America was the first released game developed by German studio
Related Designs after the studio had been founded in 1995,[3][4] and the first full-price game published by
Data Becker.[5] The game was conceptualised at Data Becker in 1998 and developed in less than 23 months.[5] In Germany, the game was released in late December 2000;[5] a release in North America followed on 15 January 2001.[1] The game was released for
Microsoft Windows, specifically supporting the
Windows 95,
98,
2000 and
Me versions.[6]
America received mixed reviews according to the
review aggregation website
Metacritic.[7] John Lee of NextGen said that the game was "still a kick, even if the history is skewed. Many of us grew up playing cowboys and Indians, and we're primed for covered wagons, and cavalry charges. The fun wears thin quickly enough, but the game still has its charm. Now if only the Germans could polish up their American history."[16]
Expansion
An
expansion pack to America, titled America: Expansion Pack, added eight further missions, a
level editor, a
multiplayer mode, a revamped
game engine to allow for improved
artificial intelligence, gameplay and graphics, as well as new units and buildings, to the game.[18] It was also developed by Related Designs,[19] and announced by Data Becker in May 2001, scheduled for release in Germany in September 2001.[20] In North America, Data Becker released the expansion pack on 17 December 2001.[21]
Sequel
On 9 March 2001,
CDV Software, by
press release, announced that it was producing a real-time strategy developed by Related Designs, tentatively titled America II.[5][22] Data Becker, which owned the rights to the America name, took notice and inquired CDV to
cease and desist shortly thereafter. CDV declined to do so as it found no
copyright infringement in America II's title, though opted to file for a caveat to protect itself from a
preliminary injunction.[5] Data Becker subsequently filed for a preliminary injunction with the
Landgericht Berlin on 29 March 2001.[5] At the time, Data Becker intended to produce an America sequel of its own.[23] Data Becker won the case by May, wherefore CDV had to drop the America II title, though it was allowed to continue producing the game under a different name.[23] As a result, America II was retitled No Man's Land.[24] However, CDV continued advertising America II through press releases and its
newsletter, prompting further action by Data Becker.[25] CDV also registered the
internet domain "america2.de" with registrar
DENIC, which redirected users to the website of No Man's Land; a judgement reached by the
Kammergericht in Berlin in December 2002 ordered CDV to inquire the deletion of the domain with DENIC and publicise a press release to announce that it was not releasing a game titled America II in 2003.[26]
Data Becker proceeded to produce its own sequel to America, to be titled America 2 or America II, by June 2001, planning to release it in the first quarter of 2003.[27] Data Becker announced its sequel in February 2003, with its release scheduled for later that year.[28] A website for the game was launched in May 2003.[29] It was also scheduled to be displayed at
E3 2002.[30]America II was later cancelled.[31]
^Pototzki, Tim (3 May 2001).
""America"-AddOn von Data Becker" ["America" add-on from Data Becker]. Gamesmarkt (in German).
Archived from the original on 25 August 2021. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
^GameStar Redaktion (4 May 2001).
"Addon zu America" [Addon for America]. GameStar (in German). Webedia. Archived from
the original on 12 August 2019. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
^GameStar Redaktion (9 April 2001).
"Data Becker gegen CDV" [Data Becker versus CDV]. GameStar (in German). Webedia.
Archived from the original on 25 August 2021. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
^Marc (7 April 2001).
"Data Becker klagt gegen CDV" [Data Becker sues CDV]. 4Players (in German). 4Players GmbH.
Archived from the original on 25 August 2021. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
^Steininger, Stefan (12 June 2001).
"Data Becker verstärkt Spiele-Line-up" [Data Becker strengthens games line-up]. Gamesmarkt (in German). Archived from
the original on 12 August 2019. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
^Kautz, Paul (22 May 2003).
"America 2: Website online". 4Players (in German). 4Players GmbH.
Archived from the original on 30 November 2021. Retrieved 14 December 2023.