Editing Wasteland (video game)

{{Short description|1988 video game}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Wasteland
| image = Wasteland Coverart.png
| caption = Cover art by [[Barry E. Jackson]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Limited and signed art print from the grandfather of post apocalyptic RPGs... Wasteland |url=https://wasteland.inxile-entertainment.com/store/artwork |website=wasteland.inxile-entertainment.com |publisher=[[inXile Entertainment]] |access-date=June 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822065600/https://wasteland.inxile-entertainment.com/store/artwork |archive-date=August 22, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| developer = [[Interplay Entertainment|Interplay Productions]]<br/>'''''Remastered'''''<br>[[inXile Entertainment]]<br>[[Krome Studios]]
| publisher = [[Electronic Arts]]<br>'''''Remastered'''''<br>[[inXile Entertainment]] (Win, OSX, Lin)<br/>[[Xbox Game Studios]] (Xbox One)
| director = [[Brian Fargo]]
| producer = David Albert
| designer = [[Ken St. Andre]]<br>[[Michael A. Stackpole]]<br>[[Liz Danforth]]
| programmer = Alan Pavlish
| artist = Todd J. Camasta<br>Bruce Schlickbernd<br>Charles H. H. Weidman III
| writer = [[Ken St. Andre]]<br>[[Michael A. Stackpole]]
| composer = Edwin Montgomery (remaster)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.inxile-entertainment.com/post/interview-with-wasteland-remastered-s-composer-edwin-montgomery |title=Interview with Wasteland Remastered's Composer, Edwin Montgomery |publisher=inXile Entertainment |date=March 10, 2020 |access-date=February 4, 2021 |archive-date=March 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304150004/https://www.inxile-entertainment.com/post/interview-with-wasteland-remastered-s-composer-edwin-montgomery |url-status=dead }}</ref><!--The original version didn't have any music-->
| series = ''[[Wasteland (series)|Wasteland]]''
| platforms = [[Apple II]],[[Commodore 64]], [[MS-DOS]]<br>'''''Remastered'''''<br>[[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], [[OS X]], [[Linux]], [[Xbox One]]
| released = 1988<ref>{{cite web |title=Wasteland 1: The Original Classic |url=https://www.gog.com/game/wasteland_the_classic_original |website=[[GOG.com]] |publisher=GOG |access-date=June 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180622140104/https://www.gog.com/game/wasteland_the_classic_original |archive-date=June 22, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Matt |last=Barton |date=February 23, 2007 |work=The History of Computer Role-Playing Games |title=Part 2: The Golden Age (1985-1993) |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20070223b/barton_pfv.htm |publisher=[[Gamasutra]] |access-date=June 14, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303175727/http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20070223b/barton_pfv.htm |archive-date=March 3, 2016}}</ref><br>'''''Remastered'''''<br>February 25, 2020
| genre = [[Role-playing video game|Role-playing]]
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]]
}}

'''''Wasteland''''' is a [[role-playing video game]] developed by [[Interplay Entertainment|Interplay Productions]] and published by [[Electronic Arts]] in 1988.<ref name="Nutt1">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/266770/Wasteland_Developing_an_openworld_RPG_in_1988.php |title=Wasteland : Developing an open-world RPG in 1988 |first=Christian |last=Nutt |date=February 26, 2016 |access-date=February 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180207062757/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/266770/Wasteland_Developing_an_openworld_RPG_in_1988.php |archive-date=February 7, 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The first installment of the ''[[Wasteland (series)|Wasteland]]'' series, it is set in a futuristic, [[Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction|post-apocalyptic]] America destroyed by a [[nuclear holocaust]] generations before. Developers originally made the game for the [[Apple II]] and it was [[porting|ported]] to the [[Commodore 64]] and [[MS-DOS]]. It was re-released for [[Microsoft Windows]], [[OS X]], and [[Linux]] in 2013 via [[Steam (service)|Steam]] and [[GOG.com]], and in 2014 via [[Desura]]. A remastered version titled ''Wasteland Remastered'' was released on February 25, 2020, in honor of the original game's 30th anniversary.

