WildTangent (partially found PC/online games; 1999-2018)
Current WildTangent logo (possibly from 2010).
Status: Partially Found
WildTangent was a PC/web game company founded in 1998 by Alex St. John and Jeremy Kenyon. The company is well known for its PC web/online games that were pre-installed for PC users who own HP, Dell, Toshiba, Gateway, Samsung, Acer, and Sony VAIO, like Polar Bowler, Final Drive Nitro, Blasterball series, and the Fate series.
WildTangent used to develop their own original games, sometimes to advertise various companies, TV, and movies. Most of the WildTangent titles were discontinued and have become lost or missing. The reason they discontinued their games is unknown. However, they were criticized because their games contain spyware, the company no longer distributes or develops Web Driver.
Somewhere in 2005, WildTangent has been since distributing other games from other game developers and publishers.
According to a former WildTangent employee, most of WildTangent games were all stored in GIT-type system/source safe so no one needed personal copies. However, no information have been confirmed.
Technology
In order to play WildTangent games, the user would have to install WildTangent Web Driver and Microsoft Java Virtual Machine. Java would need to be uninstalled or disabled in case it blocked these games from running. The antivirus software would have to be disabled in case it blocked them from running as well.
The games had online and offline versions, but the online versions no longer function.
WildTangent visualizers, screensavers, SDK, other demos, and other tools used to be available from the site. It has been since discontinued.
WildTangent owns the Genesis3D game engine, but the company have no involvement with any Genesis3D games. In 1999, WildTangent and Eclipse Entertainment negotiated a deal where WildTangent purchased most of the Genesis3D assets to create their Web Driver.[1]WildTangent then acquired Eclipse Entertainment.[2]
History
WildTangent was founded in July 1998 by former Microsoft Evangelist and DirectX creator Alex St. John and his partner Cambridge mathematician, Jeremy Kenyon. Originally established as a service organization to assist Microsoft in promoting Chromeffects. However, it quickly turned into something much more.
The same year, Alex St. John left Microsoft to found WildTangent, a consulting organization, in order to assist Microsoft in developing Chromeffects, a multimedia project originally prototyped by St. John. After persuading Kenyon to join him, they hired several programmers to work on the project. In November 1998, despite the team's success, Microsoft cancelled the Chromeffects project.
Chromeffects was an incredibly powerful idea. Disappointed that multimedia technology was not advancing rapidly enough to meet the demands of the internet, the WildTangent team decided to architect a more powerful solution for bringing interactive content to the web. Two months later, the team had put together a prototype and a business plan and began the search for investors.
By the end of May 1999, the company released its first beta version of the Web Driver to developers. On September 22, 1999, WildTangent released its version 1.0 Web Driver to the market.[3]
In August 2001, WildTangent released version 2.1 of the Web Driver.
Starting in September 2001, WildTangent began creating a digital entertainment network with major OEM's and entertainment portals, allowing them to bring major titles like Dark Orbit and SabreWing 2 to their end-users. Consumers can now experience retail-quality entertainment through distribution partners that include Hewlett-Packard, GameSpy Arcade, GamePro and Shockwave.com.
WildTangent has secured strategic alliances with major websites, computing and entertainment companies, including GameSpy, Gamepro, Microsoft, Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment, Universal Studios, DNA Studios, Shockwave.com, AOL/TimeWarner, TBS SuperStation, News Corp/Fox Sports, Sierra Studios, ATI, AMD, Compaq Computer Corp., Visa, Pioneer and 3DMaxMedia. Overall, tens of millions of end-users have downloaded WildTangent's Web Driver.[4]
In October 2001, WildTangent, Screenblast, and Distant Corners Entertainment Group announced the launch of Evilution: The Legend of Helnaar on Screenblast. The game featured in the movie premiere of "How to Make a Monster," which is part of the Creature Features series on Cinemax. The game itself was lost.[5]
WildTangent developed a multimedia accessory/utility called Xbox Music Mixer and published by Microsoft Game Studios for the Xbox console. It was released on December 1st, 2003, and the first Xbox game to be made by WildTangent. It received unfavorable reviews.[6]
In 2004, WildTangent and Sarbakan join forces of its first 3D action online game FireChild on the America Online RED service, designed to be the first 3D streaming game.[7]The game was nowhere to be found.
