Software:ARC Squadron

From HandWiki
ARC Squadron
Developer(s)Psyonix
Publisher(s)Psyonix
EngineUnreal Engine 3
Platform(s)iOS, Android
ReleaseiOS
1 November 2012[1]
ARC Squadron Redux
17 October 2013
Genre(s)Space combat
Mode(s)Single-player

ARC Squadron is a 2012 space combat video game developed and published by Psyonix Studios for iOS.[2] It was released on the App Store on 1 November 2012.[1] Like Psyonix's previous game, Supersonic Acrobatic Rocket-Powered Battle-Cars, ARC Squadron runs on Unreal Engine 3. On 17 October 2013, ARC Squadron: Redux was released on iOS and Android, featuring improved graphics and performance as well as gameplay tweaks.[3]

Gameplay

Combat

Gameplay in ARC Squadron. The player has just earned a "x2" score multiplier.

Players control a weaponized space ship by swiping one finger on the touchscreen to maneuver the ship and perform barrel rolls. Each ship has two methods of eliminating enemies: "Primary Weapon" (a pair of lasers that fire automatically when the ship's crosshairs are lined up with an enemy), and a "Secondary Weapon" (activated by tapping the screen, and requiring time to recharge). Neutralizing targets in quick succession builds a combo multiplier that rewards the player with bonus points. Additionally, chains of cubes appear on the battlefield, and if all are collected, they too add bonus points, adding to the player's total score.

In addition to the main combat missions, there are also bonus levels, called "Wormholes", which contain challenges ranging from shooting concentric targets to dodging obstacles. Spread throughout the combat missions and Wormholes are nine boss battles. After each level, the player's score is totaled, rated from zero to four stars, and subsequently awarded a sum of "ARC Bucks" based upon the score and star rating. High scores can be uploaded to Game Center leader boards, and the game also includes a variety of achievements on Game Center.

The Hangar

After each mission, the player returns to the "Hangar", a central hub from which ARC Bucks can be used to purchase new ships, weapons, and skins, or upgrade existing equipment. In total, there are six ships and ten weapons, as well as twelve unlockable skins for each ship.[2] Additional ARC Bucks can be bought with real money through in-app purchases, although everything in the game can eventually be unlocked by playing through the story missions.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic87/100[4]
Review scores
PublicationScore
GamezeboStarStarStarStarHalf star[5]
IGN7.3/10[6]
Jeuxvideo.com18/20[7]
Pocket GamerStarStarStarStar[8]
TouchArcadeStarStarStarStarStar[9]
Digital SpyStarStarStarStarStar[10]

ARC Squadron received "generally favourable reviews" according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[4] Critics praised the game for its excellent visuals and fast-paced, arcade-style gameplay, with many comparing it favorably to the likes of the Star Fox games.

IGN's Cody Musser was critical of the controls, but praised the graphics and the depth of the game, arguing that "ARC Squadron's controls hold it back from true greatness. But Psyonix has still created a compelling and gorgeous 3D space shooter worthy of your time and money. The ridiculous amount of content, large degree of variety and finely-tuned challenge will keep you glued to your mobile device's screen."[6]

AppSpy.com's Andrew Nesvadba criticised the lack of story, but, like IGN, praised the graphics and the depth: "ARC Squadron is a solid shoot 'em up in the vein of greats like Star Fox, but streamlined to suit the platform's larger casual audience."[1] Modojo's Chris Buffa also criticised the lack of a plot and the implementation of the secondary weapon, but concluded that "these small complaints aside, ARC Squadron satisfies with a combination of gorgeous imagery and intense, arcade-style gameplay."[11] Matt Wales of Pocket Gamer felt that the touch controls were unresponsive at times, but still called the game "a satisfying blast of colourful, creative on-rails shooting that's only slightly let down by an occasional lack of responsiveness in its controls."[8]

Blake Grundman of 148Apps was more impressed, saying, "not very often does a newcomer impress quite to the level that ARC Squadron has. The visual polish, overabundance of content, and addictive gameplay all meld together into a product that even Fox McCloud would be happy to have bear his name."[12] Gamezebo's Jillian Werner criticised the difficulty, but praised the "gorgeous graphics, upbeat music, and fantastic level design. One-touch controls are executed superbly in both maneuvering and shooting. Tons of upgrades for your ship and weapons, all of which are affordable without shelling out real money. The entire game feels polished and lovingly crafted, from start to finish."[5] TouchGen's Nigel Wood said, "ARC Squadron is easily one of the best shooters on the App Store right now. It has a strong Triple-A feel to it that only a few games have so far accomplished [...] The graphics, sound, controls, ramping difficulty, ship and weapons upgrades, and the awesome bosses makes for an addictive mix that's hard to put down."[13]