Critically acclaimed and commercially successful, ''Wasteland'' was intended to be followed by two separate sequels in the 1990s, but Electronic Arts dropped claims of ''[[Fountain of Dreams]]'' being a sequel and Interplay's ''[[Meantime (video game)|Meantime]]'' was canceled. The game's general setting and concept inspired Interplay's 1997 role-playing video game ''[[Fallout (video game)|Fallout]]'' and the [[Fallout (franchise)|''Fallout'' series]]. Decades later, [[inXile Entertainment]], founded by the game's director [[Brian Fargo]], released two proper sequels: ''[[Wasteland 2]]'' (2014) and ''[[Wasteland 3]]'' (2020).

==Gameplay==
[[File:Wasteland screenshot.jpg|thumb|left|A screenshot of an encounter with mutated "Drools" in the IBM PC compatible version]]

''Wasteland''{{'}}s game mechanics are based on those used in tabletop role-playing games, such as ''[[Tunnels & Trolls]]'' and ''[[Mercenaries, Spies and Private Eyes]]'' created by ''Wasteland'' designers [[Ken St. Andre]] and [[Michael Stackpole]].<ref name=Tringham>{{cite book |last=Tringham |first=Neal Roger |date=September 4, 2014 |title=Science Fiction Video Games |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QH3SBQAAQBAJ |publisher=CRC Press |page=203 |isbn=9781482203899 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170309075246/https://books.google.com/books?id=QH3SBQAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover |archive-date=March 9, 2017}}</ref> Characters in ''Wasteland'' have seven attributes{{endash}}strength, intelligence, luck, speed, agility, dexterity, and charisma{{endash}}that allow the characters to use different skills and weapons. Experience is gained through combat and skill usage to level up, or promote, characters.<ref name="manual">{{cite book |last1=Yee |first1=Zina J. |title=Wasteland |publisher=[[Electronic Arts]] |location=[[San Mateo, California|San Mateo]], [[California]] |pages=4–5, 11 |access-date=January 24, 2023 |url=https://archive.org/details/c64man_wasteland/page/n25/mode/2up}}</ref> The player's [[Party (role-playing games)|party]] begins with four members and can grow to as many as seven by recruiting citizens and wasteland creatures. Unlike other [[computer role-playing games]] of the time, these [[non-player character]]s might at times refuse to follow the player's commands, such as when the player orders the character to give up an item or perform an action.<ref name=kotaku/> The game is noted for its high and unforgiving difficulty level.<ref name=ign/> The prose appearing in the game's combat screens, such as phrases saying an enemy is "reduced to a thin red paste" and "explodes like a blood sausage", prompted an unofficial [[Motion picture rating system#Ratings|PG-13]] sticker on the game packaging in the U.S.<ref name=kotaku>{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/5885882/why-people-give-a-shit-about-a-1988-pc-role-playing-game |title=Why People Give a Shit About a 1988 PC Role-Playing Game |last1=Plunkett |first1=Luke |date=February 17, 2012 |website=[[Kotaku]] |publisher=[[Gawker Media]] |access-date=June 14, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160528233055/http://kotaku.com/5885882/why-people-give-a-shit-about-a-1988-pc-role-playing-game |archive-date=May 28, 2016}}</ref>

''Wasteland'' was one of the first games featuring a [[persistent world]], where changes to the game's [[open world]] were stored and kept.<ref name=ign/> Returning to an area later in the game, the player would find it in the state the player left it, rather than being reset, as was common for games of the time. Since hard drives were still rare in home computers in 1988, this meant the original game disk had to be copied first.<ref name="refcard">{{cite web |url=http://mocagh.org/ea/wasteland-refcard.pdf |title=Commodore 64/128 Wasteland Reference Card |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140926104344/http://www.mocagh.org/ea/wasteland-refcard.pdf |archive-date=September 26, 2014}}</ref>

Another feature of the game was the inclusion of a printed collection of paragraphs that the player would read at the appropriate times.<ref name=retro>{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-03-25-retrospective-wasteland |title=Retrospective: Wasteland |website=[[Eurogamer]] |date=March 25, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120328125115/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-03-25-retrospective-wasteland |archive-date=March 28, 2012}}</ref> These paragraphs described encounters, conversations and contained clues. Because [[Disk storage|disk space]] was at a premium, it saved on resources to have most of the game's story printed out in a separate manual rather than stored within the game's code itself. The paragraph books also served as a rudimentary form of [[copy protection]]; someone playing a copied version of the game would miss out on story elements and clues necessary to progress. The paragraphs included an unrelated story line about a mission to [[Mars]] intended to mislead those who read the paragraphs when not instructed to, and a false set of passwords that would trip up cheaters.<ref name=ign/>

