Software:Darkest of Days

From HandWiki
Short description: 2009 video game

Darkest of Days
Developer(s)8monkey Labs
Publisher(s)Phantom EFX
Valcon Games (Xbox 360)
Virtual Programming (Mac OS X)
Platform(s)
Release
  • NA: September 8, 2009[1]
  • AU: November 5, 2009 (PC)
  • EU: 2009 (PC)
Mac OS X
December 22, 2010[2]
Genre(s)First-person shooter
Mode(s)Single-player

Darkest of Days is a first-person shooter video game developed by 8monkey Labs and published by Phantom EFX. Originally released for the Xbox 360, it was also released for Microsoft Windows via Steam. On December 22, 2010, Virtual Programming published the Mac OS X version of the game. As of August 24, 2021, Darkest of Days is unavailable for purchase on Steam.[3]

The game follows a soldier recruited by a mysterious time travel organization to find a missing scientist. Time periods featured include the American Indian Wars, the American Civil War, World War I, World War II, and Ancient Rome.

Plot

In Darkest of Days the player controls Alexander Morris, a soldier fighting in General Custer's battalion during the Battle of Little Big Horn at the beginning of the game. After Custer is killed and Morris is wounded he is suddenly rescued by a man in futuristic armor and taken through a strange portal. Morris then awakens in the headquarters of Kronotek, an organization that has managed to develop time travel technology and is apparently dedicated to researching and protecting history. A Kronotek higher-up known as "Mother" tells Morris that Doctor Koell, the organization's founder, has gone missing and disturbances have started appearing through history, causing individuals that have played key roles in history to be placed in danger, and tasks Morris with helping Kronotek restore history.

Morris then begins his combat training with his new partner Agent Dexter, another MIA from history who is implied to have gone missing on 9/11. As he is from the 1800s, he requires a crash course in "modern" weaponry (ranging from World War I to the late 22nd century). Upon completion of his training Mother tasks Morris and Dexter with tracking down two individuals who are not where they are supposed to be: one Corporal Welsh from the Union Army in the American Civil War at the Battle of Antietam, and a Russian Army Officer named Petrovich in World War I at the Battle of Tannenberg.

However, completion of both of these tasks is blocked by a mysterious group known only as the Opposition, which also has time-travel technology. Over the course of the game, Morris and Dexter have to fight through both the Battle of Antietam and the Battle of Tannenberg, which involve massive cornfield battles, the dynamiting of a train bridge, and the hijacking of a zeppelin. Although Agents Morris and Dexter manage to secure and reintegrate Welsh and his twin brother into the proper timeframe, Petrovich is labeled a traitor for abandoning his post. This causes his son, who was originally going to become a scientist, to enlist in the Russian Army during the Second World War, leading to his capture by the Wehrmacht. When Agents Morris and Dexter try to rescue him before he reaches a POW camp, Morris is also captured and sent to the camp.

After spending some time in the camp, Petrovich is sentenced to death because of an escape attempt, but right before his execution, an explosion goes off outside the camp. Agent Dexter appears and assists Morris, Petrovich and the other inmates in escaping. Once Petrovich reaches safety, Dexter informs Morris that Morris was the one who set the explosive, allowing Dexter to infiltrate the camp. So Morris goes back, fights his way through a Nazi facility, and sets the explosive that triggers his own release.

After rescuing Petrovich, Morris and Dexter find out that Koell is at Pompeii, on August 25, 79 AD, the day Mount Vesuvius erupted and buried the Roman town. Agents Morris and Dexter and a tech specialist named Bob fight through hordes of Opposition agents to find Koell, who is in the town's arena. Koell then nonchalantly accompanies Morris and Dexter back to the 22nd century.