WildTangent released Fate for PC on May 20, 2005, which positively received by critics.[8]It was later released sequels. Fate: Undiscovered Realms released in 2008, Fate: The Traitor Soul released in 2009, and Fate: The Cursed King released in 2011.
WildTangent released Mojo Master on June 20, 2005, and the first online game from AXE Unlimited and WildTangent.[9]The multiplayer version of that game was also released in October 2005.[10]The game was later subject to protests due to controversy regarding about that game.[11]
From 2006, the company offer anybody to buy WildCoins for any games, until 2020 when WildCoins have been discontinued, as the company are focused on adding new features and improving the overall experience.[12][13]
WildTangent released Sea Life Safari for PC and Xbox Live Arcade, the Xbox Live Arcade version of the game received mostly mixed reviews.[14]
WildTangent announced the PC launch of Q Entertainment’s award-winning puzzle game Lumines on the WildTangent site, which was released on November 28, 2007. It received average reviews.[15][16]
Somewhere in 2008, WildTangent released WildTangent Orb console, a new PC service aimed to give a game console experience. Orb will act as a portal for "console games," defined here as games designed for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, and let you download and play games in its entirety or in play sessions, which will cost you via tokens or free through watching advertisements.[17][18]WildTangent Orb have been since discontinued.
In February 2013, WildTangent have launched its mobile service.[19]The company used to developed their own original mobile games and used to be available on App Store (for iOS) and Google Play (for Android), but has been since removed and no longer available to purchase.
In 2019, the company was acquired by Gamigo.[20]No new original games have been made since the ownership.
Availability of Games
Most discontinued WildTangent games are no longer available for purchase, but some can still be downloaded from other distributors or somewhere else, CD that has some games, or anybody who has the game backed up. The list of games that are lost and found can be viewed below. And the list of games and other demos as separate list can be viewed below as well.[21]The collection of the currently found old WildTangent games and other stuff is available here for download.
As of present day, 23 of their original games currently available to purchase and 12 original web games still available to play on WildTangent website. Bringing the total of only 35 WildTangent original games still supported, as of now. Garfield Mahjong was the final game released by WildTangent as of 2018 prior to Gamigo ownership.
The only retail WildTangent games available to purchase somewhere else was Fate, Fate: Undiscovered Realms, Fate: The Traitor Soul, Fate: The Cursed King, Penguins!, Polar Bowler (PC version), Polar Bowler (Nintendo DS version), Polar Golfer, Polar Golfer: Pineapple Cup, Polar Pool, Polar Tubing, Tornado Jockey, Lilo & Stitch Pinball, and Xbox Music Mixer (for Xbox), but were rare to find. The rest of some WildTangent games available on CD from various distributors but not all of it, they were very rare to find nowadays.
