Software:Damnation (video game)

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Damnation
Developer(s)Blue Omega Entertainment
Point of View, Inc.
Publisher(s)Codemasters
Designer(s)Jacob Minkoff
Writer(s)Michael Urbanski
EngineUnreal Engine 3
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Release
  • EU: May 22, 2009
  • NA: May 26, 2009
  • AU: June 4, 2009
Genre(s)Third-person shooter
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Damnation is a steampunk shooter, co-developed by Blue Omega Entertainment and Point of View, Inc., and published by Codemasters. It was released in 2009 on Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

Gameplay

Damnation features large, open environments where a variety of acrobatics and Hollywood-action stunts are possible. Damnation features verticality which differentiates it from many other games in the genre. Damnation has steam-powered vehicles which are also able to execute various feats of mobility, such as climbing up walls.

Plot

Setting

Damnation is set in an alternate history version of the U.S., in which the American Civil War stretches several decades and highly advanced steampunk technology spearheads the great technological advancement, instead of combustion engines. This results in the introduction of highly advanced technology like steam-powered vehicles, war machines and robots. During the war, Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla were charged with sedition, which enables a genius inventor named Prescott and his corporation, P.S.I., to become exclusive suppliers of arms to the US government. Prescott's advanced weaponry enables the Civil War to come to an end but Prescott has been scheming to overthrow the U.S. government and remake the U.S. into an American Empire to rule the world.

Synopsis

Several years after the end of the bloody American Civil War, industrialist Prescott overthrows President Abraham Lincoln's administration and establishes a dictatorship. Several US Army splinter groups, primarily led by Captain Hamilton Rourke, form a resistance movement against Prescott.

During Rourke's adventures, he works with or against a number of characters, including Yakecan, an ally and Indian healer, Jack, a scientist for the enemy, and Professor Winslow, Jack's father. He also works with a shaman named Akahando against the forces of Prescott.

The Resistance army is fighting PSI, led by Commander Selina, on a bridge in a deserted city named Arrowtree. Hamilton and his group fight their way through the city to the bridge and destroy it. PSI then uses a specialized tank to bridge the gap with special tracks and continue fighting. As they make their escape the Professor is captured and the rest retreat on to their airship, the Corsair. Then Yakecan's brother Akhahandro tells them that Prescott is raping the earth of its resources to make "Serum", which makes his soldiers fight harder. The group leaves to rescue the Professor with the help of their new powers that allow them to see enemies before they see them. The group lands in Boom Town where the citizens are crazy on serum. They were miners before Prescott infected their water supply and made them blood thirsty. They fight their way through and meet up with the injured enemy Jack, who happens to be the daughter of the Professor, they take her and he repairs her arm. But she escapes on a plane and the group goes after her but are shot down by Selina's troops. Prescott captures Akahando and forces him to use his powers to see the future. Hamilton fights his way through the rest of the city and finds Selina who attempts to kill them with a turret but Jack comes and helps them fight. They defeat Selina and escape and Jack finds out Prescott's true intentions on domination. Selina survived and rides away with Hamilton going after so he can find his missing love Daydon. He and Jack make it to an ancient ruined site and find Selina and the hooded stranger who turns to be a transformed and tortured Daydon who begs Hamilton to end her life. They fight and Daydon is defeated but Selina escapes. The PSI army attacks Terra Verte. Hamilton makes it to the city where he and his group battles to liberate the city. They battle Selina again which ends with Jack drowning her in a fountain. They activate the city water defense system which opens the water gates and drowns the invading forces in sea water. The group infiltrates Prescott's HQ and the final battle begins. Prescott reveals his powerful weapon, a mech, and fights Hamilton. Hamilton destroys the mech but Prescott lifts the machine up and throws it away after taking a large dose of his own serum. He then tries to kill Hamilton. Hamilton defeats Prescott and his corpse turns to ash. The group saves Akahando and leave in their Airship finally ending Prescott's reign of terror and bringing peace to America.

Development

The game originally started as an Unreal Tournament 2004 mod, and was entered into Epic Games' first Make Something Unreal contest. It came in second place for best Total Conversion game modification. The retail version retains much of its mod's gameplay, including third-person gameplay, acrobatic moves and spirit vision.[1]

A demo was scheduled to be released on the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Marketplace in early January 2009 but that was never released.

The game was delayed numerous times from its original fall 2008 release window, with numerous release dates thereafter being given and then missed before finally being released in May–June 2009.

The game's cover uses Ray Larabie's freeware font "Anklepants", which borrows heavily from the Group W typeface introduced in 1963, for their logos and on-air imaging (though the game was released in 2009, 11 years after Group W went defunct, and before it was merged into the original incarnation of Viacom).