==Plot==
In 2087, generations after the devastation of a global [[Nuclear warfare|nuclear war]] in 1998, a remnant force of the [[United States Army]] called the Desert Rangers operates in the [[Southwestern United States]], acting as peacekeepers to protect fellow survivors and their descendants. A team of Desert Rangers is assigned to investigate a series of disturbances in nearby areas. Throughout the game, the rangers explore the remaining enclaves of human civilization, including a post-apocalyptic [[Las Vegas]].<ref name=ign_top25_2000/>

As the group's investigation deepens, the rangers discover evidence of a larger menace threatening to exterminate what is left of humankind. A pre-war [[artificial intelligence]] operating from a surviving military facility, Base Cochise, is constructing armies of killer machines and cybernetically modified humans to attack human settlements with the help of Irwin Finster, the deranged former commander of the base. Finster has gone so far as to transform himself into a [[cyborg]] under the AI's control. The AI's ultimate goal is to complete Finster's "Project Darwin" and replace the world's "flawed" population with genetically pure specimens. With help from a pre-war [[Android (robot)|android]] named Max, the player recovers the necessary technology and weapons in order to confront the AI at Base Cochise and destroy it by making the base's [[nuclear reactor]] melt down.<ref>{{cite video game |title=Wasteland |developer=[[Interplay Entertainment|Interplay]] |publisher=[[Electronic Arts]] |date=January 2, 1988 |platform=Apple II}}</ref>

==Development==
[[File:Brian Fargo – Game Developers Conference China 2011 (cropped2).jpg|thumb|right|upright|[[Brian Fargo]] in 2011, the game's director]]
[[File:Michael Stackpole by Gage Skidmore.jpg|thumb|right|upright|[[Michael A. Stackpole|Michael Stackpole]] at the 2017 [[Phoenix Comicon]]]]

In an interview with Hartley and Patricia Lesse for MicroTimes in 1987, game director [[Brian Fargo]] said that [[Interplay Entertainment|Interplay Productions]] started work on the game in 1986. He also said the game was created on the [[Apple II]], as it was equally important to him as the [[Commodore 64]]. Fargo described the game as a hybrid of the ''[[Ultima (series)|Ultima series]]'' and ''[[The Bard's Tale (1985 video game)|The Bard's Tale]]'', with a [[Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction|post-apocalyptic]] setting similar to the ''[[Mad Max]]'' film series. As to the combat, Fargo stated that it resembled that of ''The Bard's Tale'' and contained additional strategy elements, including the ability to split or disband the party and change the player's character [[point of view (literature)|point-of-view]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Lesse |first1=Hartley |last2=Lesse |first2=Patricia |title=The Programmer's Tale |magazine=MicroTimes |publisher=BAM Publications Inc. |volume=4 |issue=2 |date=March 1987 |page=200}}</ref>

In later interviews, Fargo said ''Wasteland'' came about after the success of ''The Bard's Tale'' and Interplay's desire to make another role-playing game for [[Electronic Arts]] separate from a sequel to the game. He added that the setting was inspired by his love for ''[[Mad Max 2]]'' and post-apocalyptic fiction.<ref name=Retrogamer>{{cite magazine |author=Ian Dransfield |title=Making of Wasteland |magazine=[[Retro Gamer]] |location=United Kingdom |issue=134 |pages=32–35 |publisher=Imagine Publishing Ltd}}</ref> While searching for a gameplay system for their new game, they came across the system of ''[[Mercenaries, Spies and Private Eyes]]''.<ref name="FargoHickey">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K5hUDwAAQBAJ&q=wasteland+interplay+road+warrior&pg=PA200 |title=The Minds Behind the Games: Interviews with Cult and Classic Video Game Developers |first=Patrick |last=Hickey Jr. |publisher=McFarland |date=April 9, 2018 |isbn=9781476671109 |access-date=November 4, 2020 |archive-date=April 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240412044459/https://books.google.com/books?id=K5hUDwAAQBAJ&q=wasteland+interplay+road+warrior&pg=PA200#v=snippet&q=wasteland%20interplay%20road%20warrior&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|200–201}} Its author [[Michael Stackpole]] was announced as the writer for ''Wasteland'' in 1987.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Taking a Peek |magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]] |issue=34 |date=January–February 1987 |url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_34.pdf |page=10 |access-date=June 12, 2020 |archive-date=November 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114182231/http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_34.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="cgw45">{{cite magazine |title=Sneak Preview: Wasteland |magazine=Computer Gaming World |issue=45 |date=March 1988 |url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_45.pdf |page=26 |access-date=June 12, 2020 |archive-date=October 2, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141002213939/http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_45.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

