Software:Freakyforms: Your Creations, Alive!

From HandWiki
Short description: Video game for the Nintendo 3DS
Freakyforms: Your Creations, Alive!
Retail packaging artwork for Freakyforms Deluxe, released for PAL region territories.
Developer(s)Asobism
Publisher(s)Nintendo
Director(s)Hiroshi Moriyama
Producer(s)Kensuke Tanabe
Composer(s)Kohei Matsuoka
Platform(s)Nintendo 3DS
Release
  • JP: September 7, 2011
  • WW: November 10, 2011
Deluxe Edition
  • EU: July 28, 2012
  • AU: September 13, 2012
  • NA: November 5, 2012
Nintendo eShop
  • EU: August 17, 2012
  • AU: September 13, 2012
  • NA: November 5, 2012
  • JP: April 10, 2013
Genre(s)Simulation
Mode(s)Single player, multiplayer (Deluxe edition only)

Freakyforms: Your Creations, Alive![lower-alpha 1] is a video game developed by Asobism and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 3DS handheld system.[1] Released via the Nintendo eShop store in 2011, Freakyforms lets players create their own characters, named "Formees", for use in the game.

An expanded edition, Freakyforms Deluxe: Your Creations, Alive!, was released in 2012 both digitally and in retail.[2] The game received generally mixed reviews from critics.

Gameplay

Screenshot of a blue bear Formee, in the creating room.

In Freakyforms, players must first create an on-screen character, known as a "Formee". Formees are created using various shapes placed however the player decides. After the character is completed, players use the touch screen to navigate the Formee throughout the game world.[3] As the player explores, they are asked to complete assigned tasks within a given time limit, such as collecting a number of items, eating certain items or assisting other characters.[3] With continued play, additional features are unlocked, such as using the handheld's augmented reality features to take pictures of their creations in a real-world setting.[4] Users may share their Freakyforms content by using the Nintendo 3DS system's StreetPass feature or by creating QR codes that can be scanned using the system's outer cameras.[4]

Deluxe edition

An enhanced retail version of the game titled Freakyforms Deluxe: Your Creations, Alive! launched in Europe on July 28, 2012, and in North America on November 5, 2012. This new version adds features such as the multiplayer mode where players make Formees together and explore dungeons. The software was released as a digital download on Nintendo eShop in Europe on August 17 and in Australia on September 13, while the original Freakyforms software was removed the day before. The original game was also replaced with the Deluxe edition in the North American eShop on the day the Deluxe edition was released. The game was also released in Japan as a Nintendo eShop-only game[lower-alpha 2] on April 10, 2013, while the original Freakyforms software was removed the day before.

Reception

Freakyforms: Your Creations, Alive!

Freakyforms: Your Creations, Alive!
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic68/100[5]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Edge6/10[6]
GameProStarStarStar[7]
GamesMaster66%[8]
IGN6/10[3]
Jeuxvideo.com14/20[9]
NGamer70%[10]
Nintendo LifeStarStarStarStarStarStarStar[4]
Nintendo World Report8.5/10[11]
ONM89%[12]
Pocket GamerStarStarStarHalf star[13]

The original Freakyforms received "average" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[5] Lucas Thomas of IGN said that while the game's creation functions are "fairly well done", the developers then "surrounded it with this weird, tossed-together collection of desperate ideas that don't ever really feel like a cohesive game."[3] In Nintendo Life's review, Thomas Whitehead said Freakyforms was "a title that can give hours of childish pleasure", even though "repetitive exploration segments and control issues are negatives for anyone."[4]

Freakyforms Deluxe

Freakyforms Deluxe: Your Creations, Alive!
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic63/100[14]
Review scores
PublicationScore
GamesMaster65%[16]
GamesTM7/10[17]
IGN5/10[18]
Jeuxvideo.com11/20[19]
NGamer65%[20]
Nintendo LifeStarStarStarStarStarStarStar[21]
Nintendo Power6/10[22]
ONM80%[23]
Pocket GamerStarStarStar[24]
Metro5/10[25]

Freakyforms Deluxe received a bit more mixed reviews than the original according to Metacritic.[14]

