Software:Dark Void Zero

From HandWiki
Short description: 2010 platform video game


Dark Void Zero
Developer(s)Other Ocean Interactive
Publisher(s)Capcom
Platform(s)DSiWare
Windows
iOS
ReleaseDSiWare
  • NA: January 18, 2010
  • EU: March 5, 2010
iOS, Windows
April 12, 2010
Genre(s)Action, Platform, Metroidvania[1]
Mode(s)Single-player

Dark Void Zero is a platform video game developed by Other Ocean Interactive's Newfoundland studio and published by Capcom for DSiWare. It was made as an April Fools parody of the video game Dark Void and was later decided to make it an actual title; it was promoted as a game "found" in Capcom's vault. The game was released in April 2010 for iOS and on Microsoft Windows through Steam.[2]

Capcom announced through the Steam page that on May 8, 2024 Dark Void Zero, Flock!, and Dark Void would be delisted, meaning no additional purchases could be made on the platform.[3] Dark Void Zero never received a physical release making it permanently unavailable anywhere due to all other versions being discontinued as well.

Plot

In an unspecified year, aliens, called Watchers, came from an extinct planet, searching for a new home. Then they found Earth. The military was able to hold them away from it, but then they built portals in an area in outer space, the Void. These portals linked to various locations on Earth, but they were unstable, and could not be used efficiently. But eventually, in the middle of the Void, they built a final, stable portal, which was still in the process of linking with Earth.

Many skilled soldiers were sent into the Void, all of them meeting their ends. Until finally, the military sent in experts: A soldier named Rusty, who was actually born in the Void, and Nikola Tesla. Once there, they began to charge through the Watchers' forces, stealing the portal control codes from two bases set up in the void, until finally moving onto a third facility, where the main portal was kept, and where the final code was also guarded, more closely than the previous two. There, Rusty and Tesla would finally attempt to shut down the portal and save mankind.

Development

Capcom-Unity manager Seth Killian stated that Dark Void Zero started as a joke after he had heard an 8-bit rendition of Dark Void's main theme in its end credits. This song, along with the soundtrack of Dark Void Zero, was composed by Battlestar Galactica composer Bear McCreary.[4][5]

At the beginning of the game, players must blow into the Nintendo DSi's microphone to clear the dust off of an in-game cartridge, similar to how NES cartridges would have to be blown into at times.[6]

Talk show host Jimmy Fallon lent his name in the game based on a fictional story where Fallon won a contest from Capcom during his younger years. He was included in it as "Captain Jimmy Fallon".[7]

Fictional development

The fictional story of the development of Dark Void Zero is given in the official trailer as:

In the year 198X, the PlayChoice-10 was the first arcade cabinet to feature two interactive screens. Capcom soon began developing a game to make use of this advanced technology. This ground breaking title was called: Dark Void. Unfortunately, the PlayChoice-10 was discontinued and the project was cancelled. In the year 20XX, Capcom found the project buried deep inside its vault. Its concept inspired a new adventure of the same name. But... the original game... locked away for decades... is now back from the void...

However, this story contradicts the one given in the DSiWare Shop summary, which states that Dark Void Zero was a "legendary 'lost project'" at Capcom, recreated for the DSi, rather than being forgotten until 2010 and being a port of the original.

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
DSiOS
1Up.comA[8]N/A
GameProN/AStarStarStarStarHalf star[9]
GameSpot8.5/10[10]N/A
GameTrailersN/AN/A
IGN8.5/10[12]8/10[13]
Nintendo LifeStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStar[14]N/A
Nintendo World Report9/10[15]N/A
ONM85%[16]N/A
PC FormatN/AN/A
Aggregate score
Metacritic84/100[18]81/100[19]

The DS and iOS versions received "favorable" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[18][19][20]

While 2D-X Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey L. Wilson initially criticized Dark Void Zero as being exploitative of the retro gaming genre,[21] he later retracted his statement after playing it at the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), commenting that it felt like a NES-era title.[6] GamePro editor Dave Rudden called it one of the coolest games at the CES, comparing it to the "Metroidvania" genre, which is a combination of the styles of Metroid and Castlevania, as well as video games such as Contra. Kombo editor David Oxford commented that Dark Void Zero was better than its parent video game, comparing it to Bionic Commando Rearmed in how both promotional games surpassed the games they were promoting.[22]

