Software:Def Jam Vendetta

From HandWiki
Short description: 2003 video game

Def Jam Vendetta
Developer(s)AKI Corporation
EA Canada
Publisher(s)EA Sports BIG
  • JP: EA Games
Director(s)Hideyuki Iwashita
Producer(s)Josh Holmes
Writer(s)Mark Sawers
Platform(s)GameCube, PlayStation 2
ReleasePlayStation 2
  • JP: August 21, 2003
GameCube
Genre(s)Sports, fighting
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Def Jam Vendetta is a 3D professional wrestling fighting video game developed by AKI Corporation and EA Canada and published by Electronic Arts under the EA Sports BIG label. It was released for the GameCube and PlayStation 2 in April 2003. The game is the first main installment in EA's Def Jam-licensed hip-hop video game series. It was the publisher's first attempt at a wrestling video game since WCW Backstage Assault. Several Def Jam hip-hop artists were featured in Def Jam Vendetta, including DMX, Method Man, Redman, Ludacris, N.O.R.E., Capone, Scarface, Ghostface Killah, Keith Murray, WC, Joe Budden and DJ Funkmaster Flex. Christina Milian was featured in the game as "Angel". Def Jam Vendetta was followed up by a direct sequel in 2004, titled Software:Def Jam: Fight for NY.

Gameplay

Def Jam Vendetta features a largely unmodified AKI engine, used in the company's Virtual Pro Wrestling games and its spinoffs with some minor "button mashing" elements added and more of an arcade than a simulation. The game plays very similarly to WWF No Mercy, and features a lengthy story mode that allows you to level up and enhance one of four player characters in your quest to become the most well known star in the urban fighting league and fight the undefeated underground boss, D-Mob (voiced by actor Christopher Judge).

Players can win in one of three ways; pin, submission or KO. Pins are done by pinning the opponent for 3 seconds before he can kick out. The player can trap opponents in holds that gradually weaken one of their body parts (head, body, legs and arms). This hold can be broken by touching the ropes. If one of those gauges reaches empty, the bones get broken and that player submits & automatically loses. Players can attack their opponent to build up a power gauge, letting them activate 'Blazin' mode. If the player successfully grabs an opponent in this state, he can perform a special move. If the opponent's health is low enough, they will be KO'd.

Characters

Def Jam Vendetta features 46 playable characters, including real-life hip hop artists signed to Def Jam at the time, as well as original characters. Christina Milian appears as Angel Rodriguez, a non-playable character. Japanese rappers Dabo and S-Word appear exclusively in the game's Japanese release.

D-Mob's Crew Fighters
  • Capone
  • D-Mob
  • DaboJPN
  • DMX
  • Funkmaster Flex
  • Ghostface Killah
  • Joe Budden
  • Keith Murray
  • Ludacris
  • Method Man
  • N.O.R.E.
  • Redman
  • Scarface
  • S-WordJPN
  • WC
  • Arii
  • Briggs
  • Carla
  • Chukklez
  • Cruz
  • Dan G
  • Deebo
  • Deja
  • Drake
  • Headache
  • House
  • Iceberg
  • Manny
  • Masa
  • Moses
  • Nyne
  • Omar
  • Opal
  • Peewee
  • Penny
  • Pockets
  • Proof
  • Razor
  • Ruffneck
  • Sketch
  • Snowman
  • Spider
  • Steel
  • T'ai
  • Tank
  • Zaheer

Plot

The player (or the Protagonist) can choose to play as one of four street fighters: Briggs, a dishonorably discharged soldier; Proof, an ex-superbike racer; Tank, a massive Japanese fighter, and the DJ Spider, although the story is the same for each of them.

Upon selecting their street fighter, the Protagonist is called to help out their friend Manny by taking his place in a street fight. Once the Protagonist wins a certain number of fights, they fight the rapper Scarface. Once the Protagonist defeats him, they get their first girlfriend, Deja. Other girls come up to the Protagonist every couple of street fights, and eventually the Protagonist chooses one to be their new girlfriend, resulting in them fighting each other.

