Software:Auto Modellista

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Short description: 2002 video game
Auto Modellista
European PlayStation 2 version cover art featuring a Mazda RX-7
Developer(s)Capcom Production Studio 1
Publisher(s)Capcom
Director(s)Hideaki Itsuno
Producer(s)Yoshihiro Sudou
Designer(s)Tatsuya Nakae
Shinichirō Obata
Ryozo Tsujimoto
Keni Kinoshita
Composer(s)Tetsuya Shibata
Isao Abe
EngineArtistoon
Platform(s)PlayStation 2, GameCube, Xbox
ReleasePlayStation 2
  • JP: August 22, 2002
  • EU: December 6, 2002
  • NA: March 25, 2003
  • JP: September 11, 2003 (US Tuned)
GameCube
  • JP: July 3, 2003 (US Tuned)
  • NA: September 30, 2003
Xbox
  • NA: January 20, 2004
  • JP: January 29, 2004
Genre(s)Arcade style racing
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Auto Modellista (アウトモデリスタ, Auto Moderisuta)[1] is a racing game developed and published by Capcom, first released on PlayStation 2, later ported to GameCube and Xbox.

Description

Auto Modellista distinguished itself from other games of the same genre with cel-shaded graphics, which gave a hand-drawn and cartoon-like appearance. The game plays similarly to games like Gran Turismo, with the player picking a vehicle which they can modify and customize. There are six tracks in the default game, including the real-life Suzuka Circuit and the Mt. Akagi mountain pass.

After middling initial reception, with criticism mostly centered around its short overall length and general lack of content, Capcom modified the game for its North American release. In Japan, the game was rereleased with these changes as Auto Modellista: US Tuned. This version featured additional cars from American manufacturers, such as the Dodge Viper and Ford GT, two new oval tracks, various UI improvements and a different handling model which saw cars having significantly less grip, resulting in slower acceleration and more loss of speed when cornering.[2] The US Tuned version of the game was especially criticized for its floaty handling model and subsequently more difficult gameplay, though the improved car and course list were well received.


In 2003, Auto Modellista received a followup in the form of Group S Challenge for the Xbox, though it lacked any of Auto Modellista's visual style and is generally not considered to be a direct sequel. Capcom has not been involved with driving games since, although it did publish some games based on MotoGP developed by Milestone srl, and included Mega Man Battle & Chase, a racing game based on the Mega Man franchise, in the Mega Man X Collection.

Gameplay

Auto Modellista attempts to be a technical racing game, with an immense amount of available parts and settings for the selection of cars provided to the player. Various aspects of each car can be tuned, allowing the player to tweak the performance of the car.

In the Garage mode (the main single-player mode), the player is granted the ability to select one of four tire types which affect road grip in regard to the weather conditions on the race track (for example, the "Semi-Slick Tires" provide maximum speed and grip in dry weather, but suffer in rain). Other options include Brakes (which determine braking efficiency), Suspension, Turbines, Mufflers, Computer (determines the car's ability to accept upgrades later in the game), the engine, "Final Gear", and Weight Reduction.

Auto Modellista's customization options also extend to visual enhancements, allowing the player to choose from many different color combinations, hood and spoiler types, plus the ability to add badges, stickers and even create license plates. Engine swaps are also available, for example, the Subaru 360 can have EJ20T in place of its EK32. Swapped engines cannot be re-tuned in the game.

A large aspect of the game was its online mode, with online races supporting up to 8 players. This functionality was not available on the GameCube and European PlayStation 2 versions. The official online mode of Auto Modellista has since been discontinued however, Auto Modellista is now playable online again on the revival Xbox Live servers called Insignia.[3][4]

Development

Auto Modellista was a part of an initiative from Capcom's Production Studio 1 to develop three network focused games on the PlayStation 2. The other games were Monster Hunter and Resident Evil Outbreak. Capcom's plan was that at least one of the games would become a million seller. Both Monster Hunter and Resident Evil Outbreak eventually became million sellers.[5][6]

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
GCPS2Xbox
EdgeN/A4/10[7]N/A
EGMN/A5.83/10[8]N/A
EurogamerN/A4/10[9]N/A
FamitsuN/A30/40[10]N/A
Game InformerN/A8/10[11]7/10[12]
GameProN/AStarStarStarHalf star[13]N/A
GameRevolutionN/AB−[14]N/A
GameSpot6.2/10[15]6.9/10[16]6.8/10[17]
GameSpyN/AStar[18]StarStar[19]
GameZoneN/A8.9/10[20]N/A
IGN5.5/10[21]7/10[22]5.7/10[23]
Nintendo Power3.7/5[24]N/AN/A
OPM (US)N/AStarStarHalf star[25]N/A
OXM (US)N/AN/A5.5/10[26]
Aggregate score
Metacritic62/100[27]66/100[28]52/100[29]
Awards
PublicationAward
E3 2002 Game Critics AwardsBest Racing Game
GameSpot E3 2002Best Game, Top Game

The game received "mixed or average reviews" on all platforms according to video game review aggregator website Metacritic.[28][27][29] In Japan, Famitsu gave the PS2 version a score of 30 out of 40.[10]

Auto Modellista has in the years following its release garnered somewhat of a cult following, with players especially praising its unique cel-shaded graphics.

