Software:Alien Syndrome

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Short description: 1987 video game
For the 2007 video game of the same name, see Alien Syndrome (2007 video game).
Alien Syndrome
Arcade flyer
Developer(s)Sega[lower-alpha 1]
Publisher(s)
Composer(s)
Platform(s)
Release
Genre(s)Run and gun
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer
Arcade systemSega Pre System 16, Sega System 16B

Alien Syndrome (エイリアンシンドローム, Eirian Shindorōmu) is a 1987 run and gun video game developed and published by Sega for arcades. The game utilizes a side-scrolling feature that allows the player to take control of either a male (Ricky) or female (Mary) soldier whilst hunting aliens and saving hostages before they run out of time.

Alien Syndrome was released to commercial success and positive reviews, with praise towards its gameplay, character designs, sound design and horror themes. It was ported to various home computers and consoles, including Sega's own Master System, becoming one of the best-selling titles for that console. It was included as a bonus title in the 2009 compilation Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection. A sequel of the same name was released in 2007 to a mostly negative response from critics.

Gameplay

An example of gameplay during the first level, "Round 1". The player is taking control of Ricky whilst fighting alien worms.

Two players control two soldiers, named Ricky and Mary, who fight through large eight-way scrolling levels while rescuing their comrades that are being held by aliens. At the start of each level, a time bomb is set onboard the infested ship and the players must complete their task before it runs out which will result in the ship being destroyed. After they have rescued a certain number of hostages, the exit opens and they can pass through it in order to fight the end-of-level guardian. If the guardian is defeated before the time runs out, the players are then able to move onto the next stage. Once all seven levels are completed, the game starts over with more aggressive aliens, and less time on the clock.

Ports

In 1988, the game was ported to the Master System, MSX, Amiga, Atari ST, Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, and Famicom/Nintendo Entertainment System (published in North America by Tengen without a Nintendo license). Later, the game was ported to the ZX Spectrum (1989), Game Gear (1992), and X68000 (1992).

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
DragonStarStar (Master System)[13]
Computer EntertainerStarStarStarStarStarStarHalf star (C64)[14]
Console XS85% (Master System)[15]
Sega Pro85% (Master System)[16]
Award
PublicationAward
CrashCrash Smash[17]

In Japan, Game Machine listed Alien Syndrome as the third most successful table arcade unit of April 1987.[18] The original arcade version of the game was reviewed in the July 1987 issue of Computer and Video Games, where Clare Edgeley described it as "one of the most gripping games" she "played in months", praising the Aliens-like horror atmosphere, chilling sounds, special effects, graphics and gameplay. She stated it was "the first time the atmosphere and sheer addictiveness of a shoot 'em up has transported me to another planet," and concluded that it "is fantastic".[19]

The Master System version of the game was reviewed in Console XS magazine, which gave it an 85% score.[15] It was reviewed in 1989 in Dragon, which rated it two out of five stars.[13]

Legacy

The game was also converted to polygonal graphics for the PlayStation 2 as part of the Sega Ages re-release program and included in the US version of the Sega Classics Collection (it was removed from the European version to receive a lower age certificate). This version has updated controls, adding the use of both analog sticks, similar to that seen in Sheriff, Software:Robotron: 2084, and Smash TV. The original arcade game was also included as an unlockable in Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection.

A sequel of the same name was released for Wii and PlayStation Portable in July 2007.

Notes

  1. ↑ Master System and NES versions developed by Sanritsu; Amiga, Atari ST, Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum versions developed by Softek International; Amstrad CPC version developed by Animagic; MSX version developed by Xortrapa Soft; Game Gear version developed by SIMS; X68000 version developed by Dempa Micomsoft.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Akagi, Masumi (October 13, 2006). アーケードTVゲームリスト国内•海外編(1971–2005). Japan: Amusement News Agency. pp. 36, 131. ISBN 978-4990251215. https://archive.org/details/ArcadeGameList1971-2005/page/n37/mode/2up. 
  2. ↑ "Availability Update". Computer Entertainer 7 (1): p. 14. April 1988. https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/e45a949e-7d1a-4cf0-bbd1-a63b79ef58e8. 
  3. ↑ "2 Mega Cartridges". The Sega Master System Game Catalog (1988). Mastertronic. https://segaretro.org/images/3/38/SMSGamesCatalogueUK.pdf. 
  4. ↑ "Software List" (in ja). Sega Corporation. https://sega.jp/history/hard/segamark3/software.html. 
  5. ↑ "Previews: Alien Syndrome". The Games Machine (Newsfield) (3): 15. February 1988. https://archive.org/details/thegamesmachine-03/page/n15/mode/2up. 
  6. ↑ "Preview: Alien Syndrome". Sinclair User (EMAP) (73): 102. April 1988. https://archive.org/details/sinclair-user-magazine-073/page/n101/mode/1up. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Availability Update". Computer Entertainer 8 (10): p. 22. January 1990. https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/cff99160-03fe-4527-80d8-2cd40ae1a436. 
  8. ↑ "All Famicom games sorted from the latest release to the earliest". Famitsu. https://www.famitsu.com/schedule/recent/fc/. 
  9. ↑ "Availability Update". Computer Entertainer 7 (11): p. 14. February 1989. https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/4894dc4d-52b2-447b-83c4-91f3ba837f9a. 
  10. ↑ "The Release Schedule". Computer Trade Weekly (414): p. 18. 23 November 1992. 
  11. ↑ "Software List (Released by Soft Licensees)" (in ja). Sega. https://sega.jp/history/hard/gamegear/software_l.html. 
  12. ↑ "X68000のソフトとか" (in ja). http://tkhr000.s601.xrea.com/. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Lesser, Hartley; Lesser, Patricia; Lesser, Kirk (January 1989). "The Role of Computers". Dragon (141): 72–78 (75). https://www.annarchive.com/files/Drmg141.pdf#page=77. 
  14. ↑ "COMMODORE 64/128 Software". Computer Entertainer 7 (10): 4. January 1989. https://archive.org/details/computer-entertainer-7-10/page/4. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 "Software A-Z: Master System". Console XS (United Kingdom: Paragon Publishing) (1 (June/July 1992)): 137–47. 23 April 1992. https://archive.org/details/console-xs-01/page/137. 
  16. ↑ "Pro Scores". Sega Pro: 70. April 1993. 1993-03-11. https://retrocdn.net/images/7/74/SegaPro_UK_18.pdf#page=70. 
  17. ↑ Game review, Crash magazine, Newsfield Publications, issue 57, October 1988
  18. ↑ "Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - テーブル型TVゲーム機 (Table Videos)". Game Machine (Amusement Press, Inc.) (308): 21. 15 May 1987. 
  19. ↑ "Alien Syndrome arcade game review". http://www.solvalou.com/subpage/arcade_reviews/21/16/alien_syndrome_review.html. 

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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