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{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2012}}
{{Infobox video game
{{Infobox video game
|title = Blood Money
| title = Blood Money
|image = [[Image:Blood Money Coverart.png]]
| image = [[Image:Blood Money Coverart.png]]
|caption = Box art, designed by [[Peter Andrew Jones]]
| caption = Cover art, designed by [[Peter Andrew Jones]]
|developer = [[DMA Design]]
| developer = [[DMA Design]]
|publisher = [[Psygnosis]]
| publisher = [[Psygnosis]]
|distributor =
| distributor =
| programmer = [[David Jones (video game developer)|David Jones]]
|designer =
| designer = Tony Smith
|composer = Ray Norrish<br>[[Matt Furniss]] <small>Mega Drive (Unreleased)</small>
| composer = Ray Norrish<br />Fredrik Segergalk
|engine =
| engine =
|released = 6 January 1989
| released = '''Amiga''', '''Atari ST'''<br>May 1989<br />'''DOS'''<br>1989<br />'''Commodore 64'''<br>1990
|genre = [[Sci-Fi]] [[Shoot 'em up#Scrolling shooters|Scrolling shooter]]
| genre = [[Shoot 'em up#Scrolling shooters|Scrolling shooter]]
|modes = [[Single player]]
| modes = [[Single player]]
|platforms = [[Amiga]], [[Commodore 64]], [[Atari ST]], [[IBM PC compatible|PC]] ([[MS-DOS]])
| platforms = [[Amiga]]<br>[[Atari ST]]<br>[[Commodore 64]]<br>[[IBM PC compatible|PC]] ([[MS-DOS]])
}}
}}


'''''Blood Money''''' is a [[Side-scrolling video game|side-scrolling]] video game developed by [[DMA Design]]. It was published by [[Psygnosis]] in 1989 for the [[Amiga]], [[Atari ST]] and [[DOS]], and in 1990 for the [[Commodore 64]]. The game is set in four different locations on a planet, where players are tasked with attacking the enemies and defeating the bosses.
'''''Blood Money''''' is a [[Shoot 'em up#Scrolling shooters|scrolling shooter]] game [[video game developer|developed]] by [[DMA Design]] for the [[Amiga]], [[Commodore 64]], [[Atari ST]] and [[IBM PC compatible]]s ([[MS-DOS]]). It was released on 6 January 1989 and [[video game publisher|published]] by [[Psygnosis]]. The PC version was ported by Tim Ansell of [[The Creative Assembly]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Blood Money Screenshot for DOS|url=http://www.mobygames.com/game/dos/blood-money/screenshots/gameShotId,37352/|website=[[MobyGames]]|publisher=Blue Flame Labs|accessdate=15 August 2015}}</ref><ref name=OGDB>{{cite web|url=http://ogdb.eu/index.php?section=company&companyid=614|title=The Creative Assembly, Ltd.|publisher=OGDB|language=German|accessdate=27 January 2013}}</ref> ''Blood Money'' has sold 40,000 copies.<ref name=readonly>{{cite web|last1=Stanton|first1=Rich|title=The Making of Lemmings How DMA Design created a classic, and what happened next|url=http://readonlymemory.vg/the-making-of-lemmings/|website=Read-Only Memory|accessdate=21 September 2015|date=June 2015}}</ref> The origins of ''[[Lemmings (video game)|Lemmings]]'', DMA Design's next game, were in a sprite created for ''Blood Money''.<ref name=readonly/>


