Software:Blade Kitten

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Blade Kitten
Developer(s)Krome Studios
Publisher(s)Atari (formerly), Krome Studios
EngineMerkury Engine
Platform(s)Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Release
  • NA: September 21, 2010 (PS3)
  • WW: September 22, 2010
  • WW: Episode 2: March 16, 2015 (Steam)
Genre(s)Action-platform
Mode(s)Single-player

Blade Kitten is an episodic 2.5D action-platform video game series developed by Krome Studios. It is based on the webcomic of the same name about a female half human, half cat bounty hunter named Kit Ballard. The game was released on Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in September 2010, with Episode 2 released as DLC in March 2015 on Steam. It features a type of anime-style, cell shaded graphics.

Plot and gameplay

Blade Kitten is a video game adaptation of the anime-styled webcomic series by Steve Stamatiadis, the game's director.

Blade Kitten is a 2.5D platforming action adventure game set three years before the comic book series[1] on an artificial alien planetoid known as Hollow Wish. The game begins with Kit tracking down a local troublemaker called Terra-Li but on her way to doing so, Kit uncovers a dark and evil secret about Hollow Wish and its inhabitants. Soon after arriving at the planetoid, Kit runs into fellow bounty hunter Justice Kreel who destroys her ship and steals her breaker key which contains all the information she needs to track down and capture Terra-Li. While the only playable character is Kit, the game does boast a large array of alternate costumes that change either Kits clothing or to a completely different person.

The game also includes Kit's alien sidekick Skiffy and her floating sword called a Darque Blade. She is able to swing her sword at close range or send it flying over a larger distance to attack enemies and hit inaccessible switches. While progressing through the game, the sword can be upgraded and changed to four different types of blade that can deal either higher amounts of damage, faster attack speed or auto lock-on. She can also ride dinosaur style animals called Noots over the plains of Hollow Wish.

The game features different types of collectible items that are picked up while progressing through the game or a hidden inside treasure chests which themselves are hidden somewhere in each level. These items act as both a score booster and the games currency, which can be used to buy upgrades like more health and stamina for Kit Ballard, costume changes and blade upgrades. The Krome Studios mascot, Ty the Tasmanian Tiger also makes an appearance as one of the unlockable costumes. The game consists of nineteen levels and three boss battles.

Characters

  • Kit Ballard is a universally famous bounty hunter and the game's main protagonist. She has arrived on Hollow Wish to claim the bounty reward for taking down the gang cult leader, Terra-Li.
  • Justice Kreel is a fellow bounty hunter and rival to Kit. She destroys Kit's ship and steals her key at the beginning of the game. She hopes to stop the gang leader Terra-Li first so that she can claim the bounty reward for herself.
  • Terra-Li is the game's main villain and leader of the Norteun Wolves gang that is stationed on Hollow Wish. She has a bounty of one million Hex, dead or alive (preferably alive) on her head.
  • Skiffy is Kit Ballard's pet Skiff and faithful companion. He changes colour to red when the attack bar is full, alerting the player that they can use Kit's special attacks.
  • Walrut Hed is sheriff of Hollow Wish. He sometimes helps Kit on what to do next.
  • Terra-Gin is the son of Terra-Li. In the final level of episode one, he went to save his mother from her damaged Dreadnought after she was knocked out by Kit.
  • The Sol-Triumvirate are the enforcers of Hollow Wish. They are an obstacle to Kit's objectives and will do anything to stop her.
  • The Norteun Wolves are the outlaws of Hollow Wish. Led by Terra-Li, they also plan to stop Kit from reaching her goals.
  • The Magasse Sisterhood are an unknown organization.

