Editing Descent (video game) (section)

===Releases and ports===
Parallax Software and Interplay followed the shareware model used by Apogee and id Software, and on December 24, 1994;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interplay.com/press/descshpr.html|title=Interplay's Descent Released As Shareware|date=December 27, 1994|publisher=[[Interplay Entertainment]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19961220010604/http://www.interplay.com/press/descshpr.html|archive-date=December 20, 1996|url-status=dead|access-date=September 26, 2019}}</ref> uploaded a seven-level shareware demo as ''Descent'' both in retail and on the Internet.<ref name="lparchive.org"/>

The full game for MS-DOS was released in the United Kingdom on March 3, 1995,<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 4, 1995 |title=''Descent'' PC/CD-ROM Interplay |pages=4 |work=[[Heartland Evening News]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/823117796 |access-date=December 30, 2023 |quote=The latest game to be inspired by PC classic, ''Doom'', is ''Descent'' -- a futuristic 3D extravaganza from Interplay on PC floppy and CD-ROM, due out in early March. |archive-date=February 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240210135309/https://www.newspapers.com/image/823117796 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=March 4, 1995 |title=Dixon's Latest Releases for Sega, Nintendo, & PCs |pages=10 |work=[[Daily Mirror]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com./image/790506363 |access-date=December 30, 2023 |quote=New Release//''Descent''//New |archive-date=December 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231231072556/https://www.newspapers.com/image/790506363 |url-status=live }}</ref> and in North America on March 17, 1995,<ref name="gtm-155"/><ref name="billboard">{{cite magazine|title=Hot Games Take Shareware Route|last=Atwood|first=Brett|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=April 22, 1995|volume=107|issue=16|page=76}}</ref> followed by a Macintosh port published by [[MacPlay]] in December 1995.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=New Games Go High-Tech|last=Loyola|first=Roman|magazine=[[MacUser]]|date=December 1995|page=50}}</ref> A modified version of ''Descent'' with [[Stereoscopic video game|stereoscopic graphics]] was released as a bundle with [[StereoGraphics]]'s SimulEyes VR 3D glasses.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Quick Hits |magazine=[[GamePro]] |issue=89 |publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|date=February 1996|page=17}}</ref>

A PlayStation port was released in Japan on January 26, 1996, in the United States on March 12, 1996, and in Europe that same month, with [[SoftBank]] being the Japanese version's developer.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/gamecriticismvol8april1996scan|script-title=ja:3Dゲ—ムの記念碑的な作晶、デイセント|title=Descent, a monumental crystal of 3D games|language=ja |last=Kondō|first=Kōshi|script-work=ja:ゲーム批評|trans-work=Gēmu Hihyō|magazine=Game Criticism|date=April 1996|access-date=April 13, 2021|volume=8|page=111 |isbn=4-944000-31-6}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/MacUserUSDec1995|title=You're going down, mate!|magazine=[[Play (UK magazine)|Play]] |date=February 1996|issue=4|pages=20–21}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=1998-06-11 |title=Sony PlayStation Available Software sorted by Release Date @ www.vidgames.com |url=http://www.vidgames.com/ps/software/release.html |access-date=2023-11-27 |archive-date=June 11, 1998 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980611181118/http://www.vidgames.com/ps/software/release.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The PlayStation version replaces the still screens and text with [[full-motion video]] [[Pre-rendering|pre-rendered cutscenes]] incorporating voice acting.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyxU1bAuR-c | title=Descent 1 Ending | website=[[YouTube]] | date=February 2012 | access-date=July 22, 2022 | archive-date=July 22, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220722020255/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyxU1bAuR-c | url-status=live }}</ref>

November 22, 1995 also saw the release of ''Descent: Levels of the World'', an add-on containing over 100 winning level submissions from a design competition held by Interplay, plus one level designed by Parallax Software.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1997-10-08 |title=Interplay Releases Descent: Levels of the World CD |url=http://www.interplay.com/press/dlowpr.html |access-date=2023-04-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19971008234927/http://www.interplay.com/press/dlowpr.html |archive-date=October 8, 1997 }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Descent: Levels of the World|magazine=[[GamePro]]|volume=8 |issue=3|page=44|date=March 1996}}</ref> Also in March 1996, ''Descent: Anniversary Edition'' was released, which bundled ''Descent'', ''Levels of the World'', as well as additional exclusive levels.

On October 29, 1997, Interplay published ''Descent I and II: The Definitive Collection'', a compilation containing the full versions of ''Descent'', the ''Levels of the World'' mission pack, ''Descent II'', and ''Vertigo'' mission packs, and a mission [https://web.archive.org/web/19980423233446/http://www.brainware.net/ editor by Brainware]. Besides a choice of the original ''Descent II'' levels (subtitled ''Counterstrike''), or the ''Vertigo Series'' levels, the first ''Descent'' levels (subtitled ''The First Strike'') can be started in the ''Descent II'' game UI where robots adopt the ''Descent II'' sounds and improved AI. The original ''Descent'' program is included for players that prefer the unmodified ''The First Strike'', as well as to run ''Levels of the World''. There is also a preview for the upcoming ''Descent 3''.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://interplay.com/press/descent.html|title=Interplay To Ship Descent I & II: The Definitive Collection In Time For Christmas Rush|publisher=Interplay Productions|date=September 17, 1997|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980710171627/http://interplay.com/press/descent.html|archive-date=July 10, 1998|url-status=dead}}</ref>

