Software:Egypt III

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Short description: 2004 video game
Egypt III
Developer(s)Kheops Studio
Publisher(s)The Adventure Company
Designer(s)Laure Nollet
Programmer(s)Matthieu Chopin
Artist(s)Franck Letiec
Jean Lamoureux
Writer(s)Laure Nollet
Alexia Lang
Composer(s)Olivier Louvel
Benoît De Mesmay
Platform(s)Windows
Release
  • NA: March 30, 2004
  • EU: May 14, 2004
Genre(s)Adventure
Mode(s)Single-player

Egypt III: The Fate of Ramses (French: Égypte III: Le Destin de Ramsès), known as The Egyptian Prophecy in North America, is a 2004 graphic adventure game developed by Kheops Studio and published by The Adventure Company. The player must solve an array of ancient riddles that will help a dying Pharaoh survive and restore Egypt to glory. The game is the third and final game in the Egypt trilogy, following Egypt 1156 B.C. and Software:Egypt II: The Heliopolis Prophecy. In 2010–2012, Microïds released an adaptation of the game called Egypt: The Prophecy, split into parts, for the Apple iPhone.

Gameplay

Plot

At the age of sixty years, Pharaoh Ramesses II asks the Oracle of Amun to extend his reign; the God accepts, at the condition that a majestic obelisk is built before the Shemu season comes. Despite initial progress, the construction suddenly stops and Pharaoh sends one of his priestess, Maya, to investigate.

Development

Following the 2002 bankruptcy and liquidation of Cryo Interactive,[1][2] many of its key assets were purchased by DreamCatcher Interactive to form that company's new European branch. Two development teams, including the one behind Cryo's Egypt series, were among these acquisitions.[3] DreamCatcher subsequently revealed the game in April 2003, under the name The Egyptian Prophecy in North America and Egypt III: The Fate of Ramses in Europe.[4] It was among a slew of announcements by the company in preparation for the 2003 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3).[5] Initially, the game was developed internally by DreamCatcher Europe,[6][7] but in the summer, DreamCatcher Europe shuttered the game development divisions it had carried over from Cryo.[8] Adventure Gamers later noted that the game "seemed destined for cancellation".[9]

A group of those laid off from DreamCatcher Europe, led by Benoît Hozjan, proceeded to found the independent developer Kheops Studio.[8] According to Hozjan, most of the team had already been involved in the game before its development was interrupted, and Kheops received a contract from DreamCatcher to complete the game.[10] Jeuxvideo.com noted that the game had "quietly resumed development" and was nearing completion by January 2004.[11]

As Cryo had done for Egypt II,[12] Kheops worked with archeologist Jean-Claude Golvin to increase historical accuracy.[13] Unlike its predecessors, it was not created in collaboration with the Réunion des Musées Nationaux.[14] The game was targeted primarily at casual gamers.[15]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic73/100[16]
Review scores
PublicationScore
4Players76%[17]
Adventure GamersStarStarStarHalf star[18]
CGMStarStarStarStar[19]
GameStar29%[21]
Gamezebo70/100[22]
GameZone7.5/10[23]
Jeuxvideo.com14/20[24]
PC Games63%[27]

The game received above-average reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[16]

WorthPlaying recommended the game to Myst fans.[28] Dan Ravipinto of Adventure Gamers criticised the game's cluttered environments and slow interface.[18] Jeuxvideo.com thought the short and easy game would offer a pleasant Egyptian adventure for the player.[24] David Caviness of Game Chronicles thought the game would only receive acclaim or interest from fans of the adventure game genre.[29]

