Software:Countdown Vampires

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Short description: 1999 video game
Countdown Vampires
Developer(s)K.2.C.
Publisher(s)Bandai
Director(s)Satoki Mizuhara
Producer(s)Ken Fukaki
Designer(s)Susumu Akaishi
Programmer(s)Kuniharu Kobayashi
Artist(s)Kaoru Kamigiku
Composer(s)Kenichi Kamio
Platform(s)PlayStation
Release
  • JP: December 22, 1999
  • NA: July 2000[1]
Genre(s)Survival horror
Mode(s)Single-player

Countdown Vampires (カウントダウンヴァンパイヤーズ, Kauntodaun Vanpaiyāzu) is a 1999 survival horror game developed by K.2.C. and published by Bandai for the PlayStation

Gameplay

The gameplay is similar to the earlier games in the Resident Evil series, to the extent of being labelled a "clone",[2] although there are some additions like a dart gun as a secondary weapon, used to sedate most enemies (mainly, zombie-like "vampires") and then sprinkle "white water" on them to restore their humanity, instead of simply killing all enemies that approach the player (which can also be done). This encourages the player to use a wide variety of fighting techniques if they want to "save" the enemies. As the game advances, more and more creatures appear (whose origins are not that well explained until late in the game), such as giant vampire bats, werewolf-like creatures, giant humanoid mantis-like insects, giant frog mutants (which are similar to the hunters from the first Resident Evil), and purple blobs. The dart gun does not work on these types of enemies.

It is possible to reload all guns and to switch between the dart gun and a lethal weapon in real-time without having to use the menu screen. It is also possible to reload in real-time before emptying a firearm's bullet count. There is an "e-mail" system in the item storage boxes which is mainly used to further explain and expand the backstory. It is also notable that there are minigames available in the first part of the game (set in a casino), like roulette and slot machines; the money won in these games can be used to buy food and drinks, the in-game recovery items.

If the game is cleared within eight hours, a special story mode is unlocked which shows an altered version of the original story and includes additional characters not present in the first playthrough. This also gives the option to gather the five "Lucky coins". A minigame called "Prince of Darkness" is unlocked by typing "Prince Darkness" in the New Game option of the second disc. In this minigame, the player controls a vampire version of Keith and has to slay humans within a 20 minutes time limit. Game characters appear as enemies, such as Mira, Sheck, and The Man in Black.

Plot

Sea Rim City Police Homicide Detective Keith J. Snyder had a problem which involved his previous partner, Wesley Simmons, so he was assigned, as a disciplinary measure, to be a bodyguard for several VIPs who were key to the inauguration of a new horror-themed casino, the Desert Moon. The problems begin when a fire breaks out and a mysterious black liquid starts to pour out of the fire sprinklers, turning the vast majority of the people into vampires that proceed to devour the remaining survivors. Now Keith must find his way out of the casino and also try save as many people as he can.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic41/100[3]
Review scores
PublicationScore
AllGame2.5/5[4]
EGM2/10, 6/10, 3.5/10, 4.5/10[5]
Famitsu30/40[6]
Game Informer6.5/10[7]
GameSpot3.3/10[2]
IGN4.5/10[8]
OPM (US)1.5/5[9]
PSM1/5[10]

The game received "unfavorable" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[3] In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of 30 out of 40.[6] Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine gave it a negative review months before the game was released Stateside.[9]

Notes

References

  1. ↑ IGN staff (July 10, 2000). "The Games of July". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/07/11/the-games-of-july-3. Retrieved January 19, 2021. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Tracy, Tim (September 13, 2000). "Countdown Vampires Review". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/countdown-vampires-review/1900-2627775/. Retrieved October 30, 2020. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Countdown Vampires". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/countdown-vampires/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation. Retrieved January 19, 2021. 
  4. ↑ Knight, Kyle. "Countdown Vampires -- Review". All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 16, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141116084636/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=20755&tab=review. Retrieved October 30, 2020. 
  5. ↑ Davison, John; Johnston, Chris; Smith, Shawn; Chou, Che (May 2000). "Countdown Vampires". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (130): 149. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "プレイステーション - カウントダウンヴァンパイヤーズ" (in ja). Famitsu (Enterbrain) 915: 23. June 30, 2006. 
  7. ↑ "Countdown Vampires". Game Informer (FuncoLand) (88). August 2000. 
  8. ↑ Smith, David (September 12, 2000). "Countdown: Vampires [sic"]. Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/09/13/countdown-vampires. Retrieved October 30, 2020. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Baker, Chris (May 2000). "Countdown Vampires". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine (Ziff Davis) 3 (8): 91. https://archive.org/details/Official_U.S._Playstation_Magazine_Issue_32_May_2000/page/n89/mode/2up. Retrieved January 19, 2021. 
  10. ↑ "Review: Countdown Vampires". PSM (Imagine Media) (35): 30. July 2000. 

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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