Software:Deathtrap Dungeon (video game)

From HandWiki
Deathtrap Dungeon
Developer(s)Asylum Studios
Publisher(s)Eidos Interactive
Director(s)Paul Sheppard
Producer(s)Frank Hom
Designer(s)Richard Halliwell
Andrew Wensley
Programmer(s)Matt Curran
Artist(s)Matthew Bagshaw
Composer(s)Mike Ash
Steve Monk
SeriesFighting Fantasy
Platform(s)PlayStation, Windows
ReleasePlayStation
Windows
Genre(s)Action-adventure
Mode(s)Single-player

Ian Livingstone's Deathtrap Dungeon is an action-adventure video game developed by Asylum Studios and published by Eidos Interactive for PlayStation and Microsoft Windows in 1998. It is based on the adventure gamebook Deathtrap Dungeon (the sixth in the Fighting Fantasy series) written by Ian Livingstone, and published by Puffin Books in 1984.

Gameplay

The game is a third-person action-adventure, with the player taking the role of an adventurer (either the Amazon "Red Lotus" or the barbarian "Chaindog"), who at the invitation of a wizard explores a series of dungeons and must overcome both monsters and traps to find riches.

Development

Ian Livingstone was heavily involved in determining the game's level design and art style.[5] The aesthetics and atmosphere are manifestly inspired by Italian artist Giovanni Battista Piranesi, whose ruins drawings fascinated Ian Livingstone.[citation needed]

Though the game's 3D engine is very similar to that of Tomb Raider, another Eidos-published game with a development cycle which overlapped that of Deathtrap Dungeon, the two games were developed in isolation.[5]

Livingstone said the character Red Lotus was created as "a combination of all the girls who have caught my eye over the past 20 years. Not all of these girls were real, though. Comic books have had a big influence on her creation."[6]

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
PCPS
AllGameStarStarStarStar[9]StarHalf star[10]
CGSPStarStarHalf star[13]N/A
CGWStarStarStar[14]N/A
EGMN/A4.875/10[15][lower-alpha 1]
Game InformerN/A6.5/10[17]
GameRevolutionB[18]N/A
GameSpot6.2/10[19]3.7/10[20]
IGN4.7/10[21]5/10[22]
Next GenerationN/AStar[23]
OPM (US)N/AStarStarHalf star[24]
PC Gamer (US)79%[26]N/A
Aggregate score
GameRankings64%[7]54%[8]

Deathtrap Dungeon received mixed reviews on both platforms according to the review aggregation website GameRankings.[7][8] Next Generation said that the flaws in the PlayStation original "continually distracted us from the fun parts. Overall, there are only three words for this game – bad, bad, bad."[23] Edge gave both the PlayStation and PC versions each a score of seven out of ten, saying that the former version "isn't going to seriously challenge Tomb Raider 2's dominance of this genre, but it is a solid, playable and well-designed fantasy romp that will at least pass the time until Lara Croft's next appearance";[27] and later saying that the latter version was "certainly worthy of attention, though not, as Eidos might suspect, because of the presence of a busty heroine."[28]

GamePro said that the PlayStation version was "not a great game, but it does hold your attention for a while. Take our sword for it – you shouldn't give up on DD until you've rented it for a weekend."[29][lower-alpha 2] The magazine later said that the PC version was "a solid, if not spectacular, addition to the TR canon and should keep fans of the genre well employed."[30][lower-alpha 3]

Notes

  1. ↑ Four critics of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the PlayStation version each a score of 3.5/10, 5/10, 6.5/10, and 4.5/10.
  2. ↑ GamePro gave the PlayStation version 3.5/5 for graphics, two 4/5 scores for sound and fun factor, and 3/5 for control.
  3. ↑ GamePro gave the PC version 4.5/5 for graphics, 3/5 for sound, 4/5 for control, and 3.5/5 for fun factor.