References

  1. ↑ Fahey, Rob (July 23, 2002). "Update: Cryo Living on Borrowed Time". Gamer Network. Archived from the original on February 16, 2003. https://web.archive.org/web/20030216132907/http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?section_name=pub&aid=407. 
  2. ↑ Boutellier, Jérôme (October 2, 2002). "L'éditeur de jeux Cryo en liquidation judiciaire" (in fr). Clubic SAS. Archived from the original on July 5, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190705212217/https://www.clubic.com/actualite-45222-.html. 
  3. ↑ Bronstring, Marek (March 7, 2003). "The Adventure Company Europe". Archived from the original on October 23, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20051023082955/http://www.adventuregamers.com/article/id,223. Retrieved November 25, 2024. 
  4. ↑ Calvert, Justin (April 30, 2003). "The Egyptian Prophecy announced". Fandom. Archived from the original on July 16, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20040716203818/http://www.gamespot.com/pc/adventure/egyptianprophecy/news_6026018.html. Retrieved November 25, 2024. 
  5. ↑ Calvert, Justin (April 30, 2003). "The Adventure Company E3 lineup". Fandom. Archived from the original on October 12, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20041012161138/http://www.gamespot.com/pc/news/news_6026014.html. Retrieved November 25, 2024. 
  6. ↑ "The Adventure Company to Showcase Exciting Line-up at the Electronic Entertainment Expo". Toronto. May 2003. Archived from the original on March 25, 2006. https://web.archive.org/web/20060325170304/http://adventurecompanygames.com/tac/press/releases/e3_2003.html. 
  7. ↑ Sulic, Ivan (April 30, 2003). "Many New Adventures". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on March 25, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230325100114/https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/04/30/many-new-adventures. Retrieved November 25, 2024. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Fallen Angel (August 9, 2005). "Benoit Hozjan for Kheops Studio". Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150402035247/https://adventureadvocate.gr/interviews/eng-interviews/item/benoit-hozjan-for-kheops-studio. 
  9. ↑ Walter, Johann (November 14, 2006). "Kheops Studio - Benoît Hozjan". Archived from the original on April 7, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220407063815/https://adventuregamers.com/articles/view/17997. Retrieved November 25, 2024. 
  10. ↑ Hoopy (August 24, 2006). "Kheops Studio Interview de Benoît Hozjan, co-fondateur et directeur"] (in fr). Archived from the original on December 6, 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20071206031455/http://www.jeuxvideopc.com/articles/900-kheops-studio-interview-benoit-hozjan-co-fondateur-directeur/. 
  11. ↑ Jeuxvideo.com staff (January 23, 2004). "Egypte 3 fait dans le surnaturel" (in fr). Webedia. Archived from the original on August 3, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20040803142807/https://www.jeuxvideo.com/news/2004/00008014.htm. 
  12. ↑ "Interviews: The themes addressed in the documentary base". Cryo Interactive. Archived from the original on November 17, 2002. https://web.archive.org/web/20021117064711/http://egypte2.cryogame.com/uk/uk_presse_interview.html#story4. 
  13. ↑ "Interview Egypt III: THE EGYPTIAN PROPHECY - The Fate of Ramses". March 23, 2004. Archived from the original on August 3, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20040803182326/http://www.pcpointer.de/egypt3_englisch_interview.php. 
  14. ↑ "Interviews >> Benoit Hozjan Kheops Studio". Archived from the original on February 27, 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20070227174212/http://www.adventure-island.nl/index.php?file=interviews%2Finterviewkheops. 
  15. ↑ "Egypt III: The Fate of Ramses (Preview)". Just Adventure. March 2004. Archived from the original on November 15, 2006. https://web.archive.org/web/20061115201628/http://www.justadventure.com/TheInventory/TheInventory.shtm. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 "The Egyptian Prophecy". Fandom. Archived from the original on November 25, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20241125192421/https://www.metacritic.com/game/the-egyptian-prophecy/. Retrieved November 25, 2024. 
  17. ↑ Naser, Bodo (June 15, 2004). "Test: Egypt 3: Das Schicksal des Ramses" (in de). 4Players GmbH. Archived from the original on July 7, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220707163102/https://www.4players.de/4players.php/dispbericht/PC-CDROM/Test/3467/2804/0/Egypt_3_Das_Schicksal_des_Ramses.html. Retrieved November 26, 2024. 
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Ravipinto, Dan (April 29, 2004). "The Egyptian Prophecy review". Archived from the original on November 20, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211120035015/https://adventuregamers.com/articles/view/17701. Retrieved November 25, 2024. 
  19. ↑ "Review: The Egyptian Prophecy". Computer Games Magazine (theGlobe.com) (165): 70. August 2004. 
  20. ↑ Kuipers, Kévin (April 16, 2004). "Test : Egypte 3, pour quelques herurs de clics" (in fr). TF1 Group. Archived from the original on August 11, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220811110958/https://www.gamekult.com/jeux/egypte-iii-le-destin-de-ramses-52048/test.html. Retrieved November 26, 2024. 
  21. ↑ "Egypt 3: Das Schicksal des Ramses" (in de). GameStar (Webedia). August 2004. 
  22. ↑ Steinberg, Scott (February 17, 2009). "Egypt III: The Fate of Ramses Review". Archived from the original on November 26, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20241126002156/https://www.gamezebo.com/web/20241126002156/https://www.gamezebo.com/reviews/egypt-iii-the-fate-of-ramses-review/. Retrieved November 26, 2024. 
  23. ↑ Gerbino, Robert (April 28, 2004). "The Egyptian Prophecy - PC - Review". Archived from the original on March 21, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080321105538/http://pc.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r22412.htm. Retrieved November 26, 2024. 
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 Superpanda (April 15, 2004). "Test: Égypte III : Le Destin de Ramsès" (in fr). Webedia. Archived from the original on July 12, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210712093008/https://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0000/00004165_test.htm. Retrieved November 25, 2024. 
  25. ↑ Fumble (May 2004). "Égypte III : Le Destin de Ramsès" (in fr). Joystick (MER7) (159): 100. Archived from the original on November 26, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20241126031510/https://download.abandonware.org/magazines/Joystick/joystick_numero159/Joystick%20159%20-%20Page%20100%20%28mai%202004%29.jpg. Retrieved November 26, 2024. 
  26. ↑ Fortes, Francisco A. (June 9, 2004). "Egipto III: El destino de Ramsés: ¿La gloria de Egipto?" (in es). MeriStation (PRISA). Archived from the original on September 8, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20040908035914/http://www.meristation.com/sc/analisis/analisisin.asp?cr=5367&c=PC. Retrieved November 26, 2024. 
  27. ↑ Bergmann, David (July 24, 2004). "Egypt 3" (in de). PC Games (Computec). Archived from the original on August 8, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20040808062440/http://www.pcgames.de/?article_id=327200. Retrieved November 26, 2024. 
  28. ↑ Zackheim, Ben (May 10, 2004). "PC Review - The Egyptian Prophecy". Archived from the original on January 18, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220118094632/https://worthplaying.com/article/2004/5/10/reviews/16938-pc-review-the-egyptian-prophecy/. Retrieved November 25, 2024. 
  29. ↑ Caviness, David (May 26, 2004). "The Egyptian Prophecy: The Fate of Ramses". Archived from the original on May 28, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230528150031/https://www.gamechronicles.com/reviews/pc/egyptian/prophecy.htm. Retrieved November 25, 2024. 

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. 
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