Difference between revisions of "Stormlord"

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| bobscreen=Stormlord title.png
 
| bobscreen=Stormlord title.png
 
| publisher={{company|[[RazorSoft]]|region=US}}, {{company|[[Micro World]]|region=Japan}}
 
| publisher={{company|[[RazorSoft]]|region=US}}, {{company|[[Micro World]]|region=Japan}}
−
| originaldevelopers=[[Hewson Consultants]]
 
 
| developer=[[Punk Development]]{{ref|http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/Punk_Development}}
 
| developer=[[Punk Development]]{{ref|http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/Punk_Development}}
 +
| licensor=[[Hewson Consultants]]
 
| system=[[Sega Mega Drive]]
 
| system=[[Sega Mega Drive]]
 
| sounddriver=[[RazorSoft sound driver]]
 
| sounddriver=[[RazorSoft sound driver]]
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| genre=Action{{magref|bemega|1992-02|24}}{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20200702232146/https://sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/software_l.html}}
 
| genre=Action{{magref|bemega|1992-02|24}}{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20200702232146/https://sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/software_l.html}}
 
| releases={{releasesMD
 
| releases={{releasesMD
−
| md_date_us=1991
+
| md_date_us=1991-07{{ref|https://groups.google.com/g/rec.games.video/c/gp92-ELuaus/m/6ESzll-rMn4J}}
 
| md_code_us=56026
 
| md_code_us=56026
 
| md_rrp_us=59.95{{magref|vgce|30|39}}
 
| md_rrp_us=59.95{{magref|vgce|30|39}}
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| otherformats={{NonSega|Amiga|CPC|ST|C64|IBMPC|Spectrum}}
 
| otherformats={{NonSega|Amiga|CPC|ST|C64|IBMPC|Spectrum}}
 
}}
 
}}
−
{{stub}}'''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' (ストームロード) is a [[Sega Mega Drive]] puzzle platform game developed by [[Punk Development]]{{ref|http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/Punk_Development}}. A port of the titular 1989 [[Hewson Consultants]] title ''[[wikipedia:Stormlord|Stormlord]]'', it was first published in the United States by [[RazorSoft]]{{ref|http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/Punk_Development}} in 1991, and was later brought to Japan by [[Micro World]]{{ref|http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/Punk_Development}} in March 1992. The game is most notable for its poor reception, frustrating design, and the subsequent lawsuit which followed its release.{{ref|http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/Punk_Development}}
+
{{stub}}'''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' (ストームロード) is a [[Sega Mega Drive]] puzzle platform game developed by [[Punk Development]]{{ref|http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/Punk_Development}}. A port of the titular 1989 [[Hewson Consultants]] title ''[[wikipedia:Stormlord|Stormlord]]'', it was first published in the United States by [[RazorSoft]]{{ref|http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/Punk_Development}} in July 1991{{ref|https://groups.google.com/g/rec.games.video/c/gp92-ELuaus/m/6ESzll-rMn4J}}, and was later brought to Japan by [[Micro World]]{{ref|http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/Punk_Development}} in March 1992{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20200702232146/https://sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/software_l.html}}. The game is also notable for the subsequent lawsuit which followed its release.{{ref|http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/Punk_Development}}
  
 +
==Story==
 +
{{quote|Prepare to enter worlds of terror, where daylight battles the darkened night. As thunder roars its ravenous call throughout the land, streaks of white hot lightening crackle through the dimly lit sky. You, StormLord, have been summoned to the valley of the Enchanted Realm to rescue the entombed princesses captured by the Evil Rotting Crone. As StormLord, you embark upon your most perilous journey. Only you possess the power and fury necessary to vanquish all who dare oppose you. Prepare to charge into battle with the Dreaded Draconian Fire Dogs. Thrust your mighty sword at Barbaric Killer Bees. Keep an eye out for Pearsbteh, the mutated man-munching moss, for they are hungrily eyeing you. Rescue the entombed princesses hidden throughout the desolate world. Locate the treasures hidden within the labyrinth so the legend of StormLord will be told for centuries.|''US Manual''|ref={{fileref|StormLord MD US Manual.pdf|page=7}}}}
 
