Silent Storm engine

{{Short description|Video game engine}} {{DISPLAYTITLE:''Silent Storm'' engine}} {{Notability|date=May 2024}} Nival Interactive developed a proprietary game engine for its turn-based tactics video game ''Silent Storm''.<ref name=gh_intvw>{{cite web | last = Knudsen | first = Kurt | title = Silent Storm Interview | publisher = GamersHell | date = September 30, 2003 | url = http://www.gamershell.com/articles/688.html | access-date = 2007-12-13 | archive-date = 2007-12-24 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071224070406/http://www.gamershell.com/articles/688.html | url-status = dead}}</ref> The engine was reused for ''Silent Storm: Sentinels'',<ref name=gshark_s3>{{cite web|last=VanDyk |first=Dave |title=Silent Storm: Sentinels Review |publisher=GameShark |date=September 28, 2004 |url=http://www.gameshark.com/reviews/1925/p_0/Silent-Storm-Sentinels-Review.htm |access-date=2007-12-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711071820/http://www.gameshark.com/reviews/1925/p_0/Silent-Storm-Sentinels-Review.htm |archive-date=2011-07-11}}</ref> ''Night Watch'',<ref name="euro_nw">{{cite web |last=Clare |first=Oliver |title=Night Watch |publisher=Eurogamer |date=December 9, 2006 |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=67512 |access-date=2007-12-13 |archive-date=2008-12-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211172437/http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=67512}}</ref> ''Hammer & Sickle''<ref name=cgw_hs>{{cite news|last=Coffey |first=Robert |title=Hammer & Sickle |publisher=Computer Gaming World |date=February 2006 |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_zdcgw/is_200602/ai_n16013943 |access-date=2007-12-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070902150048/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_zdcgw/is_200602/ai_n16013943 |archive-date=2007-09-02 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and ''Day Watch''.<ref name=gzone_dwatch>{{cite web | title = Gamers Gate launch worldwide download premiere: Day Watch | publisher = GameZone | date = May 16, 2007 | url = http://pc.gamezone.com/news/05_16_07_03_51AM.htm | access-date = 2008-07-18 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080626160539/http://pc.gamezone.com/news/05_16_07_03_51AM.htm | archive-date = June 26, 2008}}</ref> A modified version of this engine was used for ''Heroes of Might and Magic V''.<ref name=hommv>{{cite web|last=Nino |first=Mike |title=Heroes of Might and Magic 5 interview |publisher=StrategyCore |year=2005 |url=http://www.strategycore.co.uk/pg/HOMM5interviews |access-date=2007-10-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061230064400/http://www.strategycore.co.uk/pg/HOMM5interviews |archive-date=2006-12-30}}</ref> Akella used the engine for ''Jagged Alliance 3'' in 2007 before that version of the game was cancelled in 2010.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jagged Alliance 3 Interview |url=https://www.strategycore.co.uk/articles/interviews/jagged-alliance-3-interview/ |website=StrategyCore |access-date=3 September 2022 |date=28 August 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Nunneley |first1=Stephany |title=Jagged Alliance 3 is in development again and coming to PC "soon" |url=https://www.vg247.com/jagged-alliance-3-coming-to-pc-soon |website=VG247 |publisher=Gamer Network |access-date=3 September 2022 |date=18 September 2021}}</ref>

==Features== [[File:Silent Storm pose.JPG|thumb|''Silent Storm'' presents the player with a large array of tactical options, including two sets of equipped weapons, numerous stances, and several different firing modes. Terrain elevation is also completely fluid, with smooth ramps, sloping embankments, flights of stairs and ladders (not pictured).]]

The engine features an advanced physics model<ref name=gspy>{{cite web | last = Rausch | first = Allen | title = GameSpy: Silent Storm Review | publisher = GameSpy | date = February 25, 2004 | url = http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/silent-storm/494779p1.html | access-date = 2007-12-13 | archive-date = 2008-01-24 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080124212411/http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/silent-storm/494779p1.html | url-status = live}}</ref> – nearly all structures are destructible,<ref name=gspy/><ref name=CGW>{{cite news | last = Coffey | first = Robert | title = Silent Storm | publisher = Computer Gaming World | date = April 2004 | url = http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_zdcgw/is_200404/ai_n9515299 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060301212210/http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_zdcgw/is_200404/ai_n9515299 | url-status = dead | archive-date = 2006-03-01 | access-date = 2007-12-13}}</ref> and ragdoll physics is employed for bodies<ref name=CGW/> with variation according to the precise velocity and impact of projectiles.<ref name=gspy/><ref name=cnet>{{cite web | last = Kasavin | first = Greg | title = Silent Storm (PC) | publisher = CNET | date = January 26, 2004 | url = http://reviews.cnet.com/pc-games/silent-storm-pc/4505-9696_7-30984281.html | access-date = 2007-12-13 | archive-date = 2008-01-01 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080101132534/http://reviews.cnet.com/pc-games/silent-storm-pc/4505-9696_7-30984281.html | url-status = live}}</ref> Three-dimensional mapping allows for obstruction calculations<ref name=gspot_intvw>{{cite web | title = Q&A: Silent Storm developers | publisher =GameSpot | date = January 15, 2004 | url = http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/silentstorm/news_6086595.html | access-date = 2007-12-13 | archive-date = 2010-04-23 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100423171744/http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/silentstorm/news_6086595.html | url-status = live}}</ref> and cover effects from any direction. Bullets ricochet, and their stopping power depends on the strength of the weapon. Also modeled are materials' effectiveness at stopping ordnance<ref name=gspot_intvw/> and visibility based on lighting conditions. All these effects are, however, exaggerated for a more cinematic experience (e.g., a hail of non-fatal bullets only makes the target shake, but a single fatal bullet can send the target flying), which has been praised by some reviewers as a feature.<ref name=gspy/><ref name=CGW/> Reviewer Greg Kasavin commented that "pray and spray" tactics are quite viable, as the game uses silhouettes to mark enemies' estimated positions when they happen to lie out of eyesight but within earshot.<ref name=cnet/>

