Software:Ikachan

From HandWiki
Ikachan
Developer(s)Daisuke Amaya
Publisher(s)
Designer(s)Daisuke Amaya
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows, Nintendo 3DS
ReleaseWindows
  • JP: June 23, 2000
Nintendo 3DS
  • NA: January 31, 2013[1]
  • JP: November 30, 2016
Genre(s)Platform, Metroidvania[2]
Mode(s)Single-player

Ikachan (いかちゃん) is a freeware video game created by Japanese developer Daisuke Amaya, under the art name Pixel. In the game, the player plays a squid named Ikachan, who swims through a cave, meeting and helping other creatures.[3] The game was later released by Nicalis for the Nintendo 3DS eShop on January 31, 2013. On November 30, 2016, Japanese publisher Pikii released the game on the Japanese eShop.

Plot

Ikachan takes place in Ironhead's realm, an underwater cave system. A series of earthquakes had recently caused cave-ins that cut off Ironhead's realm from the open sea. As such, the inhabitants of the cave ran out of food and were required to carry pearls marking their allegiance to Ironhead. Ironhead himself remains stuck in a private cave, spreading paranoia and encouraging violence against non-citizens to keep the population of the cave from overthrowing him as their leader. Ikachan wakes up inside the cave and swims around, searching for a way to escape.[4]

Characters

  • Ikachan is a squid-like creature who awakens inside Ironhead's realm. He is the main protagonist and playable character.[5]
  • Pinky is a young sea creature who helps Ikachan in his escape.
  • Ironhead is a large fish with an iron helmet and the self-appointed leader of the caves.
  • Storehouse watchman is the father of Pinky and guard of the remaining food supply.
  • Carry is a large fish who guards Ironhead's cave.

Gameplay

Ironhead and Ikachan, as seen in Cave Story

Ikachan features unique gameplay; as opposed to using the arrow keys to move, the player uses the left and right arrow keys to tilt Ikachan in the respective direction. The player must then use the 'z' key to swim in the direction Ikachan is pointing. Thus, Ikachan cannot swim directly to the left or right at first, but he later acquires an item that allows him to charge horizontally. Also, while being unable to hurt enemies from the start, once Ikachan receives an item called the Dunce Cap, he can attack enemies by ramming them with the point of the hat.

The game contains role-playing game-aspects, as Ikachan can level up after attacking enough enemies or eating fish.[6]

Promotion

To help promote the game and the WiiWare release of Cave Story, Pixel made a mini game based on Ikachan for the Nintendo DS game, WarioWare D.I.Y. The game is available for download as a Big Name Game in North America since April 5, 2010.[7]

After Cave Story's success on WiiWare, Nicalis hinted at ports of Ikachan and Guxt, other freeware games by Pixel, for DSiWare.[8] Nicalis announced a Nintendo 3DS version in October 2012, with plans for a DSi release, which was discarded.[9] On January 31, 2013, despite the previous announcement only the Nintendo 3DS version released on the Nintendo eShop for $4.99.[10] On November 30, 2016, Japanese publisher Pikii released the game on the Japanese eShop for 300 yen.[11]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic71/100[12]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Destructoid6.5/10[13]
GameRevolutionStarStarStarStarHalf star[14]
IGN7.3/10[15]
Nintendo LifeStarStarStarStarStarStar[16]
Nintendo World Report7.5/10[17]

The 3DS version received "average" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[12] MTV's Jason Cirpriano stated that the game would appeal to fans of Cave Story, but also noted that it could be completed in about an hour.[18]

References

  1. ↑ "Ikachan". https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/ikachan-3ds/. Retrieved January 13, 2020. 
  2. ↑ Lada, Jenni (January 31, 2013). "Review: Ikachan for 3DS". GadgeTell LLC. Archived from the original on February 7, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130207122906/http://www.technologytell.com/gaming/106693/review-ikachan-for-3ds/. Retrieved July 28, 2016. ""Ikachan is essentially an underwater Metroidvania game."" 
  3. ↑ "Ikachan". https://www.nicalis.com/games/ikachan. 
  4. ↑ "いかちゃん" (in Japanese). November 12, 2003. http://www.vector.co.jp/magazine/softnews/031112/n0311124.html. 
  5. ↑ August 2013, Lucas Sullivan 14 (14 August 2013). "12 amazing indie games you've never played (by indie devs you love)" (in en). https://www.gamesradar.com/amazing-indie-games-youve-never-played-indie-devs-you-love/. 
  6. ↑ April 2014, Henry Gilbert 10 (10 April 2014). "Great 3DS games you've probably never heard of" (in en). https://www.gamesradar.com/great-3ds-games-youve-never-heard/. 
  7. ↑ "Cave Story creator's WarioWare D.I.Y. game, Ikachan" (in english). 6 April 2010. https://www.destructoid.com/stories/cave-story-creator-s-warioware-d-i-y-game-ikachan-170091.phtml. 
  8. ↑ Mastrapa, Gus (June 10, 2010). "Nicalis Hints At More Games From Cave Story Creator". Wired (Condé Nast). https://www.wired.com/2010/06/nicalis-pixel/. Retrieved January 13, 2020. 
  9. ↑ Matulef, Jeffrey (12 October 2012). "Cave Story creator's Ikachan coming to 3DS and DSiWare" (in en). https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-10-12-cave-story-creators-ikachan-coming-to-3ds-and-dsiware. 
  10. ↑ Fletcher, JC. "Portabliss: Ikachan (3DS eShop)" (in en). https://www.engadget.com/2013-01-30-portabliss-ikachan-3ds-eshop.html. Retrieved August 1, 2020. 
  11. ↑ "JP eShop News (Nov. 22): Gurumin 3D out next week / Puyo Puyo Chronicle demo". 22 November 2016. https://www.perfectly-nintendo.com/jp-eshop-news-nov-22-gurumin-3d-out-next-week-puyo-puyo-chronicle-demo/. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Ikachan for 3DS Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/ikachan/critic-reviews/?platform=3ds. Retrieved January 13, 2020. 
  13. ↑ Ponce, Tony (January 30, 2013). "Review: Ikachan (3DS eShop)". Enthusiast Gaming. https://www.destructoid.com/review-ikachan-3ds-eshop--243361.phtml. Retrieved January 13, 2020. 
  14. ↑ Peterson, Blake (January 31, 2013). "Ikachan Review". CraveOnline. https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/58841-ikachan-review. Retrieved January 13, 2020. 
  15. ↑ Ronaghan, Neal (February 6, 2013). "Ikachan Review". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2013/02/06/ikachan-review. Retrieved January 13, 2020. 
  16. ↑ Reed, Philip J. (January 27, 2013). "Ikachan Review". Gamer Network. http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/eshop/ikachan. Retrieved January 13, 2020. 
  17. ↑ Veillette, Guillaume (January 31, 2013). "Ikachan". NINWR, LLC. https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/33170/ikachan-nintendo-3ds. Retrieved January 13, 2020. 
  18. ↑ Cipriano, Jason. "'Ikachan' Review - Pixels Under The Sea" (in en). http://www.mtv.com/news/2466269/ikachan-review/. 

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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