Software:Bodycount (video game)

From HandWiki
Short description: 2011 first-person shooter video game by Codemasters
Bodycount
Developer(s)Codemasters Guildford[1]
Publisher(s)Codemasters
Designer(s)
  • Steve Watt
  • Stuart Black
EngineEGO Engine
Platform(s)
Release
  • NA: 30 August 2011
  • AU: 1 September 2011
  • EU: 2 September 2011
Genre(s)First-person shooter
Mode(s)

Bodycount is a 2011 first-person shooter video game for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. It was developed and published by Codemasters. It is considered a spiritual successor to the 2006 video game Black. The player assumes control of Jackson, a former mercenary resolving wars between countries under an organization called the "Network". Like its predecessor, the game utilizes environmental destruction during gameplay. The game also features both cooperative and competitive multiplayer modes. Bodycount garnered mixed reviews upon release. Critics found enjoyable moments in the gameplay and campaign but felt it didn't distinguish itself from other first-person shooters. Because of the game's reception, Codemasters closed their Guildford studio, and cut their studio base by a third.

Plot

Bodycount revolves around Jackson, a former American soldier recruited by the enigmatic "Network", seemingly a private military contractor who resolves international conflicts. On behalf of the Network, Jackson must fight different groups of enemies across the globe including terrorists and enemy mercenaries of the hostile "Target" network. The Target network utilises some advanced science-fiction weaponry and is revealed to be influencing global conflicts. As the plot progresses, Jackson infiltrates and destroys bases of the Target network. The primary antagonist is a female Target mercenary who serves as the final boss. The game has an ambiguous conclusion which seems to imply that the Network has established a dominant influence in global affairs with the destruction of the Target.

Gameplay

The game is set in first-person. One of the main features is environment destructibility; nearly everything in the game is expected to be destructible. Environments and most of everything in them is destroyed realistically, creating a dynamically-changing playing environment. By scoring kills, the player can unlock deadly power-ups such as air strikes that further decimate the environment. There is a unique cover system where the player has near complete freedom to aim while in cover.

Multiplayer is available in competitive and cooperative modes. The former offers traditional deathmatch style sessions (individual or team-based) and the latter challenges two players to survive increasingly difficult waves of enemies.[2]

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
PS3Xbox 360
EdgeN/A4/10[3]
EurogamerN/A4/10[4]
Game Informer5/10[5]5/10[5]
GameProStarStar[6]StarStar[6]
GameSpot5.5/10[2]5.5/10[2]
GameTrailersN/A5/10[7]
Giant BombN/AStarStar[8]
IGN6/10[9]6/10[9]
JoystiqN/AStarStar[10]
OXM (US)N/A6.5/10[11]
PSM7/10[12]N/A
The Daily TelegraphN/AStarStarHalf star[13]
The Guardian N/AStarStarStar[14]
Aggregate score
Metacritic50/100[15]53/100[11]

Bodycount received "mixed" reviews on both platforms according to video game review aggregator Metacritic.[11][15] As a result of very mixed reception Codemasters closed down their Guildford studio, laying off 70 employees and cutting down Codemasters' studio base by a third.[16]

The Guardian gave the Xbox 360 version a score of three stars out of five, saying that the game "isn't the future of first-person shooters. But it is great fun".[14] The Daily Telegraph gave the same version two-and-a-half stars out of five, saying that it "professes to be a reaction to overblown, scripted rollercoaster FPSes, but never manages to bring a whole lot to the table for itself. Bodycount even makes a fuss over destructible cover, which was done better by Battlefield. Bodycount is not a poor game, just a confused and unremarkable one, even if those instant restarts really are wonderful".[13] However, The Digital Fix gave the same version four out of ten, calling it "an ill conceived, poorly constructed, seemingly rushed mess which isn't fun and in no way warrants its full price tag. It's all been done before and a hell of a lot better, many times - keep your cash in your wallet (or purse)".[17] 411Mania gave the PlayStation 3 version a score of three out of ten, saying that it "had a ton of potential. There are a few moments in the campaign that are quite fun and enjoyable but that isn't enough to make this a great game by any means. Overall, it lacks in almost every area. It should have taken a note from "Bulletstorm" and focused on fun, over-the-top kills and detailed maps instead of trying to do everything perfect. The game lacked in almost all areas and I cannot say this was an overall enjoyable experience".[18]

References

  1. ↑ Robinson, Martin (15 March 2010). "Bodycount Hands-on". http://www.ign.com/articles/2010/03/15/bodycount-hands-on. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Watters, Chris (30 August 2011). "Bodycount Review". http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/bodycount-review/1900-6331900/. 
  3. ↑ Edge staff (5 September 2011). "Bodycount review (X360)". Edge. http://www.edge-online.com/review/bodycount-review/. Retrieved 18 January 2016. 
  4. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2 September 2011). "Bodycount (Xbox 360)". http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-09-02-bodycount-review. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Vore, Bryan (30 August 2011). "Bodycount: An Unfinished Firefight". Game Informer. http://www.gameinformer.com/games/bodycount/b/ps3/archive/2011/08/30/an-unfinished-firefight.aspx. Retrieved 18 January 2016. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Shaw, Patrick (30 August 2011). "Review: Bodycount". GamePro. http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/222453/review-bodycount-360-ps3/. Retrieved 19 January 2016. 
  7. ↑ "Bodycount Review (X360)". GameTrailers. 8 September 2011. http://www.gametrailers.com/game/bodycount/13349. 
  8. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named gb
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Clements, Ryan (30 August 2011). "Bodycount Review". http://www.ign.com/articles/2011/08/31/bodycount-review. 
  10. ↑ Hinkle, David (2 September 2011). "Bodycount review: Mindless manslaughter (X360)". Engadget (Joystiq). https://www.engadget.com/2011/09/02/bodycount-review/. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 "Bodycount for Xbox 360 Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/bodycount-2011/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360. 
  12. ↑ "Review: Bodycount". PlayStation: The Official Magazine: 81. November 2011. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Hoggins, Tom (2 September 2011). "Bodycount review (X360)". The Daily Telegraph. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/video-games/8737146/Bodycount-review.html. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Boxer, Steve (6 September 2011). "Bodycount - review (X360)". The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/technology/gamesblog/2011/sep/06/bodycount-game-review-xbox-ps3. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 "Bodycount for PlayStation 3 Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/bodycount-2011/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-3. 
  16. ↑ Mauney, Andrew (14 September 2011). "Codemasters to Close Studio Behind Bodycount". Pikimal. http://geek.pikimal.com/2011/09/14/codemasters-to-close-studio-behind-bodycount/. 
  17. ↑ Phillips, Andrew (16 September 2011). "Bodycount (X360)". The Digital Fix. http://gaming.thedigitalfix.com/content/id/322/bodycount.html. 
  18. ↑ Watson, Dan (23 September 2011). "Bodycount Review (PS3)". http://411mania.com/games/bodycount-review-ps3/. 
  • 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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