Software:Chime (video game)

From HandWiki
Chime
Developer(s)Zoë Mode
Publisher(s)OneBigGame
Composer(s)Nathan McCree
Platform(s)Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3
Release
Genre(s)Puzzle, music
Mode(s)Single-player

Chime is a 2010 music and puzzle video game developed by Zoë Mode, released initially on the Xbox Live Arcade service, and later for Windows. An extended version of the game, called Chime Super Deluxe, was released on the PlayStation Network in March 2011.[1] Chime is the first title released by the non-profit video game publisher OneBigGame.

Gameplay

Screenshot of Time Mode on Moby level

Chime is a block-dropping game. Players control a single shape at a time, and can move, rotate, and then place it onto a grid. A beatline moves across the grid in time with the music, setting off events when it hits placed shapes. Quads are created by placing shapes in solid blocks of 3x3 or more. When a quad is completed and the beat line hits, different musical samples are triggered dependent on its shape. The size of the quad denotes the score, and multipliers can be achieved by having several quads on the screen at once. Once the beatline hits a completed quad, it is stamped down into the grid, earning the player coverage. (n.b.: when the stage's time runs out, all active quads—those that have not finished filling up—are immediately scored and added to the player's coverage, in order to allow awards of coverage bonus time and continued play.)

The overall objective is to achieve 100% coverage to earn more time and score points. The game continues as long as time is available; it is possible to complete full coverage of the grid multiple times.

There are two basic modes in the game, Timed Mode and Free Mode. Timed Mode pits the player against the clock, with three different levels of difficulty based on time limit—9, 6, or 3 minutes (the actual play time is longer, depending on the time bonus earned with every 10% coverage gained). Free Mode acts as a very basic sequencer. There is no time limit and the player is able to place shapes at their leisure to create different sounds and alter the music as they see fit.

Chime features a variety of different musical styles and artists. The original release of the game includes five songs, all of which have been donated to the game pro bono by the respective artists.[2] The tracks are "Brazil" by Philip Glass, "Ooh Yeah" by Moby, "For Silence" by Paul Hartnoll of Orbital (a band that, coincidentally, also had a breakout hit song titled Chime), "Spilled Cranberries" by Markus Schulz, and "Disco Ghosts" by Fred Deakin of Lemon Jelly.[3] In addition, the later Windows version of Chime featured a new level based on "Still Alive" from the popular 2007 video game Portal. The song, written by Jonathan Coulton, can be heard during the closing credits of Portal, with Ellen McLain singing in character as GLaDOS.[3] The music was produced for the game by Marc Canham, who manipulated the music to fit into the gameplay.[4]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic(X360) 79/100[5]
(PS3) 78/100[6]
(PC) 73/100[7]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Destructoid(X360) 7/10[8]
Eurogamer7/10[9][10]
Game Informer(PS3) 8/10[11]
GamePro(PS3) StarStarStarStar[12]
GameSpot(X360) 8/10[13]
GameTrailers(X360) 8.2/10[14]
Gamezebo(PC) StarStarStarStarHalf star[15]
GameZone(X360) 8.5/10[16]
IGN(PS3) 8.5/10[17]
(X360) 8/10[18]
OXM (US)(X360) 6.5/10[19]
PC Gamer (UK)(PC) 73%[20]
PSM(PS3) 7/10[21]
Push Square(PS3) StarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStar[22]
Teletext GameCentral(X360) 7/10[24]

The Xbox 360 version and Chime Super Deluxe received "generally favorable reviews", while the PC version received above-average reviews, according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[5][6][7] IGN said of the Xbox 360 version, "Chime is easy to recommend. It's cheap, it'll keep you amused for hours, and the $5 you spend goes to charity."[18] However, Edge gave the Super Deluxe edition a score of six out of ten, saying, "At worst, the game's deliberate openness means theme and gameplay have a tenuous relationship."[25]

As of January 2011 the Xbox 360 version sold over 32,974 units worldwide.[26]

Sequels

In July 2015, one of the developers of Chime, Ste Curran, launched a Kickstarter campaign for a sequel, titled Chime Sharp.[citation needed] The campaign was successfully funded on August 10, 2015, and an early access build of the game was released on Steam shortly after, featuring a song by Chipzel.[27]

