A Tribute to Pandemic Studios

Pandemic Studios was formed in 1998 and went on to make some of my favorite open world sandbox games. Although games like Destroy All Humans! and Mercenaries 2: World in Flames are a little silly and unpolished, Pandemic crafted them with an understanding that a "sandbox" style game needed toys and tools to play with. The gameplay focuses largely on destruction, but these sort of Pandemic games sprinkle enough ideas to keep the player from becoming directionless or bored.

Pandemic was purchased by EA in 2007 and, sadly, dissolved in 2009. The studio's last game, The Saboteur, combined their penchant for open worlds and destruction, but with a more direction and an interesting color-changing gimmick.

Though gone, I won't forget Pandemic's games. They have crafted some of my favorite titles in the open world/sandbox genre and whenever I feel the need for wanton destruction, I can always fire up Mercs 2.

Mercenaries 2: World in Flames TV spot:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcJyCdbC08c

Category:

Gaming

Tags:

• pandemic
• studios
• developer
• dev
• destroy
• all
• humans
• humans!
• star
• wars
• battlefront
• mercenaries
• saboteur

[GIJosep]

I loved Pandemic's games especially Mercenaries. Another developer I like is Double Fine. I hope they stay. Damn you EA...and damn Activision too.

[AcidRain371]

Ah yes Pamdeic, My first game from them was Army men RTS to the PC i played it for hours. Then there were Destroy all humans I never bought the game only played it at my friends but we were having a blast playing that game. And of course Battlefront 2 was a truly epic game. It is a rough industry EA also closed down West Wood the creators of the command and conquer.

[TheKindGamer]

My favorite pandemic games:

Star Wars Battlefront 1&2

Mercenaries 1&2

The Saboteur

[theprimegamecube]

R.I.P pandemic studios

[SSJdude100Studios]

My mom got me Star Wars Battlefront 2 back in 2006 for xmas and i was literally addicted to the game for a year or 2 until i moved. and got into it again i i started playing its multiplayer (ps2). on of the best games ever.

R.I.P PANDEMIC

[lotsofgamesreviewed]

I have heard a lot of great things for Saboteur. I will keep an eye out for that one.

[SuperRambam9]

I think The Saboteur had potential to be at the same level as Assassins Creed. It had alot of the same mechanics and they launched at the same time 2009. From what i heard EA just wanted Pandemic to finish the game asap so they could shut them down..If they would have gave it more development time it would have been EA's answer to Ubisot AC series..

[SilentHill201]

Battlefront 3 was easily the most wanted game from Pandemic. But hey, maybe LucasArts themselves will make it one day. It's definitely much needed in today's market for a third person, battlefield-like, star wars multiplayer game with all the modern amenities.

[bcheck123]

@amcferron85 lol

[foofighter244476]

i thought it was funny when you called the saboteur. Loved the game, just thought considered subtle.