Software:Dawn of Magic

From HandWiki
Short description: 2005 video game
Dawn of Magic
Developer(s)SkyFallen Entertainment
Publisher(s)1C Company
EngineTheEngine
Platform(s)Windows
Release
  • RU: December 16, 2005
  • EU: April 27, 2007
  • NA: October 16, 2007
Genre(s)Action role-playing game
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Dawn of Magic is an action role-playing computer game developed by Russian studio SkyFallen Entertainment and was originally released under the name of Blood Magic (Russian: Магия Крови) by 1C Company on December 16, 2005. The game was released under its western title in April 2007 in Europe and in North America on October 16, with distribution handled by Deep Silver and Atari, respectively. An Xbox version was planned but cancelled.[1]

A sequel titled Dawn of Magic 2 was released by Kalypso Media in the summer of 2009.[2]

Story

Dawn of Magic is set in a fantasy world. In the Absolute, the setting's afterlife, a being called Modo endangered his companions in pursuit of power. The inhabitants of the Absolute called a tribunal and sentenced Modo to be reborn on earth, live a mortal life (retaining his memories but none of his power) and die after 100 years.

The game begins 40 years after Modo was sentenced. He has gained knowledge of mortal magic and seeks to enlist the player character's aid in his plan to destroy the earth, escape his prison and live forever in the Absolute.

Gameplay

Dawn of Magic features a 3D third person perspective game engine. The game world consists of area maps interlinked by portals. The player can choose from four starting characters, the Awkward Scholar, the Baker's Wife, the Weird Gypsy, and the Fat Friar. As the player character gains experience and levels, they improve basic attributes, skills in areas such as melee combat, trading, and crafting, and prowess in the game's twelve schools of magic. Each school of magic consists of eight spells; as the player gains prowess in a school of magic, their body morphs to take on characteristics reminiscent of the school.

Release history

1C Company released the single-player action role-playing game Blood Magic (Russian: Магия Крови) in Russia on December 16, 2005.[3] A stand-alone expansion pack, Blood Magic: Time of Shadows (Магия Крови: Время Теней), followed on November 24, 2006.[4] The expansion featured a new story, upgraded interface, and multiplayer support via LAN or internet. In April 2007, Deep Silver released English, French, German and Italian localizations of Blood Magic for the European market. The Deep Silver release was renamed Dawn of Magic and featured upgraded gameplay including multiplayer support.[5]

The Blood Magic game engine was licensed to KranX Productions for the action role-playing game A Farewell to Dragons.[6]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic52/100[7]
Review scores
PublicationScore
4Players69%[8]
Eurogamer3/10[9]
GameSpot3/10[10]
GameZone5/10[11]
IGN(UK) 6.9/10[12]
(US) 5.4/10[13]
Jeuxvideo.com11/20[14]
PC Format54%[15]
PC Gamer (US)34%[16]
PC Games70%[17]
PC Zone53%[18]

The game received "mixed" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[7] GameSpot criticized the game's derivativeness, limited choices and numerous bugs.[10] Martin Korda of IGN said that "despite its bold proclamations of reinventing the tried and tested Diablo template, Dawn of Magic remains an RPG with more than a whiff of the past hanging around it",[12] while Emily Balistrieri of the same site criticized its multiplayer, which, according to her, lacked variety.[13]

In Russia, the game won the Best Debut award at the Russian game developers conference KRI 2006.[19]

References

  1. ↑ "The Bloody Magic details" (in en-US). https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-bloody-magic-details/1100-6071678/. 
  2. ↑ "Time of Shadows". IGN Entertainment. http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/time-of-shadows/. Retrieved March 25, 2019. 
  3. ↑ "2005 news archive" (in ru). 1C Company. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20070927224113/http://www.bloodmagic.ru/ru/html/index.html?y=2005. Retrieved August 23, 2007. 
  4. ↑ "2006 news archive" (in ru). 1C Company. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20070927224105/http://www.bloodmagic.ru/ru/html/index.html?y=2006. Retrieved August 23, 2007. 
  5. ↑ Koch Media (November 9, 2006). "Koch Media UK Signs Dawn of Magic". Archived from the original on September 29, 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20070929094259/http://www.gamershell.com/companies/koch_media/319146.html. Retrieved May 20, 2018. 
  6. ↑ ""Not a Time for Dragons" in development". Kranx Productions (Press release). May 6, 2005. Archived from the original on September 2, 2007. Retrieved August 23, 2007.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Dawn of Magic for PC Reviews". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/dawn-of-magic/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. Retrieved May 20, 2018. 
  8. ↑ Bodo Naser (May 3, 2007). "Test: Dawn of Magic" (in de). 4Players GmbH. https://www.4players.de/4players.php/dispbericht/PC-CDROM/Test/8531/5453/0/Dawn_of_Magic.html. Retrieved June 19, 2023. 
  9. ↑ Darren Allen (April 30, 2007). "PC Game Roundup (Page 5)". Gamer Network. Archived from the original on October 2, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151002031259/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/pc-game-roundup-review?page=5. Retrieved June 19, 2023. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Brett Todd (December 4, 2007). "Dawn of Magic Review". Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/dawn-of-magic-review/1900-6183644/. Retrieved March 25, 2019. 
  11. ↑ Michael Lafferty (November 1, 2007). "Dawn of Magic - PC - Review". Archived from the original on October 5, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20081005215328/http://pc.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r21971.htm. Retrieved June 19, 2023. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Martin Korda (April 25, 2007). "Dawn of Magic UK Review". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/04/25/dawn-of-magic-uk-review. Retrieved March 25, 2019. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Emily Balistrieri (November 30, 2007). "Dawn of Magic Review". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/12/01/dawn-of-magic-review. Retrieved March 25, 2019. 
  14. ↑ Superpanda (April 27, 2007). "Test: Dawn of Magic" (in fr). Webedia. https://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0000/00007587-dawn-of-magic-test.htm. Retrieved June 19, 2023. 
  15. ↑ "Dawn of Magic". PC Format (Future plc) (205): 64. October 2007. 
  16. ↑ "Dawn of Magic". PC Gamer (Future US) 15 (4): 68. April 2008. 
  17. ↑ Felix Schütz (April 25, 2007). "Dawn of Magic" (in de). PC Games (Computec). Archived from the original on August 11, 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20070811132640/http://www.pcgames.de/aid,600188/Dawn_of_Magic/. Retrieved June 19, 2023. 
  18. ↑ Jon Blyth (July 2007). "Dawn of Magic". PC Zone (Future plc): 83. Archived from the original on November 21, 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20071121151146/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=165295. Retrieved June 19, 2023. 
  19. ↑ "ЛАУРЕАТЫ КРИ 2006" (in ru). Archived from the original on September 28, 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20070928161536/http://www.kriconf.ru/2006/index.php?type=info&doc=award_winners. Retrieved August 23, 2007. 
  • Dawn of Magic (official Deep Silver website)
  • Blood Magic (official website)
  • Dawn of Magic (official Atari 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. 
  • No URL found. Please specify a URL here or add one to Wikidata.

Template:Atari




Retrieved from "https://handwiki.org/wiki/index.php?title=Software:Dawn_of_Magic&oldid=3961563"