The game began development immediately after ''[[Menace (video game)|Menace]]'', and borrowed similar gameplay elements. The development team used advanced hardware to develop ''Blood Money'', utilising improved graphical and technological processes. The game was inspired by the presentation of ''[[Mr. Heli]]'', and the animations of ''Blood Money'' would later inspire the development of ''[[Lemmings (video game)|Lemmings]]''. The game was released to positive reviews; praise was given to the game's graphics and gameplay. The game was also commercially successful, selling over 40,000 copies.
⚫
==Gameplay==
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:bloodmoneyscreenshot3.gif|thumb|left|Equipment store in the upper right corner]] -->
The game consists of four levels, each being a [[planet]] with a unique environment and a wide variety of unique enemies. The player uses a different type of attack craft on each level. There is a metal world (via [[helicopter]]), an ocean world (via [[submarine]]), an ice world (via [[spacesuit]]), and a fire world (via [[Fighter aircraft|jet fighter]]). The player can only select one of the first two worlds to start with, but after they have completed a level, they can play on any of the three remaining planets in any order. At the end of each world, the player ultimately meets a [[Boss (video games)|boss]]. The player can upgrade their attack craft with [[Power-up]]s such as support missiles and neutron bombs by destroying enemies for their coins and then visiting one of the many shops scattered across each world.


⚫
== Gameplay ==
The game has received praise for its music, which was composed by Ray Norrish, and for the technically advanced introduction sequence that came with the Amiga version: The first 880KB floppy disk of the 2-disk set was completely devoted to an introduction sequence featuring animation and dance music.
[[Image:Blood Money gameplay screenshot.jpg|250px|thumb|left|In the game, players control different vehicles and defend against enemies, who attempt to destroy the vehicle.]]

''Blood Money'' is a horizontal [[Side-scrolling video game|side-scrolling]] [[Shoot 'em up|shooter]] that uses [[2D computer graphics]]. Players move through four stages on the planet, taking control of a different vehicle in each level: a helicopter in the metal world, a submarine in a water world, a spacesuit in an ice world, and a fighter jet in a fire world. Each vehicle features unique weaponry, which players use to attack all advancing enemies. Players can upgrade their vehicle with [[power-up]]s, which grant them additional weapons and upgrades, such as support missiles and neutron bombs.<ref name="CVG Review"/> The vehicles' energy is depleted when players make contact with enemies and walls.<ref name="Emulator"/> The first two levels may be selected from the beginning of the game; after one level is complete, players can select any remaining world without restrictions. At the end of each level, players must defeat a [[Boss (video game)|boss]].<ref name="CVG Review"/>
{{clear left}}

== Development ==
Following the successful release of ''[[Menace (video game)|Menace]]'' in 1988, [[David Jones (video game developer)|David Jones]] began developing ''Blood Money'' on 4 January 1989, on the 25MHz 386-DX computer that publisher [[Psygnosis]] granted him, alongside a [[Intel System Development Kit|Personal Development System]].<ref name="History 2.1"/> Jones saw ''Blood Money'' as a "further development" of the concept used in ''Menace''.<ref>{{citation |title=Blood Money ''Instruction Booklet'' |editor=[[DMA Design]] |publisher=[[Psygnosis]] |location=[[Liverpool]] |year=1989 |page=12 |url=http://gamesdbase.com/Media/SYSTEM/Commodore_Amiga//Manual/formated/Blood_Money_-_1989_-_Psygnosis_Limited.htm |accessdate=5 October 2015 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6c2Y3YPri |archivedate=4 October 2015 |deadurl=no }}</ref> Jones was heavily inspired by the "cuteness" of ''[[Mr. Heli]]'' (1987) during the development of ''Blood Money''.<ref name="History 2.1"/> The game's cover art was designed by British artist [[Peter Andrew Jones]] for the novel ''[[Protector (novel)|Protector]]'' (1973) by [[Larry Niven]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.peterandrewjones.net/paintings_science_fiction/swa150.htm |title=Protector |last=Jones |first=Peter Andrew |authorlink=Peter Andrew Jones |publisher=[[Peter Andrew Jones]] |accessdate=5 October 2015 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6c2bIr4XE |archivedate=4 October 2015 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

