Software:FlatOut (video game)

From HandWiki
Short description: 2004 video game
FlatOut
Developer(s)Bugbear Entertainment
Team6 Game Studios (Wii)
Publisher(s)Empire Interactive
Wii
  • NA: Zoo Games
  • EU: Funbox Media
Designer(s)Janne Alanenpää
Tommi Hartikainen
Programmer(s)Tatu Blomberg
Artist(s)Mikko Kautto
SeriesFlatOut
Platform(s)Windows, PlayStation 2, Xbox, Wii
ReleaseWindows, PS2, Xbox
  • EU: November 5, 2004
  • NA: July 12, 2005
Wii
  • NA: November 23, 2010
  • EU: July 27, 2012
Genre(s)Racing
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

FlatOut[lower-alpha 1] is a 2004 racing video game developed by Finnish developer Bugbear Entertainment and published by Empire Interactive, with Vivendi Universal Games distributing in North America. Gameplay in FlatOut places emphasis on demolition derby-style races, and features a sophisticated physics engine. 16 different cars are included, each with 5 different skins for them. The game is mostly known for car drivers flying through the windshield. It was published by Konami on October 13, 2005.[1]

Features

Modes in FlatOut include standard races, in either open environments or race tracks, and demolition derby deathmatches, in which the last vehicle standing is declared the winner; both modes pit players against seven computer-controlled opponents. The game also includes special events which require the player to launch the driver out of his/her vehicle and meet certain requirements. In career mode, you can buy your future top racer from the junkyard. Wins are rewarded with a certain sum of cash, which allows the player to purchase vehicle upgrades and new vehicles.

FlatOut is noted for its extensive use of physics in vehicle damage and collisions; dents on vehicles may vary based on the type of accident, object and angle of impact (falling objects, for example, will damage mostly the upper areas of a car), while many roadside items react better to collisions from other vehicles.

Ragdoll physics is also present in the game, with drivers capable of being launched out of their car after high-impact crashes. This feature is extensively used in special events, when the player is required to launch a driver to a specific distance, height, or at a target.

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
PCPS2Xbox
Edge7/10[5]7/10[5]7/10[5]
EGMN/A4.67/10[6]4.67/10[6]
EurogamerN/AN/A8/10[7]
FamitsuN/A28/40[8]N/A
Game InformerN/A6.5/10[9]6.5/10[9]
GameSpot7.9/10[10]7.9/10[10]7.9/10[10]
GameSpyN/AStarStarStarStar[11]StarStarStarStar[11]
GameTrailers8.5/10[12]8.5/10[12]8.5/10[12]
GameZone8/10[13]7.9/10[14]N/A
IGN7/10[15]7.5/10[16]7.5/10[16]
OPM (US)N/AStarStarHalf star[17]N/A
OXM (US)N/AN/A7.2/10[18]
PC Gamer (US)75%[19]N/AN/A
Detroit Free PressN/AN/AStarStar[20]
The Sydney Morning HeraldStarStarStarStarHalf star[21]StarStarStarStarHalf star[21]StarStarStarStarHalf star[21]
Aggregate score
Metacritic72/100[2]70/100[3]71/100[4]

FlatOut received "mixed or average" reviews on all platforms according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[2][3][4] In Japan, Famitsu gave the PlayStation 2 version a score of all four sevens for a total of 28 out of 40.[8]

The Sydney Morning Herald gave the game a score of four-and-a-half stars out of five and stated: "The handling is remarkable, and the fact the tracks are littered with obstacles that bounce and crash realistically makes it all the more fun. Throw in excellent damage modelling and it's plain to see that this game has nailed the core mechanics of an addictive racer perfectly".[21] The Times gave the PS2 and Xbox versions a score of four stars out of five and wrote that the truly suicidal "will be in awe of the driver's ability to launch himself fatally through the windscreen, screaming, while the rest of us will love the game's easy and responsive controls, and the authentic feel of the cars".[3][4] Detroit Free Press, however, gave the Xbox version a score of two stars out of four and said that "if [the game] were only a $20 title, I'd heartily recommend it. But $50 is a lot of money to pay to turn yourself into road splatter over and over again. It's flawed, though fun".[20] Maxim gave the game a score of two stars out of five and said it was "about as interesting as a public service announcement for seatbelts".[22]

FlatOut was selected in 2017 for a collection of 100 classical Finnish games, which were presented on the opening of the Finnish Museum of Games in Tampere.[23]

Sequels

A sequel, FlatOut 2, was released first, in Europe, on June 30, 2006. A larger variety of vehicles (including contemporary cars and pickup trucks) are included. The North American version was launched on August 1.