Upon arriving in the 22nd century, a strange man appears, claiming to be the head of the Opposition. (It later transpires that the Opposition is a future version of Kronotek). The man asks Koell if it is wrong to change terrible events that already happened, to which Koell answers yes, because "dark days teach valuable lessons and define who we are". The Man then shoots Koell twice, once in the chest and once in the head. When confronted by Morris and Dexter, he explains that the Welshes and Petrovich were ancestors of scientists who invented a DNA sequencer that can target the genomes defining racial identity. He goes on to explain that this DNA sequencer was stolen and used by less talented Middle Eastern scientists to create a virus that targeted people of European descent. 2 billion died as a result (including eight out of every ten people in North America). As Dexter laments the loss of his family, the strange man states that this crisis has been averted because of the Opposition's interference with the time stream. He also says that they tried to make Koell change his mind about changing past events, but even with direct evidence that changing that event would not affect the timeline couldn't convince him, so they went with the last resort of killing him. Although he makes clear that Kronotek's ultimate goal is still the preservation of the time stream, he indicates that this one exception was made. The strange man then says that his Kronotek has use for talented agents such as Morris and Dexter and invites them to join his agency, leaving an open time bubble for them to enter. As the strange man departs, Dexter looks at the camera and says, "What the Hell do we do now brother?"

Development

Since the premise of Darkest of Days leans heavily on the historical aspect of its story, the developers focused on making the battles as historically accurate as possible. They incorporated extensive research on the time periods, locations, and weapons for each of the battles depicted in the game (much of the city of Pompeii is accurately recreated). Darkest of Days uses NVIDIA PhysX, a hardware-accelerated physics engine.[4]

"It was critical to the success of Darkest of Days that these epic moments in world history are experienced in eerily accurate detail, and NVIDIA PhysX technology helped us achieve that goal," said Mark Doeden, Art Director at 8monkey Labs. "Our Marmoset Engine brings these battles to life with a completely unique look, and the PhysX technology was instrumental in making the game feel alive and real."

8Monkey Labs designed the Marmoset engine specifically for the game. The Marmoset engine can handle over 300 characters on the screen at one time, enabling the game to have densely populated battle scenes, all with their own AI and pathfinding. Darkest of Days also contains wide open battlefields, allowing players to choose their own course of action to accomplish the goals set in the game (however, there are numerous limitations imposed on a player's movements throughout a map via obstacles and invisible walls). The player is also equipped with futuristic weapons adding a unique twist to classic battles. Marmoset's AI is able to drive behaviors for hundreds of characters simultaneously, without impeding gameplay. All actions share a common set of sensory data - audio, vision, navigation, teammate signals, enemy fire detection, and object finding and following are all easily made available to all behaviors.

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
PCXbox 360
DestructoidN/A1/10[5]
GameProN/AStarStar[6]
GameRevolutionN/AD+[7]
GameSpot4.5/10[8]4.5/10[9]
GameTrailersN/A4.4/10[10]
GameZone5.4/10[11]5.5/10[12]
IGN4/10[13]3.6/10[14]
OXM (US)N/A6.5/10[15]
PC Gamer (UK)80%[16]N/A
TeamXboxN/A3.8/10[17]
411ManiaN/A3/10[18]
Aggregate score
Metacritic51/100[19]44/100[20]

The PC version received "mixed or average" reviews, while the Xbox 360 version received "generally unfavorable reviews", according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[19][20] Many reviewers, including Francis Clarke of ApertureGames, expressed disappointment that the majority of the levels are played out primarily in two time periods. However, PC Gamer UK said that "Darkest of Days is a unique first person shooter".[16] Positive reviews also came for the Xbox 360; GameShark commented that "technicalities take a pretty good game and drag it down into the realm of mediocrity. Still, automatic weapons during a Civil War battle...it's hard to pass that up."[21]

