Software:Alien Resurrection (video game)

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Alien Resurrection
Developer(s)Argonaut Games
Publisher(s)Fox Interactive
Producer(s)Ben Tuszynski
Designer(s)Paul Crocker
Programmer(s)Simon Hargrave
Artist(s)Michael Wilson
Platform(s)PlayStation
Release
  • NA: 20 October 2000
  • EU: 1 December 2000
Genre(s)First-person shooter
Mode(s)Single-player

Alien Resurrection is a 2000 first-person shooter video game based on the 1997 film of the same name. It was originally intended to coincide with the film's release, but was mired in development hell for several years, finally being completed and released in 2000. The game was developed by Argonaut Games and published by Fox Interactive for the PlayStation.

Plot

Following the same basic plot of the movie, the game takes place years after the events of Alien 3 and follows a cloned Lt. Ellen Ripley awaking aboard the USM Auriga and trying to escape from the xenomorph-infested research spaceship USM Auriga along with a crew of mercenaries.

When the Xenomorphs bred from the queen that was extracted from her cloned body escape containment and begin running rampant aboard the Auriga, Ripley must unite with a group of rag-tag mercenaries to escape the vessel.

Gameplay

The game is a first person shooter (FPS) with survival horror elements. It consists of ten levels, the first nine taking place in the Xenomorph-infested USM Auriga, with the last aboard the mercenary ship Betty.

The player uses four different characters from the movie. Ripley is the main playable character for a majority of the game's levels, while Call, DiStephano, and Christie each get their own level as well. Each character has their own special equipment. Some players have different weapons. The selection includes a laser rifle, double barrel shotgun, grenade launcher, Shock rifle, flamer-thrower and a rocket launcher.

The player must complete different tasks to progress across the game. These include killing clones and ejecting overheating escape pods.

In addition to traditional drone aliens, the player also faces marines and facehuggers (if the player is implanted with an alien, they must track down a device to remove it, or the creature will hatch and the game ends), later fighting boss creatures such as the alien queen and the newborn.

Development

Work on the game began in early 1996. Lacking any initial directive from Fox Interactive beyond that it be a game for the Alien franchise, Argonaut designed a game engine with an overhead shooter format inspired by the recent game Loaded.[1] Pleased with the prototype, Fox Interactive green lit the project and further assigned the team to create a game which would appear in the film.[1] Fox announced that Alien Resurrection would be released in late 1997 on the Sony PlayStation, Sega Saturn, and Microsoft Windows.[2]

Fox weekly shipped the team boxes of scripts, storyboards, and raw footage from the film as reference material.[1] After working on the game for a year, Argonaut Games decided that the Loaded genre had become outdated, and restarted development as a 3D action-adventure in the vein of Tomb Raider, which had been released after work on Alien Resurrection started.[1] Frustrated at having a year's worth of work completely scrapped, a significant fraction of the development team quit the project.[1] In November 1997, by which time the Sega Saturn version had been dropped, Fox announced a Spring 1998 release window for the title.[3] After this release window was missed, the game was announced for a Fall 1998 release.[4]

Morale dropped further when the team were invited to a private screening of the film; they found it underwhelming at best, and were disappointed that the game they had made for the film, Atom Zone, only appeared very briefly.[1] The team struggled over technical difficulties with their 3D game engine for over a year, and in late 1998 decided to change the format a second time, to a first-person shooter. Having the game in first person removed the fundamental problems in the game's development; senior designer Christopher Smith recalled, "It was a moment where everything went, 'right'. If it remained in the other perspective it would've got cancelled. I'd have put money on that."[1]

The game was one of the first games to use both analogue sticks of the DualShock controller for simultaneous movement and aiming.[1] According to Ben Broth, a tester at Fox Interactive, the game's twin stick control scheme immediately went down well with the game's QA team.[1] The game also supports the PlayStation Mouse.[1]

The game was finally released exclusively for the Sony PlayStation in 2000 (20 October in the US and 1 December in Europe),[5] almost three years after the film ran its course in theaters.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic61/100[6]
Review scores
PublicationScore
AllGameStarStar[7]
Edge8/10[9]
EGM6.33/10[10][lower-alpha 1]
Eurogamer4/10[11]
Game Informer6/10[12]
GameFan(MVS) 81%[13]
79%[14][lower-alpha 2]
GameSpot4.7/10[15]
IGN6.5/10[16]
Next GenerationStarStar[17]
OPM (US)StarStarStar[18]
Maxim6/10[19]

The video game received "mixed" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[6] Critics praised the game's atmosphere [15] and frequently scary gameplay.[11] However, criticism was directed at the graphics, as well as the harsh difficulty level.[1] Jeff Lundrigan of NextGen said that the game had "Nice atmosphere, but what starts out frustrating quickly becomes kinda slow and dull."[17]

