Software:Global Defence Force

From HandWiki
Global Defence Force
European PlayStation 2 box art
Developer(s)Sandlot
Publisher(s)
Director(s)Takehiro Honma
Toshio Noguchi
Producer(s)Nobuyuki Okajima
Programmer(s)Toshio Noguchi
Nobuo Fujii
Artist(s)Masatsugu Igarashi
Composer(s)Masafumi Takada
Jun Fukuda
SeriesEarth Defense Force
Platform(s)PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation Vita, Nintendo Switch
Release
Genre(s)Third-person shooter
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Global Defence Force[lower-alpha 1] is a PlayStation 2 third-person shooter video game developed by Sandlot. The game was originally published as The Chikyū Bōeigun 2 in Japan by D3 Publisher, as volume 81 of the Simple 2000 series of budget games.[2] It was later released in Europe by Essential Games, the brand created by D3 Publisher to publish Simple 2000 series games in Europe.[3]

Players assume the role of a member of the earth defense force and fight giant insects and other enemies, who have invaded earth from outer space.[4]

A PlayStation Portable version of the game, titled Earth Defense Forces 2 Portable was released on April 7, 2011 in Japan. A PlayStation Vita version, titled as Earth Defense Force 2: Invaders from Planet Space (known in Japan as Earth Defense Forces 2 Portable V2), was released for the first time in North America by Xseed Games in December 2015.[5][6] A port of Earth Defense Force 2 was released for the Nintendo Switch in Japan in July 2021.[7]

Gameplay

The PaleWing soldier flying with her jetpack while attacking giant ants with an electrical weapon.

The game is a third-person shooter featuring large play areas and waves of mecha and giant insects. Players control either a foot soldier (Storm-1) who uses conventional weaponry such as assault and sniper rifles, shotguns, and rocket-propelled grenades or a jetpack-equipped soldier (Pale Wing) who uses energy-based weaponry.[2] Most of the game's missions are cleared by eliminating all enemies present, starting with giant ants on earlier stages and eventually progressing to giant lizard enemies.[8] A number of vehicles such as a tank, helicopter and a hover-bike are available in some missions for players to board and attack enemies with. However, only the Storm-1 unit can use the vehicles.[2]

Split screen co-operative mode. The player on the left is controlling the PaleWing soldier. The player on the right, controlling the infantryman, is driving a tank.

A total of 300 different weapons are available between the two characters, but players are limited to carrying two weapons during missions. Weapons are unlocked by picking up containers dropped by enemies. Every weapon picked up during play will add a random weapon of the character's to the selection, duplicate weapons are discarded. Armor chips and medical kits, also dropped by enemies, increase the character's maximum possible health and recover lost health respectively.[9]

There are a total of 71 missions spread over 7 environments to play through,[citation needed] the first mission taking place in London.[10] Five difficulty levels are available for each mission. Half-medals are awarded for completing a mission on a set difficulty with either character. Completing the same stage with the other character results in a complete medal. Once a player has collected all the medals for every mission, "Impossible" mode is unlocked.

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
PS VitaPS2PSP
Destructoid8/10[11]N/AN/A
EdgeN/A8/10[12]N/A
Famitsu30/40[15]29/40[13]27/40[14]
GameRevolutionStarStarStarHalf star[16]N/AN/A
X-PlayN/AStarStarStar[4]N/A
Aggregate score
Metacritic72/100[17]N/AN/A

Global Defence Force received little press attention in the West. The few reviews the game received were generally positive; Games Asylum's Matt Gander described it as "one of the PlayStation 2’s best budget buys".[8] In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of one eight and three sevens for the PS2 version;[13] and one eight, one seven, and two sixes for the PSP version.[14]

The PlayStation Vita re-release of the game, published by Xseed Games and retitled Earth Defense Force 2: Invaders From Planet Space, received "average" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[17] Destructoid's Jed Whitaker wrote that the game "has enough original content to keep it feeling fresh alongside the other recent releases in the series", and that it was "easy to recommend to Vita owners looking for some campy over-the-top action in spite of its flaws."[11] In Japan, Famitsu gave the Vita version a score of three sevens and one nine for a total of 30 out of 40.[15] During the 19th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences nominated Earth Defense Force 2 for "Handheld Game of the Year".[18]

During D3 Publisher's simple series awards 2007, the title received a platinum prize for selling more than 200,000 copies in Japan during the 2006 fiscal year. It was the only title in the range to reach this volume of sales.[19]

