Software:Chromehounds

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Short description: 2006 video game
Chromehounds
Developer(s)FromSoftware
Publisher(s)Sega
  • JP: FromSoftware
Director(s)Takuji Yoshida
Producer(s)Toshifumi Nabeshima
Artist(s)Isao Saito
Hisao Yamada
Composer(s)Kota Hoshino
Platform(s)Xbox 360
Release
  • JP: June 29, 2006
  • EU: July 7, 2006
  • NA: July 11, 2006
  • AU: July 18, 2006
Genre(s)Mech simulator
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Lua error in Module:Lang/utilities at line 332: attempt to call field '_transl' (a nil value). is a 2006 mech simulator video game developed by FromSoftware and published by Sega for the Xbox 360. The game is set in an alternate universe where mecha known as HOUNDs battle for control of Neroimus, a fictional region near the Black Sea. Chromehounds features a system for personalized customization of the player's mecha and an online campaign mode where players wage war in a persistent world over Xbox Live. The game's online servers were shut down in January 2010.

Gameplay

Chromehounds is a mech combat simulation game where the player controls customizable mechs, called HOUNDs, from a third-person perspective. The game offers opportunities for strategic thinking, as there are sometime multiple objectives for each mission. Both the single player and online game modes occupy different points in the game's timeline: the Single Player "Offline" story mode chronicles events just prior to the outbreak of the Neroimus War, the game's central conflict, while the Xbox Live "Online" mode takes place during the actual war.

There are six different mech classes known as Role Types (RT) to choose from in Chromehounds. Each class of mech has its own set of unique missions in the single-player campaign mode. Several types of other mechs and vehicles can be found including real world vehicles such as the M1A1 Abrams, Leopard 1A5, T-72B1, and Merkava Mk.I main battle tanks.

Garage mode

Chromehounds features a garage mode where the player can customize HOUNDs. While the garages in each mode are functionally identical, HOUNDs constructed in single-player is limited to the parts won in single-player missions.

New parts for HOUNDs can be unlocked by completing single-player missions, purchased in in-game shops and some parts are available for free/pay download on Xbox Live Marketplace. Special parts can also be bid on in the Lottery. These include experimental parts developed by the player's own country, but have been discontinued by all three nations, and captured parts won in battle. Every day winners are chosen randomly and the bidding begins again. The selection of captured parts changes every day, and occasionally old experimental parts are moved to the normal shop and new ones are placed in the lottery to replace them. Bids are limited on a squad basis and higher ranked squads are allowed to place more bids (all experimental parts are now able to be purchased in the in-game shops, in their respective countries).

Neroimus War

The Neroimus War was an online campaign mode which involves the three countries fighting for the region of Neroimus. Players can join or make a squad, the equivalent of a clan or guild in other online games, to participate. The map of Neroimus is divided into several areas connected by paths. Each area is divided into several maps. Players may launch a mission within any enemy area adjacent to a friendly area, or in any friendly area which is under attack. Victory yields merit points, which raise your rank, captured parts for the lottery, and capture points. When a country has gained a certain amount of capture points on a map, 25,000 to 32,000 for normal battlegrounds and 50,000 for capital cities, that map is turned over to the country. An area belongs to the country which has the most capture points in its maps. When a capital city falls, all areas under that country become part of the conquering country, and players may only fight to reclaim their capital, or seek asylum in another country. The War ends when one country controls the entire map or after two months have passed. After a war ends, squads may choose to change alliance to a different country, and then the next War begins.

On August 7, 2009, Sega announced that the online servers would be shut down on January 6, 2010. From that point on, the Neroimus War mode ceased to function and players were only able to access the offline single-player mode.[1]

Plot

Chromehounds takes place in an alternate history that diverges in 1945, with the founding of weapons manufacturer Rafzekael in the wake of World War II. In 1980, Rafzekael unveiled the first Advanced Combat Vehicle (ACV), a mech based on a stolen American design for a bipedal tank. ACV technology was distributed to the world's major powers in 1981 after a series of massive solar flares caused catastrophic disruptions to global infrastructure that resulted in violent geopolitical upheavals, and ACVs were rapidly developed into more powerful weapons called HOUNDs. By 1992, a trio of new countries emerge in the Neroimus region on the southeast coast of the Black Sea: the Democratic Republic of Tarakia, the Republic of Morskoj, and the Kingdom of Sal Kar.

