Software:Intrigue!

From HandWiki
Short description: 1986 video game
Intrigue!
Developer(s)Kinemation
Publisher(s)
Platform(s)Apple II, Commodore 64/128[1]
Release1986[2]
Genre(s)Adventure
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Intrigue! is an adventure video game developed by Kinemation and published by Spectrum HoloByte for Apple II and Commodore 64 in 1986.

Plot

International terrorists are planning to blow up a bomb that spreads a virus called PF13. The player is a private detective set to find and defuse the bomb in Washington, D.C..[3] The game's plot is randomized each playthrough with suspects, motives, and clues different.[4]

Gameplay

The player chooses from text options during exploration and dialog scenes. Close-ups of characters and other images accompany the text during these sequences. The graphics are in monochrome. 360 degree panoramic view of the gameworld is used on the streets and in building interiors. The characters react differently to the player depending on the gender chosen for the detective.[4] Multiplayer is supported up to four players, where each player controls a different detective.[1]

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
ACE671/1000 (C64)[5]
CVG7/7/9 (C64)[1]
Zzap!6483% (C64)[3]
Commodore User9/10 (C64)[4]

Computer and Video Games wrote: "Here is a completely novel game system, with a mixture of cartoon style graphics amid digitised pictures, plus some catchy music, that has taken over a year to reach the UK. What a shame! I wonder why!"[1] Commodore User called it "the most polished and absorbing game."[4] ACE said the graphics are of poor quality, conversations are amusing but limited and concluded that it's "a game for mugs".[5] Zzap!64 called the audiovisual presentation atmospheric and said the game overall is "quite good".[3] Aktueller Software Markt said the graphics are outdated but don't distract from the dense atmosphere.[6] Tilt said there's no apparent difference between the Apple and Commodore versions: both have the same limited graphics but retain "the power of seduction".[7]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Campbell, Keith (May 1988). "Adventure Reviews - Intrigue". Computer and Video Games (Future Publishing) (79): 76. "Vocabulary: N/A, Atmosphere: 7, Personal: 7, Value: 9". 
  2. ↑ "Intrigue!". Back Cover of the Game Box (Spectrum HoloByte). https://www.mobygames.com/game/16466/intrigue/cover/group-17209/cover-41057/. "Copyright 1986. Kinemation.". 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 The Harlequin (July 1988). "Adventure - Intrigue". Zzap!64 (Newsfield Publications Ltd) (39): 62. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Scolding, Bill (March 1988). "Screen Scene - Intrigue". Commodore User (EMAP) (54): 38–39. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Cooke, Steve (May 1988). "Screen Test - Intrigue". ACE (Future Publishing) (8): 64. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Vill., Klaus. "Hochspannung in Monochrom" (in German). Aktueller Software Markt (Tronic-Verlag) 25 (10/88). "Grafik: 4, Vokabular: 8, Atmosphäre: 9, Story: 9, Preis/Leistung: 9". 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Schérer, Denis (May 1988). "SOS AVENTURE - Intrigue" (in French). Tilt (Editions Mondiales S.A.) 54 (5/88): 105. "Intérêt: 15, Graphisme: 1/6, Animation: 1/6, Bruitage: 3/6, Dialogue: 5/6, Prix: n.c.". 
  • 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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