Software:Endless Ocean

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Short description: 2007 video game

Endless Ocean
North American cover art
Developer(s)Arika
Publisher(s)Nintendo
Director(s)Akira Kurabayashi
Masaki Tawara
Producer(s)Ichiro Mihara
Hitoshi Yamagami
Platform(s)Wii
Release
  • JP: August 2, 2007
  • EU: November 9, 2007[1]
  • AU: January 17, 2008
  • NA: January 21, 2008[2]
Genre(s)Adventure
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Endless Ocean (known as Forever Blue in Japanese) is a scuba diving adventure game developed by Arika and published by Nintendo for the Wii.[3] It is considered a spiritual successor to Everblue, another scuba diving adventure game series also developed by Arika. It was released in Japan on August 2, 2007, Europe on November 9, 2007, and North America on January 21, 2008, after originally being scheduled for release in October 2007.

A sequel, Software:Endless Ocean 2: Adventures of the Deep was released in Japan on September 17, 2009, in Europe on February 5, 2010, and in North America on February 22, 2010, under the name Endless Ocean: Blue World.[4][5] A third game in the series, Endless Ocean Luminous, was released on the Nintendo Switch in all regions on May 2, 2024. [6]

Gameplay and plot

In Endless Ocean, the player plays as a scuba diver exploring the Manaurai sea,[Note 1] a fictional sea in the South Pacific, in search of sea life and sunken treasure[7] under the guidance of their assistant, Katherine Sunday.[8] In the sea, they will encounter several marine species, ranging from smaller fish and penguins to whale sharks, manta rays and sperm whales, as well as dolphins and other cetaceans that can be trained to perform certain behaviors and become companions. Species such as sharks are also present; however, they pose no threat to the player. The player also has access to a large aquarium, which they can populate with species they have identified. The sea's various locations provide a means for the player to experience diving, cave diving, deep-water trench exploration, wreck diving, and other activities that might not otherwise be possible in a single real-world setting.

Late in the game, Katherine tells the player that in the past, her father set out in search of a unique whale called the White Mother, but never returned. The player and Katherine set out to find the White Mother, which entails seeking out the four types of whales present in the game, humpback whale, North Atlantic right whale, sperm whale, and blue whale, and placing motion sensors on different points of the map. Eventually, one of the sensors is set off, and the player witnesses the White Mother, a large albino blue whale, as Katherine remembers her father.

Music

Early Forever Blue screenshot montage

The song "Prayer", composed by Secret Garden and performed by Hayley Westenra, is featured in the game and its trailers. Westenra also contributes several other songs, including a rendition of the Maori folk song "Pokarekare Ana".[9] Players can transfer their MP3 music files to an SD card and listen to them while playing.[10] Endless Ocean is the second game on the Wii to use this feature, the first being Excite Truck.

Soundtrack

  • Embrace of Manaurai/Moon of Manaurai
  • Prayer
  • Pokarekare Ana
  • Oh Shenandoah
  • Amazing Grace
  • Hine e Hine
  • E Pari Ra
  • Benedictus
  • River of Dreams
  • The Water is Wide

Release

The game was released in Japan on August 2, 2007. On August 10, 2007, Nintendo issued a product recall in after a major bug was found in copies of the game,[11] later re-releasing the game in Japan with the bug removed. The bug caused the screen to go blank and caused the console to freeze when the player put one or more bowmouth guitarfish into the aquarium, which did not affect the exploration mode.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic72/100[12]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Destructoid5.5/10[13]
Edge7/10[14]
Eurogamer6/10[15]
Famitsu35/40[16]
Game Informer6/10[3]
GamePro1.25/5[17]
GameSpot7/10[18]
GameTrailers7.4/10[19]
GameZone8/10[20]
IGN(AU) 8.1/10[21]
(US) 8/10[22]
Nintendo Power7.5/10[23]
The A.V. ClubC+[24]

The game received "average" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[12] In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of 10/10, 8/10, 9/10, and 8/10 for a total of 35 out of 40, praising the open-ended exploration aspect of the game, the scale of the play area and its soundtrack.[16][25]

Endless Ocean had sold at least 50,000 copies in Japan.[26]

Legacy

A sequel, Software:Endless Ocean 2: Adventures of the Deep was released in Japan under the name Forever Blue: Call of the Ocean on September 17, 2009, and in Europe on February 5, 2010. It was released in North America on February 22, 2010, under the name Endless Ocean: Blue World.[4][5]

Another entry, Endless Ocean Luminous, was announced on February 21, 2024, and was released on Nintendo Switch on May 2, 2024.[27]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ The sea is called Manaurai in the European version, but is called "Manoa Lai" in the US release.

