Software:Colin McRae Rally 2005

From HandWiki
Short description: 2004 video game
Colin McRae Rally 2005
European cover art, featuring a Subaru Impreza
Developer(s)Codemasters[lower-alpha 1]
Publisher(s)Codemasters
N-Gage
Nokia
Mac OS X
Feral Interactive
SeriesColin McRae Rally
Platform(s)
Release
Genre(s)Racing
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Colin McRae Rally 2005 is a 2004 racing video game developed and published by Codemasters.

Gameplay

As with previous games in the series, Colin McRae Rally 2005 is presented as a realistic rally simulation, with players participating in rallies consisting of 70 stages spread over nine countries. There are over 30 cars available. There is also a revised graphics and damage engine that enables paint scratches on the car, and a new "career" mode where the player starts out in the lower club leagues and works their way up to compete with Colin McRae in his 2004 Dakar Rally Nissan Pick-Up. In "championship" mode, the player takes the role of Colin himself, competing in six rallies using any 4WD car. The game's graphic engine allows for more realistic damage effects, like broken glass and doors falling off, and a blurred vision effect if the player comes into contact with a hard object. The damage system has similarities to the Destruction Derby one, as a damaged radiator will stall the car and make it need to restart the engine. A slight level of customisation is the ability to put your name and nationality on the window.

The game also features online multiplayer on both the PlayStation 2 and Xbox. In line with other online-enabled games on the Xbox, multiplayer on Xbox Live was available to players until 15 April 2010. Colin McRae Rally 2005 is now playable online again on the replacement Xbox Live servers called Insignia. [4][5]

A Mac OS X version of this game, renamed as Colin McRae Rally Mac, was published by Feral Interactive and developed by Robosoft Technologies[1], marking the first game in the series for Mac OS X. It was released on 26 October 2007, just six weeks after McRae's death in a helicopter crash. The development of the game was fraught with problems. Apple's switch to Intel Macs, some behind-the-scenes changes at Feral and other issues conspired to keep Colin McRae Rally Mac from being released until fairly late into 2007, despite it being based on PC-game underpinnings that Windows gamers had been enjoying since late 2004. Feral chose to make this release as independent of the PC franchise as possible to avoid any issues that might date it, calling it Colin McRae Rally Mac rather than attaching a year to it. Two mobile phone versions of this game were created: a N-Gage version developed by Ideaworks3D and a J2ME version developed by IOMO and published by Digital Bridges. The N-Gage version reused stages from Colin McRae Rally 2.0. Both were nominated for BAFTAs in the Mobile and Handheld categories respectively. The PlayStation Portable version was ported to Japan under the name Colin McRae Rally (コリン・マクレー ラリー, Korin Makurē Rarī) and published by Interchannel-Holon on 14 June 2007.[6]

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
mobileN-GagePCPS2PSPXbox
EdgeN/AN/A6/10[7]6/10[7]N/A6/10[7]
EGMN/A8/10[8]N/AN/AN/AN/A
EurogamerN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A8/10[9]
Game InformerN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A8.25/10[10]
GameProN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A4.5/5[11]
GameSpot6/10[12]8.3/10[13]8.3/10[14]N/AN/A8.6/10[15]
GameSpyN/A4/5[16]4.5/5[17]N/AN/A4/5[18]
GameZoneN/A8.2/10[19]N/AN/AN/A9.2/10[20]
IGN6.1/10[21]N/A9.1/10[22]N/AN/A9.1/10[23]
OPM (UK)N/AN/AN/A9/10[24]N/AN/A
OXM (US)N/AN/AN/AN/AN/A8.5/10[25]
PALGNN/AN/AN/A8/10[26]6.5/10[27]N/A
PC Gamer (US)N/AN/A73%[28]N/AN/AN/A
VideoGamer.comN/AN/AN/AN/A6/10[29]N/A
BBC SportN/AN/AN/A90%[30]N/A90%[30]
The Sydney Morning HeraldN/AN/A3.5/5[31]3.5/5[31]N/A3.5/5[31]
Aggregate scores
GameRankings74%[32]84%[33]82%[34]84%[35]72%[36]84%[37]
MetacriticN/A83/100[38]83/100[39]80/100[40]72/100[41]83/100[42]

Colin McRae Rally 2005 received "favourable" reviews on all platforms except the PSP version, which received "average" reviews, according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[38][39][40][41][42] GameSpot named Colin McRae Rally 2005 the best N-Gage game of 2004. It received a runner-up position in the publication's annual "Best Driving Game" award category across all platforms, losing to Software:Burnout 3: Takedown.[43]