See also

  • Simple series video games

Notes

  1. ↑ Known in Japan as Earth Defense Force 2 (Japanese: THE地球防衛軍2, Hepburn: Za Chikyū Bōeigun Tsū, lit. The Earth Defense Forces 2)

References

  1. ↑ Romano, Sal (August 20, 2014). "Earth Defense Force V2 announced for PS Vita". http://gematsu.com/2014/08/earth-defense-force-v2-announced-ps-vita. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Previews: Earth Defense Force 2". July 29, 2005. http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3142445. Retrieved October 10, 2007. [|permanent dead link|dead link}}]
  3. ↑ Sheffield, Brandon (February 1, 2007). "Q&A: D3 - Not Just A Simple Company?". http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=12617. Retrieved October 12, 2007. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Sewart, Greg (September 27, 2005). "Earth Defense Force 2 Import Review". X-Play. Archived from the original on November 22, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20051122105127/http://www.g4tv.com/xplay/features/52669/Earth_Defense_Force_2_Import_Review.html. Retrieved July 3, 2017. 
  5. ↑ Ishaan (May 29, 2015). "Earth Defense Force 2: Invaders From Planet Space Coming To North America". Siliconera. http://www.siliconera.com/2015/05/29/earth-defense-force-2-invaders-from-planet-space-coming-to-north-america/. 
  6. ↑ Dunning, Jason (May 29, 2015). "Earth Defense Force 2 Invaders From Planet Space PS Vita US Release This Fall". PlayStation LifeStyle. http://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2015/05/29/earth-defense-force-2-invaders-from-planet-space-ps-vita-this-fall-in-north-america/. 
  7. ↑ Romano, Sal (April 26, 2021). "Earth Defense Force 2: Invaders from Planet Space and Earth Defense Force 2017 coming to Switch". https://www.gematsu.com/2021/04/earth-defense-force-2-invaders-from-planet-space-and-earth-defense-force-2017-coming-to-switch. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Gander, Matt (August 3, 2007). "Global Defence Force". Games Asylum. http://www.gamesasylum.com/2007/08/03/global-defence-force/. Retrieved July 3, 2017. 
  9. ↑ Wilson, Trevor (August 18, 2005). "Earth Defence Force 2, the best D3 game ever". Namako Team. http://namakoteam.com/2005/08/earth-defense-force-2-the-best-d3-game-ever/. Retrieved July 3, 2017. 
  10. ↑ Barder, Ollie (December 5, 2006). "'Roboto-chan!': An ode to Sandlot". GameSetWatch. http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2006/12/column_robotochan_an_ode_to_sa_1.php. Retrieved October 9, 2007. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Whitaker, Jed (December 8, 2015). "Review: Earth Defense Force 2: Invaders from Planet Space". https://www.destructoid.com/review-earth-defense-force-2-invaders-from-planet-space-325189.phtml. Retrieved January 1, 2017. 
  12. ↑ Edge staff (October 2005). "The Chikyuu Boueigun 2". Edge (154). 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Famitsu #868". NeoGAF. July 20, 2005. http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=55943. Retrieved July 3, 2017. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Brian (April 13, 2011). "Complete Famitsu review scores". Nintendo Everything. http://nintendoeverything.com/complete-famitsu-review-scores-13/. Retrieved July 3, 2017. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Brian (December 1, 2014). "Famitsu review scores (12/1/14)". Nintendo Everything. http://nintendoeverything.com/famitsu-review-scores-12114-2/. Retrieved July 3, 2017. 
  16. ↑ Schaller, Kevin (January 7, 2016). "Earth Defense Force 2: Invaders from Planet Space Review". Game Revolution. http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/69717-earth-defense-force-2-invaders-from-planet-space-review. Retrieved July 2, 2017. 
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 "Earth Defense Force 2: Invaders From Planet Space for PlayStation Vita Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/earth-defense-force-2-invaders-from-planet-space/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-vita. Retrieved January 1, 2017. 
  18. ↑ "2016 Awards Category Details Handheld Game of the Year". Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. https://www.interactive.org/awards/award_category_details.asp?idAward=2016&idGameAwardType=67. 
  19. ↑ Ashcraft, Brian (April 13, 2007). "Simple Awards For THE Simple Series". Archived from the original on May 14, 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20070514024857/http://kotaku.com/gaming/the-simple-series/simple-awards-for-the-simple-series-252009.php. Retrieved July 3, 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





Retrieved from "https://handwiki.org/wiki/index.php?title=Software:Global_Defence_Force&oldid=682874"