WildTangent occasionally discontinue games if older games that simply won't work on newer operating systems in order to provide the best gaming experience possible, though it has been unconfirmed. If some of former current supported games were no longer available to download and purchase anymore, then they be listed as discontinued list.[22]
Original
| Game Title | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Apache Striker | Lost | |
| Atomic Pop | Found | |
| Betty Bad | Found | |
| Billiards | Lost | |
| Blackhawk Striker | Found | |
| Blasterball Wild (Also known as Blasterball) | Found | |
| BMX Pro | Found | |
| Cannonballs | Found | Guest Login mode of that game is unavailable because it requires multiplayer server which was discontinued. Single Player mode is still playable. |
| Checkers | Found | |
| Dark Orbit | Found | |
| Debate 2000 | Lost | |
| Dice Jam (WildTangent version) | Found | |
| Excavation | Found | |
| Fill Up | Partially Found | Full version is inaccessible. |
| Final Drive: Fury | Partially Found | Chaos vehicle is missing from that game. The game can't connect online because WildTangent discontinued that game. It is unknown whether the game is free or not. |
| Five Card Frenzy (WildTangent version) | Partially Found | Full version is inaccessible. |
| Front 9 | Found | |
| Gem Master | Found | |
| Gem Master 2 | Found | |
| Gem Master 3: Mystic | Found | |
| Gin | Found | |
| Glow Glow Firefly | Found | Full version for WildTangent installer of that game is inaccessible, but the full version for Shockwave.com installer of that game is accessible. |
| Golf Challenge | Found | |
| Gothello | Lost | |
| Groove-o-Matic | Partially Found | Full version is inaccessible. The multiplayer of that game requires AIM program which the multiplayer server was discontinued. |
| Hearts (PC version) | Found | |
| Honeycombs | Found | |
| Invasion: The Last Stand | Found | |
| Invincible BMX | Lost | |
| Island Heads | Found | |
| Jewel Thief | Found | |
| Kublox | Partially Found | Full version is inaccessible. |
| Lexibox Deluxe | Partially Found | Full version is inaccessible. The multiplayer of that game requires AIM program which the multiplayer server was discontinued. |
| Mars Rover | Found | |
| MindBender | Lost | |
| Orbital | Found | |
| Pig Pen | Found | |
| Reversi | Found | |
| Ring Master | Found | |
| RoboDome | Lost | |
| Run 'n Gun Football | Found | |
| SabreWing | Lost | |
| SabreWing 2 | Found | |
| Sea Life Safari | Found | The PC and Xbox 360/XBLA version have been found. |
| Shooting Stars Pool | Found | Full version for previous WildTangent installer of that game is inaccessible, but the full version for latest WildTangent installer of that game is accessible. |
| Slyder | Found | |
| Snowboard Extreme | Found | |
| Snowboard Mountain | Found | |
| Space Rocks | Found | |
| Spades (PC version) | Found | |
| Speedway (Download version) | Partially Found | Lost online version for more tracks. |
| STX: The Sentinel Conspiracy | Found | |
| Super Speedway | Lost | |
| Totally Live Boxing | Found | |
| Track Meet | Found | |
| Track Racer | Lost | |
| Wildcards | Partially Found | Full version is inaccessible. |
| Xbox Music Mixer (Xbox game) | Found | |
| You Know What Arts | Partially Found | Full version is inaccessible. |
| You Know What History | Partially Found | Full version is inaccessible. |
| You Know What Potpourri | Partially Found | Full version is inaccessible. |
| You Know What Science | Partially Found | Full version is inaccessible. |
| You Know What Sports | Partially Found | Full version is inaccessible. |
| Polar Bowler Strike! (Facebook game) | Lost | |
| Monster Park Madness | Found | |
| Polar Bowler (Nintendo DS version) | Found | |
| Overball | Found | |
| Tornado Jockey | Found | |
