Software:Chicken Run (video game)

From HandWiki
Chicken Run
Developer(s)Blitz Games
Publisher(s)Eidos Interactive
THQ (GBC)
Producer(s)Patrick Cowan
Programmer(s)R. Fred Williams
Composer(s)Rob Lord
Platform(s)Dreamcast, Game Boy Color, PlayStation, Microsoft Windows
ReleaseDreamcast, Game Boy Color, PlayStation
  • NA: 8 November 2000 (GBC)[1]
  • NA: 13 November 2000
  • EU: 24 November 2000
Microsoft Windows
  • EU: 15 December 2000
  • NA: 14 January 2001
Genre(s)Platform, stealth
Mode(s)Single-player

Chicken Run is a platform-stealth based 3-D platform video game based on the 2000 film of the same name. The game is a loose parody of the famous film The Great Escape. The Game Boy Color version is a 2D isometric puzzle-solving game. The game's plot is about chickens escaping from a farm from their evil owners and fighting for freedom.

While characters, mainly Ginger and Rocky, were voiced by professional voice artists, Benjamin Whitrow and Lynn Ferguson reprised their roles as Fowler and Mac.[2]

Gameplay

Dreamcast/PC/PlayStation version

Gameplay generally consists of the player taking control of either Ginger, Rocky, or Nick and Fetcher, and searching the Tweedys' farm for objects to be used in an escape attempt by the chickens.

This section of the game features stealth gameplay not too different from Metal Gear Solid, as the player will have to avoid guard dogs and the Tweedys themselves, in addition to searchlights, sources of light in general and noisy surfaces, since these will alert the security to the player's presence.

Should the player be caught, they will be sent back to the entry point of the current area, and will lose either their most recently obtained item or their currently equipped item which goes back to where it was originally found. In addition, the player will occasionally have to push objects about, or use the environment in order to get to a hard-to-reach item.

Each act ends with a boss level. In Act 1, the chickens have to control a mannequin of Mrs Tweedy. The Act 2 boss is a linear platforming level where Rocky has to avoid hazards to get to Ginger in the pie machine. In the Act 3 boss the chickens fly the 'Old Crate' and have to stop Mrs. Tweedy from reaching the top of the rope hanging from it.

The second two acts contain minigames representing an escape attempt, which in Act 2 involves launching chickens over the fence with a seesaw, catapult or fireworks. In Act 3, the minigames involve assembling a part of the 'Old Crate' and getting its engine running. Act 3 also contains a minigame in which the player has to get the hens in Hut 2 to lay eggs to pay Nick and Fetcher though this can also be played in the first two acts but without the player getting to keep the eggs.

Success is generally measured by how many chickens the player can save, or how fast the player can finish the task and the player can be awarded with bronze, silver or gold medals by Fowler for good performance.

GameBoy Color version

The GameBoy Color version is very different in which the player controls Ginger who has to lure the chickens to the exit of each level using corn while avoiding the dogs and searchlights in the chicken coop and the magic eyes and laser beams in the pie machine within the time limits. Upon completing a level, the player is awarded medals by Fowler which act as the password to access the next level should the player turn off the console before reaching it. New items are made available as the player progresses through the game.

Plot

In keeping with the film's story, the game takes place on an English chicken farm and follows a group of chickens as they try to break out of confinement.

Players must help Ginger and her flock make a break for freedom, while avoiding the evil Mrs. Tweedy and her oafish man Mr. Tweedy, who wants to turn them into chicken pies.

