EverQuest</i> 2003 video game

Lords of EverQuest is a 3D fantasy real-time strategy game released in December 2003. It was developed by the short-lived startup company Rapid Eye Entertainment and published by Sony Online Entertainment (SOE). SOE distributes Lords of EverQuest.

<i>NASCAR Thunder 2003</i> 2003 Racing simulator video game developed by EA Sports and Budcat Creations

NASCAR Thunder 2003 is the sixth edition of the EA Sports' NASCAR racing simulator series. Developed by EA Tiburon and Budcat Creations and published by EA Sports. It was released for PlayStation, PlayStation 2, GameCube, and Xbox on September 18, 2002, and for Microsoft Windows on October 21. The product features Dale Earnhardt Jr. on the cover. It was the first time the NASCAR's Most Popular Driver Award recipient was featured on the cover, although he did not win the award for the first time until the following year. Dale Earnhardt appeared in the game as a driver as a result of entering his name as a Create-A-Car driver's name; he did not appear in the previous game due to his death. He appeared as a legend in subsequent games.

<i>Wild Arms 4</i> 2005 video game

Wild Arms 4, known in Japan as Wild Arms the 4th Detonator, is a role-playing video game developed by Media.Vision and the fourth installment in the Wild Arms video game series. The game's overall look and feel is a departure from the Wild West feel of Wild Arms 3 to a more modern look. The game was originally announced alongside Wild Arms Alter Code: F under the title Wild Arms Another Code: F before being renamed.

<i>Star Trek: Shattered Universe</i> 2004 video game

Star Trek: Shattered Universe is a space-combat simulator video game by American studio Starsphere Interactive set in the Star Trek Mirror Universe, as portrayed in the original series episode "Mirror, Mirror". Originally intended to be one of the last Star Trek titles released by Interplay Entertainment, it sat for 2 years before being completed by TDK Mediactive; it was released for the Xbox and PlayStation 2. The player takes control of one-man fighter spacecraft and engages in several missions.

<i>World of Outlaws: Sprint Cars 2002</i> 2002 racing video game

World of Outlaws: Sprint Cars 2002, also known as simply World of Outlaws: Sprint Cars for the Microsoft Windows and PAL region PlayStation 2 versions, is a sprint car racing video game developed by the Australian developer Ratbag Games and published by Ignition Entertainment in the PAL region and Infogrames in North America for the PS2 and Windows. GameSpot's review of the former console version described its gameplay as "solid" and the physics as "top-notch". The game had a limited sales run; it developed a large following and was widely requested at video game stores.

God of War is an action-adventure game franchise created by David Jaffe and developed by Sony's Santa Monica Studio. It began in 2005 on the PlayStation 2 (PS2) video game console and has become a flagship series for PlayStation, consisting of nine installments across multiple platforms. Based on ancient mythologies, the series' plot follows Kratos, a Spartan warrior who becomes the God of War and comes into conflict with various mythological pantheons. The earlier games in the series are based on Greek mythology and see Kratos follow a path of vengeance against the Olympian gods; the later games are based on Norse mythology and see Kratos go on a path of redemption while also introducing his son Atreus as a secondary protagonist.

<i>Diablo</i> (video game) 1997 action role-playing game developed by Blizzard North

Diablo is an action role-playing video game developed by Blizzard North and released by Blizzard Entertainment in January 1997, and is the first installment in the video game series of the same name.

<i>Star X</i> 2002 video game

Star X is a rail shooter video game developed by Graphic State and published by BAM! Entertainment for the Game Boy Advance handheld video game console. It was first released in North America on April 15, 2002, and later was released in the PAL regions on May 17, 2002.

<i>NFL GameDay 2002</i> 2001 PS1 and PS2 video game

NFL GameDay 2002 is the seventh video game in the NFL GameDay series. It was developed by 989 Sports and Red Zone Interactive and published Sony Computer Entertainment America for the PlayStation and the PlayStation 2 in 2001. On the cover is Donovan McNabb.

References

  1. "It's Time to Bid a Fond Farewell". EverQuest Online Adventures. Sony Interactive Entertainment. Archived from the original on March 3, 2012.
  2. 1 2 "Star Chamber for PC Reviews". Metacritic . Red Ventures . Retrieved February 17, 2022.
  3. "Review: Star Chamber". Computer Games Magazine . No. 160. theGlobe.com. March 2004. p. 79.
  4. Luo, Di (May 2004). "Star Chamber" (PDF). Computer Gaming World . No. 238. Ziff Davis. p. 84. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
  5. Geryk, Bruce (December 19, 2003). "Star Chamber Review". GameSpot . Red Ventures. Archived from the original on December 9, 2004. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
  6. Tha Wiz (January 3, 2004). "Star Chamber". GameZone. Archived from the original on January 8, 2005. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
  7. CGM staff (March 2006). "The Best (and Worst) of 2005: The 15th Annual Computer Games Awards". Computer Games Magazine. No. 184. theGlobe.com. pp. 42–47.