Alan Pavlish was the lead developer of the game, writing it in Apple II machine language and programming the game to react to player choices. Ken St. Andre said Fargo's pitch to him was for a post-nuclear holocaust game that allowed for weapons capable of inflicting area effect damage to be used and the map be modified "on the fly".{{r|"FargoHickey"|p=203-204}} Fargo said the game was in development for five years.<ref name="chat90">{{cite AV media |people=Barton, Matt |date=January 23, 2011 |title=Matt Chat 90: Wasteland and Fallout with Brian Fargo |type=YouTube video |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hp2FsFgd9Uo |access-date=January 25, 2023 |archive-date=January 25, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140125211120/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hp2FsFgd9Uo |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="FargoHickey"/>{{rp|200–201}}

=== Writing ===
[[File:Ken St Andre (cropped).jpeg|thumb|right|upright|[[Ken St Andre]] in 2014; he served as a writer and designer.]]

St. Andre said that Interplay wanted to make a best-seller that would elevate the team's reputation. He said that the story-writing process took more than a year, mostly due to feeding various scenarios into the game to see how it would react. According to St. Andre, he and Stackpole wanted to create something new with the story.{{r|"FargoHickey"|p=202-203}}

The original plot was supposed to be similar to ''[[Red Dawn]]'', with Russians occupying the United States and fighting against Americans engaged in liberating their nation. St. Andre eventually decided to change this and pitched a new story involving killer robots wanting to wipe out and replace humanity, calling it a sort of cross between ''[[The Terminator]]'' and [[Daffy Duck]], with Fargo accepting this new storyline. The game's location was chosen due to St. Andre's familiarity with the area and ability to ensure the locations of real-world places were accurate in the game.{{r|"FargoHickey"|p=202-203}}<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fU-fDwAAQBAJ&q=vintage+games+2.0+wasteland&pg=PA194 |title=Vintage Games 2.0: An Insider Look at the Most Influential Games of All Time |first=Matt |last=Barton |publisher=CRC Press |date=April 9, 2018 |isbn=9781000000924 |access-date=November 4, 2020 |archive-date=April 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240412044342/https://books.google.com/books?id=fU-fDwAAQBAJ&q=vintage+games+2.0+wasteland&pg=PA194 |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|193–196}}

=== Release ===
The game was copyrighted in 1986.<ref name="CGWHoF">{{cite magazine |title=Computer Gaming World Hall of Fame |magazine=Computer Gaming World |issue=115 |date=February 1994 |url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1994&pub=2&id=115 |page=221 |access-date=June 12, 2020 |archive-date=October 3, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171003001602/http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1994&pub=2&id=115 |url-status=live }}</ref> Close to release, Interplay insisted that it be labeled [[PG-13]].<ref name="cgw45"/> ''Wasteland'' was originally released in 1988 for the Apple II, Commodore 64, and IBM compatibles.<ref name="Nutt1"/> ''Wasteland'' was re-released as part of ''Interplay's 10 Year Anthology: Classic Collection'' in 1995, and also included in the 1998 ''Ultimate RPG Archives'' through Interplay's DragonPlay label.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mobygames.com/game/interplays-10-year-anthology |title=Interplay's 10 Year Anthology for DOS (1993) |publisher=Moby Games |access-date=July 31, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113122459/http://www.mobygames.com/game/interplays-10-year-anthology |archive-date=November 13, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://uk.pc.gamespy.com/pc/the-ultimate-rpg-archives/ |title=The Ultimate RPG Archives - PC - GameSpy |publisher=Uk.pc.gamespy.com |date=January 31, 1998 |access-date=July 31, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113122553/http://uk.pc.gamespy.com/pc/the-ultimate-rpg-archives/ |archive-date=November 13, 2013}}</ref>

==Reception==
''Wasteland'' sold approximately 250,000 units on release.{{r|"FargoHickey"|p=201}} 

