Software:Bomberman: Act Zero

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Short description: 2006 video game
For the Bomberman game released on PSP the same year, see Bomberman (2006 video game).

Bomberman: Act Zero
Developer(s)Hudson Soft
Publisher(s)
SeriesBomberman
Platform(s)Xbox 360
Release
  • JP: August 3, 2006
  • NA: August 29, 2006
  • EU: November 3, 2006
  • AU: November 10, 2006[1]
Genre(s)Maze
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer[2]

Lua error in Module:Lang/utilities at line 332: attempt to call field '_transl' (a nil value). is a maze video game developed by Hudson Soft for the Xbox 360 in 2006 and published by Hudson Soft in Japan and Konami worldwide. It is noteworthy for its departure from standard titles in the Bomberman series; it features more realistic graphics and a dark, dystopian future setting. The game was panned by critics and fans, and is considered one of the worst video games ever made due to its unwelcome shift into a darker tone and more realistic art style, poor collision detection, tedious and repetitive gameplay, repetitive and unoriginal level design and graphics, forgettable soundtrack, long loading times, unbalanced enemy A.I. and excessively high difficulty due to the game only giving the player a single life to complete it with no checkpoints or save facility.

Gameplay

Development

The game was first announced by Hudson Soft at the Tokyo Game Show 2005 with a brief teaser trailer showing off the redesigned Bomberman.[3] At E3 2006, Konami announced they would be publishing the game at their press conference.[4] In November 2006, a mobile phone version, titled Bomberman: Act Zero Mobile Type, was released for i-Mobile phones exclusively in Japan.[5]

Reception

Pre-release

GameSpot's Justin Calvert played a single-player demo of the game at E3 2006. He noted that the gameplay was "largely unchanged" from classic Bomberman titles.[6]

Post-release

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic34/100[7]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Edge3/10[8]
EGM2.67/10[9][lower-alpha 1]
Famitsu(X360) 30/40[10]
23/40[10]
Game Informer3/10[11]
GameSpot2.9/10[12]
GameSpyStarHalf star[13]
GameTrailers3.5/10[14]
GameZone3/10[15]
IGN3/10[16]
OXM (US)4/10[17]
TeamXbox4.4/10[18]
X-PlayStar[19]
Detroit Free PressStar[20]

Bomberman: Act Zero received "unfavorable" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[7] In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of 23 out of 40, while Famitsu Xbox 360 gave it a score of two eights and two sevens for a total of 30 out of 40.[10]

The game was criticized for its long loading times, bad collision detection, forgettable soundtrack, use of the same textures and graphics for every stage, tedious and repetitive gameplay, lack of a save feature, unbalanced A.I. and the series' unwelcome shift to a darker and more futuristic setting. The First-Person Bomberman mode was also criticized for its bad camera angles and the fact that it is played in a third-person perspective rather than a first-person perspective. GamePro's Patrick Shaw felt that it shouldn't be used to introduce players to the series and that fans of the games should skip it.[21][lower-alpha 2] In the March 2007 issue of Electronic Gaming Monthly, Seanbaby listed the game as one of the Official Worst-Selling Games of 2006, describing it as "The Bomberman that sucks."[22]

The game has been named one of the worst video games of all time by GamesRadar+ and The Guardian.[23][24] In 2010, GameTrailers ranked the game at number one on their list of the "Top 10 Worst Sequels".[25] Hudson Soft themselves expressed negative opinions on the game during a video for Bomberman Live.[26]

Notes

  1. ↑ Two critics of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the game each a score of 3/10, and the other gave it 2/10.
  2. ↑ GamePro gave the game three 3/5 scores for graphics, sound, and control, and 2/5 for fun factor.

