Software:Dream Pinball 3D

From HandWiki
Short description: 2006 video game
Dream Pinball 3D
European Wii cover art for Dream Pinball 3D
Developer(s)A. S. K. Homework
RuneSoft (Mac)
Publisher(s)
Platform(s)Windows, Wii, Nintendo DS, iOS, Mac OS X
ReleaseWindows
  • GER: September 2006[1]
  • NA: February 12, 2008
  • EU: February 2008
  • AU: April 2008
Wii
  • NA: April 22, 2008
  • EU: May 16, 2008
  • AU: May 22, 2008
Nintendo DS
  • NA: April 24, 2008
  • AU: April 2008
  • EU: June 27, 2008
iOS
  • WW: July 18, 2012
Mac OS X/OS X
  • GER: August 15, 2008[3]
  • WW: December 3, 2012[2]
Genre(s)Pinball
Mode(s)Single player, multiplayer

Dream Pinball 3D is a pinball simulation game developed by TopWare Interactive and published by SouthPeak Games for Microsoft Windows, first released online in 2006, and then ported to Wii and Nintendo DS in 2008. Dream Pinball 3D features six tables to play on, each with a distinct theme, including a medieval table, an aquatic table, a monsters (zombies and vampires mostly) table, and a dinosaurs table. Apart from the different visual styles, each of these tables pose a different challenge because of their varying flipper, ramp, and bumper positions.[4]

Gameplay

Windows screenshot of Dream Pinball 3D - displaying the 'Monsters' pinball table.

As in the majority of pinball simulation video games - the objective is to gain as many points as possible by hitting the correct bumpers and obstacles. Bonuses included - point multipliers and extra lives - they are gained by hitting particularly hard shots. The games also features six different pinball materials - such as gold and steel - which affects the ball's physics.

The Windows version features an online high score list - in which the player can compare their performance with others. The Wii version can either be played with the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, with controls similar to Software:Pinball Hall of Fame: The Williams Collection released a few months prior, or just the Wii Remote itself turned on its side for classic control.[5] The Nintendo DS version is played entirely with buttons, with the D-pad being used to nudge the table.[citation needed] The top screen is used to represent the table's backglass, limiting the main dynamic camera view of the table to the touch screen.[6]

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
DSPCWii
GamesMaster49%[7]N/AN/A
GameZoneN/AN/A3/10[8]
IGN6.5/10[6]5.1/10[9]5.1/10[10]
NGamerN/AN/A50%[11]
PC FormatN/A79%[12]N/A
PC Gamer (UK)N/A77%[13]N/A
PC Gamer (US)N/A38%[14]N/A
PC ZoneN/A70%[15]N/A
Aggregate score
Metacritic56/100[16]61/100[17]54/100[18]

The DS, PC and Wii versions received "mixed" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[16][17][18]

Sequel

Five years after the game's initial retail release, TopWare Interactive released a sequel to the game, Dream Pinball 3D II, in Europe, targeting next-generation Nintendo platforms, as well as the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. However, it was only known to be available on Wii U and Xbox 360.[citation needed]

References

  1. ↑ "Dream Pinball 3D". http://www.zuxxez.com/game_projects/project.php?l=en&game=18. "Release date: 09 / 2006 (24,99 Euro)" 
  2. ↑ "Dream Pinball 3D pings onto the Mac App Store". December 3, 2012. https://www.mactech.com/2012/12/03/dream-pinball-3d-pings-onto-the-mac-app-store/. 
  3. ↑ "Dream Pinball 3D shipping". August 15, 2008. http://www.rune-soft.com/article.php?year=older. 
  4. ↑ Calvert, Justin (February 11, 2008). "Dream Pinball 3D First Look". GameSpot. https://www.gamespot.com/articles/dream-pinball-3d-first-look/1100-6185865/. Retrieved October 4, 2017. 
  5. ↑ McKown, Ken (22 January 2011). "Dream Pinball 3D Review (Wii)". https://ztgd.com/reviews/dream-pinball-3d/. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Hatfield, Daemon (May 1, 2008). "Dream Pinball 3D Review (NDS)". IGN. http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/05/01/dream-pinball-3d-review-3. Retrieved October 4, 2017. 
  7. ↑ "Dream Pinball 3D (DS)". GamesMaster: 84. September 2008. 
  8. ↑ Bedigian, Louis (June 9, 2008). "Dream Pinball 3D - WII - Review". GameZone. http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/dream_pinball_3d_wii_review. 
  9. ↑ Hatfield, Daemon (May 2, 2008). "Dream Pinball 3D Review (PC)". IGN. http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/05/02/dream-pinball-3d-review-2. Retrieved October 4, 2017. 
  10. ↑ Hatfield, Daemon (April 30, 2008). "Dream Pinball 3D Review (Wii)". IGN. http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/04/30/dream-pinball-3d-review. Retrieved October 4, 2017. 
  11. ↑ Kitts, Martin (July 2008). "Dream Pinball 3D review (Wii)". NGamer (GamesRadar): 68. http://www.gamesradar.com/dream-pinball-3d-11/. Retrieved October 4, 2017. 
  12. ↑ "Dream Pinball 3D". PC Format (214): 110. June 2008. 
  13. ↑ "Dream Pinball 3D". PC Gamer UK: 83. July 2008. 
  14. ↑ Osborn, Chuck (July 2008). "Dream Pinball 3D review". PC Gamer (GamesRadar): 63. http://www.gamesradar.com/dream-pinball-3d-review/. Retrieved October 4, 2017. 
  15. ↑ "PC Review: Dream Pinball 3D". PC Zone: 82. June 2008. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 "Dream Pinball 3D for DS Reviews". Metacritic. https://www.metacritic.com/game/dream-pinball-3d/critic-reviews/?platform=ds. Retrieved October 4, 2017. 
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 "Dream Pinball 3D for PC Reviews". Metacritic. https://www.metacritic.com/game/dream-pinball-3d/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. Retrieved October 4, 2017. 
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 "Dream Pinball 3D for Wii Reviews". Metacritic. https://www.metacritic.com/game/dream-pinball-3d/critic-reviews/?platform=wii. Retrieved October 4, 2017. 
  • 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



  • 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




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