Software:CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (video game)
| CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | |
|---|---|
PC cover art | |
| Developer(s) | Radical Entertainment (Win, Xbox)[lower-alpha 1] EPCConnect (Mac) |
| Publisher(s) | Ubi Soft (Win, Xbox) Aspyr (Mac) |
| Designer(s) | Jason Bone |
| Programmer(s) | Wilkin Ng |
| Artist(s) | Darren Woo |
| Composer(s) | John M. Keane |
| Platform(s) | Windows, Mac OS X, Xbox |
| Release | Windows Macintosh
|
| Genre(s) | Adventure |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation is a video game based on the CSI: Crime Scene Investigation television series. The game was developed by Radical Entertainment (under the 369 Interactive label), published by Ubi Soft, and was released for the PC in 2003. It was also ported by EPCConnect,[4] and published by Aspyr on the Macintosh.[5]
This game, like CSI: Miami and CSI follows a distinct pattern of five cases, with the fifth case tying together the previous four. The Xbox version of the game however, also contains the cases from its successor: CSI.
CSI was a commercial success, with global sales above 500,000 units by early 2004. It received mixed reviews from critics.
Plot
The plot and gameplay of CSI is split into 5 distinct cases, each working alongside a member of the CSI team.
Case 1: "Inn and Out"
A showgirl is found tied, gagged, and strangled to death in a hotel room. Suspects in this case are the owners of a record of priors involving women, and a man who she not only had sex with, but passed along a STD. Players work with Gil Grissom.
Case 2: "Light my Fire"
Investigate an arson at the home of an aviation designer. Only suspects in this case are the man's rival, and a local drug dealer. Players work with Sara Sidle.
Case 3: "Garvey's Beat"
Players and Nick Stokes investigate the cop killing of an officer and the case is a match to an old cold case.
Case 4: "More Fun than a Barrel of Corpses"
A strange call to the lab leads to the discovery of a female body. The woman is the daughter of a casino owner. The only suspects were a doctor, who had an affair with the dead woman and a pharmacist, who is also a suspect, and the doctor's wife. Players work with Warrick Brown.
Case 5: "Leda's Swan Song"
Grissom disappears after having been called out to a previous crime scene – from the previous case. And the last murderer you arrested in the previous case is beginning to sing her victory. Players work with Catherine Willows for discovering the link between the suspect, Grissom and another victim's death.
Reception
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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The game was met with mixed reception. GameRankings and Metacritic gave it a score of 64.10% and 61 out of 100 for the PC version,[6][8] and 43.43% and 45 out of 100 for the Xbox version.[7][9]
Sales
In the United States, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation debuted at #3 on the NPD Group's computer game sales rankings for the week ending April 5, 2003.[16] The title remain in the weekly top 10 through April 26,[17][18][19] and became the country's seventh-best-selling computer game of April overall, with an average retail price of $30.[20] It exited NPD's charts after a seventh-place finish for the week ending May 10.[20][21] The computer version of CSI sold 172,000 copies worldwide by the end of June 2003,[22] and 128,742 retail units in North America alone by year's end.[23] Another 13,782 retail units sold in North America during the first two months of 2004.[24] By April of that year, global sales of the computer version had reached 500,000 units. According to The Globe and Mail, one half of these buyers were female.[25]
CSI's computer edition totaled 250,000 sales and $6.6 million revenues in the United States by August 2006. At the time, this led Edge to rank it as the country's 80th-best-selling computer game released since January 2000.[26] In the United Kingdom, the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA) gave the game's computer version a "Silver" award,[27] indicating sales of at least 100,000 copies in the region.[28] It also received a "Gold" award from the Asociación Española de Distribuidores y Editores de Software de Entretenimiento (aDeSe), for more than 40,000 sales in Spain during its first 12 months.[29] Combined domestic sales of all computer games in the CSI franchise, including CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, reached 520,000 copies by August 2006.[26] The game and its first two sequels—CSI and CSI: Miami—had surpassed 1.6 million units in global sales across all platforms by March 2006.[30] The franchise rose to roughly 2.4 million worldwide sales by that December.[31]
References
Notes
- ↑ Under the 369 Interactive label
Citations
- ↑ Sulic, Ivan (2003-03-25). "CSI Ships" (in en). https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/03/25/csi-ships.