Steven Garrett of GameSpot criticised the then-uncommon dual analogue stick control scheme, describing the game as "almost unplayably difficult to control and unreasonably hard to enjoy".[15] Despite this, the control scheme would soon become standard for first-person shooters on consoles.[1] GamePro said that the game was "a fine first-person shooter, but unless you're a big fan of the films, there are even better options (Medal of Honor, Quake II) out there."[20][lower-alpha 3]

The game sold 250,000 units.[21]

See also

  • List of Alien, Predator and Alien vs. Predator games

Notes

  1. ↑ In Electronic Gaming Monthly's review of the game, one critic gave it 8/10, and the rest each gave it a score of 5.5/10.
  2. ↑ In GameFan's viewpoint of the game, three critics gave it each a score of 85, 78, and 73.
  3. ↑ GamePro gave the game three 3.5/5 scores for graphics, sound, and fun factor, and 4.5/5 for control.

References

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 White, Lewis (9 September 2018). "The making of Alien Resurrection PSOne". Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2018-09-09-the-making-of-alien-resurrection-for-psone. 
  2. ↑ "Inside Scoop". GamePro (IDG) (104): 24. May 1997. https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_104_Volume_09_Number_05_1997-05_IDG_Publishing_US/page/n25/mode/2up. Retrieved 17 January 2022. 
  3. ↑ "FOX INTERACTIVE UNLEASHES DEEP SPACE TERROR WITH ALIEN RESURRECTION:THE GAME". http://foxinteractive.com/news/press/110797.html. 
  4. ↑ "FOX INTERACTIVE UNLEASHES DEEP SPACE TERROR WITH ALIEN RESURRECTION: THE GAME". http://www.foxinteractive.com/news/press/052898a.html. 
  5. ↑ IGN staff (20 October 2000). "Alien Resurrection Unleashed on Retailers". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/10/21/alien-resurrection-unleashed-on-retailers. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Alien Resurrection for PlayStation Reviews". Red Ventures. https://www.metacritic.com/game/alien-resurrection/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation. 
  7. ↑ Thompson, Jon. "Alien Resurrection - Review". All Media Network. http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=18766&tab=review. 
  8. ↑ Hodgson, David S. J. (24 October 2000). "Alien Resurrection". CNET. http://www.gamecenter.com/Psx/Reviews/Ar/. 
  9. ↑ Edge staff (October 2000). "Alien Resurrection". Edge (Future Publishing) (89): 94–95. https://retrocdn.net/images/9/9f/Edge_UK_089.pdf. Retrieved 17 January 2022. 
  10. ↑ MacDonald, Mark; Kujawa, Kraig; Boyer, Crispin (November 2000). "Alien Resurrection". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (136): 252. https://retrocdn.net/images/c/c0/EGM_US_136.pdf. Retrieved 17 January 2022. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Bramwell, Tom (2 November 2000). "Alien : Resurrection". Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_alienr_psx. 
  12. ↑ "Alien Resurrection". Game Informer (FuncoLand) (91). November 2000. 
  13. ↑ Van Stone, Matt (November 2000). "Alien Resurrection". GameFan (BPA International) 8 (11): 95. https://archive.org/details/Gamefan_Vol_8_Issue_11/page/n97/mode/2up. Retrieved 18 January 2022. 
  14. ↑ Mylonas, Eric "ECM"; Weitzner, Jason "Fury"; Ngo, George "Eggo" (November 2000). "Alien Resurrection". GameFan (BPA International) 8 (11): 24. https://archive.org/details/Gamefan_Vol_8_Issue_11/page/n25/mode/2up. Retrieved 18 January 2022. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 Garrett, Steven (5 October 2000). "Alien Resurrection Review". Red Ventures. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/alien-resurrection-review/1900-2637344/. 
  16. ↑ Nix, Marc (23 October 2000). "Alien Resurrection". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/10/24/alien-resurrection. 
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Lundrigan, Jeff (November 2000). "Alien Resurrection". NextGen (Imagine Media) (71): 138. https://archive.org/details/NextGen71Nov2000/page/n139/mode/2up. Retrieved 17 January 2022. 
  18. ↑ "Alien Resurrection". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine (Ziff Davis) (38). November 2000. 
  19. ↑ Boyce, Ryan (5 October 2000). "Alien Resurrection". Biglari Holdings. http://www.maximonline.com/articles/review_videogames.asp?videogame_id=649. 
  20. ↑ Dan Elektro (November 2000). "Alien Resurrection". GamePro (IDG) (146): 134. https://retrocdn.net/images/3/36/GamePro_US_146.pdf. Retrieved 18 January 2022. 
  21. ↑ "Press Release". August 7, 2001. Archived from the original on June 24, 2003. https://web.archive.org/web/20030624110451/http://www.argonaut.com:80/assets/press/release_070801.pdf. Retrieved July 17, 2022. 
  • 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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