References

  1. ↑ Rough Italian for "car collector".
  2. ↑ "Auto Modellista: Original vs US Tuned". 渡辺ノキ. 3 October 2017. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pf0Dpwd04t8. Retrieved 31 August 2020. 
  3. ↑ "Insignia - Auto Modellista" (in en). https://insignia.live/games/4343000e. 
  4. ↑ Xbox, Pure (2023-11-16). "Xbox Live 1.0 Replacement 'Insignia' Now Supports 150 Games" (in en-GB). https://www.purexbox.com/news/2023/11/xbox-live-1-0-replacement-insignia-now-supports-150-games. 
  5. ↑ Yin-Poole, Wesley (11 March 2014). "As Monster Hunter turns 10, can Capcom finally make the west listen?". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-03-11-as-monster-hunter-turns-10-can-capcom-finally-make-the-west-listen. Retrieved 12 March 2014. 
  6. ↑ "Platinum Titles". 29 August 2006. http://ir.capcom.co.jp/english/data/million.html. 
  7. ↑ Edge staff (November 2002). "Auto Modellista (PS2)". Edge (116). 
  8. ↑ EGM staff (June 2003). "Auto Modellista (PS2)". Electronic Gaming Monthly (167): 131. Archived from the original on 3 June 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20040603070802/http://www.egmmag.com/article2/0%2C2053%2C1487737%2C00.asp. Retrieved 2 December 2014. 
  9. ↑ Bramwell, Tom (3 December 2002). "Auto Modellista (PS2)". http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_automodellista_ps2. Retrieved 2 December 2014. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "プレイステーション2 - アウトモデリスタ". Famitsu 915: 93. 30 June 2006. 
  11. ↑ "Auto Modellista (PS2)". Game Informer (122): 104. June 2003. 
  12. ↑ Helgeson, Matt (April 2004). "Auto Modellista (Xbox)". Game Informer (132): 106. http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/2D6E317B-31CE-407B-8129-E4C64A0CB916.htm. Retrieved 2 December 2014. 
  13. ↑ Four-Eyed Dragon (21 April 2003). "Auto Modellista Review for PS2 on GamePro.com". GamePro. Archived from the original on 9 February 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050209102106/http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/29024.shtml. Retrieved 2 December 2014. 
  14. ↑ Gee, Brian (19 April 2003). "Auto Modellista Review (PS2)". Game Revolution. http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/auto-modellista. Retrieved 2 December 2014. 
  15. ↑ Gerstmann, Jeff (1 December 2003). "Auto Modellista Review (GC)". http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/auto-modellista-review/1900-6084854/. Retrieved 2 December 2014. 
  16. ↑ Gerstmann, Jeff (1 April 2003). "Auto Modellista Review (PS2)". http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/auto-modellista-review/1900-6024293/. Retrieved 2 December 2014. 
  17. ↑ Gerstmann, Jeff (27 January 2004). "Auto Modellista Review (Xbox)". http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/auto-modellista-review/1900-6090470/. Retrieved 2 December 2014. 
  18. ↑ Pavlacka, Adam (15 April 2003). "GameSpy: Auto Modellista (PS2)". GameSpy. http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/auto-modellista/5778p1.html. Retrieved 2 December 2014. 
  19. ↑ Leeper, Justin (7 February 2004). "GameSpy: Auto Modellista (Xbox)". GameSpy. http://xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/auto-modellista/494087p1.html. Retrieved 2 December 2014. 
  20. ↑ Bedigian, Louis (6 April 2003). "Auto Modellista - PS2 - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on 5 October 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20081005182216/http://ps2.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r19605.htm. Retrieved 2 December 2014. 
  21. ↑ Rodriguez, Tyrone (16 October 2003). "Auto Modellista Review (GCN)". http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/10/16/auto-modellista-review. Retrieved 2 December 2014. 
  22. ↑ Perry, Douglass C. (28 March 2003). "Auto Modellista (PS2)". http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/03/28/auto-modellista-3. Retrieved 2 December 2014. 
  23. ↑ Rodriguez, Tyrone (27 January 2004). "Auto Modellista Review (Xbox)". http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/01/27/auto-modellista-review-2. Retrieved 2 December 2014. 
  24. ↑ "Auto Modellista". Nintendo Power 173: 151. November 2003. 
  25. ↑ "Auto Modellista". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine: 102. June 2003. 
  26. ↑ "Auto Modellista". Official Xbox Magazine: 80. April 2004. 
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 "Auto Modellista for GameCube Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/auto-modellista/critic-reviews/?platform=gamecube. Retrieved 2 December 2014. 
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 "Auto Modellista for PlayStation 2 Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/auto-modellista/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2. Retrieved 2 December 2014. 
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 "Auto Modellista for Xbox Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/auto-modellista/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox. Retrieved 2 December 2014. 

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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