With ''Blood Money'', Jones was determined to utilise the full colour range of the [[Amiga]], opting to use the [[blitter]] as opposed to the hardware scrolling; the blitter allowed graphics to be drawn quickly. Tony Smith, who had worked on ''Menace'', produced the graphics for ''Blood Money'', while Jones began work on a new scrolling system. While developing his own game, ''Talisman'', [[Mike Dailly (game designer)|Mike Dailly]] created a compact method to move enemies on-screen, which Jones incorporated into ''Blood Money''.<ref name="History 2.1"/> The game's animations fascinated Jones' friend Gary Timmons, who then began experimenting with [[Deluxe Paint]]; his work on the program led to his employment at DMA Design, and inspired some of the animations used in DMA's next game, ''[[Walker (video game)|Walker]]'' (1993).<ref name="History 2.4"/> The game's introduction required a star field, which Jones took from a quick demonstration that Dailly had been working on.<ref name="History 2.3"/>

The game was ported to the PC by Tim Ansell of [[Creative Assembly]],<ref name="PC port"/> and to [[Atari ST]] by Jones' friend Wayne Smithson,<ref name="History 3.2"/> while Dailly began porting the game to the [[Commodore 64]] following the [[Personal Computer World]] Show in September 1989.<ref name="History 2.4"/> Dailly used the code from the ''Talisman'' [[Technology demonstration|demo]], and wrote a new [[Sprite (computer graphics)|sprite]] system. He also re-worked the multi-directional scrolling,<ref name="History 2.5"/> and wrote his own tape loading routines, wanting one that allowed players to play a simple game while ''Blood Money'' loaded.<ref name="History 3.1"/> Smith designed the graphics for the port, and became confused by the limitations of the hardware: he had to draw double pixels in Deluxe Paint, and was limited to sixteen colours.<ref name="History 2.5"/> Dailly finished developing the Commodore 64 version of ''Blood Money'' on 12 March 1990.<ref name="History 3.2"/>

