Software:Dead Block

From HandWiki
Short description: 2011 video game
Dead Block
Developer(s)Candygun Games
Publisher(s)Digital Reality
EngineUnreal Engine 3
Platform(s)Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Microsoft Windows
ReleaseXbox 360
July 6, 2011
PlayStation 3
  • NA: July 20, 2011
  • PAL: July 27, 2011
Windows
January 26, 2012[1]
Genre(s)Action, strategy
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Dead Block is a third-person action-strategy video game by German developer Candygun Games and publisher Digital Reality, in which three survivors of a zombie outbreak attempt to keep zombies out of a safehouse. It was released on the Xbox 360 on July 6, 2011 via Xbox Live Arcade, and on the PlayStation 3 via the PlayStation Network on July 20, 2011 in North America and July 27, 2011 in the PAL region. A Microsoft Windows release followed on January 26, 2012.

In the game, three characters use a combination of blockades, traps and weapons to fight off attacking zombies. It was developed with the Unreal 3 Engine. While critics gave the game high marks for its music and comedic premise, they expressed disappointment in the lack of online multiplayer.

Synopsis and gameplay

In Dead Block, players must fortify a safehouse from a zombie horde using tower defense-like mechanics. Above, Jack Foster constructs a wood blockade to prevent the undead from entering

Dead Block is set during the 1950s where a zombie outbreak coincides with the emergence of the rock and roll genre of music during that time period.[2] The three playable characters are Jack Foster, a tall and slovenly dressed construction worker, Mike Bacon, a courageous boyscout, and Foxy Jones, an armed city traffic warden in uniform.[2][3]

The game is primarily a variant on the tower defense game mechanic. Players must build traps and fortify doors and windows to keep a horde of zombies from entering a given building. During gameplay players can also scavenge the building for additional powerups, items and things that can assist in keeping the zombies at bay. The game can be played locally with four players in a splitscreen format, and includes ten single player levels along with an additional eight multiplayer co-op levels.[4]

Development and release

Dead Block was first announced on May 5, 2011. It is powered by Epic Games' Unreal Engine 3.[5] It was released July 6, 2011 for the Xbox 360 via Xbox Live Arcade, and on July 20, 2011 in North America and July 27, 2011 in the PAL region for the PlayStation 3 via the PlayStation Network.[6] A release for Microsoft Windows followed on January 26, 2012.[1] A downloadable content pack entitled the More Dead to Block Map Pack was released on August 17, 2011. It features four new locations including a Motel, a Turkish Bath, an Office Building, and a Slaughterhouse.[7]

Andreas Hackel, art director at Candygun Games described the inspiration for the game's visuals. "I was inspired by games like Team Fortress 2 and classic B-movies of the 1950s", stated Hackel.[8] When asked about the reason for choosing to set it in the 1950s, Hackel replied, "not many games are set in this period and there are a whole slew of very typical and interesting design elements from this time period. Elements like the cars, milk bars, chrome, juke boxes, fashion and hairstyles are all instantly recognisable as coming from the 50s."[8] Hackel commented that Candygun wanted the characters to be "people from the street", and not superheroes.[9] Roger Joswig explained their choice of using Unreal Engine 3 instead of a proprietary technology. "If you're looking to release your game on [PlayStation 3], Xbox 360 and PC as we were, developing your own engine is a lot more expensive, takes a long time if you start from scratch and needs a lot of QA support – so it wasn't really a feasible option for us as a small, start-up developer". He also noted that the engine is built to run on the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Microsoft Windows natively and that the team was familiar with the Unreal Engine tools.[10] The in-game music was provided by the band Vampyre State Building. The narrator's voice and in-game sound effects were outsourced to Periscope Studios.[11]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic(PS3) 63/100[12]
(PC) 55/100[13]
(X360) 50/100[14]
Review scores
PublicationScore
4Players(PS3) 56%[15]
(X360) 55%[15]
Destructoid(X360) 4.5/10[16]
Eurogamer(X360) 4/10[17]
GameProStarStarStarHalf star[18]
GameSpot4.5/10[19][20]
Giant Bomb(X360) StarStar[21]
IGN(X360) 3.5/10[22]
Jeuxvideo.com14/20[23][24]
OPM (UK)(PS3) 7/10[25]
OXM (US)(X360) 8/10[26]
411Mania(X360) 6/10[27]

The game received "mixed" reviews on all platforms according to the review aggregation website Metacritic,[12][13][14] which reported a wide range in scores for the Xbox 360 version, with the lowest score of a 20% approval given by Nick Hartel of Video Game Talk to an 83% approval from ZT Game Domain's Michael Futter.[28][29]

