Software:Band of Bugs

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Short description: 2007 video game
Band of Bugs
Developer(s)NinjaBee
Publisher(s)Microsoft Game Studios
Platform(s)Xbox 360, Windows
Release
  • Xbox 360
  • June 20, 2007
  • Windows
  • December 3, 2007
Genre(s)Turn-based tactics
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Band of Bugs is a turn-based tactics video game developed by NinjaBee. The game includes a level editor, leaderboards, Xbox Live Vision camera support, and multiplayer gameplay. It was released for the Xbox 360 via Xbox Live Arcade on June 20, 2007.[1]

A Microsoft Windows version was released in December of the same year.[2] Band of Bugs is also available on Xbox One through the Backward Compatibility program.

Gameplay

The game is focused on turn-based tactical battles between groups of anthropomorphic bugs, with each player controlling a number of individual bugs. The game includes a variety of different bug types (as units), each serving in a different combat role (e.g., heavy infantry, archer, support, etc.). As the title is intended to appeal to casual gamers (among others), turns are relatively quick and combats are small in scale.[3]

In contrast to many turn-based games where either an entire side moves at once or individuals move according to some initiative value, units in Band of Bugs take turns. When sides have an equal number of units, each side moves a single unit at a time before ceding control to the other side. When one side has more units than the other, that side takes a proportionally greater number of moves at a time, e.g. two moves to every one of the opposition when one side has twice as many units as the other. The same unit may not be moved more than once per full turn, with a full turn ending after all units have acted. This system helps ensure that players do not spend an excessive amount of time waiting for their opponents to act.

Units vary in their statistics and capabilities, with most units having at least one special ability which can be used instead of a standard attack. Some bug types have multiple weapons or attack types (e.g., one ranged and one mêlée weapon) which can be switched between at the cost of an action. Lastly, some bugs can make use of magic, with various spells which can be cast a limited number of times per battle.

While there are a limited number of items which can be picked up and used at a later point in time, Band of Bugs features no significant resource management elements above and beyond troop management.

Campaign

The single-player campaign consists of 20 levels, which each level being unlocked after the previous level has been completed. Unlike traditional campaigns in strategy games, levels are completely disjoint from one another, with no "carry over" from one level to the next. Instead, for each level, the player is provided with a fixed set of units (at a certain experience level) and items. The levels are tied together by a brief (but humorous) story which revolves around Maal, the protagonist, and his quest to discover the true nature of the threat to his homeland.

Level objectives range from defeating all foes, to destroying a certain key enemy or enemy object, to simply escaping the area with one or more units. Some battles feature more than two sides, with a third side hostile to one or both of the other two sides.

After a level is completed, the player is awarded a medal based on his or her performance. The performance score is calculated based on friendly losses, enemy losses, and the total amount of clock time taken (encouraging quick play). Players can replay any previous level at any time in order to attempt to earn a better medal.

Multiplayer

Band of Bugs includes five multiplayer modes, including Elimination, Capture, Escape, Mission, and Spider Hunter. Spider Hunter is a join-and-leave continuous game for up to 8 players, and the other modes support up to 4 players over Xbox Live or 2 players in local multiplayer on one Xbox.[4]

Level editor

The game features a level editor in which players can create campaign levels in the game.[5] Additionally, Band of Bugs is the first Xbox Live Arcade game to allow players to share user created maps.[6] After playing a game against an opponent on a unique map, a "Save Map" option is presented which allows the map to be stored for later use. Each map is stamped with the Gamertag of the user who first created it, so that the original author can always be identified.

At their most basic, maps consist of squares of different terrain positioned at different heights. Some terrain types slow unit movement, while other terrain squares damage those who enter them. Water tiles are also available, which, while having no effect on flying units, will cause ground units to drown.

Development

The team working on Band of Bugs varied from three to four individuals at the start, up to around a dozen individuals (some of whom were part-time) at its peak.[7] The development of the game required roughly 10 months, which was partially because the engine was based on the Outpost Kaloki X engine.[7][8]

During an interview, the development team emphasized their commitment to Xbox Live Arcade and focusing on gameplay over graphics or cutscenes. As such, the title uses under 50 MB of storage space, despite Microsoft raising the limit for later Xbox Live Arcade titles to 150 MB.[8][9]

Band of Bugs was a finalist in the 2007 Independent Games Festival in the Technical Excellence category.

Downloadable content

Several DLCs for the game were released in 2007. In July, two map packs were released. Each included 5 new maps for multiplayer games and stand alone missions. While "Map Pack #2" was free for download, "Map Pack #1" had to be purchased.[10] In August, a content package entitled "Red Kingdom" was released. This collection includes a new map tile set, a new campaign with 10 new levels, and 2 new unit types.[11] In October, a content package entitled "Ninja Sticks of Fury" was released. This collection includes a new map tile set (snowy), an all-new campaign with 10 new levels and new characters, and 1 new unit type.[12]

NinjaBee released Avatar support for the game in July 2009 via a free patch. A new DLC campaign pack titled "Tales of Kaloki", based on Outpost Kaloki, offering a new story, new units, new unit types, a new map tile, weapons and abilities was also released in the same month along with a Band of Bugs Premium Dashboard Theme.