References

  1. ↑ "Games New Releases". The Daily Telegraph: pp. 17. April 9, 1998. https://www.newspapers.com/image/752274101/?terms=%22deathtrap%20dungeon%22&match=1. "Deathtrap Dungeon - Out Tomorrow" 
  2. ↑ GameSpot staff (30 March 1998). "The Shipping News [date mislabeled as "April 28, 2000""]. Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-shipping-news/1100-2463129/. 
  3. ↑ "PC Software - Save Up to £20". The Daily Telegraph: pp. 6. July 3, 1998. https://www.newspapers.com/image/752278556/?terms=%22deathtrap%20dungeon%22&match=1. "New Releases - Out Now! Deathtrap Dungeon" 
  4. ↑ "News for June 25, 1998". June 1998. http://www.ogr.com/news/news0698.html. "Eidos Interactive announced today that they have shipped Deathtrap Dungeon, the 3D action combat game that features over 50 monsters, 10 levels, a male and female character and a third person perspective. Deathtrap Dungeon is inspired by the Fighting Fantasy gamebook series from Ian Livingstone." 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "NG Alphas: Deathtrap Dungeon". Next Generation (Imagine Media) (28): 94–95. April 1997. https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_28/page/n95/mode/2up. Retrieved 19 December 2020. 
  6. ↑ "Girl Trouble". Next Generation (Imagine Media) (37): 98–102. January 1998. https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_37/page/n99/mode/2up. Retrieved 6 July 2023. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Deathtrap Dungeon for PC". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamerankings.com/pc/40910-deathtrap-dungeon/index.html. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Deathtrap Dungeon for PlayStation". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamerankings.com/ps/197076-deathtrap-dungeon/index.html. 
  9. ↑ Couper, Chris. "Deathtrap Dungeon (PC) - Review". All Media Network. http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=11888&tab=review. 
  10. ↑ House, Michael L.. "Deathtrap Dungeon (PS) - Review". All Media Network. http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=11889&tab=review. 
  11. ↑ Dembo, Arinn (13 August 1998). "Deathtrap Dungeon (PC)". CNET. http://www.gamecenter.com/Reviews/Item/0,6,0-2010,00.html. 
  12. ↑ Mahood, Andy (5 June 1998). "Deathtrap Dungeon (PS)". CNET. http://www.gamecenter.com/Consoles/Sony/Deathtrap/. 
  13. ↑ D'Aprile, Jason (24 August 1998). "Deathtrap Dungeon". Strategy Plus, Inc.. http://www.cdmag.com/articles/013/197/deathtrap_dungeon_review.html. 
  14. ↑ Johnson, Kenneth (December 1998). "Welcome to the Dungeon (Deathtrap Dungeon Review)". Computer Gaming World (Ziff Davis) (173): 351. https://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_173.pdf. Retrieved 20 December 2020. 
  15. ↑ Kujawa, Kraig; Davison, John; Rickards, Kelly; Williams, Ken "Sushi-X" (June 1998). "Deathtrap Dungeon". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (107): 112. https://retrocdn.net/images/1/1f/EGM_US_107.pdf. Retrieved 6 July 2023. 
  16. ↑ MacIsaac, Jason (24 August 1998). "Deathtrap Dungeon (PC)". Greedy Productions Ltd.. http://www.elecplay.com/review.html?article=7551&full=1#mr_toppy. 
  17. ↑ "Deathtrap Dungeon - PlayStation". Game Informer (FuncoLand) (62). June 1998. http://www.gameinformer.com/cgi-bin/review.cgi?sys=psx&path=jun98&doc=death. Retrieved 19 December 2020. 
  18. ↑ Brian B. (July 1998). "DEATHTRAP DUNGEON - PC Review". CraveOnline. https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/32693-deathtrap-dungeon-review. 
  19. ↑ Poole, Stephen (4 September 1998). "Deathtrap Dungeon Review (PC)". Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/deathtrap-dungeon-review/1900-2538567/. 
  20. ↑ Fielder, Joe (22 April 1998). "Deathtrap Dungeon Review (PS) [date mislabeled as "April 28, 2000""]. Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/deathtrap-dungeon-review/1900-2547244/. 
  21. ↑ Bates, Jason (13 August 1998). "Deathtrap Dungeon (PC)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/1998/08/14/deathtrap-dungeon-2. 
  22. ↑ Perry, Douglass C. (3 April 1998). "Deathtrap Dungeon (PS)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/1998/04/04/deathtrap-dungeon-3. 
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 "Deathtrap Dungeon (PS)". Next Generation (Imagine Media) (42): 135. June 1998. https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_42/page/n137/mode/2up. Retrieved 19 December 2020. 
  24. ↑ Rybicki, Joe (June 1998). "Deathtrap Dungeon". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine (Ziff Davis) 1 (9): 90. https://archive.org/details/official-u.-s.-play-station-magazine-volume-1-issue-09-june-1998/page/n93/mode/2up. Retrieved 6 July 2023. 
  25. ↑ Lindstrom, Bob (November 1998). "Deathtrap Dungeon". PC Accelerator (Imagine Media) (3): 98. https://archive.org/details/PCXL03Nov1998/page/n97/mode/2up. Retrieved 5 April 2021. 
  26. ↑ Saltzman, Marc (October 1998). "Deathtrap Dungeon". PC Gamer (Imagine Media) 5 (10): 238–39. http://www.pcgamer.com/reviews/89.html. Retrieved 6 July 2023. 
  27. ↑ Edge staff (May 1998). "Deathtrap Dungeon (PS)". Edge (Future Publishing) (58): 98. https://retrocdn.net/images/9/98/Edge_UK_058.pdf. Retrieved 6 July 2023. 
  28. ↑ Edge staff (July 1998). "Deathtrap Dungeon (PC)". Edge (Future Publishing) (60): 99. https://retrocdn.net/images/b/b7/Edge_UK_060.pdf. Retrieved 6 July 2023. 
  29. ↑ Scary Larry (June 1998). "Deathtrap Dungeon (PS)". GamePro (IDG) (117): 116. https://retrocdn.net/images/e/e5/GamePro_US_117.pdf. Retrieved 6 July 2023. 
  30. ↑ Olafson, Peter (1998). "Deathtrap Dungeon Review for PC on GamePro.com". GamePro (IDG Entertainment). http://www.gamepro.com/computer/pc/games/reviews/805.shtml. Retrieved 20 December 2020. 
  • 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 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]

On February 13, 2025, Freyholtz stepped down as the site lead to move onto new projects, leaving operations to Tracy Poff, a veteran coder on the site, and Atari staff.[18]

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. 
  18. ↑ "An update on MobyGames leadership". 2025-02-13. https://www.mobygames.com/forum/3/thread/269628/an-update-on-mobygames-leadership/#post-269628. 
  • No URL found. Please specify a URL here or add one to Wikidata.




Warning: Default sort key "Deathtrap Dungeon (Video Game)" overrides earlier default sort key "Mobygames".



Retrieved from "https://handwiki.org/wiki/index.php?title=Software:Deathtrap_Dungeon_(video_game)&oldid=697191"