Software:Classified: The Sentinel Crisis

From HandWiki
Classified: The Sentinel Crisis
Developer(s)Torus Games
Publisher(s)Global Star Software
EngineRenderWare
Platform(s)Xbox
Release
  • NA: 13 April 2006
Genre(s)First-person shooter
Mode(s)Single-player

Classified: The Sentinel Crisis is a 2006 first-person shooter video game developed by Torus Games and published by Global Star Software for the Xbox. The player takes the role of a super-soldier with "intelligent" military technology created under the titular Sentinel Project. In contrast to other first-person shooters with multiple weapons, the game features a single weapon, a "multi-function rifle", that is slowly upgraded over the course of the game. The game was developed by Australian studio Torus Games, who created the game in a compressed timeframe and experienced difficulties developing for the Xbox. Upon release, Classified received generally negative reviews from critics, with focus directed towards limitations of the game's level design, weapons and enemy behaviours.

Plot

Classified places the player in the role of Collins, a Black Ops soldier recruited for the military's Sentinel Project. Sentinel soldiers are super-soldiers equipped with new technologies, including an "intelligent" Sentinel suit and multifunction rifle. The player is dispatched to Eastern Europe to locate Landau, a scientist responsible for the creation of the Sentinel technology. Landau is believed to have been kidnapped by Radulov, a powerful and dangerous Eastern European general. The player forms an alliance with Karlo, the leader of a revolutionary movement. Upon discovering Landau, it is discovered that he is a traitor who plans on manufacturing his technology in an underground installation. Evading capture, the player eventually executes Radulov from a distance before regrouping with Karlo and his men to stop Landau. In the ensuing battle, Karlo is killed in action, and the player survives to lead his organisation and kill Landau, who has created an upgraded and superior re-energizing suit.

Gameplay

A screenshot of gameplay in Classified: The Sentinel Crisis

Classified is a first-person shooter in which the player is a super-soldier enhanced with several abilities that assist in gameplay. The player is equipped with a single "multi-function" rifle that is equipped with additional capabilities throughout the course of the game by collecting briefcases, including add-ons that allow the rifle to shoot grenades and rockets, shotgun shells and sniper bullets, and upgrades that increase the size of the magazine clip. Once collected, the player is able to alternate between the weapon modes.[1] The player is also enhanced with several vision modes, including night vision in dark environments, and an enemy detection mode is used to provide a layout for where enemies are located in an area.[2] The multi-function suit also contains information about shields and health points. Throughout levels, the player is tasked to complete similar objectives, guided by a directional arrow, including recovering a package, bombing a location, or rescuing a hostage.[1]

Development

Classified was developed by Torus Games, an Australian development company based in Melbourne.[3] Development on Classified was the first and only Xbox title and first-person shooter game developed by the company. Production of the title was troubled, with production lead Kevin McIntosh stating that the game had a "super short timeframe" for creation due to having moved into a new studio, and the team "had some difficulties with the (Xbox) hardware for a few more weeks after the other platforms were complete".[4] Eventually, the PlayStation 2 version was cancelled for unknown reasons.[5][6]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic41/100[7]
Review scores
PublicationScore
AllGameStarStarHalf star[8]
GameSpot5.4/10[2]
IGN2.1/10[1]
TeamXbox5.9/10[10]

Classified received "generally unfavorable" reviews, according to review aggregator Metacritic, with an average score of 41%.[7] Reviewers critiqued the game's generic level design and enemies. Describing the level design as "back and forth", Official Xbox Magazine wrote that the game's mission objectives were "cliche".[9] IGN similarly noted that the "level design and objectives are extremely dull" and confined to several similar tasks.[1] Team Xbox noted that the gameplay involved "dispatching wave after wave of baddies", remarking that the result was "not a whole lot of fun" and "doesn't differentiate itself from any of the other first-person shooters" on the console.[10] GameSpot noted that "the missions are just dull", writing that "there's no creativity to any single element of (the) missions, and because of that, you'll be bored with the experience almost immediately."[2] Critics also observed that the enemy behaviour contributed to the poor design of the levels. Writing that "any kind of engaging gameplay is ruined by poor enemy AI", IGN noted how the enemies "either charge directly at you or stay put, making it really, really boring to fight them".[1] Digital Press noted that enemies tend to "stand and shoot" and "rarely mix things up", creating a "complete lack of challenge".[11]

The game's weapons and control system were also critiqued, with many critics questioning the decision to feature a single weapon in the game.[2] IGN noted that the "exceedingly slight visual differences between the weapon variations" limited the game's variety, writing "you're going to be using the same weapon with the fire button constantly pressed".[1] Team Xbox described the system as lacking "auto-aim" or weapon weight or recoil, observing that "many shots won't find their mark which also makes ammo conservation a bit more of an issue than it should be."[10] Official Xbox Magazine faulted the game's "cockeyed" control system, writing that the game featured "terrible movement and gun recoil controls" and that the player's speed "bizarrely halves" when moving diagonally.[9] Digital Press described controlling the player character as a "chore", writing that "aiming is completely inaccurate, and landing a quick kill is entirely based on luck."[11] GameSpot wrote that "there's just no impact behind the shots, no matter which gun you use", describing the explosive weapons as "bizarrely underwhelming".[2]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Onyett, Charles (25 May 2006). "Classified: The Sentinel Crisis". https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/05/24/classified-the-sentinel-crisis. Retrieved 3 August 2023. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Navarro, Alex (20 April 2006). "Classified: The Sentinel Crisis Review". https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/classified-the-sentinel-crisis-review/1900-6148040/. Retrieved 3 August 2023. 
  3. ↑ "Torus Games". 2006. Archived from the original on April 25, 2006. https://web.archive.org/web/20060425080033/http://www.torusgames.com/. Retrieved 3 August 2023. 
  4. ↑ "Torus Games". E1M1 (Jake Parr): 15–16. 4 September 2020. https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/64060625/e1m1-issue-zero-preview-issue. Retrieved 3 August 2023. 
  5. ↑ Classified: The Sentinel Crisis. IGN. Retrieved on May 31, 2008.
  6. ↑ Classified: The Sentinel Crisis Playstation 2. GameSpot. Retrieved on May 31, 2008.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Classified: The Sentinel Crisis". https://www.metacritic.com/game/classified-the-sentinel-crisis/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox. Retrieved 3 August 2023. 
  8. ↑ "Classified: The Sentinel Crisis". Archived from the original on 14 November 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141114120812/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=47062. Retrieved 3 August 2023. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Peckham, Matt (July 2006). "Classified: The Sentinel Crisis". Official Xbox Magazine US (Future US, Inc.): 81. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Ahearn, Nate (1 May 2006). "Classified: The Sentinel Crisis Review (Xbox)". Archived from the original on 5 May 2006. https://web.archive.org/web/20060505024855/http://reviews.teamxbox.com/xbox/1169/Classified-The-Sentinel-Crisis/p1/. Retrieved 3 August 2023. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Paprocki, Matt (3 July 2006). "Classified: The Sentinel Crisis". https://www.digitpress.com/reviews/classified_xbox.htm. Retrieved 3 August 2023. 
  • 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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