Software:Graffiti Kingdom

From HandWiki
Short description: 2004 video game
Graffiti Kingdom
European cover art
Developer(s)Taito
Publisher(s)
  • JP: Taito
  • NA: Hot-B
  • PAL: 505 GameStreet
Director(s)Osamu Inoue
Producer(s)Takeshi Kamimura
Artist(s)Yoshiharu Sato
Composer(s)Yasunori Mitsuda
Platform(s)PlayStation 2
Release
  • JP: September 22, 2004
  • PAL: June 30, 2005
  • NA: July 28, 2005
Genre(s)Action role-playing
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Graffiti Kingdom[lower-alpha 1] is a 2004 action role-playing game developed by Taito for the PlayStation 2. It is the sequel to Magic Pengel (2002) and was released in North America by Hot-B and in PAL regions by 505 GameStreet. The game's soundtrack was composed by Yasunori Mitsuda.

Gameplay

As in Magic Pengel, the player is able to create characters (known as "Graffiti Creatures") by drawing its body parts and assigning a function (such as "leg" or "head") to each part; however, unlike the previous game, its attacks and movement can also be customized.[1] Additional tools for monster creating, such as decoration pens, limb functions, and a part cloning function, are added as the player's level increases. New attacks and movement abilities can be obtained by "capturing" other creatures, also allowing transformation into them for a short time. Collecting cards that rarely drop from defeated monsters adds them to the monster collection, allowing at will and unlimited time transformations as well as the ability to customize their appearance and attacks.

The versatility of monster creation has attracted considerable popularity, largely in Japan —a number of players have created detailed characters based both on original designs and those from existing video games, anime and other media. A larger collection can be saved on special save files, organized into card holders in game.

While combat in Magic Pengel used a turn-based battle system similar to rock–paper–scissors, Graffiti Kingdom is a more action-oriented platform game, although it retains some RPG-style elements such as the ability to level up, which increases maximum health and energy. Monster abilities such as higher jumps can be acquired to assist in platforming. These abilities and attacks run on limited energy that regenerates over time.

Plot

The player takes the role of Prince Pixel of the Canvas Kingdom. Long ago, the kingdom was besieged by an evil Devil. This Devil was sealed away by a few brave knights bestowed with the power of Graffiti (called Graffiticians). Pixel happens upon the Devil's seal whilst avoiding his studies and takes the graffiti wand, breaking the seal. After an attempt by the seal's guardian, Pastel, to teach Pixel to use the wand results in the Devil's release, Pastel has Pixel face the Devil and restore the kingdom. Along the way, he meets Tablet, the Devil's son, who helps Pixel and challenges him throughout his adventures. He makes his way through the first few worlds, beating their bosses and acquiring their keys. En route to Palette, Tablet's sister, Pastel is kidnapped by Palette's agent.

Pixel proceeds to fight his way to Palette's palace, reaffirming the friendship Pixel has with Pastel. Pixel then faces off with Palette, defeating her. However, Tablet is seemingly killed when he takes an attack meant for Pixel. Determined to stop the Devil, Pixel fights through the Devil's palace and beats the Devil, leaving him near defeat. However, Tablet steals Pixel's wand and defeats his father instead before declaring himself the new Devil. Pastel gives Pixel a spare wand (many others of which she keeps inside her). Pixel defeats Tablet and creates a new body for him. Pixel then stops Pastel from re-sealing the Devil, which would also cause Pastel to be sealed in with him. The Devil escapes once more, albeit now severely weakened. Pixel agrees to let the Devil recuperate if he restores the kingdom as best he can. The ending cinematic shows Palette rampaging through the town before being battled offscreen by Pixel and Tablet.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic71/100[2]
Review scores
PublicationScore
1Up.comB+[3]
Famitsu29/40[4]
Game Informer6/10[5]
GameProStarStarStarStarHalf star[7]
GameRevolutionC−[6]
GameSpot7.2/10[8]
GameSpyStarStarStar[9]
GameZone7/10[10]
IGN6.8/10[11]
OPM (US)StarStarStarStar[12]
Detroit Free PressStarStarStar[13]

The game received "average" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[2] In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of one seven, one eight, and two sevens for a total of 29 out of 40.[4] GamePro and Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine gave it a favorable review about two-and-a-half months before the game's U.S. release.[7][12]

References

  1. ↑ known in Japan as Rakugaki Ōkoku 2: Maō-Jō No Tatakai (ラクガキ王国2 魔王城の戦い)
  1. ↑ Kidzworld staff (December 27, 2006). "Graffiti Kingdom :: PS2 Game Review". Kidzworld. https://www.kidzworld.com/article/6032-graffiti-kingdom-playstation-2-video-game-review. Retrieved April 7, 2009. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Graffiti Kingdom for PlayStation 2 Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/graffiti-kingdom/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2. Retrieved June 24, 2019. 
  3. ↑ Pinckard, Jane (August 12, 2005). "Graffiti Kingdom". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on July 9, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160709110919/http://www.1up.com/reviews/graffiti-kingdom_2. Retrieved June 25, 2019. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Will the Mitsuda curse hit Soma Bringer? Discuss!". NeoGaf LLC. February 11, 2008. https://www.neogaf.com/threads/will-the-mitsuda-curse-hit-soma-bringer-discuss.238470/. Retrieved June 24, 2019. 
  5. ↑ Juba, Joe (September 2005). "Graffiti Kingdom". GameStop. p. 102. Archived from the original on January 14, 2006. https://web.archive.org/web/20060114000807/http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/19F68542-35EC-47FF-9EBA-5A0E7F22C63F.htm. Retrieved June 24, 2019. 
  6. ↑ Gee, Brian (August 5, 2005). "Graffiti Kingdom Review". CraveOnline. Archived from the original on October 9, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151009191852/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/graffiti-kingdom. Retrieved June 25, 2019. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 GameGirl (June 2005). "Graffiti Kingdom Review for PS2 on GamePro.com". GamePro (IDG Entertainment): 90. Archived from the original on May 26, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050526122138/http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/45309.shtml. Retrieved June 24, 2019. 
  8. ↑ Mueller, Greg (August 5, 2005). "Graffiti Kingdom Review". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/graffiti-kingdom-review/1900-6130433/. Retrieved June 24, 2019. 
  9. ↑ McGarvey, Sterling (August 4, 2005). "GameSpy: Graffiti Kingdom [Incomplete"]. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on November 12, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20051112004459/http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/magic-pengel-2/638890p1.html. Retrieved June 25, 2019. 
  10. ↑ Valentino, Nick (August 2, 2005). "Graffiti Kingdom - PS2 - Review". Archived from the original on December 30, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20081230175856/http://ps2.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r26106.htm. Retrieved June 25, 2019. 
  11. ↑ Lewis, Ed (July 26, 2005). "Graffiti Kingdom". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/07/27/graffiti-kingdom. Retrieved June 24, 2019. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Graffiti Kingdom". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine (Ziff Davis): 95. June 2005. 
  13. ↑ Schaefer, Jim (August 14, 2005). "Do-it-yourself heroes". Detroit Free Press (Gannett Company). Archived from the original on September 17, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050917233043/http://www.freep.com/entertainment/videogames/game14e_20050814.htm. Retrieved June 24, 2019. 
  • Official website (in Japanese)
  • 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. 
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