Development

The game was first announced to the public via the Blade Kitten official websites blog in April 2009 and was created by Krome Studios Creative Director, Steve Stamatiadis[2] who is also the creator and writer of the Blade Kitten comics series. Once he had finished working on Star Wars, he returned to working on Blade Kitten,[3] which had been a project he had wanted to do for some time. "Blade Kitten is a brain child of mine that originated as a comic series," said Stamatiadis. "Bringing Kit's anime-inspired universe to life is a milestone for us, and we're excited to open her world up to gamers."[4]

Around four hundred eighty people auditioned for the voice roles of the game's seven of the main characters.[5] The voice actress Kelly Fuller was chosen to be the voice of Kit Ballard. The game was showcased at many events, to help promote it during the run up to its release, such as the PAX Seattle and the Supanova Pop Culture Expo.

On June 2, 2010, Atari announced that they had acquired the rights to publish the game.[6] At the same time it was announced that the PlayStation Network game would also be coming to Xbox Live Arcade.[6]

On May 22, 2014 Krome Studios announced they had obtained the rights for Blade Kitten back from Atari and were re-publishing the game.[7]

On March 16, 2015, Episode 2 was released on Steam.[8]

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
PCPS3Xbox 360
DestructoidN/A5.5/10[13]N/A
Eurogamer8/10[14]8/10[14]8/10[14]
Game InformerN/A6.5/10[15]6.5/10[15]
GameRevolutionD[16]D[16]D[16]
GameSpot4.5/10[17]5/10[18]5/10[18]
GameZoneN/A5/10[19]5/10[19]
IGN5/10[20]5/10[20]5/10[20]
JoystiqN/AStarStarStarHalf star[21]N/A
OXM (US)N/AN/A7/10[22]
PSMN/A6/10[23]N/A
Aggregate score
Metacritic52/100[9]59/100[10]58/100[11]

Blade Kitten received "mixed" reviews on all platforms according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[9][10][11]

Most reviewers criticize the game's level design, lack of difficulty and high price but praising the game's graphical style and in game cutscenes. IGN said that the game "relies too heavily on its anime-style charm, which doesn't translate to other areas of the title."[20] 1Up.com gave the Xbox 360 version a more favorable review and said that "Kit Ballard's first outing may be flawed, but it's never really terrible either."[24] GameSpot claimed that the "clumsy action platformer is often far too easy, and the action doesn't generate much excitement."[17][18] Cheat Code Central stated that "what I got was a game with bad mechanics, repetitive level design, and little incentive to keep playing past the first few levels."[25]

Eurogamer gave the game a much more favourable review, claiming that "If Blade Kitten is a signal of intent for Atari's on going digital reinvention, then the future looks bright for all concerned."[14] The gaming site NowGamer said that Blade Kitten "somehow manages to hold onto just enough quality and semi-inspired design to offer it a certain amount of credibility", despite the game's shortcomings causing "minor motion sickness".[26]