Critics were divided in their opinions on Dead Block's gameplay mechanics. Arthur Gies of IGN called the controls "clumsy [and] clunky".[22] He criticized the process of breaking down items in a safehouse for scrap. He felt that the process was too long and boring, and that it slowed the pace of the game.[22] Kristan Reed of Eurogamer concurred. He felt that the melee combat was also "flimsy".[17] However Neile Johnson of Official Xbox Magazine felt differently. Johnson stated that the game had "manic pacing" and that its "campy madness only gets better in split-screen co-op".[26] Johnson pointed out that the game "put a fresh face on the shop-worn corpse-killer" with its tower defense gameplay.[26] RipTen's Chris Carlson praised the game's "awesome selection of tools and weapons" and overall replay value.[30] Chris Watters of GameSpot also gave high marks for the game's high selection of traps, but also expressed that the game can get repetitive at times.[19][20] While some reviewers lauded the splitscreen multiplayer, some also expressed disappointment in the lack of any online play.[22][26]

The game's setting and presentation also received mixed opinions from critics. Reed felt that the 1950s B-movie vibe was a bit overdone, and could have used "just a smidgen more subtlety".[17] Gies agreed. He felt that the game "makes a good initial impression" but that it did not have enough substance.[22] Watters felt that "the campy B-movie vibe and cartoon aesthetic aren't good enough to add much appeal".[19][20] Again Johnson disagreed and cited the game's "rockabilly music [and] amusing characters" as high points.[26] Carlson also felt that Dead Block had "some great music".[30]

