Software:Ace of Aces (video game)

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Ace of Aces
Developer(s)
Publisher(s)
Programmer(s)Stuart Easterbrook
Artist(s)Rick Banks
Grant Campbell
Composer(s)Greg Mark (DOS)
Platform(s)Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum, MSX, Atari 8-bit, Atari 7800, MS-DOS, Master System
Release1986
Genre(s)Air combat simulators
Mode(s)Single-player

Ace of Aces is a combat flight simulation video game developed by Artech Digital Entertainment and published in 1986 by Accolade in North America and U.S. Gold in Europe.[2][3] It was released for the Amstrad CPC, Atari 8-bit family, Atari 7800, Commodore 64, MSX, MS-DOS, Master System, and ZX Spectrum. Set in World War II, the player flies a Royal Air Force Mosquito long range fighter-bomber equipped with rockets, bombs and a cannon. Missions include destroying German fighter planes, bombers, V-1 flying bombs, U-boats, and trains. In 1988 Atari Corporation released a version on cartridge styled for the then-new Atari XEGS.

Ace of Aces received mixed reviews but went on to become one of the best-selling Commodore 64 video games published by Accolade.[2] The game sold 100,000 units.[4]

Gameplay

Gameplay screenshot (Atari 8-bit)

Upon launching the game a menu screen with options to either practice or partake in a proper mission is shown. If the player decides to do the practice mode, they can choose whether to do dog fight training or a U-boat or train bombing. When playing the practice mode, the enemies are less aggressive. There are five different view options — the cockpit, both left and right wings, the navigational map and the bomb bay — which can be accessed by using the keyboard or by double-tapping the fire button and moving the joystick to the desired direction.[5]

When in missions, the player controls a twin-engined balsa Royal Air Force Mosquito[6] which is already airborne, mitigating the necessity of takeoff. When starting a mission, the player chooses what supplies they wish to bring, but the more the player brings the lower the maximum speed of the plane. At the end of missions, landing is not required and points are awarded according to how many enemies are shot down, along with the amount of unused fuel, bombs, and missiles.

When missions are completed, the player can choose to combine two or more of the other missions to produce a mashup.[7]

Reception

Commodore 64

In a 1987 Compute! article, Ace of Aces was noted as Accolade's second best selling Commodore 64 game.[2] Compute!, along with other reviewers, praised the graphics and sound in Ace of Aces.[8] 1991 and 1993 Computer Gaming World surveys of strategy and war games gave it one and a half stars out of five, calling it "somewhat ahistorical".[9][10] In issue 20 of Zzap!64, the reviewer said it was the best factual war simulation they had played. They compared it to Dambusters and said the playability in this was better. Desert Fox was also used as a comparison, which was referred to as "sometimes unbelievable".[5] An article by the Computer and Video Games magazine published in 1986 said that it was another well-made and well-presented game by Accolade and continued to say that the action-packed gameplay would be able to keep "even the most critical computer pilot busy for some time to come". All four criteria were highly rated, with graphics getting a 10, along with sound, value and playability all getting an 8.[6]

Master System

The graphics, along with sound and other features which were highly praised in the Commodore 64 version weren't so highly acclaimed in the Master System version.[11][12] Chad Reinhardt for Defunct Games mentioned that Ace of Aces starts with potential but the poor controls and lack of ability to interact with the plane makes it forgettable. Reinhardt criticised how different the practise mode was from the main game and continued by adding how little help it actually helps when attempting missions. He gave the game a D+ overall.[13] Other reviewers commented that there was no feeling of excitement when playing the Sega version.[12] In a review on Kultboy, it was given a rating of 20% and said the reasoning behind the low review was because the plane, which is meant to be a fighter plane, flies like a tanker. Comparatively the score for graphics the game was given was high, with 68%.[14] Sega Pro gave the game a rating of 56 and praised the graphics when they were static but continued on to say they were impractical in-game.[15]

Other platforms

The ZX Spectrum version was met with reviews disliking the complexity of changing controls and how it may be distracting during a dogfight.[16] In issue 38 of Your Sinclair, reviewers Ben Stone, Paul Sumner and Mike Dunn criticised the difficulty of the game and how the game only contains enough gameplay for a few days.[17][18] Steve Panak, writing for ANALOG Computing, preferred Ace of Aces to Infiltrator as an Atari 8-bit flight simulator.[19] Atari 7800 Forever only gave a 2.5 out of 5, but ranked it as the best flight simulator for the system.[20]