Promotion

A console design contest was made available for US residents. Contestants could submit their designs using any available design tool. The prize was a limited edition PlayStation 3 with a steampunk design.[citation needed]

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
PCPS3Xbox 360
DestructoidN/AN/A5/10[2]
Edge3/10[3]3/10[3]3/10[3]
EurogamerN/AN/A3/10[4]
Game InformerN/A3/10[5]3/10[5]
GameSpot3.5/10[6]3.5/10[6]3.5/10[6]
GameZoneN/AN/A3/10[7]
IGN2.5/10[8]2.5/10[9]2.5/10[9]
OXM (UK)N/AN/A6/10[10]
PC Gamer (UK)46%[11]N/AN/A
PSMN/AStarHalf star[12]N/A
Teletext GameCentralN/A3/10[13]N/A
Aggregate score
Metacritic41/100[14]36/100[15]36/100[16]

Damnation received "unfavorable" reviews on all platforms according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[14][15][16] IGN reviewer Greg Miller said that the graphics, voice acting, and gunplay are terrible: "Avoid this game at all costs".[8][9] Andy Hartup wrote in Xbox World that the game was "[o]ne of the worst shooters of this generation. The clue really is in the name..."[17]

Junglist and Bajo, from the Australian gaming show Good Game, said that they enjoyed the environment and exploring but felt the A.I. was overpowered and unintelligent.[18]

References

  1. ↑ Callaham, John (March 6, 2008). "Former UT 2004 Mod Damnation To Become Full-Fledged Retail Game". FS Media. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110606061810/http://www.firingsquad.com/news/newsarticle.asp?searchid=19872. Retrieved June 13, 2019. 
  2. ↑ Sterling, Jim (June 22, 2009). "Review: Damnation (X360)". Enthusiast Gaming. https://www.destructoid.com/review-damnation-137090.phtml. Retrieved June 13, 2019. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Edge staff (July 2009). "Damnation". Edge (Future plc) (203): 99. 
  4. ↑ Whitehead, Dan (May 20, 2009). "Damnation (Xbox 360)". Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/damnation-review. Retrieved June 1, 2009. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Reeves, Ben (August 2009). "Damnation (PS3, X360): An Awesome Concept and Setting Can't Elevate Lame Writing and Gunplay". Game Informer (GameStop) (196). https://www.gameinformer.com/games/damnation/b/ps3/archive/2009/09/22/review.aspx. Retrieved June 13, 2019. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Todd, Brett (June 9, 2009). "Damnation Review". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/damnation-review/1900-6211763/. Retrieved June 13, 2019. 
  7. ↑ David, Mike (June 19, 2009). "Damnation - 360 - Review". Archived from the original on June 22, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090622172229/http://xbox360.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r34894.htm. Retrieved June 13, 2019. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Miller, Greg (June 15, 2009). "Damnation Review (PC)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/06/15/damnation-review. Retrieved June 13, 2019. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Miller, Greg (May 29, 2009). "Damnation Review (PS3, X360)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/05/29/damnation-review-3. Retrieved June 13, 2019. 
  10. ↑ OXMUK staff (May 20, 2009). "Review: Damnation". Official Xbox Magazine UK (Future plc). Archived from the original on May 27, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090527080024/http://www.oxm.co.uk/article.php?id=10628. Retrieved June 13, 2019. 
  11. ↑ "Damnation". PC Gamer UK (Future plc): 86. August 2009. 
  12. ↑ "Review: Damnation". PlayStation: The Official Magazine (Future plc) (22): 72. August 2009. 
  13. ↑ Hargreaves, Roger (May 2009). "Damnation (PS3)". Teletext Ltd.. Archived from the original on May 27, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090527123729/http://www.teletext.co.uk/gamecentral/features-reviews/68328cccdf60b2c91a0e0690b5e6ca8e/Damnation+(PS3).aspx. Retrieved June 13, 2019. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "Damnation for PC Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/damnation/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. Retrieved June 13, 2019. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 "Damnation for PlayStation 3 Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/damnation/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-3. Retrieved June 13, 2019. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 "Damnation for Xbox 360 Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/damnation/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360. Retrieved June 13, 2019. 
  17. ↑ Hartup, Andy (May 22, 2009). "Damnation review (X360)". Future plc. Archived from the original on December 26, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141226023529/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/215614/reviews/damnation-review/. Retrieved June 13, 2019. 
  18. ↑ "Damnation". ABC2. June 1, 2009. http://www.abc.net.au/tv/goodgame/stories/s2585843.htm. Retrieved June 11, 2009. 
  • Damnation modification site at moddb.com
  • 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. 
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