Software:Dark Void

From HandWiki
Short description: 2010 third-person shooter video game
Dark Void
Developer(s)Airtight Games
Publisher(s)Capcom
Producer(s)Jim Deal Jeff Combos
Designer(s)Jose Perez III Jason Lamparty
Programmer(s)Michael Bowman
Writer(s)Jeffrey Howell
Composer(s)Bear McCreary[1]
EngineUnreal Engine 3
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Release
  • NA: January 19, 2010[2]
  • AU: January 21, 2010
  • EU: January 22, 2010[2]
  • AU: 2010 (PC)
Genre(s)Third-person shooter, action-adventure
Mode(s)Single-player

Dark Void is a third-person shooter video game developed by Airtight Games and published by Capcom. It was originally released in January 2010 for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Microsoft Windows. In the game, players must face an alien threat that humanity had previously banished. The game uses Unreal Engine 3. A Games for Windows – Live version was also released on April 21, 2010.[3]

Gameplay

The games make use of a unique "vertical cover system", as well as a standard cover system. The game includes a hover pack, and later, a jetpack, allowing for a quick transition between traditional shooter gameplay and flight. Everything unlocked in the first play through is transferred over to any new play throughs. Upgrades are purchased using Tech points through a shop at the start of every level before gameplay begins. Tech points are collected from defeated enemies and are hidden throughout the level.

Plot

The game's story takes place before World War II and centers around a cargo pilot named William Augustus Grey (voiced by Nolan North) who is teleported to another world while flying through the Bermuda Triangle. In this world, known as the "Void", Will encounters an alien race as well as other humans, which are known as the Watchers and the Survivors respectively. Will reluctantly joins the Survivors, who are engaged in a feud with the alien race, to satisfy his desire to return to Earth. While aiding the Survivors, Will discovers that the Void is a middle ground that connects both the Watchers' homeworld and Earth. It also becomes apparent that the Watchers are supplying the Axis powers with various wartime provisions for reasons unknown. With the help of Nikola Tesla, Will uses retrofitted Watcher technology to combat the Watchers and eventually find a way to escape the Void.

Music

Bear McCreary, making his video game score debut, composed the score to Dark Void.[1] He recorded the score with a 63-piece ensemble of the Hollywood Studio Symphony at the Eastwood Scoring Stage.[4]

Spin-off

A spin-off title for DSiWare called Dark Void Zero was released in North America on January 18, 2010 and in the PAL region on March 5, 2010. Setting it apart from the next-gen version, the game was designed as a retro title featuring 8-bit graphics and sound, with 2D gameplay in the same vein as the Metroid games. To promote the game, a history of the game was created in which it was a title Capcom was developing to be a breakthrough NES property in the late 80s, but was shelved with the discontinuation of the PlayChoice-10 and the coming of the SNES. This history also appears in-game during the introduction.[5] Additionally, before starting the game, players must use the DSi microphone to blow the cartridge's "contacts", a homage to the age-old method of getting non-working NES games to play. Capcom manager Seth Killian said Dark Void Zero started development after finishing the pre-release copy of Dark Void, inspired by the 8-bit music McCreary provided for the ending credits. Dark Void Zero was also released for iOS and Windows platforms on April 12, 2010.[6] Both versions have an all-new secret ending. The Steam version has an additional ending (for a total of three possible endings), Steam Achievements, online leaderboards, and a SecuROM 5 machine activation limit.[7]

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
PCPS3Xbox 360
DestructoidN/AN/A3.5/10[8]
EurogamerN/AN/A5/10[9]
Game Informer7/10[10]7/10[10]7/10[10]
GameProN/AN/AStarStarStar[11]
GameRevolutionC−[12]C−[12]C−[12]
GameSpot6.5/10[13]6.5/10[14]6.5/10[14]
GameSpyStarStarStar[15]StarStarStar[15]StarStarStar[15]
GameTrailersN/AN/A6.8/10[16]
GameZoneN/A6/10[17]6/10[18]
Giant BombN/AN/AStarStarStar[19]
IGN5/10[20]5/10[21][22]5/10[21][22]
OXM (US)N/AN/A6.5/10[23]
PC Gamer (US)30%[24]N/AN/A
PSMN/AStarStarStarStar[25]N/A
The Daily TelegraphN/AN/A5/10[26]
WiredN/AStarStarStarStar[27]StarStarStarStar[27]
Aggregate score
Metacritic57/100[28]59/100[29]59/100[30]

