Desperados (video game series)
Real-time tactics series set in the Old West.
Desperados is a real-time tactics video game series originally developed by Spellbound Entertainment, which was acquired by THQ Nordic on 24 June 2013. Primarily set in the 1880s Midwest, the series follows protagonist John Cooper, a cowboy and outlaw who struggles to make a living while coming into conflict with other criminals and bandits. (Note: The prequel, Desperados III, takes place in the 1870s.) The gameplay centers on stealth, allowing players to eliminate enemies one by one or engage in direct combat, controlling John or numerous other player characters.
- first_release
- 2001
- latest_release
- 2020
- developer
- Spellbound Entertainment (original); Mimimi Games (Desperados III)
- publisher
- Infogrames, Atari, Viva Media, THQ Nordic
- genre
- Real-time tactics
- setting
- 1880s Midwest (prequel set in 1870s)
- protagonist
- John Cooper
Lore & Background
The Desperados series began with Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive in 2001, developed by Spellbound Entertainment and published by Infogrames for Microsoft Windows. The game features up to six characters led by knife-fighter and gunslinger John Cooper. A modernized version was released in July 2018, adding multilingual dubs, improving Windows compatibility, and porting to MacOS and Linux. The sequel, Desperados 2: Cooper's Revenge, followed in 2006, again developed by Spellbound and published by Atari, with John Cooper avenging the death of his brother, US Marshal Ross Cooper. Helldorado, initially planned as an expansion to Desperados 2 using scrapped elements, was released as a stand-alone game in 2007 in Europe and 2009 in North America, published by Viva Media.
Reader's Guide
The Desperados series holds significance as a key entry in the real-time tactics genre, blending stealth and action in a Western setting. Its revival in 2020 with Desperados III, developed by Mimimi Games, demonstrated the enduring appeal of tactical gameplay and the series' ability to adapt to modern platforms. The acquisition of Spellbound Entertainment by THQ Nordic in 2013 ensured the franchise's continuation after a long hiatus. The series' legacy includes its influence on later tactical games and its dedicated fan base, which appreciated the detailed historical setting and character-driven narratives. The cancellation of Desperados Gangs highlights the challenges of securing funding for ambitious projects, while the release of Helldorado as a stand-alone game from scrapped expansion content shows creative reuse of assets. Overall, Desperados remains a notable example of how a niche genre can sustain a franchise over two decades through careful revival and adaptation.
Did You Know?
- The series was originally developed by Spellbound Entertainment, which was acquired by THQ Nordic on 24 June 2013.
- Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive received a modernized version in July 2018 with multilingual dubs and ports to MacOS and Linux.
- Helldorado was first announced as an expansion to Desperados 2 but was released as a stand-alone game.
- A cancelled title, Desperados Gangs, was to include more multiplayer and steampunk elements but was abandoned due to lack of a publisher.
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