| Fantasy Baseball | Lost | |
| Super Granny | Found | |
| Crystal Maze | Found | |
| Bounce Symphony (Also known as Bounce) | Found |
Advergames
| Game Title | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| AXE Unlimited: Mojo Master (Download version) | Partially Found | The download version is inaccessible because it requires multiplayer server which was discontinued and single player online version is lost. |
| BellSouth FastAccess DSL Racing | Lost | |
| Chrysler Club Championship Challenge | Found | |
| Chrysler Golf Classic | Lost | |
| Chrysler: Road Ready Streetwise | Found | |
| Chrysler: Road Ready Streetwise v2.0 (WildTangent version) | Lost | |
| Chrysler Stow 'n Go Shopper Shuffle | Lost | |
| Chrysler West Coast Rally | Found | |
| Coca-Cola: Live the Madness | Lost | |
| Coca-Cola: Live the Madness 2005 | Lost | |
| Coca-Cola: NCAA Championship Run 2005 | Lost | |
| Coca-Cola: NCAA Championship Run 2006 | Partially Found | Lost unlock codes for unlockable features. |
| Coca-Cola: Run n' Gun Football | Lost | |
| Dial Corporation: Coast BMX Full Grind | Lost | As of now, Dave Evans who formerly worked at GSD&M has not found the copy of that game yet. |
| Dodge Charger Urban Racing | Found | |
| Dodge: Race the Pros | Lost | |
| Dodge Racing: Hemi Edition | Found | |
| Dodge Stow N' Go Challenge | Lost | |
| Ford Supercar Challenge (Download version) | Partially Found | Lost online full version. |
| Gateway Superset Tennis | Lost | |
| Hyundai Rally Challenge | Lost | |
| Jeep 4x4 Adventure | Found | |
| Honda Monster Park Madness | Found | |
| MSN Zone.com: Dodge Speedway | Lost | |
| MSN Zone.com/Radio Shack: RC Riot | Lost | |
| MSN Zone.com/Radio Shack: RC Riot 2 | Lost | |
| MSN Zone.com: Toyota Tundra Madness or Toyota Tundra Madness 2.0 | Lost | |
| Nike Ole | Lost | That game used to be available on CD from Digerati magazine, but nowhere to be found. |
| Nike Football Scorpion Knock Out | Found | |
| Nike Gridiron | Lost | |
| Nike Gridiron: The Michael Vick Experience | Lost | There was an arcade version of that game which was lost. |
| Nike Magia | Found | |
| Nike's Shox Dunk | Lost | |
| Nike Speed (Cycling, Running, and Tennis) | Lost | |
| Pepsi Shootout | Found | Arcade Mode of that game is unavailable because it requires a discontinued online account service. Practice Mode is still playable. |
| Pioneer Drive Evaluation Program | Lost | |
| Sony: Skatepark Sessions | Lost | |
| Toyota: Corolla Joy Ride | Found | |
| Visa Championships Torino 2006 | Lost | |
| Visa Diamond Night Sluggers! | Lost | |
| Zone.com: Toyota Tacoma Adrenaline | Lost | |
| Toyota Camry Speedway | Lost | |
| Bud Light: Snowboard Mountain | Lost |
TV/Movies
| Game Title | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Disney: Lilo & Stitch Pinball | Found | |
| Fox: 24 Countdown | Lost | |
| Fox Sports: Hit the Pros | Lost | |
| Fox Sports: Hit the Pros 2002 | Lost | |
| Fox Sports: Hit the Pros 2003 | Found | |
| Fox Sports: Hit the Pros 2004 | Lost | |
| Fox: The O.C. Skate the O.C. | Lost | |
| FX: Buffy the Vampire Slayer Slayer X | Lost | The show first aired on The WB and later on FX, it is unknown whether The WB or FX involving for that game. |
| FX: Lucky's Run | Lost | |
| FX: Nip/Tuck Cut to the Beat | Lost | |
| Sony: A Knights Tale Tournament | Lost | |
| Sony: Men in Black 2 Crossfire | Found | |
| Sony: Men in Black 2 CROSSFIRE Extreme | Found | |
| TBS: Invincible | Lost | |
| TBS: War Games Virtual Warfare | Found | |
| TNT: Witchblade The Game | Lost | |
| Universal: Jurassic Park III 3D Adventure | Lost |
Others
| Game Title | Status |
|---|---|
| Activision: Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 (Web version) | Lost |
| EA/AOL: Need For Speed Top Speed (Web version) | Lost |