In 2007 Bugbear released FlatOut, an enhanced remake of FlatOut 2, for Xbox 360.[24] The Microsoft Windows version was released on August 1, 2008.

On November 2010, Team6 Game Studios released a new game titled FlatOut for the Wii.[25] The game was met with negative reviews.

The third entry, FlatOut 3: Chaos & Destruction, developed by Team6 Game Studios and published by Strategy First in December 2011 exclusively for Microsoft Windows.[26] The game received overwhelmingly negative reviews.

Flatout Stuntman is the Android-exclusive ragdoll game in the series. It was developed and published by Team6 Game Studios, and released in November 2013.

FlatOut 4 developed by Kylotonn for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Microsoft Windows was released in March 2017.[27] The game was met with mixed reviews.

Notes

  1. ↑ known in Japan as Racing Game Chuui!!!![1]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Now Playing in Japan". IGN. October 17, 2005. https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/10/17/now-playing-in-japan-35. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "FlatOut for PC Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/flatout/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "FlatOut for PlayStation 2 Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/flatout/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "FlatOut for Xbox Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/flatout/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Edge staff (December 2004). "FlatOut". Edge (143): 114. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 EGM staff (August 2005). "FlatOut (PS2, Xbox)". Electronic Gaming Monthly (194): 110. 
  7. ↑ Garratt, Patrick (November 1, 2004). "Flatout [sic (Xbox)"]. http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_flatout_xbox. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "This week's Famitsu news (Page 4)". NeoGAF. October 5, 2005. http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=65904&page=4. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Zoss, Jeremy (August 2005). "FlatOut (PS2, Xbox)". Game Informer (148): 98. http://gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200508/R05.0819.1641.58276.htm. Retrieved July 11, 2015. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Navarro, Alex (July 18, 2005). "FlatOut Review". http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/flatout-review/1900-6129383/. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Tuttle, Will (July 25, 2005). "GameSpy: FlatOut (PS2, Xbox)". GameSpy. http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/flatout/636615p1.html. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 "FlatOut Review". GameTrailers. August 5, 2005. http://www.gametrailers.com/game/29.html?id=29. 
  13. ↑ Aceinet (December 12, 2004). "FlatOut - PC - Review". GameZone. http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/flatout_pc_review. 
  14. ↑ Knutson, Michael (August 10, 2005). "FlatOut - PS2 - Review". GameZone. http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/flatout_ps2_review. 
  15. ↑ Sulic, Ivan (July 15, 2005). "FlatOut (PC)". http://pc.ign.com/articles/634/634273p1.html. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Sulic, Ivan (July 15, 2005). "FlatOut (PS2, Xbox)". http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/07/16/flatout. 
  17. ↑ "FlatOut". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine: 83. August 2005. 
  18. ↑ "FlatOut". Official Xbox Magazine: 84. August 2005. 
  19. ↑ "FlatOut". PC Gamer: 70. August 2005. 
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Huschka, Ryan (July 31, 2005). "'Flatout' [sic (Xbox)"]. Detroit Free Press. http://www.freep.com/entertainment/videogames/gmini31e_20050731.htm. 
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 Ring, Bennett (December 11, 2004). "Demolition delight". The Sydney Morning Herald. http://www.smh.com.au/news/Games/Demolition-delight/2004/12/08/1102182333788.html. 
  22. ↑ Semel, Paul (July 19, 2005). "FlatOut". Maxim. http://www.maximonline.com/entertainment/reviews.aspx?p_id=10195. Retrieved July 11, 2015. 
  23. ↑ Muistatko vielä nämä suomalaiset klassikkopelit? Nämä 100 pääsevät Tampereen pelimuseoon on Aamulehti (15.12.2016, English translation[yes|permanent dead link|dead link}}])
  24. ↑ Surette, Tim (January 3, 2007). "FlatOut 2 passes 500K sold". http://www.gamespot.com/articles/flatout-2-passes-500k-sold/1100-6163697/. 
  25. ↑ Rick, Christopher (May 4, 2010). "New Flatout Heading to the Wii". GDN 9. http://gdn9.com/story-17575-New-Flatout-Heading-to-the-Wii.html. 
  26. ↑ Flatout 3 at Team 6
  27. ↑ "FlatOut 4: Total Insanity release". Bigben Interactive. https://www.bigben-interactive.co.uk/flatout-4-total-insanity-launches-with-the-pedal-to-the-metal/. 
  • 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




Retrieved from "https://handwiki.org/wiki/index.php?title=Software:FlatOut_(video_game)&oldid=743117"