Westwood Studios: Forgotten Gems of a Fallen Giant

Westwood Studios occupies a special place in video game history. As the progenitor of real time strategy (RTS) games, the company was either directly or indirectly responsible for some of the biggest games in history, such as Command and Conquer, Warcraft, Starcraft, DotA and Leage of Legends.

Their first breakthrough, Dune 2, was like no other game at the time. Based on the Frank Herbert series of the same name, Westwood created a tactical game that was true to the universe it belonged. Westwood had produced a number of games prior to Dune 2, but it was this game's success that placed the company on the map.

Dune II: The Building of a Dynasty

Command & Conquer, and its many sequels, were built on the foundation Dune 2 established,exchanging the borrowed property for one grown at home. The series spawned a number of sequels and spin offs, including a first person shooter, with the later Electronic Arts developed games in the series proving lackluster.

Command & Conquer: Red Alert 

The Lands of Lore of lore series was similarly conceived, having grown from Eye of the Beholder, a Dungeon's and Dragon's property. The series saw three installments, all with a compelling stories, a unique fantasy world, and varying game play mechanics.

Lands of Lore

Legend of Kyrandia was Westwood Studios foray into the adventure game genre. Three comedic entries taking place in a bizarre fantasy world. The third installment was particularly interesting as you took on the role of the villain from the previous two games.

The Legend of Kyrandia Book 2: The Hand of Fate

Westwood would also produce the amazing Blade Runner game, also in the adventure genre, but built with changing story elements and multiple endings to increase replay value and keep true to the film's sci-fi detective atmosphere.

Blade Runner

And then there was Nox, an online, isometric RPG with an in depth story and varying online game modes to, such as death match and capture the flag, to keep online players playing long after the main quest was completed.

Nox

A lot of parallels can be drawn to competitor and contemporary Blizzard Entertainment. Both companies were known for their respective RTS franchises, had moderate success with 16-bit console titles, offered online connectivity, and had a stable of properties that defined their style and focus. But where Blizzard managed to maintain autonomy and identity within after acquisition by Vivendi, Westwood Studios was summarily dismantled and absorbed by Electronic Arts.

Given the lack of development and support for non-Command and Conquer Westwood Studios properties it is clear they were bought by EA solely for the Command and Conquer name, leaving their fans of their other work without follow-ups to those other forgotten gems.

Westwood Studios 1985-2003

-Kami Lebaredian