Software:Babel Rising

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Babel Rising
App icon on iTunes
Developer(s)Mondo Productions
Publisher(s)Ubisoft
Platform(s)iPhone, iPod, iPad, PlayStation Network, Xbox Live Arcade, Android, Windows Phone 7, Windows Phone 8, Microsoft Windows, macOS, WiiWare
ReleaseiOS
December 21, 2009
PSN/XBLA
June 13, 2012
Windows, macOS
August 7, 2012[1]
Wiiware
  • EU: January 24, 2013
Genre(s)Tower defense
Mode(s)Single-player

Babel Rising is a video game developed by Mando Productions and produced by Michel Bams and Olivier Fontenay. An arcade game with short levels, the 2D version of the game was first published in 2009 and in 3D in 2012. Babel Rising 3D was published with Xbox achievements for Windows Phone 8 and Windows 8 in October 2013.

The storyline is based on the legend of the Tower of Babel, where God unleashes his wrath and powers against pagans who endeavor to build a tower to reach him. The goal is to stop them from ever reaching the skies. The player impersonates God and uses their powers to destroy the workers or the tower they are trying to build.

Plot

The game is a fanciful adaptation of a biblical context.[2] At the time of the construction of the city of Babylon, the humans erect a tower meant to reach the skies and they show such arrogance as to supposedly irritate God-the player.

The action takes place in an imaginary Babylon and uses various monuments and places associated to this civilization. The game does not take itself seriously and, as such, disregards historical facts. Workers can thus build the Tower of Babel, the Ishtar Gate, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, but also more fanciful buildings such as a giant statue.

The characters in the game are the workers that the player must incessantly destroy whilst they carry on with the construction of the tower. Such as Lemmings, the workers do not seem to notice what goes on around them and strive to complete their mission at all costs, even if this includes crossing a wall of fire.

Depending on the version, the player may also face protector priests who will fend off her/his powers, or siege towers that the workers will have placed next to the tower.

The only named character in the series is King Nabu, and is a reference to Nebuchadnezzar II, famous for his building of Babylon. Nabu is portrayed as a secret tyrant, the most arrogant of all human beings, the man who issues the construction orders that anger the player. He is mentioned but never actually represented during the game, and the player never has the opportunity to eradicate him in person.

Gameplay

The gameplay of Babel Rising mixes action and management of resources: the divine powers. The player has an array of powers that they may send at a chosen location, the only limitation being the recharging time for each power. The more the powers recharge, the more powerful they become; this generates tactical choices and forces players to take risks for maximum earnings.

If at first, it seems easy to destroy all the workers as they come closer, as the player progresses in the game, choosing the right moment to send each power becomes increasingly difficult. Sooner or later, the player will quite often be overwhelmed and the tower will rise slowly to game over.

Babel Rising uses a combo system to accrue higher scores. This allows for a longer game lifespan, by creating competition for first place. All the versions have online rankings, so as to compare scores with other players throughout the world.

The concept of Babel Rising is to stop the construction of the tower. Hence the goal is to survive as long as possible. The game also offers various missions with required conditions for victory, such as to eliminate a given amount of adversaries.

Development

Babel Rising was originally a co-production of White Birds Productions studio and Exequo. White Birds Productions ceased to exist in December 2010 and Exequo carried through with the development of the game and of its sequels, in partnership with Mando Productions, who is now in charge of creating and producing all the new versions of the game.

The initial version of Babel Rising iPhone was developed using tools internal to the development team at White Birds, some of which were specifically designed for the game itself. The ensuing versions were progressively centralized in a unique middleware, Shiva, developed by the firm Stonetrip. All developments are carried out by internal teams at Mando Productions and a few collaborators from the outside, using Shiva as the main engine.

Babel Rising 3D was also developed with Shiva, and produced in eight versions in parallel: XBLA, PSN, PC, Mac, IOS (iPhone and iPad), Android, Windows Phone 7 and Blackberry.[3] The 2D version is available for 4 platforms: iPhone, Android, PC and WiiWare.

The original soundtrack was composed by Philippe Saisse.

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
iOSPCPS3WiiXbox 360
DestructoidN/AN/AN/AN/A5.5/10[4]
EdgeN/AN/AN/AN/A3/10[5]
EGMN/AN/AN/AN/A4/10[6]
Eurogamer5/10[7]N/A4/10[8]N/AN/A
GameSpotN/AN/AN/AN/A6/10[9]
GameZone6/10[10]N/AN/AN/A4/10[11]
IGNN/AN/A5/10[12]N/A5/10[12]
Nintendo LifeN/AN/AN/A3/10[13]N/A
OXM (US)N/AN/AN/AN/A5.5/10[14]
PSMN/AN/A6/10[15]N/AN/A
The Digital FixN/AN/AN/AN/A7/10[16]
Aggregate scores
GameRankings65%[17]N/A58%[18]30%[19]53%[20]
Metacritic61/100[21]40/100[22]55/100[23]N/A51/100[24]