== Reception ==
{{Video game reviews
| CVG = (AMI, PC) 85%<ref name="CVG Review"/> <br>(ST) 84%<ref name="CVG Review">{{cite journal |title=Blood Money |page=48 |journal=[[Computer and Video Games]] |issue=92 |date=June 1989 |last=Glancey |first=Paul |editor-last=Taylor |editor-first=Graham |publisher=[[Future plc]] |url=http://archive.org/stream/computer-video-games-magazine-092/CVG092_Jun_1989#page/n47/mode/2up |accessdate=5 October 2015 }}</ref> <br>(C64) 79%<ref name="CVG Review C64">{{cite journal |title=Update: Blood Money |page=58 |journal=[[Computer and Video Games]] |issue=105 |date=August 1990 |editor-last=Rignall |editor-first=Julian |editor-link=Julian Rignall |publisher=[[Future plc]] |url=http://archive.org/stream/computer-video-games-magazine-105/CVG105_Aug_1990#page/n57/mode/2up |accessdate=5 October 2015 }}</ref>
| rev1 = ''[[ACE (games magazine)|ACE]]''
| rev1Score = (ST) 740/1000<ref name="ACE Review"/><br>(PC) 700/1000<ref name="ACE Review">{{cite journal |title=Blood Money |page=97 |journal=[[ACE (games magazine)|ACE]] |issue=26 |date=November 1989 |editor-last=Cooke |editor-first=Steve |publisher=[[EMAP]] |url=http://archive.org/stream/ace-magazine-26/ACE_Issue_26_1989_Nov#page/n96/mode/1up |accessdate=5 October 2015 }}</ref>
| rev2 = ''[[CU Amiga]]''
| rev2Score = 76%<ref name="CUAmiga Review">{{cite journal |title=Blood Money |page=54–55 |journal=[[CU Amiga]] |issue= |date=June 1989 |last=Pattenden |first=Mike |publisher=[[EMAP]] |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015104100/http://amigareviews.classicgaming.gamespy.com/bloodmon.htm |accessdate=5 October 2015 }}</ref>
| rev3 = ''[[The Games Machine]]''
| rev3Score = (AMI) 90%<ref name="TGM Review">{{cite journal |title=Blood Money |page=43 |journal=[[The Games Machine]] |issue=19 |date=June 1989 |editor-last=Kean |editor-first=Roger |publisher=[[Newsfield|Newsfield Publications]] |url=http://archive.org/stream/the-games-machine-19/TheGamesMachine19#page/n42/mode/1up |accessdate=5 October 2015 }}</ref>
| rev4 = ''[[The One (magazine)|The One]]''
| rev4Score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref name="One Review">{{cite journal |title=Blood Money |page=93 |journal=[[The One (magazine)|The One]] |issue=33 |date=June 1991 |editor-last=Brennan |editor-first=Ciarán |publisher=[[EMAP]] |url=http://archive.org/stream/One_for_ST_Games_The_Issue_033_1991-06_EMAP_Images_GB#page/n91/mode/1up |accessdate=5 October 2015 }}</ref>
| rev5 = ''[[ST Format]]''
| rev5Score = (ST) <ref name="ST Review">{{cite journal |title=Blood Money |page=72–73 |journal=[[ST Format]] |issue=2 |date=September 1989 |last=Higham |first=Mark |publisher=[[Future plc]] |url=http://www.atarimania.com/atari-magazine-issue-st-format-issue-02_86.html |accessdate=5 October 2015 }}</ref>
| rev6 = ''[[ST/Amiga Format]]''
| rev6Score = (AMI) 92%<ref name="STAmiga Review">{{cite journal |title=Blood Money |page=72–73 |journal=[[ST/Amiga Format]] |issue=11 |date=May 1989 |last=Barrett |first=Gary |publisher=[[Future plc]] |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015104100/http://amigareviews.classicgaming.gamespy.com/bloodmon.htm |accessdate=5 October 2015 }}</ref>
| rev7 = ''[[Zzap!64]]''
| rev7Score = (AMI) 94%<ref name="Zzap Review">{{cite journal |title=Blood Money |page=68–69 |journal=[[Zzap!64]] |issue=51 |date=July 1989 |last1=Wynne |first1=Stuart |last2=Hogg |first2=Robin |last3=King |first3=Phil |publisher=[[Newsfield|Newsfield Publications]] |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015104100/http://amigareviews.classicgaming.gamespy.com/bloodmon.htm | accessdate=5 October 2015 }}</ref>
}}
''Blood Money'' received mostly positive reviews from critics upon release, particularly for its gameplay, graphical design, and sound. Gary Barrett of ''[[ST/Amiga Format]]'' wrote that the game is the best shoot 'em up game on the Amiga.<ref name="STAmiga Review"/> ''[[Zzap!64]]'' listed ''Blood Money'' as the best Amiga game of the 1980s,<ref name="Zzap 57"/> and ''ST Format'' named it the second-best shoot 'em up game of 1990.<ref name="STFormat 18"/> The game sold 40,000 copies, which is double the sales of ''Menace''.<ref name="History 4.1"/>

Stuart Wynne of ''Zzap!64'' found the game "superb to play", while Robin Hogg of the same publication wrote that it "measures up" to the game's "brilliant" graphics.<ref name="Zzap Review"/> ''[[The One (magazine)|The One]]'' found the game to be among the "most challenging and technically accomplished" shoot 'em ups,<ref name="One Review"/> while ''[[ACE (games magazine)|ACE]]'' called it "compelling".<ref name="ACE Review"/> Conversely, Mike Pattenden of ''[[CU Amiga]]'' criticised the difficulty, noting its lack of rewards.<ref name="CUAmiga Review"/>

Critics praised the game's graphical qualities. Paul Glancey of ''[[Computer and Video Games]]'' lauded the game's opening sequence, and called the [[Sprite (computer graphics)|sprites]] among "the best designed and most fluidly animated" in an Amiga game.<ref name="CVG Review"/> ''[[The Games Machine]]'' found the graphics "utterly impressive",<ref name="TGM Review"/> and Barrett of ''ST/Amiga Format'' wrote that the game is "in a class of its own", praising the sprite animations.<ref name="STAmiga Review"/> ''Zzap!64''{{'}}s Hogg commended the animation and backgrounds.<ref name="Zzap Review"/> Conversely, ''CU Amiga''{{'}}s Pattenden felt that the graphics lack depth.<ref name="CUAmiga Review"/>