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, ''[[Computer Gaming World]]'' lauded ''Wasteland'' for its gameplay, plot, problem solving, skills system, non-player characters, and the moral dilemmas players face.<ref name="CGW">{{Cite magazine |date=May 1988 |last=Kritzen |first=William |magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]] |url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1988&pub=2&id=47 |title=Wasted in the Wasteland |pages=28–29 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160405004213/http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1988&pub=2&id=47 |archive-date=April 5, 2016}}</ref><ref name="sipe199211">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1992&pub=2&id=100 |title=3900 Games Later... |magazine=Computer Gaming World |date=November 1992 |access-date=July 4, 2014 |author=Sipe, Russell |pages=8 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140702235552/http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1992&pub=2&id=100 |archive-date=July 2, 2014}}</ref><ref name="scorpia199110">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1991&pub=2&id=87 |title=C*R*P*G*S / Computer Role-Playing Game Survey |magazine=Computer Gaming World |date=October 1991 |access-date=November 18, 2013 |author=Scorpia |pages=16 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202224200/http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1991&pub=2&id=87 |archive-date=December 2, 2013}}</ref> The magazine named ''Wasteland'' the Adventure Game of the Year in 1988.<ref name = "CGWaward">{{Cite magazine |date=October 1988 |magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]] |title=Computer Gaming World's 1988 Game of the Year Awards |page=54}}</ref> In 1994, the magazine cited ''Wasteland'' as an example of how "older, less sophisticated engines can still play host to a great game".<ref name="cgw199404">{{Cite magazine |last=Yee |first=Bernie |date=April 1994 |title=Too Much, Two Late |url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1994&pub=2&id=117 |magazine=Computer Gaming World |pages=62, 64 |access-date=November 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171111041726/http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1994&pub=2&id=117 |archive-date=November 11, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> 

[[Orson Scott Card]] gave ''Wasteland'' a mixed review in ''[[Compute!]]'', commending the science fiction elements and setting, but stating that it lacked a meaningful overarching story.<ref name="card198906">{{cite news |url=https://archive.org/stream/1989-06-compute-magazine/Compute_Issue_109_1989_Jun#page/n29/mode/2up |title=Light-years and Lasers / Science Fiction Inside Your Computer |work=Compute! |date=June 1989 |access-date=November 11, 2013 |author=Card, Orson Scott |pages=29 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310093741/https://archive.org/stream/1989-06-compute-magazine/Compute_Issue_109_1989_Jun |archive-date=March 10, 2016}}</ref> However, James Trunzo praised the game in the November 1988 issue of ''Compute!'', citing its non-linear design and multiple puzzle solutions, the vague nature of the goal, and customizable player stats.<ref name="trunzo198811">{{cite news |url=https://archive.org/stream/1988-11-compute-magazine/Compute_Issue_102_1988_Nov#page/n79/mode/2up |title=Wasteland |work=Compute! |date=November 1988 |access-date=November 10, 2013 |author=Trunzo, James V. |pages=78 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160320042824/https://archive.org/stream/1988-11-compute-magazine/Compute_Issue_102_1988_Nov |archive-date=March 20, 2016}}</ref>

Julia Martin's review for ''[[Challenge (game magazine)|Challenge]]'' favorably recommended the game for those into RPGs and adventure games, comparing it to ''[[Twilight: 2000]]'', praising its combat system, choices and for differing from the usual sword-and-spells fantasy genre. She criticized having to insert the primary "A" disk in order to play the game after copying it from four disks, the game's save system, and characters starting out with useless items.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Reviews |first=Julia |last=Martin |pages=76–77 |magazine=[[Challenge (game magazine)|Challenge]] |issue=38 |year=1989}}</ref>

In 2000, ''Wasteland'' was ranked as the 24th-best PC game of all time by the staff of [[IGN]] for its innovations.<ref name=ign_top25_2000>{{cite web |title=The Top 25 PC Games of All Time |website=IGN |date=July 17, 2000 |url=http://uk.pc.ign.com/articles/082/082217p1.html |access-date=February 10, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100608121131/http://uk.pc.ign.com/articles/082/082217p1.html |archive-date=June 8, 2010}}</ref>

According to a retrospective review by Richard Cobbett of [[Eurogamer]] in 2012, "even now, it offers a unique RPG world and experience ... a whole fallen civilisation full of puzzles and characters and things to twiddle with, all magically crammed into less than a [[megabyte]] of space."<ref name=retro/> In another retrospective article that same year, IGN's Kristan Reed wrote that "time has not been kind to ''Wasteland'', but its core concepts stand firm."<ref name=ign/>