Digital Spy's Scott Nichols said, "in many ways, Arc Squadron is a better sequel to Star Fox 64 than the official games that followed it, making it a must-have for mobile space combat fans."[10] Eric Carlson of Slide to Play argued that the game was one of the best games on the App Store: "Arc Squadron is a revelation. It's a game that truly exemplifies what can really be done on iOS if you're willing to push the devices. We didn't even mention the absolutely gorgeous graphics, which are some of the very best we've ever seen on iOS. And if we didn't mention the spectacular visuals, then you know the actual gameplay has got to be amazing. This is one of the best, most refined gaming experiences you'll ever have on your little phone or iPad. Arc Squadron is a Must Have for everyone."[14]

G4TV awarded ARC Squadron "Game of the Week" for the week of 9 November,[15] and Kotaku featured the game as its "Gaming App of the Day."[16]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Nesvadba, Andrew (1 November 2012). "ARC Squadron Review". Steel Media Ltd. https://www.appspy.com/review/4696/arc-squadron-review. Retrieved 18 October 2022. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "ARC Squadron". Archived from the original on 20 November 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121120033507/http://www.psyonix.com/arc-squadron/. Retrieved 18 October 2022. 
  3. ↑ Rice, Jeremiah (17 October 2013). "[New Game ARC Squadron: Redux Docks in the Play Store To Revive Your Star Fox Memories"]. https://www.androidpolice.com/2013/10/17/new-game-arc-squadron-redux-docks-in-the-play-store-to-revive-your-star-fox-memories/. Retrieved 18 October 2013. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "ARC Squadron for iPhone/iPad Reviews". Metacritic. https://www.metacritic.com/game/arc-squadron/critic-reviews/?platform=ios-iphoneipad. Retrieved 12 November 2012. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Werner, Jillian (7 November 2012). "Arc Squadron [sic Review"]. https://www.gamezebo.com/reviews/arc-squadron-review/. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Musser, Cody (13 November 2012). "ARC Squadron Review". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/11/13/arc-squadron-review. Retrieved 18 October 2022. 
  7. ↑ Pseudo supprimé (22 February 2013). "Test: ARC Squadron" (in fr). Webedia. Archived from the original on 2 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210502055318/https://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0001/00018399-arc-squadron-test.htm. Retrieved 18 October 2022. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Wales, Matt (9 November 2012). "Arc Squadron [sic"]. Steel Media Ltd. https://www.pocketgamer.com/arc-squadron/arc-squadron/. Retrieved 18 October 2022. 
  9. ↑ Ford, Eric (9 November 2012). "'ARC Squadron' Review – One of the Finest Barrel Rolls on iOS". TouchArcade.com, LLC. https://toucharcade.com/2012/11/09/arc-squadron-review/. Retrieved 18 October 2022. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Nichols, Scott (6 November 2012). "Mobile review round-up: 'Borderlands Legends', 'Arc Squadron', more". Digital Spy. https://www.digitalspy.com/videogames/a435941/mobile-review-round-up-borderlands-legends-arc-squadron-more/. Retrieved 18 October 2022. 
  11. ↑ Buffa, Chris (1 November 2012). "ARC Squadron iPad Review". Archived from the original on 6 November 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121106021725/http://www.modojo.com/reviews/ipad/arc_squadron/. Retrieved 18 October 2022. 
  12. ↑ Grundman, Blake (1 November 2012). "ARC Squadron Review". Steel Media Ltd. https://www.148apps.com/reviews/arc-squadron-review/. Retrieved 18 October 2022. 
  13. ↑ Wood, Nigel (6 November 2012). "ARC Squadron Review". Archived from the original on 11 November 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121111012726/http://www.touchgen.net/arc-squadron-review. Retrieved 12 November 2012. 
  14. ↑ Carlson, Eric (20 November 2012). "ARC Squadron Review". Archived from the original on 10 February 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130210072744/http://www.slidetoplay.com/review/arc-squadron-review/. Retrieved 18 October 2022. 
  15. ↑ Esqueda, Ashley (9 November 2012). "G4's Knuckle Up: The Best Mobile Games - Week of November 9th". G4TV. Archived from the original on 12 January 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130112214401/http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/729411/g4s-knuckle-up-the-best-mobile-games-week-of-november-9th/. Retrieved 18 October 2022. 
  16. ↑ Good, Owen S. (9 November 2012). "ARC Squadron Soars in the Wild Pew-Pew-Pew Yonder". G/O Media. https://kotaku.com/arc-squadron-soars-in-the-wild-pew-pew-pew-yonder-5959186. Retrieved 18 October 2022. 
  • ARC Squadron on the App Store
  • 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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