Software:Bio F.R.E.A.K.S.

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Short description: 1998 3D fighting video game
Bio F.R.E.A.K.S.
North American Nintendo 64 cover art
Developer(s)Midway Studios San Diego[lower-alpha 1]
Publisher(s)
Director(s)Dave Simon
Producer(s)Michael Gollieb
Designer(s)Dave Simon
Programmer(s)Dave Wagner
Platform(s)PlayStation, Nintendo 64, Windows
Release
Windows
  • NA: August 1998
Genre(s)Fighting
Mode(s)Single player, multiplayer

Bio F.R.E.A.K.S. is a 3D fighting video game released by Midway in 1998. It was originally planned for arcades.[4] Prototypes of the game were tested at arcades, but the final arcade release was canceled (although a ROM image of the prototype was eventually dumped and works in MAME) and the game was later released for the PlayStation, Nintendo 64 and Microsoft Windows.

Plot

In the near future, rapid advances in technology and bio-engineering in the United States lead to massive conflict and espionage between giant corporations known as "GI-Corps". The resulting conflict, known as the Techno-Industrial Civil Wars, tears the country apart and causes the economy to collapse, with states declaring federal independence to avoid being annexed by one of the GI-Corps. The resulting government bankruptcy and ongoing takeover by the GI-Corps lead to the rise of the new region of Neo-Amerika.

To prevent further conflict and hopefully reunite America, the Secret Games Commission (SGC) is formed, working with the remaining members of government to organize a fighting tournament to settle disputes between GI-Corps. In the tournament, each GI-Corp would choose a champion to represent them, with the winner's GI-Corp gaining ownership of all of the loser's states, ultimately deciding which GI-Corp gets to control all of Neo-Amerika. The plan is put into place, leading to the creation of Biological Flying Robotic Enhanced Armored Killing Synthoids (Bio F.R.E.A.K.S.) serving as the champions for each participating GI-Corp. However, several of the Freaks resent being controlled by GI-Corps, and begin forming an underground resistance movement to earn their equal rights.

Gameplay

The game uses a fully polygonal fighting engine, with 8 different fighters, and 2 boss fighters.

Bio F.R.E.A.K.S. uses a mix of hand-to-hand and long range combat. Each character has an assortment of special attacks, both close and long range, as well as "finishing attacks". Much like the Fatalities of the Mortal Kombat games, these moves can execute the player's opponents while some, like in Time Killers, will remove limbs. Damage from powerful attacks can add up, causing a limb to be destroyed as well.

The game takes place in 3D fighting arenas. Emphasis was placed on mobility, giving dashes a great range and in multiple directions.

The face buttons are assigned to specific limbs. The shoulder buttons are used for dodging, flying, and basic long range attacks.

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
N64PCPS
AllGameN/AStarStarStar[7]StarStarHalf star[8]
EGMN/AN/A4.5/10[9][lower-alpha 2]
Game Informer4.5/10[10]N/A3.5/10[11]
GameFan72%[12][lower-alpha 3]N/A53%[13][lower-alpha 4]
GameProStarStarStarStar[14][lower-alpha 5]N/AStarStarStarHalf star[15][lower-alpha 6]
GameRevolutionB−[16]N/AB−[17]
GameSpot6/10[18]N/A5.7/10[19]
Hyper74%[20]N/A69%[21]
IGN6.4/10[22]4/10[23]6.5/10[24]
N64 Magazine76%[25][26]N/AN/A
Nintendo Power7.8/10[27]N/AN/A
OPM (US)N/AN/AStarStar[28]
PC Gamer (US)N/A79%[29]N/A
Aggregate score
GameRankings68%[5]N/A61%[6]

The Nintendo and PlayStation versions received mixed or average reviews according to the review aggregation website GameRankings.[5][6]

Notes

  1. ↑ Nintendo 64 version developed by Saffire.[1]
  2. ↑ Four critics of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the PlayStation version each a score of 5.5/10, 3/10, 5/10, and 4/10.
  3. ↑ Three critics of GameFan gave the Nintendo 64 version each a score of 70, 78, and 69.
  4. ↑ Three critics of GameFan gave the PlayStation version each a score of 56, 54, and 49.
  5. ↑ GamePro gave the Nintendo 64 version two 4/5 scores for graphics and overall fun factor, 4.5/5 for sound, and 3.5/5 for control.
  6. ↑ GamePro gave the PlayStation version all four 3.5/5 scores for graphics, sound, control, and overall fun factor.