==Legacy==
===Sequels and spiritual successor===

''Wasteland'' was followed in 1990 by a less-successful intended sequel, ''[[Fountain of Dreams]]'', set in post-war [[Florida]]. The game neither contained any of the code from ''Wasteland'' nor involved any of the staff that worked on it. Electronic Arts eventually decided to downplay its connection to ''Wasteland'', and said it was not a sequel in 2003. Interplay worked on ''[[Meantime (video game)|Meantime]]'', which was advertised as a [[spiritual successor]] to ''Wasteland'' and did not take place in the same universe. Coding of ''Meantime'' was nearly finished and a beta version was produced, but the game was canceled as the [[Apple II]] market declined.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/07/21/ign-presents-the-history-of-fallout |title=IGN Presents the History of Fallout |last1=McLaughlin |first1=Rus |last2=Kaiser |first2=Rowan |work=IGN |date=July 21, 2010 |access-date=October 5, 2021 |archive-date=July 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190719000608/https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/07/21/ign-presents-the-history-of-fallout |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=k1OWDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA215 |title=Dungeons and Desktops: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games: Second Edition |last1=Barton |first1=Matt |last2=Stacks |first2=Shane |publisher=CRC Press |date=April 18, 2019 |page=215 |isbn=9781351273398 |access-date=November 7, 2021 |archive-date=April 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240412044253/https://books.google.com/books?id=k1OWDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA215#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref>

Interplay has described the first ''[[Fallout (video game)|Fallout]]'' game as the spiritual successor to ''Wasteland''. According to ''IGN'', "Interplay's inability to prise the ''Wasteland'' brand name from EA's gnarled fingers actually led to it creating ''Fallout'' in the first place."<ref name=ign/> There are ''Wasteland'' homage elements in ''Fallout'' and ''[[Fallout 2]]'' as well.<ref name=kotaku/><ref name=ign>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/03/16/why-wasteland-2-is-worth-getting-excited-about |title=Why Wasteland 2 is Worth Getting Excited About |last1=Reed |first=Kristan |work=IGN |date=March 16, 2012 |access-date=October 5, 2021 |archive-date=January 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128050540/https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/03/16/why-wasteland-2-is-worth-getting-excited-about |url-status=live }}</ref>

Fargo's [[inXile Entertainment]] acquired the rights to the franchise from Electronic Arts in 2003.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.wired.co.uk/article/brian-fargo-interview |title=Wasteland dev Brian Fargo on crowdfunding sequel |last1=Kamen |first1=Matt |magazine=[[Wired UK|Wired]] |date=May 26, 2014 |access-date=December 18, 2021 |archive-date=October 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201006153321/https://www.wired.co.uk/article/brian-fargo-interview |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/10/28/fond-memories-wasteland |title=Fond Memories: Wasteland |last1=Blevins |first1=Tal |work=IGN |date=October 29, 2008 |access-date=December 18, 2021 |archive-date=December 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211218223534/https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/10/28/fond-memories-wasteland |url-status=live }}</ref> The studio developed and published ''[[Wasteland 2]]'' in 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/game-development-spectator-sport-kickstarter-road-wasteland-2/ |title='C'mon, hustle!' How Kickstarter is turning game development into a spectator sport |last1=Agnello |first1=Anthony John |date=October 9, 2014 |website=[[Digital Trends]] |access-date=October 5, 2021 |archive-date=October 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211005163838/https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/game-development-spectator-sport-kickstarter-road-wasteland-2/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The game's production team included original ''Wasteland'' designers Alan Pavlish, Michael Stackpole, Ken St. Andre and [[Liz Danforth]], and was crowdfunded through a [[Kickstarter]] campaign.<ref name="vg247">{{cite web |url=https://www.vg247.com/i-could-not-be-happier-fargo-on-fans-as-publishers |title="I could not be happier": Fargo on fans as publishers |last1=Nunneley |first=Stephany |date=April 15, 2013 |website=[[VG247]] |access-date=October 5, 2021 |archive-date=October 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211005163328/https://www.vg247.com/i-could-not-be-happier-fargo-on-fans-as-publishers |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2016, inXile announced a crowdfunding campaign via [[Fig (company)|Fig]] to develop ''[[Wasteland 3]]''.<ref name="Wasteland 3 IGN">{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/09/28/wasteland-3-announced-will-include-co-op |title=Wasteland 3 announced, will include co-op |last1=Dornbush |first1=Jonathon |date=September 28, 2016 |website=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis, LLC]] |access-date=September 28, 2016 |quote=Wasteland 2 developer InXile Games has announced a sequel to the 2014 RPG, Wasteland 3, and the developer is using Fig to raise funds for the game. The campaign will launch on Fig on October 5 with a total goal of $2.75 million and a planned release on Windows, Mac, Linux, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160928175227/http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/09/28/wasteland-3-announced-will-include-co-op |archive-date=September 28, 2016}}</ref><ref name="Brown_PC Gamer">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/wasteland-3-release-date/ |title=Wasteland 3 is coming next spring |first=Fraser |last=Brown |magazine=[[PC Gamer]] |date=June 12, 2019 |access-date=June 24, 2019 |archive-date=June 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190617155625/https://www.pcgamer.com/wasteland-3-release-date/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It was released in August 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wasteland 3 Now Available for Mac & Linux |url=https://www.inxile-entertainment.com/amp/wasteland-3-now-available-for-mac-linux |access-date=April 13, 2021 |website=inXile Entertainment }}{{Dead link|date=November 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