| EA: Meteor Madness (Web version) | Lost |
| EA: SSX SnowDreams (Web version) | Lost |
| MSN Zone.com: Driveway Road Rally | Lost |
| MSN Zone.com: Zone Track and Field | Lost |
| Sierra: SWAT 3 (internet game) | Lost |
| Screenblast: Evilution The Legend of Helnar | Lost |
| YAYA.com: Big Air Snowboard | Lost |
| Qwest: Turbo Racing | Lost |
| AOL RED: FireChild | Lost |
| Indigo Moon: Grand Prix Racing | Lost |
Android Games
| Game Title | Status |
|---|---|
| Polar Bowler 1st Frame (Android version) | Found |
| Spades (Android version) | Found |
| Polar Bowler (Android version) | Found |
| WildTangent Casino: FREE Slots (Android version) | Found |
| Blackjack+ (Also known as Blackjack Plus) (Android version) | Found |
| Gin Rummy | Found |
| Hearts (Android version) | Found |
| Gem Match | Found |
| Euchre | Found |
| Solitaire with Themes (Android version) | Found |
| Swipe 3 (Android version) | Found |
| Happy Matchy Bird (Android version) | Found |
| Word Science (Android version) | Found |
| Spider Solitaire with Themes (Android version) | Found |
| Pyramid Solitaire with Themes (Android version) | Found |
| TriPeaks Solitaire with Themes (Android version) | Found |
| Poker PLAY! (Android version) | Found |
| FreeCell Solitaire with Themes (Android version) | Found |
| Swipe the Gold (Android version) | Found |
| Blackjack | Found |
| Giant Panda Slots | Found |
| Slots Ahoy! | Found |
| 7s Slots | Found |
| Pharaoh's Throne Slots | Found |
| Video Poker (Android version) | Found |
| Video Poker: Royal Flush (Android version) | Found |
| Tropical Tiki Slots | Found |
| Big Barn Slots | Found |
| Candy Smash Slots | Found |
| Polar Bowler Slots (Android version) | Found |
| Solitaire FREE | Found |
| Jungle Book Slots (Android version) | Found |
| Wild West Slots | Found |
| Shoes Wine & Chocolate Slots | Found |
| Tropical Solitaire | Found |
| Atlantis Slots | Found |
| WildTangent Slots | Found |
| Solitaire | Found |
| Vampire's Passion Slots | Existence unconfirmed |
iOS Games
| Game Title | Status |
|---|---|
| Penguins! Escape | Lost |
| Polar Bowler 1st Frame (iOS version) | Found |
| Polar Bowler (iOS version) | Lost |
| Poker PLAY! (iOS version) | Lost |
| Swipe 3 (iOS version) | Lost |
| WildTangent Casino: FREE Slots (iOS version) | Lost |
| Word Science (iOS version) | Lost |
| Happy Matchy Bird (iOS version) | Lost |
| Swipe the Gold (iOS version) | Lost |
| Solitaire with Themes (iOS version) | Lost |
| Blackjack+ (Also known as Blackjack Plus) (iOS version) | Lost |
| Video Poker (iOS version) | Lost |
| Video Poker: Royal Flush (iOS version) | Lost |
Current Games Available (Supported)
| Game Title | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blackhawk Striker 2 | Found | |
| Blasterball 2: Holidays | Found | |
| Blasterball 2: Remix | Found | |
| Blasterball 2: Revolution (Also known as Blasterball 2: Deluxe) | Found | |
| Blasterball 3 | Found | |
| Fate | Found | |
| Fate: Undiscovered Realms | Found | |
| Fate: The Traitor Soul | Found | |
| Fate: The Cursed King | Found | |
| Final Drive: Nitro | Partially Found | It is unknown whether some vehicles from that game missing or not. |
| Otto's Magic Blocks | Found | |
| Penguins! | Found | |
| Phoenix Assault | Found | |
| Polar Bowler 1st Frame (PC version) | Found | |
| Polar Bowler (PC version) | Found | |
| Polar Golfer | Found | |
| Polar Golfer: Pineapple Cup | Found | |
| Polar Pool | Found | |
| Polar Tubing | Found | |
| Shrek 2: Ogre Bowler | Found | |
| Snowboard SuperJam | Found | |
| Tradewinds (WildTangent version) | Found | |
| Word Symphony | Found |
Current Web Games Available (Supported)
| Game Title | Status |
|---|---|
| Solitaire with Themes (Web version) | Found |
| TriPeaks Solitaire with Themes (Web version) | Found |