N.O.R.E. challenges the Protagonist to a fight at Grimeyville in LeFrak City, Queens, New York City. The Protagonist arrives and nearly gets into a fight with D-Mob (Chris Judge). Not long after the fight, Manny signs himself and the Protagonist up for a tag team tournament. After a while, the Protagonist is challenged by Ludacris to a fight in Club Luda. Afterwards, D-Mob claims the Protagonist and Manny are nothing, adding that if anyone in the club wants power and respect, they must beat him at the Def Jam tournament. Manny tells the Protagonist to stop fighting, but is ignored.

DMX challenges the Protagonist, but must first overcome The Dragon House's offer. They then fight Method Man and Redman in the tag team tournament finale. Afterwards, the Protagonist fights DMX, and upon winning, receives an email from his girlfriend Angel who was taken by D-Mob, saying they need to talk. When they arrive at The Face Club, it is revealed that D-Mob sent House, Pockets and Snowman to stop them from coming to the Def Jam tournament. The Protagonist defeats them, but Manny knocks him out and joins D-Mob against his will. Waking up, the Protagonist enters the tournament and defeats their best fighters. D-Mob attempts to shoot the Protagonist but Manny takes the bullet and survives. The Protagonist triumphs over D-Mob and gets Angel back. As the Protagonist walks out and makes amends with Manny, D-Mob is arrested, leading directly into Software:Def Jam: Fight for NY.

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
GCPS2
AllGameN/AStarStarStar[3]
EGMN/A7.67/10[4]
EurogamerN/A3/10[5]
Game Informer8.75/10[6]8.5/10[7]
GameProStarStarStarStarHalf star[8]StarStarStarStarHalf star[9]
GameRevolutionB−[10]B−[10]
GameSpot8.4/10[11]8.4/10[11]
GameSpyStarStarStar[12]StarStarStar[13]
GameZone8.7/10[14]9.2/10[15]
IGN8.9/10[16]8.9/10[16]
Nintendo Power3.7/5[17]N/A
OPM (US)N/AStarStarStarStar[18]
The Cincinnati EnquirerStarStarStarStar[19]StarStarStarStar[19]
Entertainment WeeklyC+[20]C+[20]
Aggregate score
Metacritic81/100[21]80/100[22]

By July 2006, the PlayStation 2 version of Def Jam Vendetta had sold 750,000 copies and earned $30 million in the United States. Next Generation ranked it as the 82nd highest-selling game launched for the PlayStation 2, Xbox or GameCube between January 2000 and July 2006 in that country. Combined sales of the Def Jam series reached 1.8 million units in the United States by July 2006.[23]

The Cincinnati Enquirer gave it a score of all four stars and stated: "Electronic Arts deserves kudos for breathing new life into the aging fighting genre with this title's fresh approach".[19] However, The Village Voice gave it a score of six out of ten and said: "If only DMX could sic his pit bulls on you, Funkmaster Flex burst your eardrums ID'ing himself, or Redman burn you with a blunt".[24] Entertainment Weekly gave it a C+ and called it "an uninspired wrestling title that lacks Def Jam's trademark sheen".[20]

GameSpot named Def Jam Vendetta the best PlayStation 2 game of April 2003.[25]