Macworld editor Peter Cohen gave the Mac OS X port four out of five stars, praising the variety of vehicles, courses, and game modes to choose from. Cohen also praised the graphics and sound effects as "top notch". Mild criticism was noted relating to online play.[44]

Notes

  1. ↑ N-Gage version developed by Ideaworks3D; J2ME version developed by I-Play; PlayStation Portable version developed by Six by Nine; Mac OS X version developed by Robosoft Technologies.[1]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Games, Rovi. "Colin McRae Rally Mac - Overview". AllGame. http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=62704. 
  2. ↑ "Colin McRae Rally 2005 - N-Gage". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on 20 March 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140320203111/http://www.ign.com/games/colin-mcrae-rally-2005/nng-703858. Retrieved 20 June 2018. 
  3. ↑ Chris Leigh (September 12, 2005). "Updated Australian Release List - 12/09/05". PAL Gaming Network. http://palgn.com.au/article.php?id=3055&sid=eb7471f40fd239d4799d6dc23dafbc01. 
  4. ↑ Xbox, Pure (2022-12-21). "Xbox Live 1.0 Replacement Adds More Supported Titles, 40 Games Now Playable" (in en-GB). https://www.purexbox.com/news/2022/12/xbox-live-1-0-replacement-adds-more-supported-titles-40-games-now-playable. 
  5. ↑ "Insignia - Colin McRae Rally 2005" (in en). https://insignia.live/games/434d002b. 
  6. ↑ "コリン・マクレー ラリー [PSP"] (in Japanese). Famitsu (Enterbrain). https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=5148. Retrieved 20 June 2018. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Edge staff (November 2004). "Colin McRae Rally (PC, PS2, XBOX)". Edge (Future plc) (142): 107. 
  8. ↑ EGM staff (25 December 2004). "Colin McRae Rally 2005 (N-Gage)". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (186): 142. 
  9. ↑ Reed, Kristan (23 September 2004). "Colin McRae Rally 2005 (Xbox)". Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_cmr2005_x. Retrieved 20 June 2018. 
  10. ↑ Kato, Matthew (October 2004). "Colin McRae Rally 2005 (Xbox)". Game Informer (GameStop) (138): 139. http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/A73558F3-1C0B-4E21-A14E-53CA37234AF5.htm. Retrieved 20 June 2018. 
  11. ↑ Four-Eyed Dragon (November 2004). "Colin McRae Rally 2005 Review for Xbox on GamePro.com". GamePro (IDG Entertainment): 108. Archived from the original on 9 February 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050209110531/http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox/games/reviews/38387.shtml. Retrieved 20 June 2018. 
  12. ↑ Score, Avery (22 October 2004). "Colin McRae Rally 2005 Review (Mobile)". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/colin-mcrae-rally-2005-review/1900-6111259/. Retrieved 20 June 2018. 
  13. ↑ Score, Avery (23 November 2004). "Colin McRae Rally 2005 Review (N-Gage)". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/colin-mcrae-rally-2005-review/1900-6113911/. Retrieved 20 June 2018. 
  14. ↑ Ekberg, Brian (15 November 2004). "Colin McRae Rally 2005 Review (PC)". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/colin-mcrae-rally-2005-review/1900-6113215/. Retrieved 20 June 2018. 
  15. ↑ Ekberg, Brian (4 October 2004). "Colin McRae Rally 2005 Review (Xbox)". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/colin-mcrae-rally-2005-review/1900-6109628/. Retrieved 20 June 2018. 
  16. ↑ Leeper, Justin (21 January 2005). "GameSpy: Colin McRae Rally 2005 (N-Gage)". Ziff Davis. http://wireless.gamespy.com/n-gage/colin-mcrae-rally-2005/582097p1.html. Retrieved 20 June 2018. 
  17. ↑ Peckham, Matt (6 December 2004). "GameSpy: Colin McRae Rally 2005 (PC)". Ziff Davis. http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/colin-mcrae-rally-5/571218p1.html. Retrieved 20 June 2018. 
  18. ↑ Chapman, David (14 October 2004). "GameSpy: Colin McRae Rally 2005 (Xbox)". Ziff Davis. http://xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/colin-mcrae-rally-2005/557187p1.html. Retrieved 20 June 2018. 
  19. ↑ Bedigian, Louis (7 February 2005). "Colin McRae Rally 2005 - NG - Review". Archived from the original on 29 September 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080929095026/http://ngage.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r23953.htm. Retrieved 20 June 2018. 
  20. ↑ Valentino, Nick (21 October 2004). "Colin McRae Rally - XB - Review". Archived from the original on 15 October 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20081015194316/http://xbox.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r23953.htm. Retrieved 20 June 2018. 
  21. ↑ Buchanan, Levi (7 February 2005). "Colin McRae Rally 2005 (Cell)". Ziff Davis. http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/02/07/colin-mcrae-rally-2005. Retrieved 20 June 2018. 
  22. ↑ Perry, Douglass C. (19 November 2004). "Colin McRae Rally 2005 (PC)". Ziff Davis. http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/11/20/colin-mcrae-rally-2005-2. Retrieved 20 June 2018. 