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
DreamcastGBCPCPS
AllGameStarStarStarHalf star[10]StarHalf star[11]N/AStarStarStar[12]
CGSPN/AN/AStarStarHalf star[14]N/A
CGWN/AN/AStarStarStar[15]N/A
EGMN/A5.5/10[16]N/A4/10[17]
EurogamerN/AN/AN/A6/10[18]
Game Informer6/10[19]4/10[20]N/AN/A
GameProStarStarStar[21]N/AN/AN/A
GameSpot5.2/10[22]N/A5.1/10[23]5.3/10[24]
IGN7.2/10[25]6/10[26]7.1/10[27]7/10[28]
Next GenerationStarStarStar[29]N/AN/AN/A
Nintendo PowerN/A6.4/10[30]N/AN/A
OPM (US)N/AN/AN/AStarStarStar[31]
Aggregate scores
GameRankings63%[3]53%[4]60%[5]69%[6]
Metacritic68/100[7]N/A59/100[8]75/100[9]

The PlayStation version received "generally favorable reviews", while the Dreamcast and PC versions received "mixed or average reviews", according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[7][8][9]

Kevin Rice of NextGen said of the Dreamcast version: "This is a surprisingly good conversion of a movie into a game. It's graphically brilliant in its similarities to the movie, and the gameplay is smart."[29]