| Spider Solitaire with Themes (Web version) | Found |
| Pyramid Solitaire with Themes (Web version) | Found |
| Bubble Shooter | Found |
| Garfield Solitaire | Found |
| FreeCell Solitaire with Themes (Web version) | Found |
| BlackJack Plus (Web version) | Found |
| Video Poker: Royal Flush (Web version) | Found |
| Jungle Book Slots (Web version) | Found |
| Polar Bowler Slots (Web version) | Found |
| Garfield Mahjong | Found |
Gallery
Gem Master 3
Dark Orbit
Betty Bad
Glow Glow Firefly
Jeep 4x4 Adventure
Road Ready Streetwise
Speedway
Cannonballs
Orbital
Men in Black II: Crossfire
Island Heads
TNT: Witchblade The Game
STX: The Sentinel Conspiracy
SabreWing 2
Apache Striker
Billiards
Gothello
MindBender
RoboDome
Qwest Turbo Racing
Dodge: Race the Pros
SSX SnowDreams
BlasterBall Wild
Blackhawk Striker
Nike Gridiron
Nike Gridiron: The Michael Vick Experience
Nike Magia
Hit the Pros
Mojo Master
NCAA Championship Run 2005
Nike Football Scorpion Knock Out
Nike Ole
Ford Supercar Challenge
Monster Park Madness
Lexibox Deluxe
Dodge Speedway
TBS Invincible game
Pioneer Driver Evaluation Program
RC Riot 2
RC Riot
Super Speedway
Toyota Tundra Madness 2.0
Visa Championships Torino 2006
Big Air Snowboard
Evilution: The Legend of Helnar
Driveway Road Rally
Chrysler West Coast Rally
Dodge Racing HEMI Edition
Corolla Joy Ride
Need For Speed Top Speed (web version)
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 (web version)
24: Countdown
Skate the O.C.
WildTangent (pre-launch or first logo?) from 1997
WildTangent logo (possibly from 1999)
WildTangent logo (possibly from 2000)
WildTangent logo (possibly from 2001)
WildTangent logo (<2015?)
.webp){kind=logo}
Videos
External Links
- The collection of the currently found old WildTangent games and other stuff is available here for download.
- Bring back old WildTangent games petition.
- Information on Chrysler Club Championship Challenge.
- WildTangent games for AOL Instant Messenger.
- Resume for WildTangent games.
- Website post about Speedway, Gem Master, Space Rocks, and Front9.
- Information of Mojo Master.
- Another information on Mojo Master.
- Video of Jurassic Park III 3D Adventure.
- Article on WildTangent.
- Information about Mojo Master.
- Portfolio of Road Ready Streetwise 2.0 (WildTangent version) but no information is given.
- Link of JewelCase Demo, seems to be not working.
Reference
- ↑ WildTangent purchased Genesis3D. Retrieved 19 Apr '22
- ↑ WildTangent acquires Eclipse Entertainment. Retrieved 19 Apr '22
- ↑ WildTangent company history. Retrieved 19 Apr '22
- ↑ WildTangent company history, updated. Retrieved 19 Apr '22
- ↑ WildTangent, Screenblast, and Distant Corners Entertainment Group announced the launch of Evilution: The Legend of Helnaar. Retrieved 16 Jan '23
- ↑ Xbox Music Mixer for Xbox reviews. Retrieved 19 Apr '22
- ↑ Sarbakan and WildTangent join forces on FireChild. 19 Apr '22
- ↑ Fate for PC reviews. 19 Apr '22
- ↑ Article about Mojo Master game. Retrieved 19 Apr '22
- ↑ Mojo Master multiplayer released. Retrieved 19 Apr '22
- ↑ Mojo Master protests. 19 Apr '22
- ↑ WildTangent opens WildCoin accounts for gamers. Retrieved 19 Apr '22
- ↑ Discontinuation of WildCoins. Retrieved 19 Apr '22
- ↑ Sea Life Safari for Xbox 360 reviews. Retrieved 19 Apr '22
- ↑ Lumines makes its PC debut on WildTangent. Retrieved 19 Apr '22
- ↑ Lumines for PC reviews. Retrieved 19 Apr '22
- ↑ Article about WildTangent Orb. Retrieved 19 Apr '22
- ↑ Another article about WildTangent Orb. Retrieved 19 Apr '22
- ↑ WildTangent launched its mobile service. Retrieved 19 Apr '22
- ↑ Gamigo AG acquired WildTangent. Retrieved 19 Apr '22
- ↑ The list of WildTangent shareware games, distributed web games, and other demos as separate list. Retrieved 08 Mar '22
- ↑ Where Did My Favorite Game Go? Retrieved 14 May '22