==Gameplay==
 
==Gameplay==
−
A side-scrolling platform game with puzzle and action elements, ''Stormlord'' is fairly typical of early 1990s [[Amiga]] games. Players control a slow-moving protagonist across ten different levels, with a general puzzle emphasis on determining what action is needed to proceed.
+
A side-scrolling platform game with puzzle and action elements, ''Stormlord'' is fairly typical of early 1990s [[Amiga]] games. Players control a slow-moving protagonist across ten different levels, with a general puzzle emphasis on determining what action is needed to proceed. The directional pad moves StormLord, and {{A}} performs a jump. Tapping {{B}} throws a magical throwing star, and holding {{B}} charges this attack into a blazing steel sword.{{fileref|StormLord MD US Manual.pdf|page=8}} {{C}} picks up magical items and switches between objects in StormLord's inventory.{{fileref|StormLord MD US Manual.pdf|page=9}} After conquering each world, a bonus round provides players with the opportunity to earn extra lives. With each falling princess that StormLord saves from a fiery fate, the more additional lives he will earn.{{fileref|StormLord MD US Manual.pdf|page=9}}
  
 
''Stormlord'' is notorious for its numerous pitfalls from which the player cannot escape. Either purposefully or due to numerous oversights, the game contains a number of areas which, once entered, cannot be exited (usually due to the adjacent platforms being placed too high), or will permanently lock the protagonist in place due to collision issues. In virtually all of these cases, the player is forced to reset the game.
 
''Stormlord'' is notorious for its numerous pitfalls from which the player cannot escape. Either purposefully or due to numerous oversights, the game contains a number of areas which, once entered, cannot be exited (usually due to the adjacent platforms being placed too high), or will permanently lock the protagonist in place due to collision issues. In virtually all of these cases, the player is forced to reset the game.
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==History==
 
==History==
−
[[File:RaffaeleCecco Stormlordart.png|thumb|left|160px|British programmer and ''Stormlord'' creator [[Raffaele Cecco]].]]
+
{{MainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/History}}
−
Created by bedroom programmer and later [[Hewson Consultants]] employee [[Raffaele Cecco]], ''Stormlord'' was first conceived in early 1988{{ref|https://www.gamingalexandria.com/wp/2019/01/the-history-of-stormlord/}}, and was eventually developed into a puzzle platform game with minor action elements. One of Cecco's more notable design choices was the inclusion of nude faeries in certain areas of the game, which garnered ''Stormlord'' a significant amount of both press coverage and controversy.{{ref|https://www.gamingalexandria.com/wp/2019/01/the-history-of-stormlord/}} Consequently, it was sometimes marketed as an "adult" title, despite the remainder of the game having no adult content whatsoever.{{ref|https://www.gamingalexandria.com/wp/2019/01/the-history-of-stormlord/}}
+
Frequently marketed as one of the [[Mega Drive]]'s first "adult" titles, the history of ''Stormlord'' has long fascinated the gaming community, resulting in a number of misconceptions about the game's development. Thankfully, the game's lead programmer [[Kevin Seghetti]] has since provided a wealth of knowledge and insight into ''Stormlord'''s history through various interviews and statements.
−
 
 
−
After about a year of development, the game was released in 1988 for the [[Amiga]], [[Atari ST]], [[Amstrad CPC]], [[Commodore 64]], [[ZX Spectrum]], and [[IBM PC|IBM]] personal computers.{{ref|https://www.gamingalexandria.com/wp/2019/01/the-history-of-stormlord/}} Receiving mixed critical reception, ''Stormlord'' caught the eye of American video game publisher [[RazorSoft]]{{ref|https://www.gamingalexandria.com/wp/2019/01/the-history-of-stormlord/}}, who was looking to capitalize on the freedom granted by publishing on a non-[[Nintendo]] console (and therefore having to adhere to less strict content standards) by releasing more mature titles. ''Stormlord'' would be the first game published by the company, with programming responsibilities falling mainly on [[Punk Development]] employee [[Kevin Seghetti]].{{ref|https://www.gamingalexandria.com/wp/2019/01/the-history-of-stormlord/}}
 
−
 
 
−
===Lawsuit===
 
−
[[File:Stormlord US cartridge alt.png|thumb|320px|The unique cartridge used for the game's United States release.]]
 
