Darwinia
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Darwinia+
(2010)
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Introversion: Anthology
(2007) -
Multiwinia + Darwinia
(2008) -
Multiwinia: Survival of the Flattest (Limited Edition)
(2008) - Scanner Sombre Pack (2017)
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Uplink/Darwinia Pack
(2007)
Description official descriptions
In Introversion's second sci-fi computer-themed game, you once again find yourself as a hacker. Unlike Uplink, however, Darwinia focuses on the world inside the computer rather than our own.
Cruising around the net, you stumble into a mysterious computer network called Darwinia, the brainchild of the barely sane genius Dr. Sepulveda. Darwinia is what amounts to a Jurassic Park for programs; small sprites called Darwinians evolve and adapt to their digital environment as its maintainers watch. But despite the fact that you're not supposed to be in the system, Dr. Sepulveda has no choice but to enlist your help. A deadly virus has taken over the system, and in order to save not only billions of dollars of research but also the simulated lives of the Darwinians, you will need to take command of the computer.
Played inside a fractal-generated world inspired by retro arcade games as well as films like Tron, Darwinia requires you to take strategic command of various program-generated units to protect the Darwinians as well as engage in fast and furious action combating the virus with soldiers.
Spellings
- Дарвиния - Russian spelling
- 达尔文 - Simplified Chinese spelling
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Credits (Windows version)
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| Created by | |
| Produced by Introversion Software | |
| Sound Design and Production | |
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| Additional Shapes | |
| Starring |
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| Additional Graphic Design | |
| Additional Background Story | |
| UK Distribution |
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| Beta Testers |
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| [ full credits ] | |
Reviews
Critics
Average score: 83% (based on 46 ratings)
Players
Average score: 3.7 out of 5 (based on 69 ratings with 0 reviews)
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Trivia
1001 Video Games
Darwinia appears in the book 1001 Video Games You Must Play Before You Die by General Editor Tony Mott.
Inspiration
Similarly to how Introversion's previous game, Uplink, had several references and inspirations from hacker movies of the 80s and early 90s, Darwinia's art direction is also drawn from film, specifically Tron.
Loaders
The game has different unique loaders every time it is started, with references to The Matrix, Cannon Fodder and the ancient Spectrum platform. The fodder loader for example, shows the message "This game is not in any way endorsed by SENSIBLE SOFTWARE". Sensible Software, the developer of the Cannon Fodder games, had the message "This game is not in any way endorsed by the ROYAL BRITISH LEGION" when starting the game.
Release
There was a last minute problem before the Steam release. The Valve guys ran into Darwinia's "Cracked by DMA Crew" bootloader and actually thought some hackers had compromised the build they were releasing, while it just was an inside joke. Ultimately, the release went as planned.
Unused virus model
A giant tripod virus model was created but never used in the main game. It is available in the map editor, however, which is unlocked upon the campaign's completion.
Awards
- 4Players
- 2005 – Biggest Surprise of the Year
- PC Powerplay (Germany)
- Issue 02/2006 - Wannabe Retro Game of 2005
Information also contributed by Zack Green.
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Related Sites +
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Darwinia
Darwinia Wikipedia article -
Developer Interview
AllAboutGames interviews Introversion Software's Chris Delay about Darwinia. -
Grok These Games
An Apple Games article about two games offered by independent developers, including Darwinia (May, 2005). -
TheNextGame
One of the earliest fan site for the game, with exclusive content first looks. Now hosting mods for Darwinia.
Identifiers +
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Contributors to this Entry
Game added by Darksun.
Macintosh added by Kabushi.
Additional contributors: Unicorn Lynx, Jeanne, Zack Green, Sciere, formercontrib, Zeppin, Klaster_1, Cantillon, Patrick Bregger, Talos, Plok, FatherJack.
Game added March 11, 2005. Last modified November 22, 2024.