Software:CSI: Dark Motives

From HandWiki
Short description: 2004 video game
CSI: Dark Motives
Developer(s)Radical Entertainment (PC)[lower-alpha 1]
Powerhead Games (DS)
Publisher(s)Ubisoft
Designer(s)Steve Bocska
Programmer(s)Julian Beak
Artist(s)Darren Woo
Composer(s)John M. Keane
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows, Nintendo DS
ReleaseWindows
  • NA: March 23, 2004
  • PAL: May 15, 2004
Nintendo DS
  • PAL: November 2, 2007
  • NA: November 20, 2007
Genre(s)Adventure
Mode(s)Single player

CSI: Dark Motives is a computer game based on the CSI: Crime Scene Investigation television series. The game was developed by Radical Entertainment (under the 369 Interactive label), published by Ubisoft, and was released for the PC in 2004. In November 2007 it was remade by Powerhead Games, published by Ubisoft and released for Nintendo DS. The Microsoft Xbox version of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation also contains the cases featured in this game.

The Cases

Case 1: "Daredevil Disaster"

When Ace Dillinger, a professional stuntman for World's Wildest Stunts, crashes his motorbike at a stunt show, there is a call for the CSI crew. You play a new recruit working with Catherine Willows on this case. The suspects are David McLadden, the stunt supervisor, Cory Muzotti, the show's producer, and Leslie Handleman, a motorcycle mechanic. The evidence reveals that Cory bribed Leslie to sabotage the bike, in order for the accident to generate much-needed publicity for the show.

Case 2: "Prints and Pauper"

A seemingly homeless man is found dead in an abandoned insane asylum. The contents of his stomach seem to show otherwise. You work with Warrick Brown on this case. The suspects in this case point to Markus van der Hellen, the owner of a classy French restaurant, Clair Thomas, a socialite whose father recently died, and Lane Jackson, the manager of a pawnshop. Ultimately, the victim turns out to have apparently been Clair's half-brother, whom she killed when he planned to challenge her over their father's estate. However, the man had actually been the result of Clair's father's first wife having an affair with the chauffeur, which led to Clair's father angrily cutting ties with his son when the truth came out. Years later, as Mr. Thomas was dying, he regretted his past actions and tried to reconnect with his son, but died before he could find him.

Case 3: "Diggin' It"

Human bones are dug up at a construction site for a new casino. It is believed the site is an ancient Indian burial ground. You work with Sara Sidle in this case. Suspects include the previous owner of the land, Elliot Lansdown, the construction supervisor, John Montana, a university lecturer, and a well-known psychic who had visions of when the victim was still alive.

Case 4: "Miss Direction"

A woman is shot dead during a rehearsal for a play, apparently shot with a prop gun. You will work with Nick Stokes in this mission. The suspects of this case are a fellow actress with whom the victim may have been having an affair with, the victim's husband and the stage manager.

Case 5: "Dragon and Dropping"

A poisonous Komodo is killed at a casino circus and a human toe is found in its cage. Who got this peaceful predator to attack the victim anyway? You work with Gil Grissom on this case. The suspects involved are the circus ringleader, a missing security guard, a funeral director, a local doctor and a retired Ukrainian air-force pilot.

Reception

Critical reviews

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
DSPC
Adventure GamersStarStarStar[1]StarStarHalf star[2]
CGMN/AStarStarHalf star[3]
CGWN/AStarHalf star[4]
GameSpotN/A6.3/10[5]
GameSpyN/AStarStarStar[6]
IGN4.8/10[7]8.4/10[8]
PC FormatN/A60%[9]
PC Gamer (US)N/A62%[10]
PC ZoneN/A60%[11]
X-PlayN/AStarStarStar[12]
The Cincinnati EnquirerN/AStarStarStarHalf star[13]
Aggregate scores
GameRankings55%[14]65%[15]
MetacriticN/A65/100[16]

The PC version received "mixed" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[16]

Sales

In the United States, the PC version sold between 100,000 and 250,000 copies by August 2006, but was outsold by its predecessor, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.[17] It also received a "Silver" sales award from the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA),[18] indicating sales of at least 100,000 copies in the United Kingdom.[19] By August 2006, combined sales of computer versions of the CSI game franchise had reached 250,000 units in the United States alone.[17] Global sales of the series totaled roughly 2.4 million copies across all platforms by that December, at the time of the fourth entry's announcement.[20]