Mechanics common to role-playing video games are also featured, such as the ability for characters to be customized over time.<ref name=gspy/> The player's units gain experience points over time for completing actions, which can later be spent on purchasing new skills and abilities.<ref name=gspy/> The engine also uses an action point system, whereby players can select from various actions, such as firing modes, stances and forms of movement.<ref name=cnet/> A sequel, ''Silent Storm: Sentinels'', introduced weapon degradation to the series.<ref name=gshark_s3/>

==Reception== The engine has been praised for its ability – commonly found in RTS – to allow users to select and issue orders to multiple units at once,<ref name=CGW/> and for allowing players to select which items to pick up from a list.<ref name=CGW/> Also praised were the quality of its graphics<ref name=cvg>{{cite web | last = O'Hagan | first = Steve | title = PC Preview: Silent Storm | publisher =ComputerAndVideoGames.com | date = August 7, 2003 | url = http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=94816 | access-date = 2007-12-13 | archive-date = 2012-06-12 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120612091505/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/94816/previews/silent-storm/ | url-status = live}}</ref><ref name=yhg_hs>{{cite web|title=Hammer & Sickle Review |publisher=Yahoo! Games |url=http://uk.videogames.games.yahoo.com/pc/reviews/hammer---sickle-689c73.html |access-date=2007-12-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080316213928/http://uk.videogames.games.yahoo.com/pc/reviews/hammer---sickle-689c73.html |archive-date=2008-03-16}}</ref> and weapon and environmental sounds,<ref name=cnet/> though these sentiments were tempered as the engine began to age.<ref name=yhg_hs/><ref name=palgn/> Reviewers also appreciated the destructibility of the environment,<ref name=cgw_hs/><ref name=1up_hs/><ref name=xplay>{{cite web | title = G4 - Reviews - Silent Storm | publisher = X-Play | date = June 4, 2004 | url = http://www.g4tv.com/xplay/reviews/918/Silent_Storm.html | archive-url = https://archive.today/20130123142342/http://www.g4tv.com/xplay/reviews/918/Silent_Storm.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = January 23, 2013 | access-date =2007-12-13}}</ref> role-playing elements<ref name=cgw_hs/> and "squad-based tactical combat".<ref name=cgw_hs/><ref name=gspy/>

Criticisms include the engine not taking into account the relative position of objects in 3-dimensional space when making selections using the mouse. For instance, when selecting and issuing actions to a group of soldiers, the selection may include soldiers that occupy different elevations, making the orders nonsensical.<ref name=CGW/> The engine has also been criticized for slow performance, even on top-end (at the time) computers.<ref name=CGW/><ref name=1up_hs>{{cite web | last = Di | first = Luo | title = Reviews: H&S - The Cold War gone horribly wrong. | publisher = 1UP.com | date = March 9, 2006 | url = http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3148681 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110522112423/http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3148681 | url-status = dead | archive-date = May 22, 2011 | access-date = 2007-12-13}}</ref> Finally, the engine has been criticized for the length of time required for the artificial intelligence to complete its turns,<ref name=cnet/><ref name=palgn>{{cite web|last=Keller |first=Matt |title=Hammer & Sickle Review |website=PALGN |date=January 29, 2006 |url=http://palgn.com.au/article.php?id=3738 |access-date=2007-12-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080309085737/http://palgn.com.au/article.php?id=3738 |archive-date=March 9, 2008}}</ref> a lack of any multiplayer support<ref name=gspy/> and the uncooperativeness of its camera controls.<ref name=xplay/>

==References== {{Reflist}}

Category:2003 software Category:Lua (programming language)-scriptable game engines Category:Silent Storm engine games Category:Video game engines