- ↑ "Aspyr ships CSI game" (in en). https://www.macworld.com/article/173528/csi-3.html.
- ↑ Goldstein, Hilary (2004-12-06). "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Hands-On" (in en). https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/12/06/csi-crime-scene-investigation-hands-on.
- ↑ "Aspyr Announces CSI: Crime Scene Investigation". Inside Mac Games. May 10, 2004. http://www.insidemacgames.com/news/story.php?ArticleID=9563. Retrieved May 29, 2013.
- ↑ "Aspyr Media ships CSI: Crime Scene Investigation for Macintosh". Business Wire. December 6, 2004. http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20041206005058/en/Aspyr-Media-Ships-CSI-Crime-Scene-Investigation. Retrieved May 29, 2013.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation for PC". GameRankings. http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/563573-csi-crime-scene-investigation/index.html. Retrieved May 31, 2014.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation for Xbox". GameRankings. http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/924667-csi-crime-scene-investigation/index.html. Retrieved May 31, 2014.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation for PC Reviews". Metacritic. https://www.metacritic.com/game/csi-crime-scene-investigation/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. Retrieved May 31, 2014.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation for Xbox Reviews". Metacritic. https://www.metacritic.com/game/csi-crime-scene-investigation/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox. Retrieved May 31, 2014.
- ↑ Evan Dickens (April 16, 2003). "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation review". Adventure Gamers. https://adventuregamers.com/articles/view/17605. Retrieved September 27, 2017.
- ↑ Michael Lafferty (February 4, 2003). "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation - GameZone". GameZone. http://pc.gamezone.com:80/gzreviews/r21599.htm. Retrieved September 27, 2017.
- ↑ Ron Dulin (April 15, 2003). "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation - GameSpot". GameSpot. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/crime-stories-review/1900-6147683/. Retrieved September 27, 2017.
- ↑ Avi Fryman (April 30, 2003). "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation - GameSpy". GameSpy. http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/csi-crime-scene-investigation/5830p1.html. Retrieved September 27, 2017.
- ↑ David Krause (April 11, 2003). "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation - IGN". IGN. http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/04/11/csi-crime-scene-investigation-review. Retrieved September 27, 2017.
- ↑ James, Bonnie (April 3, 2003). "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation". The Electric Playground. Archived from the original on January 31, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20040131141534/http://elecplay.com/review.html?article=10920.
- ↑ Colayco, Bob (April 16, 2003). "Weekly PC game sales chart". GameSpot. Archived from the original on November 20, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20041120072747/http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/commandconquergenerals/news_6025228.html.
- ↑ Parker, Sam (April 24, 2003). "Weekly PC game sales chart". GameSpot. Archived from the original on November 28, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20041128125525/http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/commandconquergenerals/news_6025637.html.
- ↑ Colayco, Bob (May 1, 2003). "Weekly PC game sales chart". GameSpot. Archived from the original on August 3, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20040803193144/http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/deltaforceblackhawkdown/news_6026076.html.
- ↑ Colayco, Bob (May 7, 2003). "Weekly PC game sales chart". GameSpot. Archived from the original on November 26, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20041126085455/http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/commandconquergenerals/news_6026444.html.
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 Parker, Sam (May 23, 2003). "NPD PC sales chart". GameSpot. Archived from the original on August 24, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20040824011413/http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/deltaforceblackhawkdown/news_6028850.html.
- ↑ Calvert, Justin (May 29, 2003). "NPD weekly PC game sales chart". GameSpot. Archived from the original on July 31, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20040731202646/http://www.gamespot.com/news/2003/05/29/news_6029134.html.
