WildTangent (partially found PC/online games; 1999-2018)
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/Fury, 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 companies and other developers.
Most of WildTangent games were all stored in GIT type system/source safe so no one needed personal copies, according to a former WildTangent employee. But 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 owns Genesis3D game engine, but the company do not handle responsibilities for Genesis3D games.
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.[1]
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.[2]
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.[3][4]
In February 2013, WildTangent have launched it's mobile service.[5]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, Gamigo AG have since acquired the company.[6]No new original games have been made since.
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 distributed web games as separate list can be viewed below as well.[7] A MEGA folder of the currently found old WildTangent games and other stuff is available here for download.
As of present day, 26 of their original games currently available to purchase and 12 original web games still available to play on WildTangent website, and while Sea Life Safari (Xbox 360/Xbox Live Arcade version) still available to purchase on Xbox website. Bringing the total of only 39 WildTangent original games still supported, as of now.
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.
Original
Game Title | Status | What is lost (If Partially Found/Lost) |
---|---|---|
Apache Striker | Lost | |
Atomic Pop | Found | |
Betty Bad | Found | There was the sequel of Betty Bad game from WildTangent Web Driver video on YouTube, but no information have been confirmed. It is unknown whether WildTangent made the sequel of that game or not. |
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 for other version. It is unknown whether some vehicles from that game missing 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 | 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. |
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. |
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 (PC version) | 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 |
Advergames
Game Title | Status | What is lost (If Partially Found/Lost) |
---|---|---|
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 Shopper Shuffle | Lost | |
Chrysler West Coast Rally | Found | |
Coca-Cola: Live the Madness 2004 | 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 | |
Nike Magia | Found | |
Nike's Shox Dunk | Lost | |
Nike Speed (Cycling, Running & 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 |
TV/Movies
Game Title | Status | What is lost (If Partially Found/Lost) |
---|---|---|
Disney: Lilo & Stitch Pinball | Found | |
Fox: 24 Countdown | Lost | |
Fox Sports: Hit the Pros 2001 | Lost | |
Fox Sports: Hit the Pros 2002 | Lost | |
Fox Sports: Hit the Pros 2003 | Partially Found | Game is inaccessible, possibly requires multiplayer server which was discontinued. |
Fox Sports: Hit the Pros 2004 | Lost | |
Fox: The O.C. Skate the O.C. | Lost | |
Fox: The X-Files Pathogen Unknown | Lost | |
FX: Buffy the Vampire Slayer Slayer X | Lost | |
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 |
Indigo Moon: Fierce Harmony | Lost |
MSN Zone.com: Driveway Road Rally | Lost |
MSN Zone.com: Zone Track & Field | Lost |
Sierra: SWAT 3 Close Quarters Battle (Web version) | Lost |
Screenblast: Evilution The Legend of Helnar | Lost |
YAYA.com: Big Air Snowboard | Lost |
Qwest: Turbo Racing | Lost |
AOL RED: FireChild | Lost |
Published Games
Some of the games that were develop from other developers were first available on WildTangent, here's the list:
Game Title | Status | What is lost (If Partially Found/Lost) |
---|---|---|
Lumines (Also known as Lumines: Puzzle Fusion) (WildTangent/PC version) | Found | Game still available to purchase on WildTangent site. |
Crazy Sapper 3D (PC version) | Found | Game still available to purchase on WildTangent site and were first available on that site. |
Crazy Sapper 3D (Android version) | Found | First available on WildTangent site, but no longer available to purchase. That game still available to download from other site. It is unknown whether it has WildTangent version of that game or not. |
Hungry Mouth (Android version) | Found | First available on WildTangent site, but no longer available to purchase. That game still available to download from other site. It is unknown whether it has WildTangent version of that game or not. |
Separate Games
Some of the games that uses WildTangent Web Driver run separately from WildTangent, it is unknown whether WildTangent develop or did not develop those games for other companies, no information have been confirmed, here's the list:
Game Title | Status | What is lost (If Partially Found/Lost) |
---|---|---|
Nelvana: Medabots Robattle 3D | Lost | |
Nickelodeon: Avatar The Last Airbender Autumn Twilight (WildTangent version) | Lost | |
Low Earth Orbit: The Dope Game | Found | |
WarCry Corporation: Megaputt! | Lost | |
Do2Learn: StreetSafety Lesson | Partially Found | Game no longer function online. |
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 |
Flash Games
Game Title | Status | What is lost (If Partially Found/Lost) |
---|---|---|
Fanta Fundisc | Found | |
Quaker Epic Adventure | Lost | |
ZulaWorld.com Gorga Dive | Lost | |
Other ZulaWorld games | Lost | Information and game name have not been confirmed. |
Minute Maid Mah-Jongg | Found | |
Folgers Daily Sudoku | Found | Not yet saved. |