References

Notes

  1. ↑ Under the 369 Interactive label

Citations

  1. ↑ Morganti, Emily (August 12, 2009). "CSI: Dark Motives (DS) review". https://adventuregamers.com/articles/view/18320. Retrieved May 31, 2014. 
  2. ↑ Dickens, Evan (April 28, 2004). "CSI: Dark Motives review". https://adventuregamers.com/articles/view/17700. Retrieved May 31, 2014. 
  3. ↑ Wand, Kelly (July 2004). "Review: CSI: Dark Motives". Computer Games Magazine (theGlobe.com) (164): 68–69. 
  4. ↑ Del Sol, Arcadian (August 2004). "CSI: Dark Motives". Computer Gaming World (Ziff Davis) (241): 79. http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_241.pdf. Retrieved April 25, 2020. 
  5. ↑ Navarro, Alex (March 23, 2004). "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation: Dark Motives Review (PC)". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/csi-crime-scene-investigation-dark-motives-review/1900-6092476/. Retrieved May 31, 2014. 
  6. ↑ Burns, Enid (April 10, 2004). "GameSpy: CSI: Dark Motives (PC)". IGN Entertainment. http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/csi-dark-motives/504548p1.html. Retrieved May 31, 2014. 
  7. ↑ DeVries, Jack (January 30, 2008). "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation: Dark Motives Review (NDS)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/01/31/csi-crime-scene-investigation-dark-motives-review. Retrieved May 31, 2014. 
  8. ↑ Lighty, Zachary (March 30, 2004). "CSI: Dark Motives (PC)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/03/31/csi-dark-motives. Retrieved May 31, 2014. 
  9. ↑ "CSI: Dark Motives". PC Format (Future plc) (165): 91. August 2004. 
  10. ↑ Osborn, Chuck (June 2004). "CSI: Dark Motives". PC Gamer (Imagine Media) 11 (6): 77. Archived from the original on May 26, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050526082103/http://www.pcgamer.com/reviews/review_2004-08-01b.html. Retrieved November 9, 2014. 
  11. ↑ PC Zone staff (July 13, 2004). "PC Review: CSI: Dark Motives". Future plc. Archived from the original on November 3, 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20071103201538/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=106921. Retrieved September 25, 2015. 
  12. ↑ Jackson, Jonah (April 27, 2004). "'CSI: Dark Motives' (PC) Review". TechTV. Archived from the original on April 29, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20040429234501/http://www.techtv.com/xplay/reviews/story/0%2C24330%2C3670115%2C00.html. Retrieved May 31, 2014. 
  13. ↑ Saltzman, Marc (April 15, 2004). "Investigate in the new 'CSI' PC game". The Cincinnati Enquirer (Gannett Company). Archived from the original on March 15, 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20070315232940/http://www.cincinnati.com/freetime/games/reviews/041504_csi.html. Retrieved May 31, 2014. 
  14. ↑ "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation: Dark Motives for DS". CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 14, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190514235759/https://www.gamerankings.com/ds/939564-csi-crime-scene-investigation-dark-motives/index.html. Retrieved April 25, 2020. 
  15. ↑ "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation: Dark Motives for PC". CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 6, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190506234757/https://www.gamerankings.com/pc/919405-csi-crime-scene-investigation-dark-motives/index.html. Retrieved April 25, 2020. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation: Dark Motives for PC Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/csi-crime-scene-investigation-dark-motives/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. Retrieved May 31, 2014. 
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Edge staff (August 25, 2006). "The Top 100 PC Games of the 21st Century (Page 3)". Edge (Future plc). Archived from the original on October 19, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121019052748/http://www.edge-online.com/features/top-100-pc-games-21st-century/3/. Retrieved April 25, 2020. 
  18. ↑ "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. Retrieved November 16, 2018. 
  19. ↑ Caoili, Eric (November 26, 2008). "ELSPA: Wii Fit, Mario Kart Reach Diamond Status In UK". UBM plc. https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/112220/ELSPA_Wii_Fit_Mario_Kart_Reach_Diamond_Status_In_UK.php. 
  20. ↑ "Ubisoft and CBS Consumer Products Announce CSI: Crime Scene Investigation™: Hard Evidence". San Francisco: Gamer Network. December 13, 2006. Archived from the original on June 15, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180615162814/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/ubisoft-and-cbs-consumer-products-announce-csi-crime-scene-investigation-hard-evidence. 
  • 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. 
  • No URL found. Please specify a URL here or add one to Wikidata.

Template:Atari



  • 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. 
  • No URL found. Please specify a URL here or add one to Wikidata.

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