−
In 1991, disagreements between [[RazorSoft]] and [[Sega]] over the cost and order size of Sega's proprietary [[Sega Mega Drive]] cartridges{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20210608052404/http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/Interview:Kevin_Seghetti}}{{ref|https://www.gamingalexandria.com/wp/2019/01/the-history-of-stormlord/}} led to ''Stormlord'' being released in a smaller run of self-manufactured cartridges (as opposed to purchasing them directly from [[Sega]], as contractually-obliged.){{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20210608052404/http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/Interview:Kevin_Seghetti}}{{ref|http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/Punk_Development}} While the company still paid full royalties to [[Sega]]{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20210608052404/http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/Interview:Kevin_Seghetti}}{{ref|https://www.gamingalexandria.com/wp/2019/01/the-history-of-stormlord/}}, their developer license was revoked in June 1991, and Sega refused to publish any of their future games. RazorSoft then sued for breach of the Sherman Antitrust Act on July 22, 1991, with [[Sega]] then counter-suing both [[RazorSoft]] and [[Punk Development]] in August for copyright infringement and breach of contract.{{fileref|PhoenixtheFallandRiseofVideoGames Book US 3rd.pdf|page=153}}{{magref|gamepro|28|142}}{{ref|http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/Punk_Development}}
 
−
 
 
−
The final outcome was settled out of court, with RazorSoft agreeing to purchase future cartridges from Sega, having their developer license restored, and Sega dropping the lawsuit.{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20210608052404/http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/Interview:Kevin_Seghetti}}
 
−
 
 
−
The game's developer, [[Kevin Seghetti]], elaborated on the details of the lawsuit in a November 2008 interview{{ref|https://www.gamingalexandria.com/wp/2019/01/the-history-of-stormlord/}} with [http://gdri.smspower.org GDRI]:
 
−
{{clear}}
 
−
{{quote|RazorSoft didn't like how much Sega charged to make cartridges. The minimum order was 30,000 units, and IIRC, they cost $17 each. So publishers had to pony up about a half million dollars, and the risk was all theirs if the product didn't sell. I never saw the contract between Sega and RazorSoft, but apparently it specified a royalty rate for cartridges (I don't know if that $17 per cart included the royalty or not).
 
−
 
 
−
So RazorSoft decided to manufacture their own cartridges for Stormlord instead of paying Sega to do it because they could do a smaller run, it was cheaper, and they could turn them around faster. They paid all of the royalties to Sega, just didn't have Sega make them (if you get your hand on a Stormlord cartridge, you will see they are shaped differently than Sega cartridges were).
 
−
 
 
−
Sega was annoyed because they obviously make a profit on making the cartridges and also like to maintain tight control over what gets made when.
 
−
 
 
−
IIRC, the final outcome was they settled out of court, RazorSoft agreed to buy carts from Sega in the future, and Sega dropped the suit.|ref={{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20210608052404/http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/Interview:Kevin_Seghetti}}|''Stormlord programmer [[Kevin Seghetti]]''}}
 
−
===Nude fairies===
 
−
[[File:Stormlord MD Breasts.png|thumb|left|320px|The final version's censored fairies.]]
 
−
The original 1989 [[Commodore Amiga]] release of the game features nude fairies in certain areas. When developer [[Punk Development]] initially ported the game to the [[Sega Mega Drive]], the fairies were also ported over as nude. However, RazorSoft quickly called for their censorship, and programmer [[Kevin Seghetti]]'s wife [[Melanie Seghetti]] later created the graphics for the fairies' bras.{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20210608052404/http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/Interview:Kevin_Seghetti}} However, preview builds of the uncensored version of the game had already been seen at [[Winter CES 1991]] and sent to the gaming press, and the nude graphics were soon exposed to the general public. Game magazine [[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] even apologized for the publishing of nudity in its May 1991 issue.{{magref|egm|22|12}}
 
−
 
 
−
{{quote|When we did the port, Razorsoft specified they needed the Faeries covered up, for the American market. That was always the plan. So it wasn’t added later, my wife added in the bra graphics early on.|ref={{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20210608052404/http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/Interview:Kevin_Seghetti}}|''Stormlord programmer [[Kevin Seghetti]]''}}
 
−
 
 
−
Due to a lack of information over [[RazorSoft]]'s lawsuit with [[Sega]] over the cost of their proprietary cartridges, it was rumored that the lawsuit was instead a result of the company refusing to censor the nude fairies. While easily debunked in hindsight, as a small piece of art would not be worth the loss of a developer license, Stormlord developer [[Kevin Seghetti]] definitively verified the rumor as false when clarifying the details of RazorSoft's lawsuit:
 