The game's use of sound received positive reactions. Phil King of ''Zzap!64'' was impressed by the soundtrack, particularly praising the introductory music.<ref name="Zzap Review"/> ''The Games Machine'' echoed similar remarks, writing that the game features "excellent" sound,<ref name="TGM Review"/> and Glancey of ''Computer and Video Games'' wrote that the sound chip was "put ... to bloomin' good use".<ref name="CVG Review"/> Barrett of ''ST/Amiga Format'' preferred the sound effects over the music, though felt that they were inferior to those in ''Menace''.<ref name="STAmiga Review"/> Pattenden of ''CU Amiga'' felt that the sound is "a poor tune and some average effects",<ref name="CUAmiga Review"/> while ''ACE'' called it "a little weedy".<ref name="ACE Review"/>


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


<ref name="Emulator">{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/details/msdos_Blood_Money_1990 |title=Blood Money : DMA Design Limited : Free Streaming |work=Archive.org |publisher=[[Internet Archive]] |date=27 December 2014 |accessdate=5 October 2015 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6c2WNAeAn |archivedate=5 October 2015 |deadurl=no }}</ref>
==External links==

*{{moby game|id=/blood-money|name=''Blood Money''}}
<ref name="History 2.1">{{cite web |url=http://www.javalemmings.com/DMA/DMA2_1.htm |title=The History of DMA - Chapter 2, part 1 |last=Dailly |first=Mike |authorlink=Mike Dailly (game designer) |publisher=[[Mike Dailly (game designer)|Mike Dailly]] |date=2004 |accessdate=5 October 2015 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6c2XJIfn1 |archivedate=4 October 2015 |deadurl=no }}</ref>
* [http://www.classicgaming.com/amigareviews/bloodmon.htm Game review] (got 94% from [[Zzap!64]])
<ref name="History 2.3">{{cite web |url=http://www.javalemmings.com/DMA/DMA2_3.htm |title=The History of DMA - Chapter 2, part 3 |last=Dailly |first=Mike |authorlink=Mike Dailly (game designer) |publisher=[[Mike Dailly (game designer)|Mike Dailly]] |date=2004 |accessdate=5 October 2015 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6c2YgvUD9 |archivedate=4 October 2015 |deadurl=no }}</ref>
* [http://www.shmups.com/reviews/bloodmoneyamiga/index.html Game review] at SHMUPS! with many screenshots
<ref name="History 2.4">{{cite web |url=http://www.javalemmings.com/DMA/DMA2_4.htm |title=The History of DMA - Chapter 2, part 4 |last=Dailly |first=Mike |authorlink=Mike Dailly (game designer) |publisher=[[Mike Dailly (game designer)|Mike Dailly]] |date=2004 |accessdate=5 October 2015 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6c2Z6PAqg |archivedate=4 October 2015 |deadurl=no }}</ref>
* [http://www.angusm.demon.co.uk/AGDB/DBA1/BloodM.html Another review]
<ref name="History 2.5">{{cite web |url=http://www.javalemmings.com/DMA/DMA2_5.htm |title=The History of DMA - Chapter 2, part 5 |last=Dailly |first=Mike |authorlink=Mike Dailly (game designer) |publisher=[[Mike Dailly (game designer)|Mike Dailly]] |date=2004 |accessdate=5 October 2015 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6c2aDe7oW |archivedate=4 October 2015 |deadurl=no }}</ref>
<ref name="History 3.1">{{cite web |url=http://www.javalemmings.com/DMA/DMA3_1.htm |title=The History of DMA - Chapter 3, part 1 |last=Dailly |first=Mike |authorlink=Mike Dailly (game designer) |publisher=[[Mike Dailly (game designer)|Mike Dailly]] |date=2005 |accessdate=5 October 2015 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6c2aJMJLF |archivedate=4 October 2015 |deadurl=no }}</ref>
<ref name="History 3.2">{{cite web |url=http://www.javalemmings.com/DMA/DMA3_2.htm |title=The History of DMA - Chapter 3, part 2 |last=Dailly |first=Mike |authorlink=Mike Dailly (game designer) |publisher=[[Mike Dailly (game designer)|Mike Dailly]] |date=2005 |accessdate=5 October 2015 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6c2aL15ZY |archivedate=4 October 2015 |deadurl=no }}</ref>
<ref name="History 4.1">{{cite web |url=http://www.javalemmings.com/DMA/DMA4_1.htm |title=The History of DMA - Chapter 4, part 1 |last=Dailly |first=Mike |authorlink=Mike Dailly (game designer) |publisher=[[Mike Dailly (game designer)|Mike Dailly]] |date=2004 |accessdate=3 October 2015 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6c0CDd25p |archivedate=3 October 2015 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="PC port">{{cite video game |title=Blood Money |developer=[[DMA Design]], [[Creative Assembly]] |publisher=[[Psygnosis]] |date=1989 |platform=DOS |version=1.0 |scene=Main menu |language=English |quote="IBM Conversion: Tim Ansell" }}</ref>

