| BattleSphere | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | 4Play |
| Publisher(s) | ScatoLOGIC |
| Designer(s) | Douglas Engel Scott Le Grand Stephanie Wukovitz Tom Harker |
| Programmer(s) | Douglas Engel Scott Le Grand Stephanie Wukovitz |
| Artist(s) | Douglas Engel |
| Composer(s) | Stephanie Wukovitz |
| Platform(s) | Atari Jaguar |
| Release |
|
| Genre(s) | Space combat simulation |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
BattleSphere is a space combat simulation video game developed by 4Play for the Atari Jaguar. The game was released in 2000, with the enhanced edition BattleSphere Gold released in 2002. Set during a future war between seven alien races, the factions agree to confine their hostilities to a tournament with the galaxy at stake. Gameplay consists of five modes, each featuring distinct scenarios and objectives. Up to 16 players can participate in a deathmatch mode via local area network (LAN) play.
BattleSphere was the first Jaguar title by 4Play, a partnership between Douglas Engel, Scott Le Grand, Stephanie Wukovitz, and Tom Harker. The project was conceptualized in 1993, when Engel and Le Grand decided to pitch a space combat game to Atari Corporation, and suggested developing the concept as an update to Star Raiders (1980). The team decided that it should feature different scenarios for single-player and network multiplayer. They combined aspects of Star Raiders, Doom (1993), and Star Wars: TIE Fighter, with the networking component of Netrek. Production began in 1994, with the partners self-funding the game's development while employed full-time. A PC port was in development, but never entered full production due to lack of interest from publishers.
BattleSphere was published after the Jaguar was declared as an open platform by Hasbro Interactive under the ScatoLOGIC label. ScatoLOGIC was formed by Engel, Le Grand, and Wukovitz following Harker's departure from 4Play to handle all production aspects. The first copy was sold on eBay, and the developers pledged to donate all profits from sales to charity. Gaming publications gave the game generally favorable reviews, praising its graphics, sound, gameplay, multiplayer, and AI. Some reviewers also cited the game's network support. It is retrospectively cited as one of the best titles for the Jaguar.