References

  1. ↑ rawmeatcowboy (August 21, 2007). "Official European dates for Super Mario Galaxy, Endless Ocean, Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles". GoNintendo. http://www.gonintendo.com/stories/34605-official-european-dates-for-super-mario-galaxy-endless-ocean-re. 
  2. ↑ rawmeatcowboy (September 23, 2007). "Nintendo updates release list - Endless Ocean bumped to 08, and more". GoNintendo. http://www.gonintendo.com/stories/36479-nintendo-updates-release-list-endless-ocean-bumped-to-08-and-m. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Juba, Joe (January 2008). "Endless Ocean". Game Informer (177): 95. http://gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/5FC46FFC-7721-444E-AD07-61F1E4A699BF.htm. Retrieved July 1, 2016. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Endless Ocean 2: Adventures of the Deep (Wii) News, Reviews, Trailer & Screenshots". http://www.nintendolife.com/games/wii/endless_ocean_2_adventures_of_the_deep. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Bailey, Kat (October 1, 2008). "Nintendo Reveals Punch-Out!! Wii, Sin and Punishment 2, And More". http://www.1up.com/news/nintendo-reveals-punch-out-wii-sin. 
  6. ↑ Endless Ocean Luminous - Announcement Trailer - Nintendo Switch. Retrieved April 9, 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
  7. ↑ Gantayat, Anoop (August 2, 2007). "Endless Ocean Playtest". http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/08/02/endless-ocean-playtest. 
  8. ↑ In the US release, the assistant's name is spelled "Katherine" (sometimes called “Kat”).Walker, Torrey (January 24, 2008). "Endless Ocean". http://www.1up.com/reviews/endless-ocean. 
  9. ↑ しおのれ (August 1, 2007). "[Wii Endless Ocean JPN - Play movie"]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVdf-_f2onw. 
  10. ↑ "Forever Blue: plus d'images". JeuxFrance. July 5, 2007. http://www.jeux-france.com/news20726.html. 
  11. ↑ ""Forever Blue" recall!". Feet Over Head. May 10, 2008. http://feetoverhead.serveblog.net/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=blog:wii_-_forever_blue_recall. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Endless Ocean for Wii Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/endless-ocean/critic-reviews/?platform=wii. 
  13. ↑ Concelmo, Chad (January 22, 2008). "Destructoid review: Endless Ocean". https://www.destructoid.com/destructoid-review-endless-ocean-65967.phtml. 
  14. ↑ Edge staff (January 2008). "Endless Ocean". Edge (184): 88. 
  15. ↑ Welsh, Oli (November 22, 2007). "Endless Ocean". http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/endless-ocean-review. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 "New Endless Ocean(aka Forever Blue) video, New Age music confirmed - Oct 29 release!". NeoGAF. July 11, 2007. http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=170640. 
  17. ↑ Melick, Todd (February 2008). "Review: Endless Ocean". GamePro: 84. http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/wii/games/reviews/161468.shtml. Retrieved July 1, 2016. 
  18. ↑ Thomas, Aaron (January 29, 2008). "Endless Ocean Review". http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/endless-ocean-review/1900-6185229/. 
  19. ↑ "Endless Ocean Review". GameTrailers. February 5, 2008. http://www.gametrailers.com/gamereview.php?id=5154. 
  20. ↑ Nicksarlian, Greg (February 11, 2008). "Endless Ocean - WII - Review". GameZone. http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/endless_ocean_wii_review. 
  21. ↑ Kolan, Patrick (January 15, 2008). "Endless Ocean AU Review". http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/01/16/endless-ocean-au-review. 
  22. ↑ Casamassina, Matt (January 22, 2008). "Endless Ocean Review". http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/01/22/endless-ocean-review. 
  23. ↑ "Endless Ocean". Nintendo Power 225: 87. February 2008. 
  24. ↑ Dahlen, Chris (January 27, 2008). "Endless Ocean". The A.V. Club. http://www.avclub.com/article/endless-ocean-7309. 
  25. ↑ Jackson, Mike (July 26, 2007). "Forever Blue a Wii sleeper hit?". Computer and Video Games. http://www.computerandvideogames.com/168950/forever-blue-a-wii-sleeper-hit/. Retrieved July 15, 2016. 
  26. ↑ "Media Create Sales: 09/22 - 09/28 (Software)". Chart Get!. October 1, 2008. http://chartget.com/2008/10/media-create-sales-0922-0928-software.html. 
  27. ↑ Robinson, Andy (2024-02-21). "Endless Ocean is coming to Nintendo Switch with support for 30-players" (in en-GB). https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/endless-ocean-is-coming-to-nintendo-switch-with-support-for-30-players/. 
MobyGames
Logo since March 2014
Screenshot
Frontpage as of April 2012
Type of site
Gaming
Available inEnglish
OwnerAtari SA
Websitemobygames.com
CommercialYes
RegistrationOptional
LaunchedJanuary 30, 1999; 26 years ago (1999-01-30)
Current statusOnline

MobyGames is a commercial website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes nearly 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] The site is supported by banner ads and a small number of people paying to become patrons.[2] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It is currently owned by Atari SA.

Content

The database began with games for IBM PC compatibles. After two years, consoles such as the PlayStation, were added. Older console systems were added later. Support for arcade video games was added in January 2014 and mainframe computer games in June 2017.[3]

Edits and submissions go through a leisurely verification process by volunteer "approvers". The approval process can range from immediate (minutes) to gradual (days or months).[4] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copyediting.[5]

Registered users can rate and review any video game. 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 subforum.

History

Logo used until March 11, 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999 by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, then joined by David Berk 18 months later, three friends since high school.[6] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience.

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[7] This was announced to the community post factum and a few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.

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).[8] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel.[9]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[10] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[11][12]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ "MobyGames Stats". https://www.mobygames.com/moby_stats. 
  2. ↑ "MobyGames Patrons". http://www.mobygames.com/info/patrons. 
  3. ↑ "New(ish!) on MobyGames – the Mainframe platform.". Blue Flame Labs. 18 June 2017. http://www.mobygames.com/forums/dga,2/dgb,3/dgm,237200/. 
  4. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  5. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/32856/Report_MobyGames_Acquired_By_GameFly_Media.php. 
  8. ↑ 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. 
  9. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/207882/Game_dev_database_MobyGames_getting_some_TLC_under_new_owner.php. 
  10. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  11. ↑ "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/. 
  12. ↑ "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/. 



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