''Descent'' was later ported to [[RISC OS]] by R-Comp Interactive in late 1998,<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/AcornUser202-Xmas98|title=Deeper and down|last=Nelson|first=Graham|magazine=[[Acorn User]]|date=Christmas 1998|issue=202|pages=52–53}}</ref> which received a 32-bit update in 2003.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/AcornUser263-Sep03|title=Faster Descent|magazine=[[Acorn User]]|date=September 2003|issue=263|page=9}}</ref>

====Cancelled ports====
A [[Sega 32X]] version of ''Descent'' was planned as the first console version,<ref name="EGM_Saturn"/> but it was never released. A [[3DO Interactive Multiplayer]] version was showcased at [[E3 1995]] and slated to be published by Interplay, but never came to fruition for unknown reasons.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/Gamefan_Vol_3_Issue_07#page/n40/mode/2up|title=E-3 The Biggest And Best Electronic Entertainment Show Ever! – 3DO|magazine=[[GameFan]]|volume=3 |issue=7|date=July 1995 |pages=38–39}}</ref> Likewise, a [[Panasonic M2]] version was also announced but never released due to the system's cancellation.{{efn|<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/nextgen-issue-012/page/n81|title=NG Hardware – 3DO M2 – Key Software|magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|issue=12 |date=December 1995|page=81}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/Edge_UK_024/page/n5|title=Cutting Edge – 3DO buoyant as M2 picks up speed – M2 launch software|magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]|issue=23 |date=September 1995|page=7}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/3DO_Magazine_Issue_10_1996-05_Paragon_Publishing_GB/page/n33|title=Preview – Coming Soon – M2|magazine=[[Paragon Publishing|3DO Magazine]]|issue=10|date=May 1996|page=34}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/3DO_Magazine_Issue_12_1996-07_Paragon_Publishing_GB/page/n3|title=News – E3 '96: 3DO? – M2 Dream List|magazine=[[Paragon Publishing|3DO Magazine]]|issue=12|date=July 1996 |page=4}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/3DO_Magazine_Issue_12_1996-07_Paragon_Publishing_GB/page/n33|title=Preview – Coming Soon – M2|magazine=[[Paragon Publishing|3DO Magazine]]|issue=12|date=July 1996|page=34}}</ref>}} A planned [[Sega Saturn]] version was cancelled because the programmers found that a straight port of the PlayStation version was not possible, and they did not think it would be worth their while to do a more elaborate port for the Saturn.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Descent Is Sent Down|magazine=[[Sega Saturn Magazine]]|issue=14 |date=December 1996|page=8}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Descent|magazine=[[GamePro]] |issue=86|date=November 1995|page=186}}</ref> Interplay had plans dating to mid-1996 to port ''Descent'' to [[Nintendo 64]] under the name ''Ultra Descent''.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Dossier|magazine=[[Nintendo Acción]]|language=es|date=July 1996|issue=44|page=45}}</ref> The port was delayed before it was eventually cancelled in 1998 in favor of ''Descent 3'', with Parallax's Jim Boone explaining that it never reached the design phase in development.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/1997/09/26/update-ultra-descent|title=Descent N64 Update September 1997|website=[[IGN]]|date=September 25, 1997|access-date=June 28, 2019|archive-date=November 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181121072857/https://www.ign.com/articles/1997/09/26/update-ultra-descent|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=In Search of the Requested Cartridge|magazine=Magazine 64|publisher=[[Future plc|Future Publishing]]|language=es|location=Barcelona|date=May 1998|issue=5|page=45}}</ref> In April 2010, Interplay partnered with independent developer G1M2 to release a [[WiiWare]] version for Fall 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2010/04/interplay_straps_in_with_descent_for_wiiware|title=Interplay Straps In with Descent for WiiWare|last=Wahlgren|first=Jon|date=April 15, 2010|work=[[Nintendo Life]]|access-date=June 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230415080527/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2010/04/interplay_straps_in_with_descent_for_wiiware|archive-date=April 15, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> It would have featured enhanced textures and a variety of controls, including motion controls of a Wii Remote and Nunchuk with a MotionPlus accessory and possibly a [[Wii Balance Board]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/nintendo-power-issue-262-holiday-2010/page/34|title=Underground Revival|last=Hoffman|first=Chris|magazine=[[Nintendo Power]]|date=Christmas 2010|access-date=April 15, 2023|issue=262|page=34}}</ref> The deadline was missed, and the last time the developer publicly provided an update on its progress was in a response to a news inquiry in 2011, assuring that the project was still underway,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.giantbomb.com/articles/phew-descent-wiiware-still-in-developmentwait-what/1100-3141|title=Phew, Descent WiiWare Still in Development...Wait, What?|last=Klepek|first=Patrick|work=[[Giant Bomb]]|date=May 5, 2011|access-date=April 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230415080050/https://www.giantbomb.com/articles/phew-descent-wiiware-still-in-developmentwait-what/1100-3141|archive-date=April 15, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> before it was ultimately quietly abandoned.