Organization:Battle Academy

From HandWiki
Short description: Video game series
Battle Academy
Cover art for the first game
Developer(s)Slitherine Software
Publisher(s)Slitherine Software
Platform(s)Windows, macOS, iOS, Xbox 360
ReleaseBBC Battle Academy
August 5, 2010 (Win)
September 6, 2011 (Mac)
March 14, 2012 (iOS)
December 12, 2014 (Xbox 360)
Battle Academy 2
September 11, 2014 (Win)
October 23, 2014 (iOS)
November 20, 2014 (Mac)
Genre(s)Turn-based strategy
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Battle Academy is a series of two turn-based strategy video games developed and published by Slitherine Software in the 2010s. The first game, BBC Battle Academy (originally Battlefield Academy), was released in 2010. The second game, Battle Academy 2: Eastern Front, was released in 2014.

Gameplay

Battle Academy series is a pair of World War II turn-based strategy games. In the first game, the player leads the Allied forces against the Axis powers through a series of missions in three campaigns: North Africa, Battle of Normandy, and Battle of the Bulge.[1][2] The second game features four campaigns set in the Eastern Front, two played from the German side, the other two from the Soviet side.[3] Play-by-mail multiplayer is featured in both games.[4][5] Battle Academy 2 also supports co-op multiplayer.[6]

Release

Battle Academy was developed and published by Slitherine Software, a studio based in Epsom, England.[7] The first game was released on August 5, 2010, for Windows as Battlefield Academy.[4][8] It is based on a 2004 BBC browser Flash game.[8] A month after release, Electronic Arts claimed the game was infringing copyright because the name was too similar to its Battlefield series.[9][10] Slitherine was planning at the time ports and an expansion that were delayed because of the dispute.[9] Ports for Nintendo DS, PlayStation Portable, and PlayStation Vita were planned but never released.[9] On September 6, 2011, the game was renamed to BBC Battle Academy, and a macOS port was released at the same time.[11] An iPad port was released on March 14, 2012, and an Xbox 360 port was released on December 12, 2014.[12][13] Six expansions were released as downloadable content (DLC) for the game.[3][14]

Battle Academy 2: Eastern Front was released for Windows on September 11, 2014, for iPad on October 23, 2014, and for macOS on November 20, 2014.[15][16][17] Battle of Kursk expansion was released on April 2, 2015.[18]

Reception

BBC Battle Academy
Review scores
PublicationScore
GameStar72/100 (PC)[2]
Armchair General85% (iPad)[19]
Digitally Downloaded3.5/5 (PC/Mac)[20]
4.5/5 (iPad)[21]
Slide to Play3/4 (iPad)[1]
Softpedia4/5 (PC)[22]
Battle Academy 2: Eastern Front
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic77/100 (PC)[23]
80/100 (iOS)[24]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Eurogamer8/10 (PC)[5]
IGN8/10 (PC)[25]
Pocket Gamer4.5/5 (iPad)[26]
Digitally Downloaded4.5/5 (PC)[6]
4/5 (iPad)[27]
Pocket Tactics4/5 (iPad)[28]
Softpedia4/5 (PC)[29]

BBC Battle Academy

Digitally Downloaded summarized the PC/Mac version: "[...] ultimately Battle Academy is a little light for the wargame veteran, and a little complex for the casual strategy gamer, it should be reasonably fun for both groups, even if it’s not a game either would come back to six or twelve months down the track."[20]

Andrei Dumitrescu of Softpedia said that Battle Academy delivers "[...] a simple and solid set of gameplay mechanics that can be an excellent entry point for those who have not played any other titles in the genre so far [...]"[22]

Erik Carlson of Slide to Play summarized: "Battle Academy is for the hardcore strategy gamer only. The high price, high difficulty and occasional technical hiccups will dissuade many. But for those of you who are willing to take the challenge, you’ll encounter a highly engaging, absorbing and lengthy experience the likes of which has rarely been seen on iOS."[1]

Jim Cobb of Armchair General reviewed the Operation Market Garden and Blitzkrieg France expansions and gave them a rating of 88%. Cobb said that "[t]he patch and expansions make what was a nice game into something that is almost a classic."[30] In 2012, he reviewed Operation Sealion expansion and gave it a rating of 92% and said it "[...] stands out as the most challenging, innovative and enjoyable so far."[31] In 2013, he reviewed Rommel in Normandy expansion and gave it a rating of 87% and said it "[...] is the most exciting and intriguing campaign so far."[32]