The player is the Mercenary, who is recruited by Rafzekael's mercenary division in 2000 and learns the ropes of HOUND piloting from Edgardo Gilardino, a legendary veteran who helped forge Rafzekael mercenaries' reputation as the best of the best. In 2003, the Mercenary's unit is deployed to the Neroimus region as local tensions soar due to internal instabilities and a series of skirmishes along the three countries' shared borders. Over the course of their deployment, portrayed across six sequential campaigns in which the Mercenary advances through different HOUND roles, the border dispute intensifies and the Mercenary realizes that the deteriorating situation in Neroimus is being orchestrated by an unknown third party. The Mercenary also encounters two members of Cerberus Squad, a legendary three-man HOUND unit known for its powerful weapons and ruthless tactics.

Once the player has completed all six campaigns, the final mission becomes available. In 2006, Sal Kar builds a forward base in the mountainous Tagin region, where the borders of all three Neroimus countries meet. Tarakia and Morskoj denounce the base's presence as an act of aggression, but Sal Kar claims it is a defensive measure necessitated by the ongoing border skirmishes. Five months later, the completed Sal Kari base comes under attack by an unknown HOUND unit, and amid the confusion all three countries mobilize for full-scale war. Rafzekael sends the Mercenary to destroy the interlopers and discovers they are Cerberus Squad, whose third member is revealed to be Edgardo. The Mercenary is outmatched, but manages to defeat their former mentor. Before Edgardo dies, he acknowledges the Mercenary's skill, but asserts that the attack on the Sal Kari base has made war inevitable, which will satisfy his mysterious employer. His prediction proves correct: citing the attack as a casus belli, Sal Kar, Tarakia, and Morskoj declare war on each other, igniting the Neroimus War for regional supremacy (which serves as the basis for the game's eponymous online multiplayer mode).

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic71/100[2]
Review scores
PublicationScore
EGM6.33/10[3]
Eurogamer4/10[4]
Famitsu33/40[5]
(X360) 32/40[6]
Game Informer7/10[7]
GameProStarStarStar[8]
GameRevolutionC[9]
GameSpot7.9/10[10]
GameSpyStarStarStarHalf star[11]
GameTrailers7.4/10[12]
GameZone7.4/10[13]
IGN6.9/10[14]
OXM (US)6.5/10[15]
Detroit Free PressStarStarStar[16]
USA TodayStarStarStarStarStarStarHalf star[17]

The game received "average" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[2] Most gaming critics complimented the game's online play and customization options, but criticized it for having a poor story, average graphics, and slow-paced gameplay. In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of 33 out of 40,[5] while Famitsu X360 gave it a score of one nine, two eights, and one seven for a total of 32 out of 40.[6]

Maxim gave it a score of four stars out of five, saying, "Not unlike when you used to select frilly ensembles for your little sister's Barbie collection (when no one was looking), Chromehounds lets you play big, bad burly man."[18] Detroit Free Press gave it three stars out of four and said that it "will suck you into its wartime world if you let it. And once you've adjusted to the game's quirks and interface, you'll find it very enjoyable."[16] However, USA Today gave it a score of six-and-a-half stars out of ten, calling it "a war worth avoiding. Online play is enjoyable, and the details on the mechs are superb. But much like these giant metal 'soldiers,' the game lacks life."[17] The Sydney Morning Herald gave it two-and-a-half stars out of five and said that it "offers a smattering of explosive action" as long as players "don't fall asleep at the wheel".[19]

The game was awarded Game of the Month in the August 2006 issue of Newtype USA.[20] During the 10th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences nominated Chromehounds for "Outstanding Achievement in Online Gameplay".[21]

