Metal Arms: Glitch in the System

Swingin' Ape Studios

Company type	Private
Industry	Video game development
Founded	July 2000
Founder	Steve Ranck, Mike Starich, Scott Goffman
Fate	Acquired by Blizzard Entertainment in May 2005
Successor	Blizzard Entertainment
Headquarters	United States
Products	Metal Arms: Glitch in the System
Parent	Blizzard Entertainment (since 2005)

Metal Arms: Glitch in the System is a 2003 action-adventure and third-person shooter video game created by the American developer Swingin' Ape Studios and published by Vivendi Universal Games under the Sierra Entertainment label. The narrative follows Glitch, a robot who becomes part of the Droid uprising opposing General Corrosive and his Milbot forces.

Gameplay

Players assume control of Glitch on the planet Iron Star, combating a malevolent robot faction intent on world domination. The main campaign includes forty-two stages set in diverse locations such as urban areas and caverns. Additionally, the game features a multiplayer mode centered on third-person shooter battles.

Setting

The game takes place on Iron Star, a world assembled from scrap metal by an ancient civilization known as the Morbots. Legends suggest that the Morbots reside deep within the planet’s core, a region avoided by those living on the surface. Scientific experiments conducted by Dr. Exavolt to enhance Droid technology unintentionally gave rise to General Corrosive, who enslaved native Droids using his Milbot army. In response, Colonel Alloy established Droid Town as a secret sanctuary and headquarters for the Droid Rebellion.

Story

Glitch is found inactive in a devastated city and is reactivated in Droid Town, where it becomes clear he has lost his memory. When Milbots launch an assault, Glitch defends the settlement and chases a retreating Milbot to prevent it from revealing Droid Town’s location. After his companion Zobby is captured by Exavolt, Glitch infiltrates a concealed space station disguised behind a false moon.

Eventually, Glitch seizes control of General Corrosive and initiates the shutdown of the Milbot forces. As Exavolt activates the station’s self-destruct mechanism, Glitch and Zobby manage to escape back to Iron Star. Following their victory over General Corrosive on the surface, Glitch is celebrated as a hero while Exavolt vows vengeance from orbit.

Development and release

Metal Arms: Glitch in the System was developed by Swingin' Ape Studios and launched by Vivendi Universal Games on November 18, 2003, across North America for GameCube, PlayStation 2, and Xbox. It saw a re-release on April 21, 2008, for Xbox 360 through Xbox Originals.

Swingin' Ape Studios was established in July 2000 by Steve Ranck, Mike Starich, and Scott Goffman after leaving Midway Home Entertainment, where they had contributed to Hydro Thunder. Metal Arms remained their only project before Blizzard Entertainment acquired the studio in May 2005 following the cancellation of StarCraft: Ghost. Currently, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. holds ownership of the Metal Arms intellectual property.

Reception

According to review aggregator Metacritic, the game garnered "generally favorable" evaluations. IGN highlighted its successful combination of a humorous storyline with intense combat sequences, tactical gameplay elements, and compelling multiplayer options.

At the 7th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences nominated Metal Arms for "Console Action/Adventure Game of the Year".