The iOS, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions received "mixed" reviews, while the PC version received "unfavorable" reviews, according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[21][22][23][24] It was criticized on several counts. The main reproach was the repetitive aspect of the game, but criticism also pointed at technical inaccuracies in the console version of Babel Rising 3D (Kinect and PS Move).[citation needed]

Sales

In July 2012, the Babel Rising license reached 2.5 million downloads, for all the versions of the game. In August 2012, in the space of two weeks, Babel Rising 3D reaped an additional million downloads, thanks to the game's transition to Free-to-play on Google Play, bringing the total to over 3.5 million downloads.[citation needed]

The game Babel Rising was number one (free or paying version) in over 25 countries.

References

  1. ↑ "Babel Rising". Valve. https://store.steampowered.com/app/204840/Babel_Rising/. Retrieved February 22, 2019. 
  2. ↑ Genesis, chapter 11
  3. ↑ "Babel Rising 3D Released for BlackBerry 10!". January 29, 2013. http://www.berryreview.com/2013/01/29/babel-rising-3d-released-for-blackberry-10/. Retrieved January 8, 2019. 
  4. ↑ Carter, Chris (June 14, 2012). "Review: Babel Rising (X360)". Enthusiast Gaming. https://www.destructoid.com/review-babel-rising-229459.phtml. Retrieved February 22, 2019. 
  5. ↑ Edge staff (June 21, 2012). "Babel Rising review (X360)". Edge (Future plc). http://www.edge-online.com/reviews/babel-rising-review. Retrieved February 22, 2019. 
  6. ↑ Noble, McKinley (June 15, 2012). "EGM Review: Babel Rising (X360)". EGMNow (EGM Media LLC). http://www.egmnow.com/articles/reviews/egm-review-babel-rising/. Retrieved February 22, 2019. 
  7. ↑ Donlan, Christian (January 13, 2010). "iPhone Roundup (Page 2)". Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/iphone-random-roundup-review?page=2. Retrieved February 22, 2019. 
  8. ↑ Whitehead, Dan (June 13, 2012). "Babel Rising Review (PlayStation 3)". Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-06-13-babel-rising-review. Retrieved February 22, 2019. 
  9. ↑ Venter, Jason (June 13, 2012). "Babel Rising Review (X360)". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/babel-rising-review/1900-6382470/. Retrieved February 22, 2019. 
  10. ↑ Pikover, James (August 28, 2010). "Babel Rising review (iOS)". https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/babel_rising/. Retrieved February 22, 2019. 
  11. ↑ Donato, Joe (June 14, 2012). "Babel Rising review (X360)". https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/babel-rising-review/. Retrieved February 22, 2019. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Ingenito, Vince (June 22, 2012). "Babel Rising (PS3, X360)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/06/22/babel-rising-review. Retrieved February 22, 2019. 
  13. ↑ Mason, Mike (January 31, 2013). "Babel Rising Review". Gamer Network. http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/wiiware/babel_rising. Retrieved February 22, 2019. 
  14. ↑ Hayward, Andrew (June 13, 2012). "Review: Babel Rising review". Official Xbox Magazine (Future US). http://www.oxmonline.com/babel-rising-review. Retrieved February 22, 2019. 
  15. ↑ "Review: Babel Rising". PlayStation: The Official Magazine (Future plc) (62): 87. August 2012. 
  16. ↑ Webber, Jordan Erica (June 13, 2012). "Babel Rising Review (X360)". Poisonous Monkey. https://www.thedigitalfix.com/gaming/content/959/babel-rising/. Retrieved February 22, 2019. 
  17. ↑ "BABEL Rising for iOS (iPhone/iPad)". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamerankings.com/iphone/982448-babel-rising/index.html. Retrieved February 22, 2019. 
  18. ↑ "Babel Rising for PlayStation 3". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamerankings.com/ps3/648264-babel-rising/index.html. Retrieved February 22, 2019. 
  19. ↑ "Babel Rising for Wii". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamerankings.com/wii/701107-babel-rising/index.html. Retrieved February 22, 2019. 
  20. ↑ "Babel Rising for Xbox 360". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamerankings.com/xbox360/648265-babel-rising/index.html. Retrieved February 22, 2019. 
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 "BABEL Rising for iPhone/iPad Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/babel-rising/critic-reviews/?platform=ios-iphoneipad. Retrieved February 22, 2019. 
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 "Babel Rising for PC Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/babel-rising/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. Retrieved February 22, 2019. 
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 "Babel Rising for PlayStation 3 Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/babel-rising/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-3. Retrieved February 22, 2019. 
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 "Babel Rising for Xbox 360 Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/babel-rising/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360. Retrieved February 22, 2019. 
  • 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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