The game received "mixed" reviews on all platforms according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[28][29][30]

IGN said, "Dark Void is one of those games you'll play, beat, and forget ever existed."[22] Game Informer said that "the shining strengths of the game are buried underneath a thick layer of rust that only the thirstiest of air-junkies should bother chipping through."[10]

GameZone's Louis Bedigian said of the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions, "The generic Gears of War-style shooting is forgivable. But the countless technical problems all but destroy a game that had the potential to be something truly special. Dark Void can be summed up in just six words: so much potential, so much disappointment."[17][18] Hardcore Gamer praised the innovative jet pack but stated that the game "winds up being less than the sum of its parts," and that Dark Void is "not something you need to have in your collection."[31]

Edge gave the Xbox 360 version a score of six out of ten and said, "Somehow, Dark Void just about rises above its faults, but it's hardly at risk of flying too close to the sun."[32] 411Mania gave the PS3 version a score of 5.2 out of 10 and said, "It is sad to say but there really isn't much of a fun factor here. If you are a fan of getting as much trophies as possible, then I can see some fun in this game. There are plenty of trophies to be earned here and a lot of them are very easy to get. I think for people enjoy flying simulators or any type of flying game for that matter might enjoy this a bit more than I did. The story is a bit too spotty, the characters don't seem very important and the game is just very forgettable after you beat it."[33] The Daily Telegraph gave the Xbox 360 version five out of ten and called it "a game we wanted to like more than we did. Its retro sci-fi concept is so appealing it initially makes it tempting to excuse some of the game's rougher edges. In the end, however, no amount of nostalgia can absolve the game of its ropy gameplay, patchy plot, substandard production, generic (and sometimes poor) level design and thin content; the campaign takes around eight hours to complete and that's the only mode on offer."[26] Wired gave the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions four stars out of ten, saying, "Even though some stages (like the penultimate aerial battle) felt like they lasted forever and ever, Dark Void is a pretty short game with an anticlimactic ending that does little more than set up a sequel."[27] The A.V. Club gave the PS3 version a D and called it "an exercise in diminishing returns—what at first seems new and fun eventually becomes dully predictable, and having to mash buttons to secure your grip only adds to the snarling annoyances."[34]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Ocampo, Jason (April 2, 2009). "Galactica Composer Makes Video Game Debut". Ziff Davis. http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/04/02/galactica-composer-makes-video-game-debut. Retrieved May 15, 2018. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 O'Connor, Alice (August 19, 2009). "Dark Void Release Date Celebrated With Trailer". http://www.shacknews.com/article/60066/dark-void-release-date-celebrated. Retrieved May 15, 2018. 
  3. ↑ "Dark Void - Games for Windows Live". April 21, 2010. Archived from the original on August 18, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100818182311/http://www.microsoft.com/games/en-US/Games/Pages/darkvoid.aspx. Retrieved August 23, 2010. 
  4. ↑ Goldwasser, Dan (May 21, 2009). "Bear McCreary scores Dark Void". http://scoringsessions.com/2009/05/21/bear-mccreary-scores-dark-void-for-capcom/. Retrieved May 15, 2018. 
  5. ↑ jgonzo (December 21, 2009). "Introducing Dark Void Zero". Capcom. Archived from the original on December 26, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20091226153041/http://www.capcom-unity.com/jgonzo/blog/2009/12/21/introducing_dark_void_zero. Retrieved December 3, 2012. 
  6. ↑ Crecente, Brian (April 7, 2010). "The Popular Dark Void Coming to iPhone, PC". Gawker Media. https://kotaku.com/5511621/the-popular-dark-void-coming-to-iphone-pc. Retrieved December 3, 2012. 
  7. ↑ "Dark Void™ Zero". Valve. April 12, 2010. https://store.steampowered.com/app/45730/Dark_Void_Zero/. Retrieved May 15, 2018. 
  8. ↑ Sterling, Jim (January 19, 2010). "Review: Dark Void (X360)". Enthusiast Gaming. https://www.destructoid.com/review-dark-void-160756.phtml. Retrieved May 16, 2018. 
  9. ↑ Pearson, Dan (January 18, 2010). "Dark Void (Xbox 360)". Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/dark-void-review. Retrieved May 16, 2018. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Turi, Tim (February 2010). "Dark Void: Poor Pacing And A Tangled Plot Ensnare Free-Flying Gameplay". Game Informer (GameStop) (202): 95. http://www.gameinformer.com/games/dark_void/b/xbox360/archive/2010/01/20/review.aspx. Retrieved March 9, 2010. 
