Software:4 Wheel Thunder

From HandWiki
Short description: 2000 video game
4 Wheel Thunder
North American Dreamcast cover art
Developer(s)Kalisto Entertainment
Publisher(s)Midway
Composer(s)Frédéric Motte[1]
SeriesThunder
Platform(s)Dreamcast
Release
Genre(s)Racing
Mode(s)Single player, multiplayer

4 Wheel Thunder is a 2000 racing game developed by Kalisto Entertainment and published by Midway for the Dreamcast. While the game had been in development for some time prior as a separate title, it was eventually decided to rebrand the game into Midway's Thunder series. The game received generally favorable reviews.

Gameplay

4 Wheel Thunder consists of races with vehicles like monster trucks, ATV, or buggy, all of which have different racing features.[3] The goal is to defeat the opponents by coming to the finish line as fast as possible. 12 tracks are available across six locations, and there are shortcuts on each track which can be taken to drive faster through certain sections.[4] The starting position is always the last place, which forces the use of blue and red turbo boosts scattered throughout the tracks.[5] Being an arcade styled racing game, triggers are used as the accelerator/brake, and the analog stick to navigate the vehicles. Players can also use a special turbo button for a speed increase.[6][3]

In the single-player segment, there are three game modes: Championship, Indoor/Outdoor Arcade and Practice. In Championship, the player has to be either first or second to finish in order to unlock more tracks, while Indoor/Outdoor Arcade includes a series of races with specific differences between the tracks (outdoor ones are longer, and indoor ones have more sharper turns).[7] The additional mode section offers play modes for a multi-player game with two people: balloon, bomb, bomb race and tag battle. In the bomb mode, explosives are tied to the vehicle, with an objective to transfer those to the opponents by ramming them. Bomb race is a variation of bomb, except it has to be all done within a time limit. In balloon mode, collecting balloons gives an extra time with a winning condition being either winning the race itself or collecting the most balloons.[8]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
GameRankings76%[9]
Review scores
PublicationScore
AllGameStarStarHalf star[6]
CVGStarStarStar[11]
EGM6.67/10[12][lower-alpha 1]
Eurogamer9/10[7]
Game Informer7.25/10[14]
GameFan90%[15][lower-alpha 2]
(F.M.) 78%[5]
(J.W.) 70%[16]
GameSpot7.3/10[8]
GameSpy8/10[17]
IGN8.1/10[18]
Next GenerationStarStar[19]

The game received "favorable" reviews according to the review aggregation website GameRankings.[9] The game has been praised for its realistic graphics and fun gameplay, but criticized for its high difficulty level.[18] Midway's influence has been met with mixed reactions, with claims that the game suffers from an "identity crisis" due to elements of the Thunder series being implemented toward the end of the development process.[18] Jeff Lundrigan of NextGen said that the game "has far too many flaws for its slim gameplay value."[19] Michael "Major Mike" Weigrand of GamePro said of the game, "In the arena of off-road Dreamcast racing, 4WT is the current champion – but keep in mind that its only competition is Hardcore Heat. Patient and determined gamers looking for a steep challenge will surely find it in 4WT, but casual drivers should stick to a rental."[20][lower-alpha 3]

Notes

  1. ↑ Three critics of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the game each a score of 6/10, 7.5/10, and 6.5/10.
  2. ↑ In GameFan's viewpoint of the game, three critics gave it each a score of 88, 89, and 93.
  3. ↑ GamePro gave the game three 4/5 scores for graphics, control, and fun factor, and 3/5 for sound.

References

  1. ↑ 4 Wheel Thunder Manual-Dreamcast-. Midway. http://www.florre.se/recensioner/bilder/dc/dc4wheelthmanual.pdf. Retrieved October 13, 2019. 
  2. ↑ Kollin, Mike (May 1, 2000). "4 Wheel Thunder Sneaks Out Ahead Of Schedule". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/05/01/4-wheel-thunder-sneaks-out-ahead-of-schedule. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Key, Steve (June 2000). "4 Wheel Thunder". Official Dreamcast Magazine UK (Dennis Publishing) (8): 76–80. https://retrocdn.net/images/a/a6/ODM_UK_08.pdf. Retrieved July 12, 2023. 
  4. ↑ "First Contact: 4-Wheel Thunder". DC-UK (Future Publishing) (4): 90. December 1999. https://retrocdn.net/images/a/a9/DCUK_04.pdf. Retrieved December 3, 2023. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Mosquera, Fernando (May 1, 2000). "REVIEW for 4 Wheel Thunder". GameFan (Shinno Media). http://www.gamefan.com/repre.asp?g=1545&t=r. Retrieved September 14, 2015. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Melville, Bryan. "4 Wheel Thunder - Review". All Media Network. http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=20018&tab=review. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Bramwell, Tom (June 21, 2000). "4Wheel Thunder [Incomplete"]. Gamer Network. http://www.eurogamer.net/content/4wt_dc. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Provo, Frank (May 25, 2000). "4 Wheel Thunder Review". Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/4-wheel-thunder-review/1900-2577201/. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "4 Wheel Thunder for Dreamcast". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamerankings.com/dreamcast/196518-4-wheel-thunder/index.html. 
  10. ↑ Ham, Tom (May 19, 2000). "4 Wheel Thunder". CNET. http://www.gamecenter.com/Consoles/Dreamcast/4wheelthunder/. 
  11. ↑ Skittrell, Lee (June 2000). "4 Wheel Thunder". Computer and Video Games (EMAP) (223): 96. https://retrocdn.net/images/2/2c/CVG_UK_223.pdf. Retrieved December 20, 2021. 
  12. ↑ Sewart, Greg; Hager, Dean; Johnston, Chris (July 2000). "4 Wheel Thunder". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (132): 139. https://retrocdn.net/images/5/54/EGM_US_132.pdf. Retrieved July 12, 2023. 
  13. ↑ Steinberg, Scott (August 11, 2000). "4 Wheel Thunder". Greedy Productions Ltd.. http://www.elecplay.com/review.html?article=2932&full=1#mr_toppy. 
  14. ↑ "4 Wheel Thunder". Game Informer (FuncoLand) (86). June 2000. 
  15. ↑ Mylonas, Eric "ECM"; Ngo, George "Eggo"; Van Stone, Matt "Kodomo" (July 2000). "4 Wheel Thunder". GameFan (Shinno Media) 8 (7): 12. https://archive.org/details/Gamefan_Vol_8_Issue_07/page/n13/mode/2up. Retrieved July 12, 2023. 
  16. ↑ Weitzner, Jason "Fury" (July 2000). "4 Wheel Thunder". GameFan (Shinno Media) 8 (7): 34. https://archive.org/details/Gamefan_Vol_8_Issue_07/page/n35/mode/2up. Retrieved July 12, 2023. 
  17. ↑ Bowen, Kevin "Fragmaster" (May 10, 2000). "4 Wheel Thunder". IGN Entertainment. http://www.planetdreamcast.com/games/reviews/4wheelthunder/. 
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 Justice, Brandon (May 5, 2000). "4 Wheel Thunder". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/05/06/4-wheel-thunder. 
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Lundrigan, Jeff (July 2000). "4 Wheel Thunder". NextGen (Imagine Media) (67): 88. https://archive.org/details/NextGen67Jul2000/page/n89. Retrieved October 13, 2019. 
  20. ↑ Weigand, Michael "Major Mike" (July 2000). "4 Wheel Thunder". GamePro (IDG) (142): 88. https://retrocdn.net/images/1/16/GamePro_US_142.pdf. Retrieved July 12, 2023. 
  • 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. 
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