Software:Darkman (video game)

From HandWiki
Darkman: The Video Game
Front box art (NES)
Developer(s)Ocean Software
Painting by Numbers (NES)
Publisher(s)Ocean Software, Hit Squad (Budget re-release)
SeriesDarkman
Platform(s)NES, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, Amiga, Game Boy, ZX Spectrum, Atari ST
Release
(Game Boy)
Genre(s)Action
Mode(s)Single-player

Darkman is a video game that was developed by Ocean Software (Painting By Numbers on the NES version, Twilight on the Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum versions) and published by Ocean Software in 1991. It was released for the Amiga, ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64 and Atari ST. Darkman had two different games of the same name, one for the Nintendo Entertainment System and the other for Game Boy. The game's plot is loosely based on the film of the same name.

NES version

In this side-scrolling platformer, the player controls Darkman, a superhero who can jump, kick and punch, as well as swing from a rope during action sequences between levels. In most levels, Darkman's goal is to defeat the boss of the level before the time limit runs out. Tying into the plot of the film, Darkman can use masks to impersonate the various gangsters who are responsible for his disfigurement, but each disguise dissolves after being exposed to sunlight for too long. While in disguise, Darkman gains both a different appearance as well as the special ability of whoever he is impersonating.

Between levels, Darkman must photograph a different gangster before he can make a mask of them. These scenes involve moving the cursor to take a picture of the gangster. The better the photo accuracy, the more time Darkman is granted to complete the subsequent level. The final level is similar to the ending of the film, and takes place on a skyscraper under construction as Darkman fights for his life.

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
Your Sinclair85% (Spectrum)[1]
22% (Spectrum re-release)[2]
Crash82% (Spectrum)[3]
Sinclair User78% (Spectrum)[4]

The Spectrum version of the game was well received critically, with Crash magazine awarding 82%,[3] and Sinclair User 78%.[4] In a 1991 review, Your Sinclair gave the Spectrum version 85%,[1] while a 1993 review by another Your Sinclair critic gave Darkman's budget re-release 22%.[2]

  • Short description: Video game database
MobyGames
Logo since March 2014
Screenshot
Frontpage as of April 2012
Type of site
Gaming
Available inEnglish
OwnerAtari SA
Websitemobygames.com
CommercialYes
RegistrationOptional
LaunchedJanuary 30, 1999; 26 years ago (1999-01-30)
Current statusOnline

MobyGames is a commercial website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes nearly 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[5] The site is supported by banner ads and a small number of people paying to become patrons.[6] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It is currently owned by Atari SA.

Content

The database began with games for IBM PC compatibles. After two years, consoles such as the PlayStation, were added. Older console systems were added later. Support for arcade video games was added in January 2014 and mainframe computer games in June 2017.[7]

Edits and submissions go through a leisurely verification process by volunteer "approvers". The approval process can range from immediate (minutes) to gradual (days or months).[8] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copyediting.[9]

Registered users can rate and review any video game. 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 subforum.

History

Logo used until March 11, 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999 by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, then joined by David Berk 18 months later, three friends since high school.[10] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience.

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[11] This was announced to the community post factum and a few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.

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).[12] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel.[13]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[14] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[15][16]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Leach, James (October 1991). "Reviews: Darkman". Your Sinclair (Future Publishing) (70): 10–11. ISSN 0269-6983. https://archive.org/stream/YourSinclair37Jan89/YourSinclair/YourSinclair70-Oct91#page/n9/mode/2up. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Nash, Jonathan (August 1993). "Reviews: Darkman". Your Sinclair (Future Publishing) (92): 8. ISSN 0269-6983. https://archive.org/stream/YourSinclair37Jan89/YourSinclair/YourSinclair92-Aug93#page/n7/mode/2up. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Evans, Will; Caswell, Mark (September 1991). "Review: Darkman". Crash (Newsfield Publications) (92): 14–15. https://archive.org/details/crash-magazine-92/page/n13/mode/2up. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Keen, Steve; Sumpter, Garth (November 1991). "Review: Darkman". Sinclair User (EMAP) (117): 26–27. https://archive.org/details/sinclair-user-magazine-117/page/n25/mode/2up. 
  5. ↑ "MobyGames Stats". https://www.mobygames.com/moby_stats. 
  6. ↑ "MobyGames Patrons". http://www.mobygames.com/info/patrons. 
  7. ↑ "New(ish!) on MobyGames – the Mainframe platform.". Blue Flame Labs. 18 June 2017. http://www.mobygames.com/forums/dga,2/dgb,3/dgm,237200/. 
  8. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  9. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  10. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  11. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/32856/Report_MobyGames_Acquired_By_GameFly_Media.php. 
  12. ↑ 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. 
  13. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/207882/Game_dev_database_MobyGames_getting_some_TLC_under_new_owner.php. 
  14. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  15. ↑ "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/. 
  16. ↑ "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/. 



  • Darkman at Hall of Light Amiga database

References



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