Software:Beach Spikers

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Short description: 2001 video game
Beach Spikers
North American GameCube cover art
Developer(s)Sega AM2
Publisher(s)Sega
Director(s)Hiroshi Masui
Producer(s)Yu Suzuki
Programmer(s)Hideki Tanaka
Composer(s)
  • Tatsutoshi Narita
  • Sachio Ogawa
  • Shinichi Goto
  • Fumio Ito
  • Megumi Takano
Platform(s)Arcade, GameCube
ReleaseArcade
GameCube
  • JP: July 19, 2002
  • NA: August 13, 2002
  • EU: September 27, 2002[2]
  • AU: October 4, 2002[3]
Genre(s)Sports (beach volleyball)
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer
Arcade systemSega NAOMI 2

Beach Spikers is a beach volleyball video game released in Japanese arcades in 2001. The game was developed in-house by Sega AM2 and published by Sega. A GameCube port, renamed Beach Spikers: Virtua Beach Volleyball, was released in 2002 for all regions.

Gameplay

Based on the sport of beach volleyball, the game revolves around two-on-two matches where a volleyball is hit back and forth over a net until one side allows the ball to touch the ground. Similar to Sega's Virtua sports games, most of the gameplay in Beach Spikers is based around the concept of "charging" the strength of moves, judged by how long the button is held prior to release at the point of which the move is executed. There is a button for setting (passing) and a button for rallying (sending the ball over the net) which, combined with how long the button is held to determine strength, is the basis for the way the entire game is played.

There are two modes to choose from: Arcade Mode and World Tour mode. Arcade mode is a basic progression through a series of AI opponents, and in the multiplayer portion of Arcade Mode, it is head-to-head matches for up to four human players. In World Tour mode, the player takes a user-created team through a tournament, earning points as they go that allow them to increase the stats of their players and unlock player customization items, including some based on other Sega titles like Fighting Vipers and Space Channel 5. The player has the option to customize their own characters or choose a team from a specific country, such as the United States, Jamaica, Italy, and France, to name a few.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic76/100[4]
Review scores
PublicationScore
AllGameStarStarHalf star[5]
Edge6/10[6]
EGM8/10[7]
Eurogamer7/10[9]
Famitsu30/40[10]
Game Informer5/10[11]
GameRevolutionB[12]
GameSpot8.1/10[13]
GameSpyStarStarStarStarHalf star[14]
GameZone7.7/10[15]
IGN8.2/10[16]
Nintendo Power4.1/5[17]
X-PlayStarStarStar[18]
Maxim7/10[19]

The GameCube version received "generally favorable reviews" according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[4] GamePro said of the game, "Simple controls a la Virtua Tennis could have made Beach Spikers a classic, but its appeal is just relegated to those with enough patience and determination to unlock the myriad hidden bikinis."[20][lower-alpha 1] In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of 30 out of 40.[10]

Also in Japan, Game Machine listed the arcade version in their September 1, 2001 issue as the fifth most-successful arcade game of the year.[21]

The same GameCube version was nominated for "Best Game No One Played on GameCube" and "Best Alternative Sports Game on GameCube" at GameSpot's Best and Worst of 2002 Awards, both of which went to Sega Soccer Slam and Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4, respectively.[22][23]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ GamePro gave the GameCube version 4.5/5 for graphics, and three 3/5 scores for sound, control, and fun factor.