−
 
 
−
{{quote|The Wikipedia and SegaRetro pages on Stormlord do not match my recollection on this point.|ref={{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20210608052404/http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/Interview:Kevin_Seghetti}}|''Stormlord programmer [[Kevin Seghetti]], referring to a previous version of this article''}}
 
  
 
==Magazine articles==
 
==Magazine articles==
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| region=US
 
| region=US
 
| front=Stormlord MD US Box.jpg
 
| front=Stormlord MD US Box.jpg
 +
| spine=Stormlord MD US Box Spine.jpg
 +
| back=Stormlord MD US Box Back.jpg
 
| cart=Stormlord md us cart.jpg
 
| cart=Stormlord md us cart.jpg
 +
| carttop=Stormlord md us cart top.jpg
 +
| cartback=Stormlord md us cart back.jpg
 
| manual=StormLord MD US Manual.pdf
 
| manual=StormLord MD US Manual.pdf
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
==Technical information==
 
==Technical information==
−
===ROM dump status===
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{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Technical information}}
−
{{romtable|
 
−
{{rom|MD|sha1=1bf4b58d50fdc0fdc173ce3dcadcc5d9b58f0723|md5=73070170122193915b7f8af945ef426c|crc32=39ab50a5|size=512KB|date=1990-09|source=Cartridge (US)|comments=|icon=|quality=good}}
 
−
{{rom|MD|sha1=fe06ea2d7fcccecce337a535ae683c31aae4a637|md5=689634797f5da35d026593fb240f5fe0|crc32=0b440fed|size=512KB|date=|source=Cartridge (JP)|comments=|icon=|quality=good}}
 
−
}}
 
  
 
==External links==
 
==External links==
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{{StormlordOmni}}
 
{{StormlordOmni}}
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 +
[[Category:Articles needing images]]

Latest revision as of 04:11, 28 July 2023

n/a

Stormlord title.png

Stormlord
System(s): Sega Mega Drive
Publisher: RazorSoft (US), Micro World (Japan)
Developer:
Licensor: Hewson Consultants
Sound driver: RazorSoft sound driver
Genre: Action[2][3]

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
JP 		¥6,8006,800 T-49113
Sega Mega Drive
US 		$59.9559.95[5] 56026
Non-Sega versions

This short article is in need of work. You can help Sega Retro by adding to it.

Stormlord (ストームロード) is a Sega Mega Drive puzzle platform game developed by Punk Development[1]. A port of the titular 1989 Hewson Consultants title Stormlord, it was first published in the United States by RazorSoft[1] in July 1991[4], and was later brought to Japan by Micro World[1] in March 1992[3]. The game is also notable for the subsequent lawsuit which followed its release.[1]

Story

“ Prepare to enter worlds of terror, where daylight battles the darkened night. As thunder roars its ravenous call throughout the land, streaks of white hot lightening crackle through the dimly lit sky. You, StormLord, have been summoned to the valley of the Enchanted Realm to rescue the entombed princesses captured by the Evil Rotting Crone. As StormLord, you embark upon your most perilous journey. Only you possess the power and fury necessary to vanquish all who dare oppose you. Prepare to charge into battle with the Dreaded Draconian Fire Dogs. Thrust your mighty sword at Barbaric Killer Bees. Keep an eye out for Pearsbteh, the mutated man-munching moss, for they are hungrily eyeing you. Rescue the entombed princesses hidden throughout the desolate world. Locate the treasures hidden within the labyrinth so the legend of StormLord will be told for centuries. „

— US Manual[6]


Gameplay

A side-scrolling platform game with puzzle and action elements, Stormlord is fairly typical of early 1990s Amiga games. Players control a slow-moving protagonist across ten different levels, with a general puzzle emphasis on determining what action is needed to proceed. The directional pad moves StormLord, and A performs a jump. Tapping B throws a magical throwing star, and holding B charges this attack into a blazing steel sword.[7] C picks up magical items and switches between objects in StormLord's inventory.[8] After conquering each world, a bonus round provides players with the opportunity to earn extra lives. With each falling princess that StormLord saves from a fiery fate, the more additional lives he will earn.[8]

Stormlord is notorious for its numerous pitfalls from which the player cannot escape. Either purposefully or due to numerous oversights, the game contains a number of areas which, once entered, cannot be exited (usually due to the adjacent platforms being placed too high), or will permanently lock the protagonist in place due to collision issues. In virtually all of these cases, the player is forced to reset the game.