Diet Coke Daily Sudoku | Found | Not yet saved. |
American Egg Board | Partially Lost | Missing chicken_dance.mp3. |
AT&T More Bars Mystery | Found | Not yet saved. |
TRESemme: Style Seek Boutique | Found | Not yet saved. |
Harmony Prius | Lost | |
Do the Potty Dance Game | Lost | |
Cascade: 24 Hour Power Patrol | Lost | |
Mighty Dog Adventures | Lost | There was the iOS and Android version of that game, but no information have been confirmed, it is unknown whether WildTangent develop the mobile version of that game or not. |
iAMFAM | Lost | There was the iOS and Android version of that game, but no information have been confirmed, it is unknown whether WildTangent develop the mobile version of that game or not. |
Axe: World's Manliest Rituals | Lost | There was the iOS version of that game, but no information have been confirmed, it is unknown whether WildTangent develop the mobile version of that game or not. |
AXE: MotoX | Lost | |
AXE: PogoXtreme | Lost | |
Axe: State of Skate | Lost | |
Cascade BrickBreaker | Lost | |
truth: Addictor Click | Found | |
Alfa Romeo: MyMitoRally | Lost | |
Crickler Crossword, Crickler News, Vocabulary Ordeal | Partially Found | Not yet saved. |
Missing Demos/Tests
Game Title | Status | What is lost (If Partially Found/Lost) |
---|---|---|
2D Puzzle | Lost | |
3D Puzzle (3D Photo Scramble) | Lost | |
Animated Texture | Lost | |
Asteroidz! | Lost | |
BackDrop Bitmap | Lost | |
Banner Ad (Interactive Banner Ad) | Lost | |
Boeing Airliner | Lost | |
Camera Functions | Lost | |
Dancing Can Radio Demo | Lost | |
Draggable Model | Lost | |
Flower Card | Lost | |
Heart Tour Demo | Lost | |
Holiday Dancer Demo | Lost | |
JewelCase | Lost | |
Model Texturing | Lost | |
Object Manipulation Part 1 | Lost | |
Object Manipulation Part 2 | Lost | |
PARAM to Piechart Example (JDBC Piechart Example) | Lost | |
Pool Tour Demo | Lost | |
Primitive Model Texturing | Lost | |
Puzzle Card | Lost | |
Roboto Card | Lost | |
Wild Eyes | Lost | |
Wild Logo (WildTangent Logo) | Lost | |
Monster Truck Mayhen | Partially Found | Music is missing. |
Current Games Available (Supported)
Game Title | Status | What is lost (If Partially Found/Lost) |
---|---|---|
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 | |
Bounce Symphony | Found | |
Crystal Maze | 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 | |
Super Granny | Found | |
Tradewinds (WildTangent version) | Found | |
Word Symphony | Found | |
Sea Life Safari (Xbox 360/Xbox Live Arcade version) | Found | It is unknown whether the game still sold or not. |
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
Videos
External Links
- A MEGA folder of the currently found old WildTangent games and other stuff is available here for download.
- Bring back old WildTangent games petition.
- Information about Megaputt! game.
- WildTangent titles.
- Screenshot user interface design for Visa Championships Torino 2006, Ford Supercar Challenge, RC Riot 2, Super Speedway, Pioneer Driver Evaluation Program, Toyota Tundra Madness 2.0, Dodge Speedway, Invincible, and RC Riot.
- Information of Dodge Speedway, Virtual Warfare, A Knight's Tale, Nike's Shox Dunk.
- Information on Chrysler Club Championship Challenge.
- WildTangent games for AOL Instant Messenger.
- Information of Fierce Harmony.
- Resume for WildTangent games.
- Information for SWAT 3 web game for WildTangent.
- Information for The X-Files Pathogen Unknown.
- Another information on The X-Files Pathogen Unknown game.
- Website post about Speedway, Gem Master, Space Rocks, and Front9.
- Information of A Knights Tale game.
- Information for Lucky's Run. FX Networks suggested there was Buffy the Vampire Slayer game and Son of the Beach game, but no information is given.
- Screenshot of Gem Master 3.
- Information about Men In Black 2 Crossfire and TNT Witchblade game.
- Information about SabreWing 2.
- Nike Gridiron game screenshot.
- Project for Nike Magia game.
- Article on Nike Football Scorpion Knock Out game.
- Information of Hit the Pros game.
- Images of Hit the Pros 2002 game.
- Information of Mojo Master.
- Another information on Mojo Master.
- Video of Jurassic Park III 3D Adventure.
- Article about Evilution: The Legend of Helnar.
- Information on 24: Countdown game.
- Blog about Skate the O.C. game.
- Article on WildTangent.
- Another article of Evilution: The Legend of Helnar.
- Information about Mojo Master.
- Portfolio of Road Ready Streetwise 2.0 (WildTangent version) but no information is given.
- Information of the Nike Gridiron game.
- Information on The Michael Vick Experience game.
- Forum discussion of Qwest: Turbo Racing game.
- Article about FireChild game
- Page about the Witchblade game.
- Forum about Nike Ole game
- Article about Nike Ole
- StreetSafety Lesson still available to play
- Visa Diamond Night Sluggers from the Wayback Machine
- Another link of Visa Diamond Night Sluggers from the Wayback Machine
- Link of JewelCase Demo, seems to be not working.
- Ryan Bond who formerly worked at Razorfish mentioned WildTangent for Postopia from his site, but no information about the game name have been confirmed. As of now, he haven't found the copy yet.
Reference
- β WildTangent company history. Retrieved 19 Apr '22
- β WildTangent company history, updated. Retrieved 19 Apr '22
- β WildTangent opens WildCoin accounts for gamers. Retrieved 19 Apr '22
- β Discontinuation of WildCoins. Retrieved 19 Apr '22
- β WildTangent launched it's mobile service. Retrieved 19 Apr '22
- β Gamingo AG acquired WildTangent. Retrieved 19 Apr '22
- β The list of WildTangent distributed web games as separate list. Retrieved 08 Mar '22