References

  1. ↑ "Sega Arcade History (Beach Spikers)" (in ja). Famitsu (Enterbrain): 177. Archived from the original. Error: If you specify |archiveurl=, you must also specify |archivedate=. https://web.archive.org/web/20240326205517/https://retrocdn.net/images/3/35/Sega_Arcade_History_JP_EnterBrain_Book-1.pdf. Retrieved February 1, 2025. 
  2. ↑ "Beach Spikers: Virtual Beach Volleyball". Archived from the original. Error: If you specify |archiveurl=, you must also specify |archivedate=. https://web.archive.org/web/20030807074221/http://www.infogrames.co.uk/?pg=game_detail&productID=28. 
  3. ↑ "Game Cube [sic"]. Archived from the original. Error: If you specify |archiveurl=, you must also specify |archivedate=. https://web.archive.org/web/20030606200542/http://gamenation.com.au/product/?action=platform&platform=10. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Beach Spikers: Virtua Beach Volleyball". Fandom. Archived from the original. Error: If you specify |archiveurl=, you must also specify |archivedate=. https://web.archive.org/web/20231205083059/https://www.metacritic.com/game/beach-spikers-virtua-beach-volleyball/. 
  5. ↑ Marriott, Scott Alan. "Beach Spikers (GC) - Review". All Media Network. Archived from the original. Error: If you specify |archiveurl=, you must also specify |archivedate=. https://web.archive.org/web/20141115044107/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=38932&tab=review. 
  6. ↑ Edge staff (October 2002). "Beach Spikers". Edge (Future Publishing) (115). 
  7. ↑ Johnston, Chris (October 2002). "Beach Spikers: Virtua Beach Volleyball". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (159): 194. Archived from the original. Error: If you specify |archiveurl=, you must also specify |archivedate=. https://web.archive.org/web/20040123193735/http://www.egmmag.com/article2/0%2C4364%2C1246651%2C00.asp. Retrieved April 23, 2025. 
  8. ↑ Grant, Jules (September 11, 2002). "Beach Spikers (GC)". Greedy Productions Ltd.. Archived from the original. Error: If you specify |archiveurl=, you must also specify |archivedate=. https://web.archive.org/web/20030308150355/http://www.elecplay.com/review.html?article=9675&full=1. 
  9. ↑ Bramwell, Tom (October 12, 2002). "Beach Spikers". Gamer Network. Archived from the original. Error: If you specify |archiveurl=, you must also specify |archivedate=. https://web.archive.org/web/20220520103909/https://www.eurogamer.net/r-beachspikers-gc. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "ニンテンドーゲームキューブ - ビーチ スパイカーズ" (in ja). Famitsu (Enterbrain) 915: 102. June 30, 2006. 
  11. ↑ Helgeson, Matt (September 2002). "Beach Spikers". Game Informer (GameStop) (113): 85. Archived from the original. Error: If you specify |archiveurl=, you must also specify |archivedate=. https://web.archive.org/web/20050312090041/http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200209/R03.0801.1548.50377.htm. Retrieved April 23, 2025. 
  12. ↑ Liu, Johnny (September 2002). "Beach Spikers Review". CraveOnline. Archived from the original. Error: If you specify |archiveurl=, you must also specify |archivedate=. https://web.archive.org/web/20150929081752/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/beach-spikers. 
  13. ↑ Davis, Ryan (August 15, 2002). "Beach Spikers Review". Fandom. Archived from the original. Error: If you specify |archiveurl=, you must also specify |archivedate=. https://web.archive.org/web/20050124143052/http://www.gamespot.com/gamecube/sports/beachspikers/review.html. 
  14. ↑ Pavlacka, Adam (September 11, 2002). "GameSpy: Beach Spikers". IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original. Error: If you specify |archiveurl=, you must also specify |archivedate=. https://web.archive.org/web/20070628015030/http://cube.gamespy.com/gamecube/beach-spikers/595860p1.html. 
  15. ↑ Bedigian, Louis (August 31, 2002). "Beach Spikers Review - GameCube". Archived from the original. Error: If you specify |archiveurl=, you must also specify |archivedate=. https://web.archive.org/web/20080210211450/http://gamecube.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r20106.htm. 
  16. ↑ Casamassina, Matt (August 12, 2002). "Beach Spikers (GCN)". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original. Error: If you specify |archiveurl=, you must also specify |archivedate=. https://web.archive.org/web/20230719035640/https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/08/12/beach-spikers. 
  17. ↑ "Beach Spikers: Virtua Beach Volleyball". Nintendo Power (Nintendo of America) 159: 143. August 2002. 
  18. ↑ Concepcion, Miguel (August 16, 2002). "'Beach Spikers: Virtua Beach Volleyball' (GCN) Review". TechTV. http://www.techtv.com/extendedplay/reviews/story/0%2C24330%2C3395006%2C00.html. Retrieved April 24, 2025. 
  19. ↑ Boyce, Ryan (August 23, 2002). "Beach Spikers". Maxim (MaximNet, Inc.). Archived from the original. Error: If you specify |archiveurl=, you must also specify |archivedate=. https://web.archive.org/web/20021017173123/http://www.maximonline.com/entertainment/reviews/review_games_3819.html. Retrieved October 24, 2014. 
  20. ↑ Tokyo Drifter (October 2002). "Beach Spikers Review for GameCube on GamePro.com". GamePro (IDG) (169). Archived from the original. Error: If you specify |archiveurl=, you must also specify |archivedate=. https://web.archive.org/web/20050204231407/http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/gamecube/games/reviews/25740.shtml. Retrieved October 24, 2014. 
  21. ↑ "Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - TVゲーム機ーソフトウェア (Video Game Software)" (in ja). Game Machine (Amusement Press, Inc.) (641): 17. September 1, 2001. 
  22. ↑ GameSpot staff (2002). "GameSpot's Best and Worst of 2002 (Best Game No One Played on GameCube)". CNET. Archived from the original. Error: If you specify |archiveurl=, you must also specify |archivedate=. https://web.archive.org/web/20040506173709/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/gc7.html. 
  23. ↑ GameSpot staff (2002). "GameSpot's Best and Worst of 2002 (Best Alternative Sports Game on GameCube, Nominees)". CNET. Archived from the original. Error: If you specify |archiveurl=, you must also specify |archivedate=. https://web.archive.org/web/20030813055128/http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/gc21b.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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