<ref name="STFormat 18">{{cite journal |title=The Top 50 Games of 1990 |page=34–37 |journal=[[ST Format]] |issue=18 |date=January 1991 |last=Hutchinson |first=Andy |publisher=[[Future plc]] |url=http://www.atarimania.com/mags/pdf/atari-st-format-issue-018.pdf |accessdate=5 October 2015 }}</ref>

<ref name="Zzap 57">{{cite journal |title=The Best Games of the 80's Decade |page=28–30 |journal=[[Zzap!64]] |issue=57 |date=January 1989 |last1=Wynne |first1=Start |last2=King |first2=Phil |publisher=[[Newsfield|Newsfield Publications]] |url=http://www.zzap64.co.uk/cgi-bin/displaypage.pl?issue=057&page=029&magazine=zzap | accessdate=5 October 2015 }}</ref>

}}


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{{DMA Design}}
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[[Category:The Creative Assembly games]]
[[Category:The Creative Assembly games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United Kingdom]]


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{{scroll-shooter-videogame-stub}}

Revision as of 12:31, 5 October 2015

Blood Money
Cover art, designed by Peter Andrew Jones
Developer(s)DMA Design
Publisher(s)Psygnosis
Designer(s)Tony Smith
Programmer(s)David Jones
Composer(s)Ray Norrish
Fredrik Segergalk
Platform(s)Amiga
Atari ST
Commodore 64
PC (MS-DOS)
ReleaseAmiga, Atari ST
May 1989
DOS
1989
Commodore 64
1990
Genre(s)Scrolling shooter
Mode(s)Single player

Blood Money is a side-scrolling video game developed by DMA Design. It was published by Psygnosis in 1989 for the Amiga, Atari ST and DOS, and in 1990 for the Commodore 64. The game is set in four different locations on a planet, where players are tasked with attacking the enemies and defeating the bosses.

The game began development immediately after Menace, and borrowed similar gameplay elements. The development team used advanced hardware to develop Blood Money, utilising improved graphical and technological processes. The game was inspired by the presentation of Mr. Heli, and the animations of Blood Money would later inspire the development of Lemmings. The game was released to positive reviews; praise was given to the game's graphics and gameplay. The game was also commercially successful, selling over 40,000 copies.

Gameplay

In the game, players control different vehicles and defend against enemies, who attempt to destroy the vehicle.

