Software:Chiller (video game)

From HandWiki
Short description: Light gun arcade game by Exidy
Chiller
NES cover art
Developer(s)Exidy
Publisher(s)
Platform(s)
Release1986, 1990 (NES)
Genre(s)
Arcade systemExidy 440

Chiller is a light gun arcade game released in 1986 by Exidy.[1] An unlicensed port was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1990 by American Game Cartridges in the US, and in Australia by HES (Home Entertainment Suppliers), with the option of using either the standard controller or the NES Zapper.

In the game, the player takes on the role of an unseen torturer who must maim, mutilate, and murder restrained non-player characters in a variety of dungeon settings. Few of the NPCs in the game are capable of fighting back, with the challenge element lying in how quickly the player can cause each of the victims to die.

Gameplay

The torture chamber of Chiller

The game consists of four main levels: the torture chamber, the rack room, the haunted house hallway, and the graveyard.[2] If enough score is accumulated by completing these levels successfully, a final bonus round is unlocked, which consists of a target practice where objects traveling at increasingly high speeds must be shot. Between each level, a bonus score can be obtained by winning at the slot machine.[1]

The first two levels feature seemingly human NPCs restrained by medieval torture devices. The player must discover how to kill these characters in the shortest possible amount of time. Although it is possible to shoot them to death, this process is inefficient as direct shots only result in chunks of flesh being blown away, leaving the victims alive.[3] Instead, the challenge lies in finding ways to activate the torture devices, resulting in quicker and bloodier deaths.

After the first two levels, the game transitions into a more traditional shooting game; the player must kill paranormal creatures, such as zombies, ghosts, and mummies.[4]

Reception

The game sold poorly in the United States because arcade owners refused to purchase it; Exidy successfully marketed it to third world countries.[3] Modern reviewers often criticize the game for its senseless violence and encouraging the torture and murder of apparently innocent people, as opposed to the gamer fighting enemies capable of defending themselves.[5][6]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Chiller". https://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=7328. 
  2. ↑ "Controversial Games: Chiller". 16 March 2011. http://www.veterangamers.co.uk/blog/2011/03/16/controversial-games-chiller/. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Gonzalez, Lauren; Oguro, Collin (7 March 2004). "When Two Tribes Go to War: A History of Video Game Controversy". CBS Interactive. http://www.gamespot.com/articles/when-two-tribes-go-to-war-a-history-of-video-game-controversy/1100-6090892/. 
  4. ↑ Winkie, Luke (10 April 2018). "The Story Of Chiller, One Very Messed Up Video Game". https://kotaku.com/the-story-of-chiller-one-very-messed-up-video-game-1829528354. 
  5. ↑ Martin, Garrett (April 21, 2023). "Ranking Every Original NES Zapper Game". https://www.pastemagazine.com/games/nintendo/best-nes-zapper-games. 
  6. ↑ Diver, Mike (November 4, 2014). "A Disgusting History of Gore in Video Games". https://www.vice.com/en/article/kwpykz/a-bloody-history-of-gore-in-video-games-mike-diver-114. 
  • Short description: Video game database
MobyGames
Logo since March 2014
Screenshot
Frontpage as of April 2012
Type of site
Gaming
Available inEnglish
OwnerAtari SA
Websitemobygames.com
CommercialYes
RegistrationOptional
LaunchedJanuary 30, 1999; 26 years ago (1999-01-30)
Current statusOnline

MobyGames is a commercial website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes nearly 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] The site is supported by banner ads and a small number of people paying to become patrons.[2] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It is currently owned by Atari SA.

Content

The database began with games for IBM PC compatibles. After two years, consoles such as the PlayStation, were added. Older console systems were added later. Support for arcade video games was added in January 2014 and mainframe computer games in June 2017.[3]

Edits and submissions go through a leisurely verification process by volunteer "approvers". The approval process can range from immediate (minutes) to gradual (days or months).[4] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copyediting.[5]

Registered users can rate and review any video game. 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 subforum.

History

Logo used until March 11, 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999 by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, then joined by David Berk 18 months later, three friends since high school.[6] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience.

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[7] This was announced to the community post factum and a few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.

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).[8] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel.[9]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[10] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[11][12]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ "MobyGames Stats". https://www.mobygames.com/moby_stats. 
  2. ↑ "MobyGames Patrons". http://www.mobygames.com/info/patrons. 
  3. ↑ "New(ish!) on MobyGames – the Mainframe platform.". Blue Flame Labs. 18 June 2017. http://www.mobygames.com/forums/dga,2/dgb,3/dgm,237200/. 
  4. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  5. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/32856/Report_MobyGames_Acquired_By_GameFly_Media.php. 
  8. ↑ 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. 
  9. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/207882/Game_dev_database_MobyGames_getting_some_TLC_under_new_owner.php. 
  10. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  11. ↑ "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/. 
  12. ↑ "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/. 





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