In a 2020 retrospective review, Tim Stone of Rock Paper Shotgun said that the game "has aged astonishingly well" and that "[...] BA has a knack for drama that Panzer General-likes like Order of Battle and Panzer Corps lack."[33]

Battle Academy 2: Eastern Front

Battle Academy 2: Eastern Front received "generally favorable" reviews according to review aggregator Metacritic.[23][24]

Tim Stone of Rock Paper Shotgun wrote in a preview: "[...] combat is certainly more interesting and more nuanced than before, but obviously if you want real detail and realism in your T-34 vs Tiger tussles (and don't mind the consequent increase in workload/confusion potential) you're far better off with a Graviteam or a Battlefront product."[34]

Rob P. of Digitally Downloaded summarized the PC version: "While it shares a significant amount of DNA with the first game, the clever maps, huge unit roster, and brilliant skirmish generator make Battle Academy 2 one of the most entertaining tactical-level wargames on the market today."

Davide Pessach of Eurogamer said that "Battle Academy 2 is a very focused wargame; perfect for anyone willing to strategize without spending hours going through text walls in a manual. The graphical quality could be off-putting, but mechanics and gameplay are top-notch and perfectly sound."[5][23]

Matt Thrower of Pocket Gamer called the game "[a] pitch perfect, pick up and play blend of strategy and accessibility, history and thrills".[26]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Carlson, Erik (27 April 2012). "Battle Academy iPad Review". http://www.slidetoplay.com/story/battle-academy-ipad-review. 
  2. 2.0 2.1 Gebauer, Jochen (23 June 2011). "BBC Battlefield Academy im Test - Herrlich altmodische Strategie" (in German). Webedia. https://www.gamestar.de/artikel/bbc-battlefield-academy-herrlich-altmodische-strategie,2323480.html. 
  3. 3.0 3.1 Baker, Patrick (7 August 2014). "Battle Academy 2: Eastern Front – PC Game Preview". Weider History Group. http://armchairgeneral.com/battle-academy-2-eastern-front-pc-game-preview.htm. 
  4. 4.0 4.1 "Battlefield Academy Released". Ziff Davis. 5 August 2010. https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/08/05/battlefield-academy-released. 
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 Pessach, Davide (7 October 2014). "Battle Academy 2, il fronte russo per tutti - review" (in Italian). Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.it/battle-academy-2-il-fronte-russo-per-tutti-review-recensione. 
  6. 6.0 6.1 P., Rob (14 October 2014). "Review: Battle Academy 2: Eastern Front (PC)". https://www.digitallydownloaded.net/2014/10/review-battle-academy-2-eastern-front-pc.html. 
  7. "Slitherine Software, in Epsom, grew from a small independent company to working with the History Channel and BBC". Newsquest. 12 October 2010. https://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/8444568.slitherine-software-in-epsom-grew-from-a-small-independent-company-to-working-with-the-history-channel-and-bbc/. 
  8. 8.0 8.1 Gillen, Kieron (5 August 2010). "School is a Battlefield: Battlefield Academy". Gamer Network. https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/school-is-a-battlefield-battlefield-academy. 
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 Martin, Matt (14 September 2011). "Slitherine loses "tens of thousands of dollars" in EA Battlefield dispute". Gamer Network. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/slitherine-loses-tens-of-thousands-of-dollars-in-ea-battlefield-dispute. 
  10. Thompson, Mike (15 September 2011). "Battlefield Cost Publisher "Tens Of Thousands"". Gamurs. https://www.escapistmagazine.com/battlefield-cost-publisher-tens-of-thousands/. 
  11. "Battle Academy Launches Mac Version, A Demo And A Brand New Add-On". 6 September 2011. https://www.slitherine.com/news/battle-academy-launches-mac-version-a-demo-and-a-brand-new-add-on06-09-11. 
  12. "A TURN-BASED STRATEGY GAME LIKE NO OTHER AND IT'S ON IPAD!". http://www.slitherine.com/games/bbc_ba_ipad. 