  11. ↑ Lewis, Cameron (February 2010). "Dark Void (X360)". GamePro (GamePro Media): 78. Archived from the original on January 25, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110125132603/http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/213597/dark-void/. Retrieved May 16, 2018. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Morse, Blake (January 19, 2010). "Dark Void Review". CraveOnline. Archived from the original on August 21, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140821174423/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/dark-void. Retrieved May 16, 2018. 
  13. ↑ Watters, Chris (January 21, 2010). "Dark Void Review (PC)". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/dark-void-review/1900-6246774/. Retrieved May 15, 2018. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Watters, Chris (January 20, 2010). "Dark Void Review (PS3, X360)". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/dark-void-review/1900-6246704/. Retrieved May 15, 2018. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 Neigher, Eric (January 19, 2010). "Dark Void Review". Ziff Davis. http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/dark-void/1061989p1.html. Retrieved May 16, 2018. 
  16. ↑ "Dark Void Review (X360)". Defy Media. January 16, 2010. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140812044626/http://www.gametrailers.com/reviews/vm4b8y/dark-void-review. Retrieved June 15, 2016. 
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Bedigian, Louis (January 19, 2010). "Dark Void - PS3 - Review". Archived from the original on January 22, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100122103808/http://ps3.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r34011.htm. Retrieved May 15, 2018. 
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Bedigian, Louis (January 19, 2010). "Dark Void - 360 - Review". Archived from the original on January 22, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100122083944/http://xbox360.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r34011.htm. Retrieved May 15, 2018. 
  19. ↑ Gerstmann, Jeff (January 19, 2010). "Dark Void Review (X360)". CBS Interactive. https://www.giantbomb.com/reviews/dark-void-review/1900-253/. Retrieved May 16, 2018. 
  20. ↑ Miller, Greg (January 20, 2010). "Dark Void Review (PC)". Ziff Davis. http://www.ign.com/articles/2010/01/20/dark-void-review. Retrieved May 15, 2018. 
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Reed, Kristan (January 18, 2010). "Dark Void UK Review (PS3, X360)". Ziff Davis. http://www.ign.com/articles/2010/01/18/dark-void-uk-review. Retrieved May 15, 2018. 
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 Miller, Greg (January 19, 2010). "Dark Void Review (PS3, X360)". Ziff Davis. http://www.ign.com/articles/2010/01/19/dark-void-review-3. Retrieved May 15, 2018. 
  23. ↑ "Dark Void". Official Xbox Magazine (Future US): 86. February 2010. 
  24. ↑ "Dark Void". PC Gamer (Future US): 80. March 2010. 
  25. ↑ "Review: Dark Void". PlayStation: The Official Magazine (Future plc) (29): 78. February 2010. 
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 Cowen, Nick (January 18, 2010). "Dark Void video game review (X360)". The Daily Telegraph. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/video-games/6998057/Dark-Void-video-game-review.html. Retrieved May 15, 2018. 
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 27.2 Kohler, Chris (January 19, 2010). "Review: Dark Void's Jetpack Action Sputters, Freefalls (PS3, X360)". Wired (Condé Nast). https://www.wired.com/2010/01/dark-void-review/. Retrieved May 15, 2018. 
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 "Dark Void for PC Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/dark-void/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. Retrieved March 29, 2015. 
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 "Dark Void for PlayStation 3 Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/dark-void/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-3. Retrieved March 29, 2015. 
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 "Dark Void for Xbox 360 Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/dark-void/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360. Retrieved December 22, 2016. 
  31. ↑ Peeples, Jeremy (February 5, 2010). "Dark Void (PS3, X360)". Archived from the original on February 9, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100209091239/http://www.hardcoregamer.com/index.php?option=com_magazine&id_rubrique=1&type=article&id_article=491. Retrieved May 15, 2018. 
  32. ↑ Edge staff (February 2010). "Dark Void (X360)". Edge (Future plc) (211): 86. 
  33. ↑ Martell, David (March 11, 2010). "Dark Void (PS3) Review". Archived from the original on May 16, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100516193804/http://www.411mania.com/games/reviews/132219/Dark-Void-(PS3)-Review.htm. Retrieved May 15, 2018. 
  34. ↑ Wolinsky, David (January 25, 2010). "Dark Void (PS3)". The Onion. Archived from the original on March 10, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100310120237/http://www.avclub.com/articles/dark-void,37423/. Retrieved May 15, 2018. 
  • Official website
  • 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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