  23. ↑ Perry, Douglass C. (30 September 2004). "Colin McRae Rally 2005 (Xbox)". Ziff Davis. http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/09/30/colin-mcrae-rally-2005-4. Retrieved 20 June 2018. 
  24. ↑ "Colin McRae Rally 2005". Official UK PlayStation 2 Magazine (Future plc) (51). October 2004. 
  25. ↑ "Colin McRae Rally 2005". Official Xbox Magazine (Future US): 88. November 2004. 
  26. ↑ van Leuveren, Luke (13 October 2004). "Colin McRae Rally 2005 Review - PlayStation 2 Review". Archived from the original on 10 September 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20070910043151/http://palgn.com.au/article.php?id=1658. Retrieved 20 June 2018. 
  27. ↑ van Leuveren (18 October 2005). "Colin McRae Rally 2005 Plus Review". Archived from the original on 17 January 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080117201200/http://palgn.com.au/article.php?id=3238. Retrieved 20 June 2018. 
  28. ↑ "Colin McRae Rally 2005". PC Gamer (Future US) 11 (13): 96. 25 December 2004. 
  29. ↑ Orry, Tom (13 September 2005). "Colin McRae Rally 2005 plus Review". Resero Network. https://www.videogamer.com/reviews/colin-mcrae-rally-2005-plus-review. Retrieved 20 June 2018. 
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 Burnett, Mike (1 October 2004). "Let's Play: Colin McRae Rally 2005 (PS2, Xbox)". BBC. https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/funny_old_game/game_reviews/3704842.stm. 
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 31.2 Ring, Bennett (23 October 2004). "Hot wheels". The Sydney Morning Herald (Fairfax Media). https://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/10/22/1098316850998.html. Retrieved 20 June 2018. 
  32. ↑ "Colin McRae Rally 2005 for Mobile". CBS Interactive. http://www.gamerankings.com/mobile/925083-colin-mcrae-rally-2005/index.html. Retrieved 23 January 2017. 
  33. ↑ "Colin McRae Rally 2005 for N-Gage". CBS Interactive. http://www.gamerankings.com/ngage/921367-colin-mcrae-rally-2005/index.html. Retrieved 23 January 2017. 
  34. ↑ "Colin McRae Rally 2005 for PC". CBS Interactive. http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/921990-colin-mcrae-rally-2005/index.html. Retrieved 23 January 2017. 
  35. ↑ "Colin McRae Rally 2005 for PlayStation 2". CBS Interactive. http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/919667-colin-mcrae-rally-2005/index.html. Retrieved 23 January 2017. 
  36. ↑ "Colin McRae Rally 2005 for PlayStation Portable". CBS Interactive. http://www.gamerankings.com/psp/925184-colin-mcrae-rally-2005/index.html. Retrieved 23 January 2017. 
  37. ↑ "Colin McRae Rally 2005 for Xbox". CBS Interactive. http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/920512-colin-mcrae-rally-2005/index.html. Retrieved 23 January 2017. 
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 "Colin McRae Rally 2005 (ngage: 2004): Reviews". CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 13 September 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080913065325/http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ngage/colinmcraerally2005. Retrieved 20 June 2018. 
  39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 "Colin McRae Rally 2005 for PC Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/colin-mcrae-rally-2005/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. Retrieved 23 January 2017. 
  40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 "Colin McRae Rally 2005 (ps2: 2004): Reviews". CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 13 September 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080913113914/http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ps2/colinmcraerally2005. Retrieved 20 June 2018. 
  41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 "Colin McRae Rally 2005 (psp: 2005): Review". CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 13 September 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080913093805/http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/psp/colinmcraerally2005. Retrieved 20 June 2018. 
  42. ↑ 42.0 42.1 "Colin McRae Rally 2005 for Xbox Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/colin-mcrae-rally-2005/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox. Retrieved 23 January 2017. 
  43. ↑ The GameSpot Editors (January 5, 2005). "Best and Worst of 2004". GameSpot. Archived from the original on March 7, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050307021607/http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2004/. 
  44. ↑ Cohen, Peter. "Colin McRae Rally Mac Review". Macworld. https://www.macworld.com/article/188478/colinmcrae-2.html. 
  • 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.



  • 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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