  13. "Battle Academy (Xbox 360) (2014)". Hookshot Media. 13 December 2014. https://www.purexbox.com/games/xbox-360/battle_academy. 
  14. "Battle Academy". https://www.slitherine.com/game/battle-academy. 
  15. "Battle Academy 2". Gry-Online. https://www.gamepressure.com/games/battle-academy-2/zd3e3b. 
  16. Nelson, Jared (23 October 2014). "Slitherine's 'Battle Academy 2: Eastern Front' Now Available for iPad". https://toucharcade.com/2014/10/23/battle-academy-2-eastern-front-now-available-for-ipad/. 
  17. Slitherine (20 November 2014). "Battle Academy 2 opens up a new front!". Valve Corporation. https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/306640/view/4040248138376780332. 
  18. "Battle of Kursk released and Battle Academy 2 Updated!". 2 April 2015. https://www.slitherine.com/news/battle-of-kursk-released-and-battle-academy-2-updated-02-04-15. 
  19. Cobb, Jim (10 July 2012). "Battle Academy on iPad – Mobile Game Review". Weider History Group. http://armchairgeneral.com/battle-academy-on-ipad-mobile-game-review.htm. 
  20. 20.0 20.1 "Review: Battle Academy (PC/ Mac)". 16 September 2011. https://www.digitallydownloaded.net/2011/09/review-battle-academy-pc-mac.html. 
  21. "Review: Battle Academy (iPad)". 21 March 2012. https://www.digitallydownloaded.net/2012/03/review-battle-academy-ipad.html. 
  22. 22.0 22.1 Dumitrescu, Andrei (9 May 2014). "Battle Academy Review (PC)". SoftNews NET SRL. https://www.softpedia.com/reviews/games/pc/Battle-Academy-Review-441395.shtml. 
  23. 23.0 23.1 23.2 "Battle Academy 2: Eastern Front for PC Reviews". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/battle-academy-2/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. 
  24. 24.0 24.1 "Battle Academy 2: Eastern Front for iPhone/iPad Reviews". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/battle-academy-2/critic-reviews/?platform=ios-iphoneipad. 
  25. Baldo, Lorenzo (19 November 2014). "Indiegram - Recensione" (in Italian). Ziff Davis. https://it.ign.com/indiegram/86231/review/indiegram-6. 
  26. 26.0 26.1 Thrower, Matt (28 October 2014). "Battle Academy 2: Eastern Front Review". Steel Media. https://www.pocketgamer.com/battle-academy-2-eastern-front/battle-academy-2-eastern-front-review/. 
  27. S., Matt (7 November 2014). "Review: Battle Academy 2: Eastern Front (iPad)". https://www.digitallydownloaded.net/2014/11/review-battle-academy-2-eastern-front.html. 
  28. Connolly, Alex (7 November 2014). "Review: Battle Academy 2: Eastern Front". http://www.pockettactics.com/reviews/review-battle-academy-2-eastern-front/. 
  29. Dumitrescu, Andrei (19 September 2014). "Battle Academy 2 Review (PC)". SoftNews NET SRL. https://www.softpedia.com/reviews/games/pc/Battle-Academy-2-Review-459345.shtml. 
  30. Cobb, Jim (8 November 2011). "Battle Academy Expansions – PC Game Review". http://armchairgeneral.com/battle-academy-expansions-pc-game-review.htm. 
  31. Cobb, Jim (27 February 2012). "Battle Academy: Operation Sealion – PC Game Review". http://armchairgeneral.com/battle-academy-operation-sealion-pc-game-review.htm. 
  32. Cobb, Jim (9 October 2013). "Battle Academy: Rommel in Normandy – PC Game Review". http://armchairgeneral.com/battle-academy-rommel-in-normandy-pc-game-review.htm. 
  33. Stone, Tim (3 July 2020). "The Flare Path: Steam Snips". Gamer Network. https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-flare-path-steam-snips. 
  34. Stone, Tim (25 July 2014). "The Flare Path: Attends Battle Academy 2". Gamer Network. https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-flare-path-attends-battle-academy-2. 
  • Battlefield Academy at BBC
  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This lengthy approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
  • No URL found. Please specify a URL here or add one to Wikidata.

Template:Atari



  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This lengthy approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
  • No URL found. Please specify a URL here or add one to Wikidata.

Template:Atari



Template:Slitherine Software