One of the campaign's stretch goals would have provided funding for a further sequel with a chiptune and retro graphics theme, titled Chime Flat.[citation needed] When the Kickstarter campaign fell short of this stretch goal, Curran re-ran the Chime Sharp campaign on Indiegogo in an attempt to secure the remaining funds needed for Chime Flat.[citation needed] However, the Indiegogo campaign failed to raise the remaining funds, and there have been no other plans announced to put Chime Flat into production.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Gibson, Brynley (January 28, 2011). "Chime Super Deluxe: Music Puzzle Game Coming Soon to PSN". Sony Interactive Entertainment. https://blog.playstation.com/2011/01/28/chime-super-deluxe-music-puzzle-game-coming-soon-to-psn/. 
  2. ↑ "OneBigGame confirms full artist lineup". Chime (Press release). OneBigGame. December 3, 2009. Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "The artists". OneBigGame. http://www.chimegame.com/the-artists/. 
  4. ↑ "Composer Interview: Marc Canham". April 11, 2014. http://filmandgamecomposers.com/interviews/composer-interview-marc-canham/. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Chime for Xbox 360 Reviews". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/chime/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Chime Super Deluxe for PlayStation 3 Reviews". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/chime-super-deluxe/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-3. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Chime for PC Reviews". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/chime/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. 
  8. ↑ Perlee, Ben (February 5, 2010). "Review: Chime (X360)". Gamurs. https://www.destructoid.com/review-chime/. 
  9. ↑ Donlan, Christian (February 3, 2010). "Chime (Xbox 360)". Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/chime-review. 
  10. ↑ Reed, Kristan (April 8, 2011). "Download Games Roundup (Page 3)". Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/download-games-roundup-review?page=3. 
  11. ↑ Gonzalez, Annette (March 30, 2011). "Chime Super Deluxe Review". Game Informer (GameStop). https://www.gameinformer.com/games/chime_super_deluxe/b/ps3/archive/2011/03/30/review.aspx. Retrieved March 1, 2023. 
  12. ↑ Terrones, Terry (April 6, 2011). "Review: Chime Super Deluxe (PSN)". GamePro (GamePro Media). http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/218748/review-chime-super-deluxe-psn/. Retrieved March 1, 2023. 
  13. ↑ Todd, Brett (February 4, 2010). "Chime Review (X360)". Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/chime-review/1900-6249502/. 
  14. ↑ "Chime Review (X360)". Viacom. March 22, 2010. http://www.gametrailers.com/gamereview.php?id=12307. 
  15. ↑ Andrew, Keith (October 17, 2010). "Chime Review (PC)". https://www.gamezebo.com/reviews/chime-review/. 
  16. ↑ Splechta, Mike (March 11, 2010). "Chime - 360 - Review". https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/chime-360-review/. 
  17. ↑ Gies, Arthur (March 31, 2011). "Chime Super Deluxe Review". https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/03/31/chime-super-deluxe-review. 
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Hatfield, Daemon (February 1, 2010). "Chime Review (X360)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/02/01/chime-review. 
  19. ↑ "Chime". Official Xbox Magazine (Future US): 83. April 2010. 
  20. ↑ Cameron, Phil (December 2010). "Chime review". PC Gamer UK (Future plc). https://www.pcgamer.com/chime-review/. Retrieved March 1, 2023. 
  21. ↑ "Review: Chime Super Deluxe". PlayStation: The Official Magazine (Future plc) (45): 87. May 2011. 
  22. ↑ Barker, Sammy (April 8, 2011). "Chime Super Deluxe Review". Gamer Network. https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/psn/chime_super_deluxe. 
  23. ↑ Hoggins, Tom (February 13, 2010). "Chime video game review (X360)". The Daily Telegraph. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/video-games/7230266/Chime-video-game-review.html. (Subscription content?)
  24. ↑ Jenkins, David (February 2010). "Chime (360)". Teletext Ltd.. http://www.teletext.co.uk/gamecentral/features-reviews/ed12a227f823046e38e37ef8db2d83ee/Chime%2B%28360%29.aspx. 
  25. ↑ Edge staff (April 13, 2011). "Chime Super Deluxe Review". Edge (Future plc). http://www.next-gen.biz/features/chime-super-deluxe-review. Retrieved March 1, 2023. 
  26. ↑ Langley, Ryan (January 28, 2011). "In-Depth: Xbox Live Arcade's 2010 Sales Revealed". Informa. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/console/in-depth-xbox-live-arcade-s-2010-sales-revealed. 
  27. ↑ "Chime Sharp". Valve Corporation. https://store.steampowered.com/app/326520. 
  • 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.




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