Spear of Destiny (video game)

Spear of Destiny
Developer(s)	id Software
Publisher(s)	FormGen Corporation Activision/Valve Corporation (Steam)
Director(s)	Tom Hall
Designer(s)	Tom Hall, John Romero
Programmer(s)	John Carmack, John Romero
Artist(s)	Adrian Carmack
Engine	Wolfenstein 3D engine
Platform(s)	PC
Release date(s)	September 18, 1992, 2007 (Steam)
Genre(s)	First-person shooter
Mode(s)	Single player
Distribution	720k floppy disks (3), CD (1)

Spear of Destiny, often also called Spear, Wolfenstein 3D: Spear of Destiny or just SoD, is a 1992 first-person shooter computer game developed by id Software and published by FormGen Corporation, and is the prequel to id Software's Wolfenstein 3D. As in Wolfenstein 3D, the player assumes the role of allied spy William "B.J." Blazkowicz, on a mission trying to recapture the Spear of Destiny from the Nazis after it was stolen from Versailles.

Gameplay

The game consists of a single 21-level episode, 19 of which need to be completed in order to win the game. The remaining two levels are secret levels that can be accessed from within the first 18 levels. The gameplay is identical to that of Wolfenstein 3D, which uses the same game engine. The levels can be divided into four blocks ("Tunnels", "Dungeons", "Castle", and "Ramparts"), each ending with the player having to defeat a "boss".

Unlike Wolfenstein 3D, the game did not include a shareware version; however, a 2-level playable demo was distributed.

The Lost Episodes

Two mission packs for Spear of Destiny, titled Return to Danger and Ultimate Challenge, were also created and published by FormGen Corporation in May 1994. These are collectively known as the "Lost Episodes", because they were sold in low numbers and their existence is not widely known. Each of these, too, consists of 21 levels. The Lost Episodes contain new level textures, new enemies, and new appearances for old enemies.

Releases

A CD version containing all three episodes, titled the Spear of Destiny Super CD Package, was also released in late 1994. The Steam release (August 3, 2007) includes the Lost Episodes. The source code of Spear of Destiny was released in 1995. In October 2009, the iPhone Wolfenstein 3D app was updated to include Spear of Destiny.

Spear of Destiny has never been ported to home console. However, the bosses from the game appear in the 3DO version of Wolfenstein 3D.

External links

• Official Spear of Destiny website