===Re-release===

In an August 2013 Kickstarter update for ''Wasteland 2'', project lead Chris Keenan announced that they had reached an agreement with Electronic Arts to release the original ''Wasteland'' for modern operating systems. He added that it will be given for free to backers of ''Wasteland 2'' on Kickstarter, in addition to being made available for purchase on [[GOG.com|GOG]] and [[Steam (service)|Steam]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/wasteland-1-to-get-steam-and-gog-releases/ |title=Wasteland 1 to get Steam and GOG releases |work=PC Gamer |first=Tom |last=Sykes |date=August 10, 2013 |access-date=June 12, 2020 |archive-date=June 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612204907/https://www.pcgamer.com/wasteland-1-to-get-steam-and-gog-releases/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The re-release was designed to run on higher resolutions and added a song by [[Mark Morgan (composer)|Mark Morgan]], higher resolution portraits, the ability to use the original game's manual in-game and the paragraph book's text, and expanded the save-game functionality.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.gamezone.com/news/wasteland-1-the-original-classic-goes-gold-for-gog-and-steam/ |title=Wasteland 1 – The Original Classic goes gold for GOG and Steam |work=Gamezone |first=Stephanie |last=Carmichael |date=November 7, 2013 |access-date=June 12, 2020 |archive-date=June 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612214741/https://www.gamezone.com/news/wasteland-1-the-original-classic-goes-gold-for-gog-and-steam/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In November, Keenan announced that the re-release titled ''Wasteland 1: The Original Classic'' had gone gold, and had been submitted to GOG and Steam for approval. In response to the player feedback, inXile included the ability to turn off smoothing, including the manual in tooltips, swapping and tweaking portraits while making it work on [[Mac OS X]] and [[Linux]]. Those who backed ''[[Torment: Tides of Numenera]]'' and received ''Wasteland 2'', also received the re-release for free.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.vg247.com/2013/11/07/wasteland-1-has-been-submitted-to-good-old-games-and-steam/ |title=Wasteland 1 has been submitted to Good Old Games and Steam |work=[[VG247]] |first=Ewan |last=Miller |date=November 7, 2013 |access-date=June 12, 2020 |archive-date=June 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612210735/https://www.vg247.com/2013/11/07/wasteland-1-has-been-submitted-to-good-old-games-and-steam/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Original Classic edition was released on November 8, 2013, and was downloaded more than 33,000 times before its general availability.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.engadget.com/2013-11-14-classic-post-apocalyptic-rpg-wasteland-out-now-on-steam-gog.html |title=Classic post-apocalyptic RPG Wasteland out now on Steam, GOG |last=Cowan |first=Danny |work=[[Engadget]] |date=November 14, 2013 |access-date=June 12, 2020 |archive-date=June 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613003204/https://www.engadget.com/2013-11-14-classic-post-apocalyptic-rpg-wasteland-out-now-on-steam-gog.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On November 12, the game was released on GOG.<ref name=GOG2013>{{cite web |url=https://v1.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/129571-Wasteland-Comes-to-GOG |title=Wasteland Comes to GOG |date=November 12, 2013 |publisher=The Escapist |access-date=June 12, 2020 |first=Stew |last=Shearer |archive-date=June 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612215046/https://v1.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/129571-Wasteland-Comes-to-GOG |url-status=dead }}</ref> The next day, the game was also released on Steam for Windows, Mac and Linux.<ref name=Steam2013>{{cite web |url=http://store.steampowered.com/news/11863/ |title=Now Available on Steam - Wasteland 1 - The Original Classic |date=November 13, 2013 |publisher=[[Steam (service)|Steam]] |access-date=November 23, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131116151122/http://store.steampowered.com/news/11863/ |archive-date=November 16, 2013}}</ref> On March 11, 2014, it was released for [[Desura]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://wastelandrpg.tumblr.com/post/79296901228/wasteland-1-the-original-classic-available-on |title=Wasteland 1 - The Original Classic Available on Desura |work=inXile Entertainment |publisher=Tumblr |date=March 11, 2014 |access-date=June 13, 2020 |archive-date=October 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005082259/https://wastelandrpg.tumblr.com/post/79296901228/wasteland-1-the-original-classic-available-on |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Remaster===