- ↑ "Record First-Quarter Sales of €66.5 Million – Up 107% (142% at Constant Exchange Rates)" (Press release). Ubisoft. July 30, 2003. Archived from the original on September 21, 2017.
- ↑ Sluganski, Randy (March 2004). "Sales December 2003 - The State of Adventure Gaming". Just Adventure. Archived from the original on April 11, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20040411223950/http://www.justadventure.com/articles/State_of_Adventure_Gaming/March2004/Dec03ret_gam.shtm.
- ↑ Staff. "Total Sales for Jan/Feb 2004". Just Adventure. Archived from the original on April 11, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20040411164609/http://justadventure.com/articles/State_of_Adventure_Gaming/Feb04/Sales_JanFeb2004.shtm.
- ↑ Gill, Alexandra (April 10, 2004). "Finding comfort in our joysticks". The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on July 12, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180712181807/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/finding-comfort-in-our-joysticks/article1135103/.
- ↑ 26.0 26.1 Edge Staff (August 25, 2006). "The Top 100 PC Games of the 21st Century". Edge. Archived from the original on October 17, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121017165955/http://www.edge-online.com/features/top-100-pc-games-21st-century/.
- ↑ "ELSPA Sales Awards: Silver". Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association. Archived from the original on February 21, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090221154943/http://www.elspa.com/?i=3942.
- ↑ Caoili, Eric (November 26, 2008). "ELSPA: Wii Fit, Mario Kart Reach Diamond Status In UK". Gamasutra. Archived from the original on September 18, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170918063107/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/112220/ELSPA_Wii_Fit_Mario_Kart_Reach_Diamond_Status_In_UK.php.
- ↑ (in Spanish) Dossier de prensa Galardones aDeSe 2004 (Report). Asociación Española de Distribuidores y Editores de Software de Entretenimiento. March 2004. pp. 5, 6. Archived from the original on March 2, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050302174112/http://www.adese.es/pdf/Dossier_de_prensa_Galardones_aDeSe-2004.pdf.
- ↑ "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (tm): 3 Dimensions of Murder Available Now for PC" (Press release). San Francisco: Just Adventure. March 21, 2006. Archived from the original on November 2, 2006.
{{cite press release}}: External link in(help)CS1 maint: location (link)|location= - ↑ "Ubisoft and CBS Consumer Products Announce CSI: Crime Scene Investigation™: Hard Evidence" (Press release). San Francisco: GamesIndustry.biz. December 12, 2006. Archived from the original on June 15, 2018.
{{cite press release}}: External link in(help)CS1 maint: location (link)|location=
External links
- 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 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

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]
On February 13, 2025, Freyholtz stepped down as the site lead to move onto new projects, leaving operations to Tracy Poff, a veteran coder on the site, and Atari staff.[18]
See also
- IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions
References
- ↑ 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/.
- ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/.
- ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1.
- ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
- ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games.
- ↑ "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/.
- ↑ "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/.
- ↑ 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/.
- ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/.
- ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames.
- ↑ "An update on MobyGames leadership". 2025-02-13. https://www.mobygames.com/forum/3/thread/269628/an-update-on-mobygames-leadership/#post-269628.
Wikidata has the property:
|
External links
- No URL found. Please specify a URL here or add one to Wikidata.
- 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 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

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]
On February 13, 2025, Freyholtz stepped down as the site lead to move onto new projects, leaving operations to Tracy Poff, a veteran coder on the site, and Atari staff.[18]
See also
- IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions
References
- ↑ 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/.
- ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/.
- ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1.
- ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
- ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games.
- ↑ "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/.
- ↑ "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/.
- ↑ 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/.
- ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/.
- ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames.
- ↑ "An update on MobyGames leadership". 2025-02-13. https://www.mobygames.com/forum/3/thread/269628/an-update-on-mobygames-leadership/#post-269628.
Wikidata has the property:
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