Levels

Notavailable.svg

Level 1

Notavailable.svg

Level 2

Notavailable.svg

Level 3

Notavailable.svg

Level 4

Notavailable.svg

Level 5

Notavailable.svg

Level 6

Notavailable.svg

Level 7

Notavailable.svg

Level 8

Notavailable.svg

Level 9

Notavailable.svg

Level 10

History

Main article: Stormlord/History.

Frequently marketed as one of the Mega Drive's first "adult" titles, the history of Stormlord has long fascinated the gaming community, resulting in a number of misconceptions about the game's development. Thankfully, the game's lead programmer Kevin Seghetti has since provided a wealth of knowledge and insight into Stormlord's history through various interviews and statements.

Magazine articles

Main article: Stormlord/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Main article: Stormlord/Promotional material.

Physical scans

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
40
[9]
ACE (UK)
63
[10]
Ação Games (BR)
67
[11]
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
67
[12]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
58
[13]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
92
[14]
Games-X (UK)
70
[15]
Hippon Super (JP) NTSC-J
60
[16]
Joypad (FR) NTSC-U
80
[17]
Joystick (FR) NTSC-U
82
[18]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK) NTSC
75
[19]
Mega Drive Fan (JP) NTSC-J
60
[20]
Mega (UK) NTSC-U
45
[21]
MegaTech (UK) NTSC
57
[22]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
57
[23]
Power Play (DE)
43
[24]
Sega Power (UK) NTSC
75
[25]
Sega Power (UK) NTSC-U
79
[26]
Sega Pro (UK) NTSC
77
[27]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
46
[28]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
63
[29]
Sega Mega Drive
 65
Based on
21 reviews

Stormlord

Mega Drive, JP
Stormlord MD JP Box.jpg
Cover
Stormlord MD JP CartTop.jpg
Stormlord MD JP Cart.jpg
Cart
Stormlord MD JP manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, US
Stormlord MD US Box Back.jpgStormlord MD US Box Spine.jpgStormlord MD US Box.jpg
Cover
Stormlord md us cart top.jpg
Stormlord md us cart back.jpgStormlord md us cart.jpg
Cart
StormLord MD US Manual.pdf
Manual

Technical information

Main article: Stormlord/Technical information.

External links

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/Punk_Development
  2. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "February 1992" (JP; 1992-01-08), page 24
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 https://sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/software_l.html (Wayback Machine: 2020-07-02 23:21)
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 https://groups.google.com/g/rec.games.video/c/gp92-ELuaus/m/6ESzll-rMn4J
  5. ↑ VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "July 1991" (US; 1991-0x-xx), page 39
  6. ↑ File:StormLord MD US Manual.pdf, page 7
  7. ↑ File:StormLord MD US Manual.pdf, page 8
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 File:StormLord MD US Manual.pdf, page 9
  9. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 223
  10. ↑ ACE, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-08), page 72
  11. ↑ Ação Games, "Maio 1991" (BR; 1991-05-21), page 45
  12. ↑ Aktueller Software Markt, "November 1991" (DE; 1991-10-11), page 146
  13. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "February 1992" (JP; 1992-01-08), page 36
  14. ↑ GamePro, "April 1991" (US; 1991-xx-xx), page 42
  15. ↑ Games-X, "15th-21st August 1991" (UK; 1991-08-15), page 39
  16. ↑ Hippon Super, "March 1992" (JP; 1992-02-04), page 82
  17. ↑ Joypad, "Octobre 1991" (FR; 1991-09-17), page 42
  18. ↑ Joystick, "Septembre 1991" (FR; 1991-0x-xx), page 166
  19. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 94
  20. ↑ Mega Drive Fan, "June 1992" (JP; 1992-05-08), page 83
  21. ↑ Mega, "April 1994" (UK; 1994-03-17), page 63
  22. ↑ MegaTech, "Xmas 1991" (UK; 1991-12-06), page 80
  23. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 140
  24. ↑ Power Play, "10/91" (DE; 1991-09-xx), page 159
  25. ↑ Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 54
  26. ↑ Sega Power, "November 1991" (UK; 1991-10-04), page 27
  27. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 67
  28. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 87
  29. ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 179


Stormlord

Stormlord title.png

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