Blood Money is a horizontal side-scrolling shooter that uses 2D computer graphics. Players move through four stages on the planet, taking control of a different vehicle in each level: a helicopter in the metal world, a submarine in a water world, a spacesuit in an ice world, and a fighter jet in a fire world. Each vehicle features unique weaponry, which players use to attack all advancing enemies. Players can upgrade their vehicle with power-ups, which grant them additional weapons and upgrades, such as support missiles and neutron bombs.[1] The vehicles' energy is depleted when players make contact with enemies and walls.[2] The first two levels may be selected from the beginning of the game; after one level is complete, players can select any remaining world without restrictions. At the end of each level, players must defeat a boss.[1]

Development

Following the successful release of Menace in 1988, David Jones began developing Blood Money on 4 January 1989, on the 25MHz 386-DX computer that publisher Psygnosis granted him, alongside a Personal Development System.[3] Jones saw Blood Money as a "further development" of the concept used in Menace.[4] Jones was heavily inspired by the "cuteness" of Mr. Heli (1987) during the development of Blood Money.[3] The game's cover art was designed by British artist Peter Andrew Jones for the novel Protector (1973) by Larry Niven.[5]

With Blood Money, Jones was determined to utilise the full colour range of the Amiga, opting to use the blitter as opposed to the hardware scrolling; the blitter allowed graphics to be drawn quickly. Tony Smith, who had worked on Menace, produced the graphics for Blood Money, while Jones began work on a new scrolling system. While developing his own game, Talisman, Mike Dailly created a compact method to move enemies on-screen, which Jones incorporated into Blood Money.[3] The game's animations fascinated Jones' friend Gary Timmons, who then began experimenting with Deluxe Paint; his work on the program led to his employment at DMA Design, and inspired some of the animations used in DMA's next game, Walker (1993).[6] The game's introduction required a star field, which Jones took from a quick demonstration that Dailly had been working on.[7]

The game was ported to the PC by Tim Ansell of Creative Assembly,[8] and to Atari ST by Jones' friend Wayne Smithson,[9] while Dailly began porting the game to the Commodore 64 following the Personal Computer World Show in September 1989.[6] Dailly used the code from the Talisman demo, and wrote a new sprite system. He also re-worked the multi-directional scrolling,[10] and wrote his own tape loading routines, wanting one that allowed players to play a simple game while Blood Money loaded.[11] Smith designed the graphics for the port, and became confused by the limitations of the hardware: he had to draw double pixels in Deluxe Paint, and was limited to sixteen colours.[10] Dailly finished developing the Commodore 64 version of Blood Money on 12 March 1990.[9]

Reception

Blood Money received mostly positive reviews from critics upon release, particularly for its gameplay, graphical design, and sound. Gary Barrett of ST/Amiga Format wrote that the game is the best shoot 'em up game on the Amiga.[18] Zzap!64 listed Blood Money as the best Amiga game of the 1980s,[20] and ST Format named it the second-best shoot 'em up game of 1990.[21] The game sold 40,000 copies, which is double the sales of Menace.[22]

Stuart Wynne of Zzap!64 found the game "superb to play", while Robin Hogg of the same publication wrote that it "measures up" to the game's "brilliant" graphics.[19] The One found the game to be among the "most challenging and technically accomplished" shoot 'em ups,[16] while ACE called it "compelling".[13] Conversely, Mike Pattenden of CU Amiga criticised the difficulty, noting its lack of rewards.[14]

Critics praised the game's graphical qualities. Paul Glancey of Computer and Video Games lauded the game's opening sequence, and called the sprites among "the best designed and most fluidly animated" in an Amiga game.[1] The Games Machine found the graphics "utterly impressive",[15] and Barrett of ST/Amiga Format wrote that the game is "in a class of its own", praising the sprite animations.[18] Zzap!64's Hogg commended the animation and backgrounds.[19] Conversely, CU Amiga's Pattenden felt that the graphics lack depth.[14]

