Software:Dalek Attack

From HandWiki
Short description: 1992 video game
Dalek Attack
An illustrated cover shows a silver Dalek firing its energy weapon, which appears as a blue-grey beam extending from the shorter of the two central protruding rods. The words "DALEK ATTACK" are in jagged silver letters across the upper part of the image. The background of the image shows the skyscrapers of an urban skyline; surrounding the Dalek (clockwise, from upper right) are: a tyrannosaurus (standing on a building's roof); a hulking simian humanoid figure holding a gun; a blue police box; the multicoloured diamond Doctor Who logo; a superimposed banner with the flags of the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain and Italy; a crumpled sign reading "I LOVE NEW YORK"; a logo reading "ADMIRAL SOFTWARE"; a figure with a Dalek base and a wizened, humanoid torso and head; the Statue of Liberty, broken and fallen at an angle; and a red Dalek flying on a disc and shooting its energy weapon.
Developer(s)Alternative Software
Publisher(s)Alternative Software
Platform(s)MS-DOS, ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amiga, Atari ST[1]
ReleaseOctober 1992
Genre(s)Platform
Mode(s)Single player, multiplayer

Dalek Attack is a 1992 video game based on the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who, in which the player controls the Doctor and fights recurring adversaries, the Daleks and other enemies. In most versions of the game, the player can choose between playing as the Fourth, Fifth or Seventh Doctor; in the MS-DOS and Amiga versions, the player can play as the Second, Fourth or Seventh Doctor, and in the ZX Spectrum version only the Seventh Doctor was available.[2] A second player may play as the Doctor's companion (Ace or a UNIT soldier, although in the Spectrum version only Ace is available). K-9 also makes appearances later in the game as does Davros, creator of the Daleks in the TV series, as the final end of level boss.[2] The game is set in London, Paris, New York, Tokyo and Skaro.[3]

The game was released on all major formats of the time except for the Amstrad CPC, which was announced but never released. It was designed and storyboarded by 221B Software Development. Graphics were by John Gyarmati and Wayne Dalton. Nick Kimberley programmed the PC, Spectrum and (unreleased) Amstrad versions.[4] The Amiga and Atari ST versions were programmed by Richard Turner. Jason Heggie was in charge of the Commodore 64 version. Music was by Paul Tankard.[3] On the PC and Amiga versions, there was a secret room behind some blocks. The room gave some of the programming credits for each game, in particular the graphics and music. The credits were hidden in this way due to the BBC not wanting individual credits for the game development team to be included in the game.

The ZX Spectrum version was released in 1993 after a successful campaign by Your Sinclair readers as Alternative Software were unsure whether the Spectrum release would be commercially viable.[5][6] Dalek Attack became the last full-price licensed game to be released for the machine.[2] It differed from all the others in its first level; in all the other releases the first level involved the Doctor on a hoverboard going along the sewer. The Spectrum version had the Doctor on foot running around collecting hostages and avoiding globes. The Spectrum version also lost out on other features such as different enemies; only the Robomen, Ogrons and standard Daleks featured.[7] The end-level guardians were also different. Before its release Spectrum owners who wrote to Alternative Software pressing for a release received a letter back stating that the game was in production, and were sent a sticker depicting the game's box front emblazoned with the legend "I've Been Exterminated!" Other versions of the game featured special Daleks such as hovering Daleks from the TV Century 21 comics strips of the 1960s. 1960s "movie" Daleks also made an appearance, as did the special weapons Dalek from Remembrance of the Daleks. Another special Dalek also featured, based on a sketch by Dalek designer Ray Cusick in an article from the 1989 Doctor Who Magazine 10th Anniversary Special showing how a Dalek might look in the 1990s.[8]

The game was later re-released, first in a three pack compilation set called the Sci-Fi Collection with two other titles (Galactic Warrior Rats, Suburban Commando) for the PC. The front cover was in a "Y" shape with Dalek Attack in the bottom right and the instruction booklet was photocopied. This was followed in 1994/95 by another re-release, which was the same as the original except for a purple and black border added to the front and back covers.

References

  1. ↑ Stryker, B.L.; Smith, Martin. "Dalek Attack". MobyGames. http://www.mobygames.com/game/dalek-attack. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Walker, James (8 July 2009). "Greatest Games You've Never Played: Dalek Attack". Binge Gamer. http://www.bingegamer.net/2009/greatest-games-youve-never-played-dalek-attack/. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "The CURSE of WHO: WHY has there never been a decent videogame with the Doctor?". theregister.co.uk. https://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/11/07/antique_code_show_doctor_who/?page=3. 
  4. ↑ Smith, Tony. "The CURSE of WHO: WHY has there never been a decent videogame with the Doctor?" (in en). https://www.theregister.com/2013/11/07/antique_code_show_doctor_who/. 
  5. ↑ Nash, Jonathan, ed (May 1993). "Dr Who Needs You!". Your Sinclair (Bath: Future Publishing) (89): 10. ISSN 0269-6983. https://www.worldofspectrum.org/showmag.cgi?mag=YourSinclair/Issue89/Pages/YourSinclair8900010.jpg. Retrieved 14 January 2010. 
  6. ↑ Nash, Jonathan, ed (June 1993). "Wheezing, Groaning Sound". Your Sinclair (Bath: Future Publishing) (90): 7. ISSN 0269-6983. https://www.worldofspectrum.org/showmag.cgi?mag=YourSinclair/Issue90/Pages/YourSinclair9000007.jpg. Retrieved 14 January 2010. 
  7. ↑ Nash, Jonathan (July 1993). "Doctor Who: Dalek Attack". Your Sinclair (Bath: Future Publishing) (91): 8–9. ISSN 0269-6983. https://www.worldofspectrum.org/showmag.cgi?mag=YourSinclair/Issue91/Pages/YourSinclair9100008.jpg. Retrieved 14 January 2010. 
  8. ↑ "The New Daleks". Doctor Who Magazine: 41. 1989. https://archive.org/details/DoctorWhoMagazines/Doctor%20Who%20-%20Weekly-Monthly%20-%2001-166%2BSpecials%201980-1995/Doctor%20Who%20-%20Marvel%20UK%20-%20%20The%20Specials%201980%20-%201995/16%20-%20Doctor%20Who%20Magazine%2010th%20Anniversary%20Special%201989/page/n41/mode/2up. Retrieved 28 May 2022. 
  • 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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