Software:Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet

From HandWiki
Short description: 2011 video game
Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet
Developer(s)Shadow Planet Productions (Fuelcell Games/Gagne International)
Publisher(s)Microsoft Studios
Designer(s)Michel Gagné
Joe Olson
Composer(s)Andrew Scott
Dimmu Borgir
Platform(s)Xbox 360
Microsoft Windows
OS X
Linux
ReleaseXbox 360 (XBLA)
August 3, 2011
Windows
April 17, 2012
OS X, Linux
October 28, 2014[1]
Genre(s)Multidirectional shooter
Metroidvania[2]
Mode(s)Single-player
multiplayer

Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet is a shooter puzzle video game developed by Shadow Planet Productions (Fuelcell Games/Gagne International) and published by Microsoft Studios for Xbox 360 and Microsoft Windows. A self-published DRM-free version with soundtrack included was featured in the Humble Indie Bundle 13.[1]

Development

The game is a collaboration between animator Michel Gagné and game designer Joe Olson and takes inspiration from Gagné's "Insanely Twisted Shadow Puppets", a series of interstitials he did for Nickelodeon in 2005.[3] The two first met when Gagné was giving a workshop for Midway Games in Seattle, and Olson, having seen the Nickelodeon shorts, asked Gagné if he'd be interested in collaborating. Gagné was unfamiliar with the medium, only knowing games up to 1993's Doom; however, he was eager and told Olson that he'd do research and get back to him. Olson, however, saw Gagne's nativity as an asset and told him that he would provide help from the gameplay side.[4] Olson stated he "wanted to use the power of modern consoles to drive feature-quality animation."[5] Initially the team worked on the game in their spare time, which led to them working on the game "only about three or four days a month" leading them to eventually quit their day jobs in order to focus on Shadow Planet full time [5] The team consisting of Gagné, Olson and Olson's development team initially worked out of a basement.[3] Development began in 2007 [6] and most of 2008 was spent with the group performing contract work in order to be able to rent an office.[3]

The game was eventually picked up by Microsoft, Microsoft had originally passed after seeing an early prototype however after the release of the second trailer they changed their mind.[5] The game was first demonstrated in March 2011 at Penny Arcade Expo East.[6] The game is set on an alien planet and includes exploration elements similar to Metroidvania.[7] Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet was released on August 3, 2011.[8] The game features music by Dimmu Borgir during cinematics;[9] the songs "Progenies of the Great Apocalypse" (orchestral version) and "Eradication Instincts Defined" play during the game, while the trailer featured "Blood Hunger Doctrine".

Expansions

The Shadow Hunters expansion was released on Xbox Live Arcade on October 12, 2011.[10] It expands on the Lantern Run mode in the base game, allowing players to team up in a continuation of the storyline.[11] Shadow Hunters was included for free in the PC port of the game.[12] Local and online multiplayer are supported in Lantern Run and the Shadow Hunters DLC.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic(PC) 76/100[13]
(X360) 76/100[14]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Destructoid6/10[15]
Edge6/10[16]
Eurogamer6/10[17]
Game Informer8/10[18]
GameProStarStarStarStar[19]
GameSpot7.5/10[20]
GameTrailers8.4/10[22]
Giant Bomb4/5[21]
IGN8/10[23]
JoystiqStarStarStarStar[25]
OXM (US)8/10[26]
PC Gamer (UK)78%[27]
Digital SpyStarStarStarStar[28]
Metro6/10[29]

The PC and Xbox 360 versions received "generally favorable reviews" according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[13][14] James Stephanie Sterling of Destructoid noted the Xbox 360 version as an "attempt to run in multiple directions at once and make very little ground at all" and concluded: "Sadly, great visuals do not make a great game."[15]