The game's use of sound received positive reactions. Phil King of Zzap!64 was impressed by the soundtrack, particularly praising the introductory music.[19] The Games Machine echoed similar remarks, writing that the game features "excellent" sound,[15] and Glancey of Computer and Video Games wrote that the sound chip was "put ... to bloomin' good use".[1] Barrett of ST/Amiga Format preferred the sound effects over the music, though felt that they were inferior to those in Menace.[18] Pattenden of CU Amiga felt that the sound is "a poor tune and some average effects",[14] while ACE called it "a little weedy".[13]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Glancey, Paul (June 1989). Taylor, Graham (ed.). "Blood Money". Computer and Video Games (92). Future plc: 48. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
  2. ^ "Blood Money : DMA Design Limited : Free Streaming". Archive.org. Internet Archive. 27 December 2014. Archived from the original on 5 October 2015. Retrieved 5 October 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ a b c Dailly, Mike (2004). "The History of DMA - Chapter 2, part 1". Mike Dailly. Archived from the original on 4 October 2015. Retrieved 5 October 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ DMA Design, ed. (1989), Blood Money Instruction Booklet, Liverpool: Psygnosis, p. 12, archived from the original on 4 October 2015, retrieved 5 October 2015 {{citation}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ Jones, Peter Andrew. "Protector". Peter Andrew Jones. Archived from the original on 4 October 2015. Retrieved 5 October 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ a b Dailly, Mike (2004). "The History of DMA - Chapter 2, part 4". Mike Dailly. Archived from the original on 4 October 2015. Retrieved 5 October 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ Dailly, Mike (2004). "The History of DMA - Chapter 2, part 3". Mike Dailly. Archived from the original on 4 October 2015. Retrieved 5 October 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  8. ^ DMA Design, Creative Assembly (1989). Blood Money (DOS) (1.0 ed.). Psygnosis. Scene: Main menu. IBM Conversion: Tim Ansell
  9. ^ a b Dailly, Mike (2005). "The History of DMA - Chapter 3, part 2". Mike Dailly. Archived from the original on 4 October 2015. Retrieved 5 October 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ a b Dailly, Mike (2004). "The History of DMA - Chapter 2, part 5". Mike Dailly. Archived from the original on 4 October 2015. Retrieved 5 October 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  11. ^ Dailly, Mike (2005). "The History of DMA - Chapter 3, part 1". Mike Dailly. Archived from the original on 4 October 2015. Retrieved 5 October 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ Rignall, Julian, ed. (August 1990). "Update: Blood Money". Computer and Video Games (105). Future plc: 58. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
  13. ^ a b c d Cooke, Steve, ed. (November 1989). "Blood Money". ACE (26). EMAP: 97. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
  14. ^ a b c d Pattenden, Mike (June 1989). "Blood Money". CU Amiga. EMAP: 54–55. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
  15. ^ a b c Kean, Roger, ed. (June 1989). "Blood Money". The Games Machine (19). Newsfield Publications: 43. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
  16. ^ a b Brennan, Ciarán, ed. (June 1991). "Blood Money". The One (33). EMAP: 93. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
  17. ^ Higham, Mark (September 1989). "Blood Money". ST Format (2). Future plc: 72–73. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
  18. ^ a b c d Barrett, Gary (May 1989). "Blood Money". ST/Amiga Format (11). Future plc: 72–73. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
  19. ^ a b c d Wynne, Stuart; Hogg, Robin; King, Phil (July 1989). "Blood Money". Zzap!64 (51). Newsfield Publications: 68–69. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
  20. ^ Wynne, Start; King, Phil (January 1989). "The Best Games of the 80's Decade". Zzap!64 (57). Newsfield Publications: 28–30. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
  21. ^ Hutchinson, Andy (January 1991). "The Top 50 Games of 1990" (PDF). ST Format (18). Future plc: 34–37. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
  22. ^ Dailly, Mike (2004). "The History of DMA - Chapter 4, part 1". Mike Dailly. Archived from the original on 3 October 2015. Retrieved 3 October 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
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