inXile Entertainment announced a remastered version in honor of the original's 30th anniversary, to be produced by [[Krome Studios]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Costa |first1=Richard |title=InXile Entertainment Announces Wasteland 30th Anniversary Bundle |url=https://techraptor.net/gaming/news/inxile-entertainment-announces-wasteland-30th-anniversary-bundle |website=Techraptor |access-date=May 10, 2020 |date=June 11, 2018 |archive-date=September 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927224145/https://techraptor.net/gaming/news/inxile-entertainment-announces-wasteland-30th-anniversary-bundle |url-status=live }}</ref> During [[E3 2019]], Brian Fargo announced it was coming to both Windows and [[Xbox One]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Madan |first1=Asher |title=Cult classic 'Wasteland' confirmed for Xbox One, remaster also coming to PC |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/cult-classic-wasteland-confirmed-xbox-one?amp |website=Windows Central |access-date=May 10, 2020 |date=June 12, 2019 |archive-date=June 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190614034639/https://www.windowscentral.com/cult-classic-wasteland-confirmed-xbox-one?amp |url-status=live }}</ref> He also released screenshots of the game.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Reuben |first1=Nic |title=Wasteland remaster looks a whole lot like a remake, and I'm not complaining |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2019/06/14/wasteland-remaster-looks-a-whole-lot-like-a-remake-and-im-not-complaining/ |website=[[Rock Paper Shotgun]] |access-date=May 10, 2020 |date=June 14, 2019 |archive-date=August 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811011753/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2019/06/14/wasteland-remaster-looks-a-whole-lot-like-a-remake-and-im-not-complaining/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On January 23, 2020, the release date was revealed as February 25.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Prescott |first1=Shaun |title=Wasteland Remastered will release next month |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/wasteland-remastered-will-release-next-month/ |website=Rock Paper Shotgun |access-date=May 10, 2020 |date=January 23, 2020 |archive-date=March 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301222226/https://www.pcgamer.com/wasteland-remastered-will-release-next-month/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It was released by inXile Entertainment on [[GOG.com|GOG]], [[Steam (service)|Steam]] and [[Microsoft Store]] for Windows, OS X and Linux; the Xbox One version was published by [[Xbox Game Studios]]. The graphics and sounds were completely overhauled and the game uses 3D models. In addition, it features voiced lines and new portraits for characters.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Amy |first1=Matt |title=Wasteland Remastered Survival Guide |url=https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2020/02/25/wasteland-remastered-survival-guide/ |website=Xbox News |access-date=May 10, 2020 |date=February 25, 2020 |archive-date=June 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612202455/https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2020/02/25/wasteland-remastered-survival-guide/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The "remastered" edition also includes cross-save support and [[Xbox Play Anywhere]] support.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Amy |first1=Matt |title=Wasteland Remastered is Available Now with Xbox Game Pass on Xbox One and Windows 10 PC |url=https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2020/02/25/wasteland-remastered-available-now/ |website=Xbox News |access-date=June 12, 2020 |date=February 25, 2020 |archive-date=June 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612202443/https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2020/02/25/wasteland-remastered-available-now/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*{{moby game|id=/wasteland|name=''Wasteland''}}
*{{Internet Archive game|msdos_Wasteland_1988|Wasteland}}

{{Wasteland series}}
{{Fallout series}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wasteland (Video Game)}}
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