Justin Clouse of The Escapist gave the same console version a score of four stars out of five and called it "good fun, with striking visuals and a great setting. A few issues keep it from being totally brilliant though."[30] Liam Martin of Digital Spy gave it a similar score of four stars, saying, "The stylish visuals compliment the well-executed action, resulting in a game that resembles past SOA favorites Limbo and Shadow Complex."[28] Todd Vote of 411Mania gave it a score of 7.8 out of 10, calling it "a very unique take on the old formula of side scrolling shooters. While it doesn't really do anything wrong, aside from the art style, it doesn't really do anything to stand out either. It is a fun engaging experience, but once you are done with the game, that is all she wrote. There is not really much incentive to go back and keep playing other than a less than exciting Lantern Runs. The game ends up being satisfying, but falling shy of being incredible in most parts."[31] Christian Williams of The A.V. Club gave it a B, saying, "While the campaign could use more of that urgency, ITSP is a perfectly polished, bite-size shooter that returns us, however briefly, to a long-neglected sector of the gaming universe."[32] However, Roger Hargeaves of Metro gave it six out of ten, saying, "It copies and borrows from the best - and often very well - but competence is no substitute for character in this forgettable 2D adventure."[29] The game received a 8.5/10 from the review aggregation website, N4G, which features video game reviews from around the world.[33]

Awards

British Academy Award (BAFTA) for Best Debut Game[34]

Annie Award for Best Animated Game[35]

Navigatr (National Academy of Video Game Testers and Reviewers) for Best Original Light Mix Score[36]

Video Game Award (nomination) for Best Downloadable[37]

Interactive Achievement Award (nomination) for Downloadable Game of the Year[38]