References

  1. ↑ I. G. N. Staff (1998-04-30). "Bio F.R.E.A.K.S." (in en). https://www.ign.com/articles/1998/04/30/bio-freaks-4. 
  2. ↑ "The Carnage Comes Home Early Bio F.R.E.A.K.S. to Ship Ahead of Schedule". May 6, 1998. Archived from the original on February 3, 1999. https://web.archive.org/web/19990203132750/http://www.midway.com/company/pr/midway050698.html. Retrieved November 2, 2022. 
  3. ↑ GameSpot staff (May 12, 1998). "Freaks for Rent [date mislabeled as "April 28, 2000""]. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on February 2, 1999. https://web.archive.org/web/19990202052825/http://headline.gamespot.com/news/98_05/12_freaks/index.html. Retrieved January 23, 2021. 
  4. ↑ "Last-Minute Update". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (95): 94. June 1997. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Bio FREAKS for Nintendo 64". CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 12, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190512160806/https://www.gamerankings.com/n64/196759-bio-freaks/index.html. Retrieved January 23, 2021. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Bio FREAKS for PlayStation". CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 27, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190527011646/https://www.gamerankings.com/ps/196760-bio-freaks/index.html. Retrieved January 23, 2021. 
  7. ↑ Smith, Nick. "Bio F.R.E.A.K.S. (PC) - Review". All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 15, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141115114723/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=14110&tab=review. Retrieved January 23, 2021. 
  8. ↑ Jones Jr., Fredrick Lewis. "Bio F.R.E.A.K.S. (PS) - Review". All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 15, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141115114720/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=11872&tab=review. Retrieved October 7, 2020. 
  9. ↑ Smith, Shawn; Davison, John; Hsu, Dan; Williams, Ken "Sushi-X" (August 1998). "Bio F.R.E.A.K.S. (PS)". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (109): 135. 
  10. ↑ McNamara, Andy; Anderson, Paul; Reiner, Andrew (July 1998). "Bio FREAKS - Nintendo 64". Game Informer (FuncoLand) (63). http://www.gameinformer.com/cgi-bin/review.cgi?sys=n64&path=jul98&doc=bio. Retrieved January 23, 2021. 
  11. ↑ "Bio FREAKS - PlayStation". Game Informer (FuncoLand) (63). July 1998. http://www.gameinformer.com/cgi-bin/review.cgi?sys=psx&path=jul98&doc=biop. Retrieved January 23, 2021. 
  12. ↑ Chau, Anthony "Dangohead"; Justice, Brandon "Big Bubba"; Higgins, Geoff "El Nino" (August 1998). "BioFreaks [sic (N64)"]. GameFan (Metropolis Media) 6 (8): 17. https://archive.org/details/Gamefan_Vol_6_Issue_08/page/n17/mode/2up. Retrieved January 23, 2021. 
  13. ↑ Mylonas, Eric "ECM"; Chau, Anthony "Dangohead"; Ngo, George "Eggo" (June 1998). "Bio-Freaks [sic (PS)"]. GameFan (Metropolis Media) 6 (6): 20. https://archive.org/details/Gamefan_Vol_6_Issue_06/page/n21/mode/2up. Retrieved January 23, 2021. 
  14. ↑ Major Mike (July 1998). "Bio F.R.E.A.K.S. (N64)". GamePro (IDG Entertainment) (118): 60. https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_108_July_1998/page/n59/mode/2up. Retrieved January 23, 2021. 
  15. ↑ The Rookie (July 1998). "Bio F.R.E.A.K.S. (PS)". GamePro (IDG Entertainment) (118): 68. https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_108_July_1998/page/n67/mode/2up. Retrieved January 23, 2021. 
  16. ↑ Cooke, Mark (June 1998). "Bio FREAKS - Nintendo 64 Review". CraveOnline. Archived from the original on January 28, 1999. https://web.archive.org/web/19990128232842/http://www.game-revolution.com/games/n64/action/bio_freaks.htm. Retrieved January 23, 2021. 
  17. ↑ Cooke, Mark (June 4, 1998). "Bio Freaks [sic Review (PS)"]. CraveOnline. Archived from the original on May 8, 1999. https://web.archive.org/web/19990508065642/http://www.game-revolution.com/games/sony/action/bio_freaks.htm. Retrieved January 23, 2021. 
  18. ↑ MacDonald, Ryan (June 4, 1998). "Bio F.R.E.A.K.S. Review (N64)". CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on January 27, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050127162832/http://www.gamespot.com/n64/action/biofreaks/review.html. Retrieved January 23, 2021. 
  19. ↑ MacDonald, Ryan (May 14, 1998). "Bio F.R.E.A.K.S. Review (PS) [date mislabeled as "April 28, 2000""]. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on January 29, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050129013756/http://www.gamespot.com/ps/action/biofreaks/review.html. Retrieved January 23, 2021. 
  20. ↑ Fish, Eliot (August 1998). "BioFREAKS [sic (N64)"]. Hyper (Next Media Pty Ltd) (58): 79. https://archive.org/details/hyper-058/page/78/mode/2up. Retrieved January 23, 2021. 
  21. ↑ Cheung, Kevin (July 1998). "BioFREAKS [sic (PS)"]. Hyper (Next Media Pty Ltd) (57): 72. https://archive.org/details/hyper-057/page/72/mode/2up. Retrieved January 23, 2021. 
  22. ↑ Casamassina, Matt (May 20, 1998). "Bio F.R.E.A.K.S. (N64)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/1998/05/21/bio-freaks-3. Retrieved October 7, 2020. 
  23. ↑ Harris, Craig (August 13, 1998). "Bio F.R.E.A.K.S. (PC)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/1998/08/14/bio-freaks. Retrieved October 7, 2020. 
  24. ↑ Perry, Douglass C. (May 21, 1998). "Bio Freaks [sic (PS)"]. Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/1998/05/22/bio-freaks-2. Retrieved October 7, 2020. 
  25. ↑ Price, James (August 1998). "Bio Freaks [sic] (Import)". N64 Magazine (Future Publishing) (18): 84–87. 
  26. ↑ Ashton, James (October 1998). "Bio Freaks [sic"]. N64 Magazine (Future Publishing) (20): 60. http://www.nintendo64ever.com/scans/mags/Scan-Magazine-501-60.jpg. Retrieved January 23, 2021. 
  27. ↑ "Bio Freaks [sic"]. Nintendo Power (Nintendo of America) 109: 95. June 1998. http://www.nintendo64ever.com/scans/mags/Scan-Magazine-351-97.jpg. Retrieved January 23, 2021. 
  28. ↑ "Bio F.R.E.A.K.S.". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine (Ziff Davis) 1 (10). July 1998. 
  29. ↑ Williamson, Colin (October 1998). "Bio Freaks [sic"]. PC Gamer (Imagine Media) 5 (10): 209a. Archived from the original on March 7, 2000. https://web.archive.org/web/20000307213257/http://www.pcgamer.com/reviews/79.html. Retrieved January 23, 2021. 

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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