References

  1. ↑ "Darkest of Days Launches Today on PC and Xbox 360" (in en). 2009-09-08. https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/09/08/darkest-of-days-launches-today-on-pc-and-xbox-360. 
  2. ↑ Kruse, Cord (December 22, 2010). "Darkest Of Days Now Available". https://www.insidemacgames.com/historical/news/story.php%3FID=19487.html. 
  3. ↑ "Darkest of Days". https://steamdb.info/app/37700/history/. Retrieved February 21, 2024. 
  4. ↑ "NVIDIA PhysX Technology Brightens Darkest Of Days". April 28, 2009. http://www.nvidia.com/object/io_1240831489061.html. Retrieved July 27, 2009. 
  5. ↑ Sterling, Jim (September 10, 2009). "Review: Darkest of Days (X360)". Enthusiast Gaming. https://www.destructoid.com/review-darkest-of-days-147921.phtml. Retrieved May 10, 2018. 
  6. ↑ Hayward, Andrew (September 10, 2009). "Darkest of Days (X360)". GamePro (GamePro Media). Archived from the original on September 12, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090912165636/http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/212021/darkest-of-days/. Retrieved May 10, 2018. 
  7. ↑ Carlon, David (April 1, 2010). "Darkest of Days Review (X360)". CraveOnline. Archived from the original on September 12, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150912173547/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/darkest-of-days. Retrieved May 10, 2018. 
  8. ↑ VanOrd, Kevin (September 15, 2009). "Darkest of Days Review (PC)". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/darkest-of-days-review/1900-6227693/. Retrieved May 10, 2018. 
  9. ↑ VanOrd, Kevin (September 21, 2009). "Darkest of Days Review (X360)". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/darkest-of-days-review/1900-6228816/. Retrieved May 10, 2018. 
  10. ↑ "Darkest of Days Review (X360)". Viacom. September 22, 2009. Archived from the original on November 20, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20101120215610/http://www.gametrailers.com/gamereview.php?id=6716. Retrieved May 10, 2018. 
  11. ↑ David, Mike (September 23, 2009). "Darkest of Days - PC - Review". Archived from the original on September 27, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090927182829/http://pc.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r32843.htm. Retrieved May 10, 2018. 
  12. ↑ Valentino, Nick (September 9, 2009). "Darkest of Days - 360 - Review". Archived from the original on September 12, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090912062427/http://xbox360.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r32843.htm. Retrieved May 10, 2018. 
  13. ↑ Onyett, Charles (September 9, 2009). "Darkest of Days Review (PC)". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on September 14, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090914001219/http://pc.ign.com/articles/102/1023108p1.html. Retrieved May 10, 2018. 
  14. ↑ Onyett, Charles (September 9, 2009). "Darkest of Days Review (X360)". Ziff Davis. http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/09/09/darkest-of-days-review. Retrieved May 10, 2018. 
  15. ↑ Lewis, Cameron (September 8, 2009). "Darkest of Days". Official Xbox Magazine (Future US). Archived from the original on September 11, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090911093423/http://www.oxmonline.com/article/xbox-soapbox/darkest-days. Retrieved May 10, 2018. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 "Darkest of Days". PC Gamer UK (Future plc): 87. October 2009. 
  17. ↑ Eddy, Andy (September 10, 2009). "Darkest of Days Review (Xbox 360)". IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on March 10, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110310071038/http://reviews.teamxbox.com/xbox-360/1760/Darkest-of-Days/p1/. Retrieved May 10, 2018. 
  18. ↑ Williams, Jordan (September 30, 2009). "Darkest of Days ([Xbox 360) Review"]. Archived from the original on October 4, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20091004174348/http://www.411mania.com/games/reviews/117641/Darkest-of-Days-(360)-Review.htm. Retrieved May 10, 2018. 
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 "Darkest of Days for PC Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/darkest-of-days/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. Retrieved May 10, 2018. 
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 "Darkest of Days for Xbox 360 Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/darkest-of-days/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360. Retrieved May 10, 2018. 
  21. ↑ McAllister, Jeff (September 8, 2009). "Darkest of Days Review (X360)". Mad Catz. Archived from the original on September 11, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090911025425/http://www.gameshark.com/reviews/3331/Darkest-of-Days-Review.htm. Retrieved May 10, 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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