Annual Game Music Award (nomination) for Outstanding Achievement Licensed Music (Dimmu Borgir)[39]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Saed, Sherif (October 29, 2014). "OlliOlli, Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs, Risk of Rain and more in Humble Bundle 13". Gamer Network. https://www.vg247.com/olliolli-amnesia-a-machine-for-pigs-risk-of-rain-and-more-in-humble-bundle-13. 
  2. ↑ Hatfield, Daemon (July 12, 2011). "Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet: The Basics". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/07/12/insanely-twisted-shadow-planet-the-basics. ""Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet is a Metroidvania-style 2D game where you explore alien worlds in a flying saucer."" 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Meuner, Nathan (May 24, 2009). "A World of Insanely Twisted Shadows". Enthusiast Gaming. https://www.escapistmagazine.com/a-world-of-insanely-twisted-shadows/. 
  4. ↑ Destructoid (July 30, 2011). Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet gameplay and interview - Saturday Morning Hangover. YouTube. Google.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Johnson, Jason (September 2, 2011). "Interview: Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet's Creators Talk Quitting Their Day Jobs". Informa. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/interview-em-insanely-twisted-shadow-planet-em-s-creators-talk-quitting-their-day-jobs. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Hatfield, Daemon (March 12, 2011). "PAX: Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet Explored". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/03/12/pax-insanely-twisted-shadow-planet-explored. 
  7. ↑ McElroy, Griffin (March 11, 2011). "Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet footage wants to eat you". Yahoo. https://www.engadget.com/2011-03-11-insanely-twisted-shadow-planet-footage-wants-to-eat-you.html. 
  8. ↑ Pendlebury, Steve (March 14, 2011). "PAX East 2011: 'Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet' Hands-On". https://gamerant.com/insanely-twisted-shadow-planet-hands-on-pax-east/. 
  9. ↑ Gagne, Michel (September 23, 2010). "Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet: Dimmu Borgir". https://michelgagne.blogspot.com/2010/09/dimmu-borgir.html. 
  10. ↑ "Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet: Shadow Hunters for Xbox 360 Reviews". Red Ventures. https://www.metacritic.com/game/insanely-twisted-shadow-planet-shadow-hunters/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360. 
  11. ↑ Zeidler, Brett (September 7, 2011). "New DLC coming to Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet". Enthusiast Gaming. https://www.destructoid.com/new-dlc-coming-to-insanely-twisted-shadow-planet/. 
  12. ↑ Mitchell, Richard (March 29, 2012). "Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet coming to PC with all DLC". Yahoo. https://www.engadget.com/2012-03-29-insanely-twisted-shadow-planet-coming-to-pc-with-all-dlc.html. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet for PC Reviews". Red Ventures. https://www.metacritic.com/game/insanely-twisted-shadow-planet/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet Critic Reviews for Xbox 360". Red Ventures. https://www.metacritic.com/game/insanely-twisted-shadow-planet/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Sterling, Jim (August 1, 2011). "Review: Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet (X360)". Enthusiast Gaming. https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-insanely-twisted-shadow-planet/. 
  16. ↑ Edge staff (August 9, 2011). "Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet review (X360) [Incomplete"]. Edge (Future plc). http://www.next-gen.biz/reviews/insanely-twisted-shadow-planet-review. Retrieved April 25, 2022. 
  17. ↑ Parkin, Simon (August 2, 2011). "Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet (Xbox 360)". Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/insanely-twisted-shadow-planet-review. 
  18. ↑ Juba, Joe (August 1, 2011). "Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet Review (X360)". Game Informer (GameStop). https://www.gameinformer.com/games/insanely_twisted_shadow_planet/b/xbox360/archive/2011/08/01/a-nice-place-to-visit-but-you-can-t-stay-forever.aspx. Retrieved April 17, 2013. 
  19. ↑ Hayward, Andrew (August 1, 2011). "Review: Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet (360)". GamePro (GamePro Media). http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/221559/review-insanely-twisted-shadow-planet/. Retrieved April 25, 2022. 
  20. ↑ McShea, Tom (August 1, 2011). "Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet Review (X360)". Red Ventures. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/insanely-twisted-shadow-planet-review/1900-6326399/. 
  21. ↑ Shoemaker, Brad (August 3, 2011). "Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet Review". Fandom. https://www.giantbomb.com/reviews/insanely-twisted-shadow-planet-review/1900-403/. 
  22. ↑ "Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet (X360)". Defy Media. August 3, 2011. http://www.gametrailers.com/reviews/77lll1/insanely-twisted-shadow-planet-review. 
  23. ↑ Hatfield, Daemon (April 19, 2012). "Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet Review (PC)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/04/19/insanely-twisted-shadow-planet-review-2. 
  24. ↑ Hatfield, Daemon (August 1, 2011). "Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet Review (X360)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/08/01/insanely-twisted-shadow-planet-review. 
  25. ↑ Mitchell, Richard (August 1, 2011). "Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet review: Black Hole Sun (X360)". Yahoo. https://www.engadget.com/2011-08-01-insanely-twisted-shadow-planet-review.html. 
  26. ↑ Dyer, Mitch (September 2011). "Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet review". Official Xbox Magazine (Future US): 78. http://oxmonline.com/insanely-twisted-shadow-planet-review. Retrieved April 24, 2022. 
  27. ↑ "Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet". PC Gamer UK (Future plc): 69. August 2012. 
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 Martin, Liam (August 1, 2011). "'Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet' (Xbox Live Arcade)". Hearst Communications. https://www.digitalspy.com/videogames/a332733/insanely-twisted-shadow-planet-xbox-live-arcade/. 
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 Hargreaves, Roger (August 3, 2011). "Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet review – sphere of influence (X360)". Metro (DMG Media). https://metro.co.uk/2011/08/03/insanely-twisted-shadow-planet-review-101550/. 
  30. ↑ Clouse, Justin (August 11, 2011). "Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet Review (X360)". Enthusiast Gaming. https://www.escapistmagazine.com/insanely-twisted-shadow-planet-review/. 
  31. ↑ Vote, Todd (August 2, 2011). "Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet (Xbox 360 Arcade) [sic Review"]. http://www.411mania.com/games/reviews/196301. 
  32. ↑ Williams, Christian (August 8, 2011). "Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet (X360)". G/O Media. https://www.avclub.com/insanely-twisted-shadow-planet-1798226854. 
  33. ↑ "Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet Reviews | N4G". https://n4g.com/channel/insanely-twisted-shadow-planet/reviews. 
  34. ↑ "Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet - Debut Game Winner in 2012". 14 March 2012. https://www.bafta.org/games/awards/insanely-twisted-shadow-planet-debut-game-winner-in-2012. 
  35. ↑ "39th Annual Annie Nominations & Winners!". https://annieawards.org/. 
  36. ↑ "2011 Awards". https://navgtr.org/2011-awards/. 
  37. ↑ "The Winners and Nominees of the 2011 Spike Video Game Awards". 11 December 2011. https://kotaku.com/the-winners-and-nominees-of-the-2011-spike-video-game-a-5867018. 
  38. ↑ "D.I.C.E. Awards By Video Game Details". https://www.interactive.org/games/video_game_details.asp?idAward=2012&idGame=1186. 
  39. ↑ "Annual Game Music Awards 2011 Winners". 31 December 2011. http://www.vgmonline.net/awards2011/. 
  • Official blog
  • 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. 
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