References

  1. ↑ "Tiertex Products". Tiertex Design Studios. http://www.tiertex.com/archive.html. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Ferrell, Keith (December 1987). "The Commodore Games That Live On And On". Compute's Gazette: pp. 18–22. https://archive.org/stream/1987-12-computegazette/Compute_Gazette_Issue_54_1987_Dec#page/n17/mode/2up. Retrieved 24 January 2015. 
  3. ↑ "U.S. Gold Games". IGN. http://www.ign.com/companies/us-gold. 
  4. ↑ B.C, Burnaby (June 24, 1991). "Investment in home computer helped turn teen into a tycoon". p. 10. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89676520/edmonton-journal/. Retrieved November 28, 2021. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "ZZap!64 Magazine Issue 020". ZZap!64. December 1986. https://archive.org/stream/zzap64-magazine-020/ZZap_64_Issue_020_1986_Dec#page/n147/mode/1up. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Computer and Video Games Magazine Issue 062". Computer and Video Games. Future Publishing. December 1986. https://archive.org/stream/computer-video-games-magazine-062/CVG062_Dec_1986#page/n22/mode/1up. 
  7. ↑ "Computer Gamer – Issue 22 (1987-01)". Computer Gamer. Argus Specialist Publications. January 1987. https://archive.org/stream/Computer_Gamer_Issue_22_1987-01_Argus_Press_GB#page/n21/mode/1up. 
  8. ↑ Bateman, Selby (October 1986). "A Great Year For Games". Compute!: pp. 18. https://archive.org/stream/1986-10-compute-magazine/Compute_Issue_077_1986_Oct#page/n19/mode/2up. Retrieved 9 November 2013. 
  9. ↑ Brooks, M. Evan (November 1991). "Computer Strategy and Wargames: The 1900–1950 Epoch / Part I (A-L) of an Annotated Paiktography". Computer Gaming World: 138. http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1991&pub=2&id=88. Retrieved 18 November 2013. 
  10. ↑ Brooks, M. Evan (September 1993). "Brooks' Book of Wargames: 1900–1950, A-P". Computer Gaming World: 118. http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1993&pub=2&id=110. Retrieved 30 July 2014. 
  11. ↑ "Ace Of Aces" (in Italian). 14 September 2008. http://www.gamescollection.it/reviews/show/272. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Larkin, Michael (18 August 2010). "Ace of Aces review – Sega Master System". Mean Machines Mag. http://www.meanmachinesmag.co.uk/review/183/ace-of-aces.php. 
  13. ↑ Reinhardt, Chad (25 December 2005). "Ace of Aces Review for Master System". http://www.defunctgames.com/review/630/ace-of-aces. 
  14. ↑ "Ace of Aces – Schlafpille im schleichflug" (in German). Kultboy.com. http://www.kultboy.com/index.php?site=t&id=8068. 
  15. ↑ "SegaPro UK Issue 01". Sega Pro. Paragon Publishing. November 1991. pp. 18. http://retrocdn.net/images/7/75/SegaPro_UK_01.pdf#page=18. 
  16. ↑ "Computer Gamer – Issue 27". Computer Gamer. Argus Specialist Publications. June 1987. pp. 22. https://archive.org/stream/Computer_Gamer_Issue_27_1987-06_Argus_Press_GB#page/n21/mode/1up. 
  17. ↑ "Ace of Aces". http://www.zxspectrumreviews.co.uk/review.aspx?gid=97&rid=6613. 
  18. ↑ "Your Sinclair Magazine Issue 38". Your Sinclair. Dennis Publishing. February 1989. https://archive.org/stream/your-sinclair-38/YourSinclair_38_Feb_1989#page/n0/mode/1up. 
  19. ↑ Panak, Steve (September 1988). "Panak Strikes". ANALOG Computing: pp. 83. http://www.atarimagazines.com/analog/issue64/panak.php. Retrieved 16 June 2016. 
  20. ↑ Funkmaster V. "REVIEW: Ace of Aces". http://www.atari7800forever.com/aceofacesreview.html. 
  • 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 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]

On February 13, 2025, Freyholtz stepped down as the site lead to move onto new projects, leaving operations to Tracy Poff, a veteran coder on the site, and Atari staff.[18]

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. 
  18. ↑ "An update on MobyGames leadership". 2025-02-13. https://www.mobygames.com/forum/3/thread/269628/an-update-on-mobygames-leadership/#post-269628. 
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