References

  1. ↑ "Freakyforms Deluxe: Your Creations, Alive!". https://www.ign.com/games/freakyforms-deluxe-your-creations-alive. 
  2. ↑ "Freakyforms Deluxe Your Creations, Alive!". https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-3DS-games/Freakyforms-Deluxe-Your-Creations-Alive--274160.html. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Lucas M. Thomas (November 11, 2011). "Freakyforms: Your Creations, Alive! Review". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/11/11/freakyforms-your-creations-alive-review. Retrieved February 24, 2023. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Thomas Whitehead (November 14, 2011). "Freakyforms: Your Creations, Alive! Review". Gamer Network. https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/2011/11/freakyforms_your_creations_alive_3dsware. Retrieved February 24, 2023. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Freakyforms: Your Creations, Alive! for 3DS Reviews". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/freakyforms-your-creations-alive/critic-reviews/?platform=3ds. Retrieved November 30, 2011. 
  6. ↑ Edge staff (November 29, 2011). "Freakyforms: Your Creations, Alive! review". Edge (Future plc). Archived from the original on December 5, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20111205024439/http://www.next-gen.biz/reviews/freakyforms-your-creations-alive-review. Retrieved February 24, 2023. 
  7. ↑ Jeffrey Matulef (November 16, 2011). "Review: Freakyforms: Your Creations, Alive! (3DS)". GamePro (GamePro Media). Archived from the original on November 18, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20111118043733/http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/224994/review-freakyforms-your-creations-alive-3ds/. Retrieved February 24, 2023. 
  8. ↑ "Review: Freakyforms: Your Creations, Alive!". GamesMaster (Future plc): 95. February 2012. 
  9. ↑ Romendil (January 24, 2012). "Test: Freakyforms : Vos Créations Prennent Vie !" (in fr). Webedia. https://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0001/00016414-freakyforms-vos-creations-prennent-vie-test.htm. Retrieved February 25, 2023. 
  10. ↑ NGamer staff (Christmas 2011). "Freakyforms Your Creations, Alive! Review". Nintendo Gamer (Future plc): 80. Archived from the original on March 12, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120312101731/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/331528/reviews/freakyforms-your-creations-alive-review/. Retrieved February 24, 2023. 
  11. ↑ Zachary Miller (December 24, 2011). "Freakyforms: Your Creations, Alive!". NINWR, LLC. https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/28766/freakyforms-your-creations-alive-nintendo-3ds. Retrieved February 24, 2023. 
  12. ↑ Thomas East (November 14, 2011). "Freakyforms: Your Creations Alive! review". Official Nintendo Magazine (Future plc). Archived from the original on October 7, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141007235610/http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/32477/reviews/freakyforms-your-creations-alive-review/. Retrieved February 24, 2023. 
  13. ↑ Mike Rose (November 22, 2011). "Freakyforms (eShop)". Steel Media Ltd. https://www.pocketgamer.com/freakyforms-your-creations-alive/freakyforms-eshop/. Retrieved February 24, 2023. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "Freakyforms Deluxe: Your Creations, Alive! for 3DS Reviews". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/freakyforms-deluxe-your-creations-alive/critic-reviews/?platform=3ds. Retrieved February 24, 2023. 
  15. ↑ Lassinat-Foubert, Loup (July 30, 2012). "Test : Freakyforms Deluxe" (in fr). https://www.gamekult.com/jeux/freakyforms-deluxe-3050036129/test.html. Retrieved February 25, 2023. 
  16. ↑ "Review: Freakyforms Deluxe: Your Creations, Alive!". GamesMaster (Future plc): 89. October 2012. 
  17. ↑ "Freakyforms Deluxe review". GamesTM (Future plc). July 31, 2012. Archived from the original on August 2, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120802044902/http://www.gamestm.co.uk/reviews/freakyforms-deluxe-review/. Retrieved February 24, 2023. 
  18. ↑ Lucas M. Thomas (November 8, 2012). "Freakyforms Deluxe Review". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/11/09/freakyforms-deluxe-review. Retrieved February 24, 2023. 
  19. ↑ miniblob (July 27, 2012). "Test: Freakyforms Deluxe" (in fr). Webedia. https://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0001/00017395-freakyforms-deluxe-test.htm. Retrieved February 25, 2023. 
  20. ↑ Ben Griffin (July 27, 2012). "Freakyforms Deluxe 3DS review". Nintendo Gamer (Future plc). Archived from the original on November 17, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121117034350/http://www.nintendo-gamer.net/review/freakyforms-deluxe-3ds-review/. Retrieved February 24, 2023. 
  21. ↑ Thomas Whitehead (July 23, 2012). "Freakyforms Deluxe: Your Creations, Alive! Review". Gamer Network. https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/3ds/freakyforms_deluxe_your_creations_alive. Retrieved February 24, 2023. 
  22. ↑ "Freakyforms Deluxe: Your Creations, Alive!". Nintendo Power (Future US) 284: 76. November 2012. 
  23. ↑ Chris Scullion (July 26, 2012). "Freakyforms Deluxe review". Official Nintendo Magazine (Future plc). Archived from the original on October 7, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141007235603/http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/40428/freakyforms-deluxe-review/. Retrieved February 24, 2023. 
  24. ↑ Peter Willington (July 27, 2012). "Freakyforms Deluxe: Your Creations, Alive!". Steel Media Ltd. https://www.pocketgamer.com/freakyforms-deluxe-your-creations-alive/freakyforms-deluxe-your-creations-alive/. Retrieved February 24, 2023. 
  25. ↑ David Jenkins (July 29, 2012). "Freakyforms Deluxe review – gotta make 'em all". Metro (DMG Media). https://metro.co.uk/2012/07/29/freakyforms-deluxe-review-gotta-make-em-all-514932/. Retrieved February 24, 2023. 

Notes

  1. ↑ known in Japan as Ikimono Zukuri: Crea-toy (いきものづくり クリエイトーイ, Ikimono Zukuri: Kurieitōi)
  2. ↑ Ōmori! Ikimono Zukuri: Crea-toy (大盛り！ いきものづくり クリエイトーイ, Ōmori! Ikimono Zukuri: Kurieitōi)

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. 
  • No URL found. Please specify a URL here or add one to Wikidata.



  • 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 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. 
  • No URL found. Please specify a URL here or add one to Wikidata.




Retrieved from "https://handwiki.org/wiki/index.php?title=Software:Freakyforms:_Your_Creations,_Alive!&oldid=4136745"