As of year end 2011 the Xbox 360 version sold 35,625 units.[31] A sales analysis of PlayStation Network titles sold in August 2011 showed that Dead Block moved 7,778 units in the first month of its release on the service.[32]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Mitchell, Richard (January 27, 2012). "Dead Block is alive on PC". Yahoo. Archived from the original on August 22, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120822104906/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/27/dead-block-is-alive-on-pc/. Retrieved January 22, 2023. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Gilbert, Ben (May 6, 2011). "Dead Block pairs three unlikely survivors against the zombie masses this summer". Yahoo. Archived from the original on May 7, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110507235852/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/06/dead-block-pairs-three-unlikely-survivors-against-the-zombie-mas/. Retrieved January 22, 2023. 
  3. ↑ Collins, David (May 5, 2011). "Digital Reality Gives Us More Zombies With Dead Block". Archived from the original on October 4, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20111004082809/http://www.gamefocus.ca/?nav=new&nid=13974. Retrieved January 22, 2023. 
  4. ↑ Martin, Liam (May 6, 2011). "New zombie game 'Dead Block' in development". Hearst Communications. https://www.digitalspy.com/videogames/a318102/new-zombie-game-dead-block-in-development/. Retrieved January 22, 2023. 
  5. ↑ Jube (May 5, 2011). "Dead Block Announced". IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on May 8, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110508230018/http://ve3d.ign.com/articles/news/60142/Dead-Block-Announced. Retrieved January 28, 2012. 
  6. ↑ Makuch, Eddie (June 29, 2011). "Dead Block lands on XBLA July 6". Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/articles/dead-block-lands-on-xbla-july-6/1100-6321796/. Retrieved January 22, 2023. 
  7. ↑ IGN staff (August 17, 2011). "Dead Block Aims for the Head with Four New Thrilling Levels Coming to XBLA". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/08/17/dead-block-aims-for-the-head-with-four-new-thrilling-levels-coming-to-xbla. Retrieved January 22, 2023. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Dead Block Developer Q&A - Chapter 2: The Art Direction of Dead Block". Candygun Games. Archived from the original on July 11, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110711151903/http://www.deadblock.com/dead-block-developer-q-a-chapter-2-the-art-direction-of-dead-block. Retrieved January 22, 2023. 
  9. ↑ "Dead Block Developer Q&A - Chapter 3: The Characters of Dead Block". Candygun Games. Archived from the original on July 11, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110711151908/http://www.deadblock.com/dead-block-developer-q-a-chapter-3-the-characters-of-dead-block. Retrieved January 22, 2023. 
  10. ↑ "Dead Block Developer Q&A - Chapter 4: The Technology of Dead Block". Candygun Games. Archived from the original on July 11, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110711151913/http://www.deadblock.com/dead-block-developer-q-a-chapter-4-the-technology-of-dead-block-. Retrieved January 22, 2023. 
  11. ↑ "Dead Block Developer Q&A - Chapter 5: The Sounds of Dead Block". Candygun Games. Archived from the original on July 9, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120709112445/http://deadblock.com/dead-block-developer-q-a-chapter-5-the-sounds-of-dead-block. Retrieved January 22, 2023. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Dead Block for PlayStation 3 Reviews". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/dead-block/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-3. Retrieved January 23, 2012. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Dead Block for PC Reviews". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/dead-block/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. Retrieved January 23, 2023. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "Dead Block for Xbox 360 Reviews". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/dead-block/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360. Retrieved January 23, 2012. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Oertel, Mathias (July 21, 2011). "Test: Dead Block (PS3, X360)" (in de). 4Players GmbH. https://www.4players.de/4players.php/dispbericht/Allgemein/Test/26879/72393/0/Dead_Block.html. Retrieved January 23, 2023. 
  16. ↑ Tan, Maurice (July 11, 2011). "Review: Dead Block (XBLA)". Gamurs. https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-dead-block/. Retrieved January 23, 2023. 
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 Reed, Kristan (July 8, 2011). "Download Games Roundup (Page 3)". Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/download-games-roundup-review-22?page=3. Retrieved January 23, 2023. 
  18. ↑ Terrones, Terry (August 22, 2011). "Review: Dead Block (360/PS3)". GamePro (GamePro Media). Archived from the original on December 2, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20111202222835/http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/222276/review-dead-block-360-ps3/. Retrieved January 30, 2012. 
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 Watters, Chris (July 11, 2011). "Dead Block Review (X360)". Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/dead-block-review/1900-6323262/. Retrieved January 23, 2023. 
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 Watters, Chris (July 27, 2011). "Dead Block Review (PS3)". Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/dead-block-review/1900-6325821/. Retrieved January 23, 2023. 
  21. ↑ Navarro, Alex (July 8, 2011). "Dead Block Review (XBGS)". Fandom. https://www.giantbomb.com/reviews/dead-block-review/1900-396/. Retrieved January 23, 2023. 
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 22.4 Gies, Arthur (July 12, 2011). "Dead Block Review (Xbox 360)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/07/12/dead-block-review. Retrieved January 23, 2023. 
  23. ↑ Rivaol (July 12, 2011). "Test: Dead Block (360)" (in fr). Webedia. https://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0001/00015289-dead-block-test.htm. Retrieved January 23, 2023. 
  24. ↑ Rivaol (August 5, 2011). "Test: Dead Block (PS3)" (in fr). Webedia. https://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0001/00015388-dead-block-test.htm. Retrieved January 23, 2023. 
  25. ↑ "Dead Block". PlayStation Official Magazine – UK (Future plc): 103. October 2011. 
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 26.3 26.4 Johnson, Nellie (August 4, 2011). "Dead Block review". Official Xbox Magazine (Future US). Archived from the original on October 23, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121023144128/http://www.oxmonline.com/dead-block-review. Retrieved January 23, 2023. 
  27. ↑ Chavez, Jimmy (July 27, 2011). "Dead Block Review (XBLA)". Archived from the original on November 29, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20111129044146/http://www.411mania.com/games/reviews/195473/Dead-Block-Review-(XBLA).htm. Retrieved January 23, 2023. 
  28. ↑ Hartel, Nick (July 18, 2011). "Dead Block". Archived from the original on July 22, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110722023748/http://www.videogametalk.com/reviews/1249/dead-block/. Retrieved January 23, 2023. 
  29. ↑ Futter, Michael (July 11, 2011). "Dead Block Review (X360)". Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110717205405/http://www.ztgd.com/reviews/10723/dead-block/. Retrieved January 23, 2023. 
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 Carlson, Chris (July 11, 2011). "RipTen Review: Dead Block (XBLA)". Archived from the original on July 13, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110713041049/http://www.ripten.com/2011/07/11/ripten-review-dead-block-xbla/. Retrieved January 23, 2023. 
  31. ↑ Langley, Ryan (January 20, 2012). "Xbox Live Arcade by the numbers - the 2011 year in review". Informa. Archived from the original on March 25, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190325034553/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/39713/Xbox_Live_Arcde_by_the_numbers__the_2011_year_in_review.php. Retrieved January 23, 2023. 
  32. ↑ Langley, Ryan (September 23, 2011). "In-Depth: PlayStation Network Sales Analysis, July - August, 2011". Informa. Archived from the original on June 7, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160607073627/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/37410/InDepth_PlayStation_Network_Sales_Analysis_July__August_2011.php. Retrieved January 23, 2023. 
  • 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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