References

  1. ↑ Jastrzab, Jeremy (October 23, 2006). "Updated Australian release list, 23/10/06". PAL Gaming Network. http://palgn.com.au/article.php?title=Updated+Australian+release+list%2C+23%2F10%2F06&id=5612&sid=2f9e78a61e79b5329b1ab42c91daf032. 
  2. ↑ Online only.
  3. ↑ Belvins, Tal (September 16, 2005). "TGS 2005: Bomberman - Act: Zero". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/09/16/tgs-2005-bomberman-act-zero. 
  4. ↑ Mccutcheon, David (May 9, 2006). "E3 2006: Bomberman Act: Zero Announced". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/05/10/e3-2006-bomberman-act-zero-announced. 
  5. ↑ "BOMBERMAN ACT:ZERO MOBILE TYPE". https://randomhoohaas.flyingomelette.com/bomb/mob/actzero/. 
  6. ↑ Calvert, Justin (May 10, 2006). "E3 06: Bomberman Act: Zero Hands-On". Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-06-bomberman-act-zero-hands-on/1100-6150324/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Bomberman: Act Zero". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/bomberman-act-zero/. 
  8. ↑ "Bomberman: Act Zero". Edge (Future plc) (168): 91. November 2006. 
  9. ↑ Donahoe, Michael; Boyer, Crispin; Barnholt, Ray (September 2006). "Bomberman: Act Zero". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (207): 97. https://retrocdn.net/images/3/38/EGM_US_207.pdf. Retrieved November 22, 2024. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 "ボンバーマン Act：Zero" (in ja). Famitsu (Enterbrain). https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=775&redirect=no. Retrieved November 22, 2024. 
  11. ↑ Zoss, Jeremy (September 2006). "Bomberman: Act Zero". Game Informer (GameStop) (161): 97. https://archive.org/details/game-informer-issue-161-september-2006/page/96/mode/2up. Retrieved November 22, 2024. 
  12. ↑ Mueller, Greg (September 1, 2006). "Bomberman: Act Zero Review". Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/bomberman-act-zero-review/1900-6157029/. 
  13. ↑ Hodgson, David S.J. (August 31, 2006). "GameSpy: Bomberman: Act Zero". IGN Entertainment. http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/bomberman-360/729737p1.html. 
  14. ↑ "Bomberman: Act Zero". Viacom. September 19, 2006. http://www.gametrailers.com/reviews/rtsfvo/bomberman--act-zero-review. 
  15. ↑ Knutson, Michael (September 5, 2006). "Bomberman: Act Zero - 360 - Review". https://gamezone.com/reviews/bomberman_act_zero_360_review/. 
  16. ↑ Perry, Douglass C. (August 31, 2006). "Bomberman: Act Zero Review". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/08/31/bomberman-act-zero-review. 
  17. ↑ "Bomberman: Act Zero". Official Xbox Magazine (Future US): 78. September 2006. 
  18. ↑ Nardozzi, Dale (August 30, 2006). "Bomberman Act:Zero [sic Review (Xbox 360)"]. IGN Entertainment. http://reviews.teamxbox.com/xbox-360/1209/Bomberman-ActZero/p1/. 
  19. ↑ Leeper, Justin (October 11, 2006). "Bomberman: Act Zero". G4 Media. http://www.g4tv.com/xplay/reviews/1271/Bomberman_Act_Zero.html. 
  20. ↑ Huschka, Ryan (September 24, 2006). "Recent releases". Detroit Free Press (Gannett Company). http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060924/ENT06/609240517/1044. 
  21. ↑ Shaw, Patrick "Long Haired Offender" (December 2006). "Review: Bomberman Act: Zero [sic"]. GamePro (IDG Entertainment) (219). http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox360/games/reviews/81230.shtml. Retrieved September 4, 2022. 
  22. ↑ Seanbaby (March 2007). "Official Worst-Selling Games of 2006". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (213): 98-99. https://retrocdn.net/images/8/8a/EGM_US_213.pdf. Retrieved November 22, 2024. 
  23. ↑ GamesRadar staff (August 9, 2017). "The 50 worst games of all time (Page 3)". Future plc. https://www.gamesradar.com/worst-games-all-time/3/. 
  24. ↑ Stuart, Keith; Kelly, Andy; Parkin, Simon; Cobbet, Richard (October 15, 2015). "The 30 worst video games of all time – part one". The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/oct/15/30-worst-video-games-of-all-time-part-one. 
  25. ↑ GameTrailers (May 19, 2016). "Top 10 Worst Sequels [December 13, 2010"]. Google. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgAJ2MwBpYw. 
  26. ↑ Silwinski, Alexander (July 5, 2007). "Hudson admits Bomberman: Act Zero was bad". Yahoo! Inc.. https://www.engadget.com/2007-07-05-hudson-admits-bomberman-act-zero-was-bad.html. 
  • 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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