Software:Cyberball

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Cyberball
Sega Genesis cover art
Developer(s)Atari Games
Publisher(s)Atari Games
Designer(s)John Salwitz
Dave Ralston
Programmer(s)John Salwitz
Paul Kwinn
Artist(s)Dave Ralston
Mark West
Will Noble
Deborah Short
Composer(s)Brad Fuller
Hal Canon
Don Diekneite
Byron Sheppard
Platform(s)Arcade, Genesis, Atari ST, Atari Lynx, Amiga, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum, NES
ReleaseArcade
Genesis/Mega Drive
  • NA: June 1990
  • EU: 1990
  • JP: July 28, 1990
Home computers
Atari Lynx
NES
Genre(s)Sports
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Cyberball (サイバーボール, Saibābōru) is a video game released in arcades in 1988 by Atari Games. The game is a 7-man American football using robotic avatars of different speeds, sizes, and skill sets set in the year 2022. Originally released for arcades, Cyberball was ported to several home consoles and computers.

In 1988, Atari released the original Cyberball arcade game as a large cabinet with two monitors, each with two sets of controls for one or two players. Players on each side could play against computer opponents or head-to-head on opposing monitors for a maximum of four players. In 1989, Atari Games released a sequel to the original Cyberball in both the same large dual-monitor cabinet titled Tournament Cyberball 2072 as well as a stand-alone two-player cabinet titled Cyberball 2072. The sequel included improved game play, which included refined player movements and many more offensive plays and defensive formations, and changed its setting to 2072. Also shipped in 1989 were several conversion kits to modify existing cabinets to Tournament Cyberball 2072 or the 2-player-only Cyberball 2072.

Gameplay

Gameplay screenshot

The game replaces the standard downs system with an explosive ball that progresses from "cool" to "warm", "hot", and "critical" status as it is used. Players can only defuse the ball, resetting it from its current state back to "cool" by crossing the 50 yard line or by change of possession, whether through touchdown, interception, or fumble. A robot holding a critical ball while being tackled is destroyed along with the ball. The robots also possess finite durability. As offensive units are tackled, they wear down, finally issuing smoke and then flames after a number of hits. A flaming robot will explode when hit, thereby fumbling the ball. Players can use the money bonuses they earn while playing to upgrade their robots with faster and more durable units. Players select from run, pass, or option plays on offense, after which the computer presents four individual plays from which to choose. On defense, a player can select short, medium, or long defenses, and then select a specific defensive scheme.

The standard configuration allows single player, two player cooperative, two player head-to-head or four player head-to-head play. Playing with two teams of two people opened up a new dimension of gameplay. Computer-controlled avatars run offensive patterns in very specific ways before reaching their assigned passing spots. Human players, however, could exploit the fact that a number of offensive plays started with identical formations. By choosing one play, but moving their avatars in imitation of a similar but different play, the offensive team could disguise their intentions before suddenly breaking for their assigned pass locations. This offensive flexibility forced defending players to quickly recognize plays and move to break them up by rushing to what they guessed was the intended passing spot. Most often, the timely use of the defender's turbo, a short-term speed boost usable once per play, would determine whether the play resulted in a missed pass, an interception, a long gain, or a score. This ability to improvise in four player mode built the popularity of Cyberball, leading to many tournaments across the United States for a period of time.

Arcade sequels

Native Atari cabinets

In 1989, Atari Games released the four-player Tournament Cyberball 2072, as well as the 2-player Cyberball 2072, which included the following changes from the original Cyberball:

  • New "Game Breakers" mode
  • Added Rookie mode
  • Bugfixes, in particular the onside kick
  • Added 100 additional plays
  • Introduced the powerback

Conversion kits

Also released in 1989 were several conversion kits. These included:

  • Kit to upgrade Cyberball cabinet to Tournament Cyberball 2072
  • Kit to upgrade Nintendo Dual System cabinet to Tournament Cyberball 2072
  • Kit to upgrade 2-player JAMMA cabinets to Cyberball 2072

Note, the conversion kit for the original Cyberball cabinet required a technician to modify the original game PCB by adding several jumper wires as well as a ROM daughter board. Other conversion kits included a full dedicated game PCB.

Ports

Cyberball was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1992 by Jaleco. Tengen intended to release it unlicensed, but Jaleco purchased rights to publish it first. Ports were also published for the Sega Genesis, Atari ST, Amiga, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, and ZX Spectrum.

Lynx Tournament Cyberball

Tournament Cyberball
Atari Lynx box art
Publisher(s)Atari Games
Platform(s)Arcade, Lynx
Release

A Tournament Cyberball 2072 port for the Atari Lynx was released by Atari Corporation in 1991.[2]

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
AllGameStarStarStarHalf star (Arcade)[3]
StarStarStar (NES)[4]
Console XS76/100 (Genesis)[5]
MegaTech80% (Genesis)[6]

In a retrospective review, Brett Alan of Allgame praising the arcade version calling it "A highly influential futuristic sports game". He also praised the fast paced hard hitting gridiron action although gave criticized the gameplay being erratic concluding: "however, the game is undeniable fun for arcade-style sports enthusiasts."[7] on the same website, Skyler Miller gave a negative review for the NES version writing: "The NES isn't able to handle the detailed graphics found in the arcade version of Cyberball, so this adaptation ironically ends up feeling more like a primitive version of football than a futuristic one."[8] Megatech praised the Genesis version being a decent conversion from the arcade version and praised the graphics.[9]

References

  1. ↑ "Cyberball (Registration Number PA0000428027)". https://cocatalog.loc.gov. 
  2. ↑ "Tournament Cyberball 2072 (Game)" (in en). https://www.giantbomb.com/cyberball-2072/3030-21015/. 
  3. ↑ Brett Alan Weiss. "Cyberball (Arcade) Review". http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=9858&tab=review. 
  4. ↑ Miller, Skyler. "Cyberball (NES) Review". http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=22149&tab=review. 
  5. ↑ "A-Z Software". Console XS (Paragon Publishing) (1): 128. June 1992. https://archive.org/details/console-xs-01/page/128/mode/2up. Retrieved June 8, 2022. 
  6. ↑ "Game Index". MegaTech (EMAP) (1): 77. December 1991. https://archive.org/details/UneditedUK_marktrade/MegaTech_01/page/n75/mode/2up. Retrieved June 8, 2022. 
  7. ↑ Brett Alan Weiss. "Cyberball (Arcade) Review". http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=9858&tab=review. 
  8. ↑ Miller, Skyler. "Cyberball (NES) Review". http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=22149&tab=review. 
  9. ↑ "Game Index". MegaTech (EMAP) (1): 77. December 1991. https://archive.org/details/UneditedUK_marktrade/MegaTech_01/page/n75/mode/2up. Retrieved June 8, 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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