References

  1. ↑ Stamatiadis, Steve (June 3, 2010). "ATARI TO PUBLISH BLADE KITTEN FOR XBOX LIVE ARCADE, PLAYSTATION NETWORK AND WINDOWS PC DOWNLOAD". http://bladekitten.blogspot.com/2010_06_01_archive.html. Retrieved October 1, 2010. 
  2. ↑ Stamatiadis, Steve (April 21, 2009). "Special Preview". http://bladekitten.blogspot.com/2009_04_01_archive.html. Retrieved September 28, 2010. 
  3. ↑ JazzKing2001 (August 19, 2010). "Blade Kitten Interview". https://www.neocrisis.com/articles/198-interviews/4882-blade-kitten-interview. Retrieved September 27, 2010. 
  4. ↑ Fahey, Mike (February 18, 2010). "Blade Kitten Takes A Stab At PSN This Spring". Gawker Media. https://kotaku.com/5474723/blade-kitten-takes-a-stab-at-psn-this-spring. Retrieved October 6, 2010. 
  5. ↑ Stamatiadis, Steve (August 29, 2009). "Steve posts!". http://bladekitten.blogspot.com/2009_08_29_archive.html. Retrieved October 3, 2010. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Fahey, Mike (June 2, 2010). "Blade Kitten Trades Delay For Multiplatform Release". Gawker Media. https://kotaku.com/5553573/blade-kitten-trades-delay-for-multiplatform-release. Retrieved October 6, 2010. 
  7. ↑ "Blade Kitten is back!". Valve. May 22, 2014. https://steamcommunity.com/games/BladeKitten/announcements/detail/1855793488205468396. Retrieved May 22, 2014. 
  8. ↑ "Blade Kitten: Episode 2 on Steam" (in en). https://store.steampowered.com/app/300120/Blade_Kitten_Episode_2/. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Blade Kitten for PC Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/blade-kitten/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. Retrieved October 6, 2010. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Blade Kitten for PlayStation 3 Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/blade-kitten/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-3. Retrieved October 6, 2010. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Blade Kitten for Xbox 360 Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/blade-kitten/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360. Retrieved October 6, 2010. 
  12. ↑ Williams, Christian (October 4, 2010). "Blade Kitten (X360)". The Onion. Archived from the original on October 7, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20101007110208/http://www.avclub.com/articles/blade-kitten,45882/. Retrieved May 9, 2018. 
  13. ↑ Sterling, Jim (October 4, 2010). "Review: Blade Kitten (PS3)". Enthusiast Gaming. https://www.destructoid.com/review-blade-kitten-185519.phtml. Retrieved May 10, 2018. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 Reed, Kristan (September 24, 2010). "Download Games Roundup (Page 3)". Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2010-09-24-download-games-roundup-article?page=3. Retrieved October 2, 2010. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Marchiafava, Jeff (September 22, 2010). "Blade Kitten (PS3, X360): Floaty Physics Mar A Stylish Adventure". Game Informer (GameStop). http://www.gameinformer.com/games/blade_kitten/b/ps3/archive/2010/09/22/floaty-physics-mar-a-stylish-adventure.aspx. Retrieved May 9, 2018. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Morse, Blake (October 1, 2010). "Blade Kitten Review". CraveOnline. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150924174912/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/blade-kitten. Retrieved May 10, 2018. 
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Ramsay, Randolph (October 1, 2010). "Blade Kitten Review (PC)". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/blade-kitten-review/1900-6280361/. Retrieved May 9, 2018. 
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 Ramsay, Randolph (September 27, 2010). "Blade Kitten Review (PS3, X360)". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/blade-kitten-review/1900-6279729/. Retrieved May 9, 2018. 
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Raychul (October 6, 2010). "Blade Kitten review (PS3, X360)". Archived from the original on April 24, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110424023258/http://ps3.gamezone.com/reviews/item/blade_kitten_review/. Retrieved May 10, 2018. 
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 Steimer, Kristine (September 24, 2010). "Blade Kitten Review". Ziff Davis. http://www.ign.com/articles/2010/09/25/blade-kitten-review. Retrieved May 9, 2018. 
  21. ↑ Matulef, Jeffrey (September 27, 2010). "Blade Kitten review: Not just for furries anymore (PS3)". Oath Inc.. https://www.engadget.com/2010/09/27/blade-kitten-review/. Retrieved May 10, 2018. 
  22. ↑ "Blade Kitten". Official Xbox Magazine (Future US): 83. November 2010. 
  23. ↑ "Review: Blade Kitten". PlayStation: The Official Magazine (Future plc) (39). December 2010. 
  24. ↑ Leonard, Joe (September 24, 2010). "Blade Kitten Review (XBOX 360)". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on March 9, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160309000041/http://www.1up.com/reviews/blade-kitten-review. Retrieved May 9, 2018. 
  25. ↑ Kondolojy, Amanda L. (September 2010). "Blade Kitten Review (X360)". http://www.cheatcc.com/xbox360/rev/bladekittenreview.html. Retrieved May 9, 2018. 
  26. ↑ Gothard, Peter (September 21, 2010). "Blade Kitten (X360)". Imagine Publishing. https://www.nowgamer.com/blade-kitten/. Retrieved May 9, 2018. 
  • 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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