Software:Blast Factor

From HandWiki
Short description: 2006 video game
Blast Factor
Developer(s)Bluepoint Games[lower-alpha 1]
Publisher(s)Sony Computer Entertainment
Platform(s)PlayStation 3
Release
  • JP: November 11, 2006[1]
  • NA: November 17, 2006
  • PAL: March 23, 2007
Genre(s)Shooter
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Blast Factor is a shooter video game developed by Bluepoint Games and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 3. One of the first games to be released only on the PlayStation Network, it is the first game developed by Bluepoint Games and the only game that is not a remaster, remake or port of a previously developed game. Sony, whose Santa Monica Studio assisted on development, began a close relationship with Bluepoint Games, which culminated in Bluepoint being purchased by Sony and integrated as part of PlayStation Studios.[2]

Gameplay

In Blast Factor the player pilots a microscopic craft through a series of infected cells and use the craft's weaponry to rid the cell of various infections.

The left analog stick moves the craft and the right fires the weapon. Additionally, the player can violently tilt the Sixaxis controller to the left or right to slosh the playing field to one side or the other, resulting in the infections being forced to one side, often grouping them for easier elimination. The player also has use of a Bio Magnetic Repulsor (B.M.R.) that triggers a time dilation effect and a force field that can be used to push away enemies. The B.M.R. recharges every 2 seconds in single player mode.

Each cell the player enters will have several infections appear. The objective to destroy all of the infections. The types and behaviors of the infections vary as the game progresses.

The player must cleanse 8 cells (or waves) in a specimen (or game level) to move on to the next specimen. There are various powerups to be gained, such as a Multi-Shot, Homing Super, and Super B.M.R.. The latter power up triggers a disruptive blast that destroys all enemies within range.

The player can increase their score by using the 'Blast Factor' of enemy explosions. Enemies caught in the destructive radius of an explosion will themselves be destroyed, giving an additional score bonus to the player. The score multiplier increases with each enemy destroyed in a chain of explosions.

The game has a self-modifying difficulty level based on the skill of the player. The difficulty is determined by changing the path of cells through each specimen. If the player does not die and completes the current cell within the specified time limit, the player is moved to the harder cell on completion. If the player dies, or does not finish the cell within the specified time limit, the player is moved to the easier cell. More points are awarded for completion of hard cells.

Trophies were made available via patch v2.01 on December 4, 2008 in North America and June 29, 2009 in Europe.

Downloadable content

Blast Factor Multiplayer Pack was released on February 1, 2007. The multiplayer is restricted to the local console only, one to four players. The multiplayer pack includes 2 new game modes, Co-op where 2-4 players each control a ship and work together to complete specimens, and a Grudge Match mode where 2-4 players compete to eliminate each other with the last player remaining winning the round.[3]

The expansion also allows the single player and multiplayer games to be played with two new speed modes: AT (Accelerated Time, 15% game play speed increase), and 2xAT (30% gameplay speed). The AT modes also give an additional score bonus at the end of each specimen, with AT awarding a 25% score bonus, and 2xAT awarding a 50% score bonus.

The multiplayer pack is only available on the American PlayStation Store. For those purchasing the game on the European store, the above features are included as standard.

The Blast Factor Advanced Research add-on pack was released in the US on August 2, 2007. This expansion is an additional optional download for Blast Factor similar to the American multiplayer pack. It was released on the European store on May 6, 2008.

New features include seven new specimens with enhanced art, new enemy types and bosses, enhanced music and sound effects, and additional online high score tables.[4]

A practice mode which allows players to start at completed specimens, and a new hybrid mode which allows an extended playthrough of a selection of the old and new specimens are also part of the expansion pack.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic68/100[5]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Eurogamer6/10[6]
GameSpot6.6/10[7]
IGN(A.R.) 7.3/10[8]
(UK) 7/10[9]
(M.P.) 6.5/10[10]
(US) 5.9/10[11]
OPM (UK)7/10[12]
Play72%[13]
PSM385%[14]
VideoGamer.com7/10[15]

The game received "average" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[5]

Notes

  1. ↑ Additional work by Santa Monica Studio

References

  1. ↑ "PS3 November 2006 Schedule" (in Japanese). Famitsu (Enterbrain). https://www.famitsu.com/schedule/calendar/ps3/2006/11/-/. Retrieved April 11, 2019. 
  2. ↑ Hollister, Sean (2021-09-30). "Sony acquires Bluepoint Games, the studio behind its incredible remasters and remakes" (in en). https://www.theverge.com/2021/9/30/22665426/sony-buys-bluepoint-games-remake-remaster-demons-souls-shadow-ico-uncharted. 
  3. ↑ Bramwell, Tom (2007-02-01). "Blast Factor MP pack" (in en). https://www.eurogamer.net/blast-factor-mp-pack. 
  4. ↑ O'Neil, Andy (2007-07-31). "Blast Factor: Advanced Research Coming Soon!" (in en-US). Sony Interactive Entertainment. https://blog.playstation.com/2007/07/31/blast-factor-advanced-research-coming-soon/. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Blast Factor for PlayStation 3 Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/blast-factor/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-3. 
  6. ↑ Bramwell, Tom (February 6, 2007). "Blast Factor". Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/blast-factor-review. 
  7. ↑ Mueller, Greg (November 17, 2006). "Blast Factor Review". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/blast-factor-review/1900-6162017/. 
  8. ↑ Clements, Ryan (August 13, 2007). "Blast Factor: Advanced Research Review". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/08/13/blast-factor-advanced-research-review. 
  9. ↑ Burman, Rob (March 20, 2007). "Blast Factor UK Review". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/03/20/blast-factor-uk-review. 
  10. ↑ Clements, Ryan (August 7, 2007). "Blast Factor: Multiplayer Pack Review". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/08/07/blast-factor-multiplayer-pack-review. 
  11. ↑ Dunham, Jeremy (November 17, 2006). "Blast Factor Review". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/11/17/blast-factor-review. 
  12. ↑ "Blast Factor". PlayStation Official Magazine – UK (Future plc) (6): 93. May 2007. 
  13. ↑ "Review: Blast Factor". Play UK (Imagine Publishing) (152): 72. January 2007. 
  14. ↑ "Review: Blast Factor". PSM3 (Future plc): 77. May 2007. 
  15. ↑ Freeman, Will (March 20, 2007). "Blast Factor Review". Resero Network. https://www.videogamer.com/reviews/blast-factor-review. 
  • 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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