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
PCXbox 360
EurogamerN/A7/10[13]
GameSpotN/A6.3/10[14]
IGNN/A6.2/10[15]
OXM (UK)N/A8/10[17]
OXM (US)N/A8/10[16]
TeamXboxN/A7/10[18]
Aggregate score
Metacritic72/100[19]68/100[20]

Band of Bugs received "average" reviews on both platforms according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[19][20] Official Xbox Magazine UK called the game "refreshingly unique".[17] Many reviews were more critical, criticizing glitches and a general lack of strategic depth. IGN remarked that while the Xbox 360 version has all the necessary basic elements, it lacks gameplay depth and the ability to customize units.[15] GameSpot considered the game to be "too simplistic to be addictive" and too frustrating for players looking for a casual strategy game.[14] Overall, the enjoyment of the colorful graphics and the map editor were tempered by concerns about the game's longevity for genre fans.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Major Nelson (June 18, 2007). "Band of Bugs Graces Us This Week!". XBLArcade. Archived from the original on June 21, 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20070621153824/http://www.xblarcade.com/node/724. Retrieved August 20, 2017. 
  2. ↑ NinjaGirl (November 7, 2007). "Band of Bugs on PC!". NinjaBee. http://www.ninjabee.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=9490. Retrieved February 7, 2008. 
  3. ↑ Wallis, Alistair (February 2, 2007). "Road to the IGF: Band of Bugs' Jeremy Throckmorton". http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=12630. 
  4. ↑ Taylor, Steven (June 20, 2007). "question about multiplayer". NinjaBee. http://ninjabee.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=5052/. 
  5. ↑ Mitchell, Richard (March 7, 2007). "GDC 07: Band of Bugs hands on". Xbox 360 Fanboy. Archived from the original on March 10, 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20070310234021/http://www.xbox360fanboy.com/2007/03/07/gdc-07-band-of-bugs-hands-on/. Retrieved August 20, 2017. 
  6. ↑ "Band of Bugs Preview: Live Integration Pt. 1". Lunar's Duality. May 18, 2007. http://lunarduality.wordpress.com/2007/05/18/band-of-bugs-preview-live-integration-pt-1/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 dpcough (February 9, 2007). "An Interview With Ninja Bee: Band of Bugs". The Xbox Domain. Archived from the original on September 26, 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20070926231523/http://thexboxdomain.net/2007/02/09/an-interview-with-ninja-bee-band-of-bugs/. Retrieved August 20, 2017. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Mitchell, Richard (February 9, 2007). "X360F interview: NinjaBee's Band of Bugs". Xbox 360 Fanboy. Archived from the original on February 12, 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20070212050315/http://www.xbox360fanboy.com/2007/02/09/x360f-interview-ninjabees-band-of-bugs/. Retrieved August 20, 2017. 
  9. ↑ Graziani, Gabe (March 7, 2007). "GameSpy: Xbox Live Arcade in 2007". GameSpy. Archived from the original on March 9, 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20070309125634/http://xbox360.gamespy.com/articles/771/771029p1.html. Retrieved August 20, 2017. 
  10. ↑ Major Nelson (July 25, 2007). "Marketplace Content for July 25, 2007". Major Nelson. https://majornelson.com/2007/07/25/marketplace-content-for-july-25-2007/. Retrieved August 20, 2017. 
  11. ↑ Major Nelson (August 8, 2007). "Marketplace Roundup for August 8, 2007". Major Nelson. https://majornelson.com/2007/08/08/marketplace-roundup-for-august-8-2007/. Retrieved August 20, 2017. 
  12. ↑ Major Nelson (October 10, 2007). "Marketplace Roundup for October 10, 2007". Major Nelson. https://majornelson.com/2007/10/10/marketplace-roundup-for-october-10-2007/. Retrieved August 20, 2017. 
  13. ↑ Reed, Kristan (June 22, 2007). "Band of Bugs (Xbox 360)". http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/band-of-bugs-review. Retrieved August 20, 2017. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 VanOrd, Kevin (June 22, 2007). "Band of Bugs Review (X360)". https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/band-of-bugs-review/1900-6173025/. Retrieved August 20, 2017. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Brudvig, Erik (June 22, 2007). "Band of Bugs Review (X360)". http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/06/22/band-of-bugs-review. Retrieved August 20, 2017. 
  16. ↑ "Band of Bugs". Official Xbox Magazine: 80. May 2007. 
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 "Band of Bugs". Official Xbox Magazine UK: 104. July 2007. 
  18. ↑ Tuttle, Will (June 21, 2007). "Band of Bugs Review (Xbox 360)". TeamXbox. Archived from the original on January 13, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110113122848/http://reviews.teamxbox.com/xbox-360/1341/Band-of-Bugs/p1/. Retrieved August 20, 2017. 
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 "Band of Bugs for PC Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/band-of-bugs/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. Retrieved August 20, 2017. 
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 "Band of Bugs for Xbox 360 Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/band-of-bugs/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360. Retrieved August 20, 2017. 

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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