References

  1. ↑ Leray, Joseph (December 22, 2009). "8-bit Dark Void Zero announced for DSiWare". Enthusiast Gaming. https://www.destructoid.com/8-bit-dark-void-zero-announced-for-dsiware-158522.phtml. Retrieved July 12, 2016. ""I'm willing to bet that an 8-bit, Metroidvania-style Dark Void prequel ... would be a good way to ease me into the prospect of fighting off an oppressive alien regime, one jetpack at a time."" 
  2. ↑ "Dark Void Zero". Valve. April 12, 2010. https://store.steampowered.com/app/45730/Dark_Void_Zero/. Retrieved May 16, 2018. 
  3. ↑ "Capcom Is Delisting Three Of Its Most Underrated Games--And It's Unclear Why" (in en-US). https://www.gamespot.com/articles/capcom-is-delisting-three-of-its-most-underrated-games-and-its-unclear-why/1100-6522957/. 
  4. ↑ Turi, Tim (January 7, 2010). "Dark Void Zero Began As A Joke". Game Informer (GameStop). https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2010/01/07/dark-void-zero-began-as-a-joke.aspx. 
  5. ↑ Warmoth, Brian (December 22, 2009). "8-bit 'Dark Void Zero' To Feature Music By Battlestar Galactica Composer". Viacom. http://www.mtv.com/news/2460331/8-bit-dark-void-zero-to-feature-music-by-battlestar-galactica-composer/. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Wilson, Jeffrey R. (January 14, 2010). "CES 2010: Hands-On With Dark Void Zero". http://www.2d-x.com/ces-2010-hands-on-with-dark-void-zero/. Retrieved August 10, 2010. 
  7. ↑ Holmes, Jonathan (January 18, 2010). "Is Jimmy Fallon in Dark Void Zero?". Enthusiast Gaming. https://www.destructoid.com/is-jimmy-fallon-in-dark-void-zero--160889.phtml. Retrieved August 10, 2010. 
  8. ↑ 1UP.com staff (January 22, 2010). "Dark Void Zero Review (NintendoDS)". Ziff Davis. http://www.1up.com/reviews/dark-void-review. Retrieved May 17, 2018. 
  9. ↑ Rigney, Ryan (April 23, 2010). "App Store Games of the Week: April 23rd Edition". GamePro (GamePro Media). http://www.gamepro.com/article/features/214946/app-store-games-of-the-week-april-23rd-edition/. Retrieved May 16, 2018. 
  10. ↑ Watters, Chris (January 25, 2010). "Dark Void Zero Review (DS)". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/dark-void-zero-review/1900-6247273/. Retrieved May 16, 2018. 
  11. ↑ "Dark Void Zero Review (PC)". Viacom. April 22, 2010. http://www.gametrailers.com/game/dark-void-zero/12504. Retrieved May 16, 2018. 
  12. ↑ Harris, Craig (February 3, 2010). "Dark Void Zero Review (DSi)". Ziff Davis. http://www.ign.com/articles/2010/02/04/dark-void-zero-review. Retrieved May 16, 2018. 
  13. ↑ Buchanan, Levi (April 14, 2010). "Dark Void Zero iPhone Review". Ziff Davis. http://www.ign.com/articles/2010/04/14/dark-void-zero-iphone-review. Retrieved May 16, 2018. 
  14. ↑ Dillard, Corbie (January 20, 2010). "Dark Void Zero Review". Gamer Network. http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/2010/01/dark_void_zero_dsiware. Retrieved May 17, 2018. 
  15. ↑ Miller, Zachary (February 21, 2010). "Dark Void Zero". NINWR, LLC. http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/22599/dark-void-zero-nintendo-ds. Retrieved May 17, 2018. 
  16. ↑ "Dark Void Zero Review". Official Nintendo Magazine (Future plc): 88. May 2010. 
  17. ↑ "Dark Void Zero". PC Format (Future plc) (241): 100. July 2010. 
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 "Dark Void Zero for DS Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/dark-void-zero/critic-reviews/?platform=ds. Retrieved May 16, 2018. 
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 "Dark Void Zero for iPhone/iPad Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/dark-void-zero/critic-reviews/?platform=ios-iphoneipad. Retrieved May 16, 2018. 
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 "Dark Void Zero for PC Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/dark-void-zero/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. Retrieved May 16, 2018. 
  21. ↑ Wilson, Jeffrey R. (December 23, 2009). "Virtual Vox Pop: Is Capcom Preying On Gamers' Retro Love With Dark Void Zero?". http://www.2d-x.com/virtual-vox-pop-is-capcom-preying-on-gamers-retro-love-with-dark-void-zero/. Retrieved August 10, 2010. 
  22. ↑ Oxford, David (January 19, 2010). "Captain Jimmy Fallon, Dark Void Zero Star". https://www.gamezone.com/originals/captain-jimmy-fallon-dark-void-zero-star/. Retrieved May 16, 2018. 
  • 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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