References

  1. "PR - 11/02/00 - THQ SHIPS CHICKEN RUN™ FOR GAME BOY COLOR". 2004-04-16. http://www.thq.com/Corporate/PressReleases/press-238.asp. 
  2. "Chicken Run" (in en-US). https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/video-games/Chicken-Run/. 
  3. "Chicken Run for Dreamcast". CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 2019-05-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20190505085140/https://www.gamerankings.com/dreamcast/434290-chicken-run/index.html. Retrieved 2020-09-27. 
  4. "Chicken Run for Game Boy Color". CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 2019-05-21. https://web.archive.org/web/20190521203513/https://www.gamerankings.com/gbc/915856-chicken-run/index.html. Retrieved 2020-09-28. 
  5. "Chicken Run for PC". CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 2019-05-27. https://web.archive.org/web/20190527035448/https://www.gamerankings.com/pc/457648-chicken-run/index.html. Retrieved 2020-09-28. 
  6. "Chicken Run for PlayStation". CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 2019-12-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20191205214259/https://www.gamerankings.com/ps/339776-chicken-run/index.html. Retrieved 2020-09-28. 
  7. 7.0 7.1 "Chicken Run for Dreamcast Reviews". Red Ventures. https://www.metacritic.com/game/chicken-run/critic-reviews/?platform=dreamcast. Retrieved 2014-04-14. 
  8. 8.0 8.1 "Chicken Run for PC Reviews". Red Ventures. https://www.metacritic.com/game/chicken-run/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. Retrieved 2014-04-14. 
  9. 9.0 9.1 "Chicken Run for PlayStation Reviews". Red Ventures. https://www.metacritic.com/game/chicken-run/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation. Retrieved 2014-04-14. 
  10. Thompson, Jon. "Chicken Run (DC) – Review". All Media Network. Archived from the original on 2014-11-13. https://web.archive.org/web/20141113190213/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=26766&tab=review. Retrieved 2014-12-09. 
  11. Thompson, Jon. "Chicken Run (GBC) – Review". All Media Network. Archived from the original on 2014-11-13. https://web.archive.org/web/20141113190418/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=25918&tab=review. Retrieved 2014-12-09. 
  12. Woods, Nick. "Chicken Run (PS) – Review". All Media Network. Archived from the original on 2014-11-13. https://web.archive.org/web/20141113190300/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=25912&tab=review. Retrieved 2014-12-09. 
  13. Steinberg, Scott (2001-01-19). "Chicken Run – Dreamcast Review". CNET. Archived from the original on 2001-02-07. https://web.archive.org/web/20010207044516/http://www.gamecenter.com/Dreamcast/Reviews/Chickenrun/. Retrieved 2021-12-29. 
  14. Wolpaw, Erik (2001-01-20). "Chicken Run". Strategy Plus, Inc.. Archived from the original on 2003-03-04. https://web.archive.org/web/20030304145658/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/031/120/chickenrun-01.html. Retrieved 2020-09-27. 
  15. Laws, Wen (May 2001). "Chicken Run". Computer Gaming World (Ziff Davis) (202): 88. http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_202.pdf. Retrieved 2020-09-28. 
  16. Einhorn, Ethan (February 2001). "Chicken Run (GBC)". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (139). Archived from the original on 2001-02-11. https://web.archive.org/web/20010211034029/http://www.zdnet.com/egm/stories/main/0%2C11589%2C2668383%2C00.html. Retrieved 2014-04-14. 
  17. Kujawa, Kraig (February 2001). "Chicken Run (PS)". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (139). Archived from the original on 2001-02-11. https://web.archive.org/web/20010211032717/http://www.zdnet.com/egm/stories/main/0%2C11589%2C2668366%2C00.html. Retrieved 2014-04-14. 
  18. Bramwell, Tom (2000-12-19). "Chicken Run Review (PSOne)". Gamer Network. Archived from the original on 2001-03-29. https://web.archive.org/web/20010329224505/http://www.eurogamer.net/content/r_chicken_psx. Retrieved 2014-04-14. 
  19. Helgeson, Matt (January 2001). "Chicken Run (DC)". Game Informer (FuncoLand) (93): 124. 
  20. Helgeson, Matt (January 2001). "Chicken Run (GBC)". Game Informer (FuncoLand) (93): 138. 
  21. Four-Eyed Dragon (2001-02-05). "Chicken Run Review for Dreamcast on GamePro.com". GamePro (IDG Entertainment). Archived from the original on 2005-02-09. https://web.archive.org/web/20050209063614/http://gamepro.com/sega/dreamcast/games/reviews/11096.shtml. Retrieved 2014-04-14. 
  22. Lopez, Miguel (2000-11-30). "Chicken Run Review (DC)". Red Ventures. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/chicken-run-review/1900-2659776/. Retrieved 2014-04-14. 
  23. Osborne, Scott (2001-01-16). "Chicken Run Review (PC)". Red Ventures. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/chicken-run-review/1900-2674949/. Retrieved 2014-04-14. 
  24. Lopez, Miguel (2000-11-30). "Chicken Run Review (PS)". Red Ventures. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/chicken-run-review/1900-2659779/. Retrieved 2014-04-14. 
  25. Nix, Marc (2000-11-23). "Chicken Run (DC)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/11/23/chicken-run-3. Retrieved 2021-01-18. 
  26. Harris, Craig (2000-11-11). "Chicken Run (GBC)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/11/11/chicken-run-5. Retrieved 2021-01-18. 
  27. Steinberg, Scott (2001-01-17). "Chicken Run (PC)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/01/17/chicken-run-9. Retrieved 2021-01-18. 
  28. Smith, David (2000-11-28). "Chicken Run (PS)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/11/28/chicken-run-2. Retrieved 2021-01-18. 
  29. 29.0 29.1 Rice, Kevin (March 2001). "Chicken Run (DC)". NextGen (Imagine Media) (75): 84. https://archive.org/details/NextGen75Mar2001/page/n85/mode/2up. Retrieved 2020-09-27. 
  30. "Chicken Run". Nintendo Power (Nintendo of America) 139. December 2000. 
  31. Steinman, Gary (February 2001). "Chicken Run (PS)". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine (Ziff Davis) (41). Archived from the original on 2001-04-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20010418223302/http://www.zdnet.com/opm/stories/main/0%2C11891%2C2667598%2C00.html. Retrieved 2014-04-14. 
  • Official website
  • 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

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]

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. 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. 
  18. "An update on MobyGames leadership". 2025-02-13. https://www.mobygames.com/forum/3/thread/269628/an-update-on-mobygames-leadership/#post-269628. 
  • 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

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]

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. 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. 
  18. "An update on MobyGames leadership". 2025-02-13. https://www.mobygames.com/forum/3/thread/269628/an-update-on-mobygames-leadership/#post-269628. 
  • No URL found. Please specify a URL here or add one to Wikidata.



Warning: Default sort key "Chicken Run (Video Game)" overrides earlier default sort key "Mobygames".