During the 7th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences nominated Def Jam Vendetta for "Console Fighting Game of the Year", "Outstanding Achievement in Character Performance - Female" for Christina Milian's vocal role as Angel, and "Outstanding Achievement in Character Performance - Male" for Method Man's vocal portrayal of himself.[26]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 I. G. N. Staff (2003-04-01). "Def Jam Ships" (in en). https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/04/01/def-jam-ships. 
  2. ↑ "GameCube Australian Release Dates - News". http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/8777/gamecube-australian-release-dates. 
  3. ↑ Scott Alan Marriott. "Def Jam Vendetta (PS2) - Review". AllGame. http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=42115&tab=review. 
  4. ↑ EGM Staff (April 2003). "Def Jam: Vendetta (PS2)". Electronic Gaming Monthly (165): 114. http://www.egmmag.com/article2/0,2053,1491198,00.asp. Retrieved February 23, 2014. 
  5. ↑ Ronan Jennings (June 9, 2003). "Def Jam Vendetta Review (PS2)". http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_defjamvendetta_ps2. 
  6. ↑ "Def Jam Vendetta (GC)". Game Informer (120): 88. April 2003. 
  7. ↑ Justin Leeper (April 2003). "Def Jam Vendetta (PS2)". Game Informer (120): 81. http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200304/R03.0729.1408.23654.htm. Retrieved February 23, 2014. 
  8. ↑ The D-Pad Destroyer (April 1, 2003). "Def Jam Vendetta Review for GameCube on GamePro.com". GamePro. http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/gamecube/games/reviews/28734.shtml. Retrieved February 23, 2014. 
  9. ↑ The D-Pad Destroyer (April 1, 2003). "Def Jam Vendetta Review for PS2 on GamePro.com". GamePro. http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/28736.shtml. Retrieved February 23, 2014. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Ben Silverman (March 4, 2003). "Def Jam Vendetta Review". Game Revolution. http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/def-jam-vendetta. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Alex Navarro (April 1, 2003). "Def Jam Vendetta Review". http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/def-jam-vendetta-review/1900-6024297/. 
  12. ↑ Matt Freeman (April 12, 2003). "GameSpy: Def Jam Vendetta (GCN)". GameSpy. http://cube.gamespy.com/gamecube/def-jam-vendetta/5779p1.html. 
  13. ↑ Matt Freeman (April 12, 2003). "GameSpy: Def Jam Vendetta (PS2)". GameSpy. http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/def-jam-vendetta/5780p1.html. 
  14. ↑ Carlos McElfish (April 15, 2003). "Def Jam VENDETTA - GC - Review". GameZone. http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/def_jam_vendetta_gc_review. 
  15. ↑ Natalie Romano (April 10, 2003). "Def Jam VENDETTA - PS2 - Review". GameZone. http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/def_jam_vendetta_ps2_review. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Jon Robinson (March 31, 2003). "Def Jam Vendetta". http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/03/31/def-jam-vendetta-3. 
  17. ↑ "Def Jam Vendetta". Nintendo Power 169: 137. June 2003. 
  18. ↑ "Def Jam: Vendetta". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine: 86. April 2003. http://www.playstationmagazine.com/article2/0,2053,1491199,00.asp. Retrieved February 23, 2014. 
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 Marc Saltzman (April 15, 2003). "Virtual getaways await in 'Primal', 'Vendetta'". The Cincinnati Enquirer. http://www.cincinnati.com/freetime/games/reviews/041503_primal.html. 
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 Noah Robischon (March 21, 2003). "Rhythm & Bruise (Def Jam Vendetta Review)". Entertainment Weekly (701): 120. http://www.ew.com/article/2003/03/21/def-jam-vendetta. Retrieved February 23, 2014. 
  21. ↑ "Def Jam Vendetta Critic Reviews for GameCube". https://www.metacritic.com/game/def-jam-vendetta/critic-reviews/?platform=gamecube. 
  22. ↑ "Def Jam Vendetta Critic Reviews for PlayStation 2". https://www.metacritic.com/game/def-jam-vendetta/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2. 
  23. ↑ "The Top 100 Games of the 21st Century". Next Generation. July 29, 2006. http://www.next-gen.biz/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3537&Itemid=2&pop=1&page=1. 
  24. ↑ Nick Catucci (March 25, 2003). "In Da Fight Club". The Village Voice. http://www.villagevoice.com/news/in-da-fight-club-6397105. 
  25. ↑ ((The Editors of GameSpot)) (May 3, 2003). "GameSpot's Month in Review: April 2003". GameSpot. http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/gotm/050303/index.html. 
  26. ↑ "D.I.C.E. Awards By Video Game Details Def Jam Vendetta". Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. https://www.interactive.org/games/video_game_details.asp?idAward=2004&idGame=265. 
  • Official website (in Japanese)
  • 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



Template:Def Jam Recordings Template:Def Jam Recordings video games



Retrieved from "https://handwiki.org/wiki/index.php?title=Software:Def_Jam_Vendetta&oldid=4138730"