Spiritual successor

In 2012, developer Bombdog Studios embarked on creating a spiritual successor to Chromehounds titled M.A.V. (Modular Assault Vehicle).[22] Over the course of its development, a core community of old Chromehounds players formed around the title.[23]

References

  1. ↑ Julian (7 August 2009). "Chromehounds Online Service Closure - January 6, 2010". Sega Forums. http://forums.sega.com/showthread.php?292463-Chromehounds-Online-Service-Closure-January-6-2010. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Chromehounds for Xbox 360 Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/chromehounds/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360. 
  3. ↑ EGM staff (August 2006). "Chromehounds". Electronic Gaming Monthly (206): 88. 
  4. ↑ Bramwell, Tom (7 July 2006). "Chromehounds". http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_chromehounds_x360. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Mitchell, Richard (5 July 2006). "Chromehounds review: it ain't pretty [update 1"]. Engadget (Joystiq). https://www.engadget.com/2006/07/05/chromehounds-review-it-aint-pretty/. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Bullet Witch gets a review score of 27/40 from Famitsu!". Gamersyde. 19 July 2006. http://www.gamersyde.com/forum_8_12961_en.html. 
  7. ↑ Reiner, Andrew (August 2006). "Chromehounds". Game Informer (160): 87. http://gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/9C01AC08-A0A4-484A-B720-CFAE539CA928.htm?. Retrieved 12 February 2017. 
  8. ↑ Ouroboros (11 July 2006). "Review: Chromehounds". GamePro. http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox360/games/reviews/72509.shtml. Retrieved 12 February 2017. 
  9. ↑ Hurh, JP (18 July 2006). "Chromehounds Review". Game Revolution. http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/chrome-hounds. 
  10. ↑ Kasavin, Greg (13 July 2006). "Chromehounds Review". http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/chromehounds-review/1900-6154008/. 
  11. ↑ Speer, Justin (13 July 2006). "GameSpy: Chromehounds". GameSpy. http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/chrome-hound-age-of-arms/718616p1.html. 
  12. ↑ "Chromehounds Review". GameTrailers. 12 July 2006. http://www.gametrailers.com/gamepage.php?fs=1&id=2161. 
  13. ↑ David, Mike (27 July 2006). "CHROMEHOUNDS - 360 - Review". GameZone. http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/chromehounds_360_review. 
  14. ↑ Onyett, Charles (12 July 2006). "Chromehounds Review". http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/07/12/chromehounds-review. 
  15. ↑ "Chromehounds". Official Xbox Magazine: 82. September 2006. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 "ROBOT VS. ROBOT". Detroit Free Press. 23 July 2006. ProQuest 436685502. https://www.proquest.com/docview/436685502. 
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Molina, Brett (14 July 2006). "'Chromehounds' flaunts mechs, but neglects environments". USA Today. http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/tech/gaming/2006-07-14-chromehounds_x.htm. 
  18. ↑ Gibson, Jon M. (11 July 2006). "Chromehounds". Maxim. http://www.maximonline.com/entertainment/reviews.aspx?p_id=12055. Retrieved 12 February 2017. 
  19. ↑ Fish, Eliot (5 August 2006). "Chrome Hounds [sic"]. The Sydney Morning Herald. http://www.smh.com.au/news/game-reviews/chrome-hounds/2006/08/04/1154198300710.html. 
  20. ↑ Sewart, Greg (August 2006). "Chromehounds". Newtype USA 5 (8). ISSN 1541-4817. http://www.newtype-usa.com/reviews/index.php?itemid=283. 
  21. ↑ "D.I.C.E. Awards By Video Game Details Chromehounds". Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. https://www.interactive.org/games/video_game_details.asp?idAward=2007&idGame=860. 
  22. ↑ "Bombdog Studios | Maker of awesome robot battle and PC mech games" (in en-US). https://bombdogstudios.com/. 
  23. ↑ "Remembering From Software's Forgotten Mech Classic, 'Chromehounds'" (in en-us). Waypoint. 2017-02-07. https://www.vice.com/en/article/remembering-from-softwares-forgotten-mech-classic-chromehounds/. 
  • 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. 
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