Software:Inversion (video game)

From HandWiki
Inversion
Developer(s)Saber Interactive
Publisher(s)Bandai Namco Entertainment
Designer(s)Sergey Larionov
EngineSaber3D Engine
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows
PlayStation 3
Xbox 360
ReleasePlayStation 3 & Xbox 360
  • NA: June 5, 2012
  • AU: July 12, 2012
  • EU: July 13, 2012[1]
Microsoft Windows
  • EU: June 8, 2012
  • AU: July 12, 2012
  • NA: July 26, 2012 (Steam)
Genre(s)Third-person shooter
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Inversion is a third-person shooter video game developed by Saber Interactive and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment for Microsoft Windows,[2] PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. It was released on June 5, 2012 in North America, July 12, 2012 in Australia and on July 13, 2012 in Europe for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. It was later released for Windows on June 8, 2012 in Europe, July 12, 2012 in Australia and July 26, 2012 in North America. It features gravity manipulation and destructible environments.

Plot

In Vanguard City, policeman Davis Russell and his partner Leo Delgado are on duty when the city comes under attack by an army of strange barbaric soldiers called Lutadores armed with gravity-defying technology. As the ground is shaking in the wake of the attack, Davis and Leo hurry to Davis' apartment to check on his wife Cara and his daughter Leila. Upon arrival, the duo find Cara wounded and Leila missing. Cara dies of her injuries and Davis and Leo are soon captured by the Lutadores, who have taken control of the city.

Davis and Leo are taken to a prison camp and forced by the Lutadores to dig in a tunnel system, Davis only getting by on the hope that his daughter is still alive. A month into their imprisonment, they meet a man named Fitzgerald who claims he belongs to a resistance movement fighting the Lutadores. When questioned about Leila by Davis, Fitzgerald says that there are no children left in the city, all of them having been killed or taken prisoner. Davis and Leo are sent back into the tunnels, where they discover a hole leading out of the prison, but are then attacked by a giant robot and recaptured by the Lutadores. With Davis wounded from the fight with the robot, Fitzgerald distracts the guards to give him and Leo a chance to escape. The duo manage to make it out of the prison and back into the ruins of Vanguard City, now heavily occupied by Lutadore forces.

Returning to Davis' apartment in the hopes of picking up Leila's trail, Davis and Leo find nothing, but soon encounter a group of the resistance members Fitzgerald spoke of, led by a soldier named Banks. Banks explains that the Lutadores have a base at a site called Camp T'Kal, where they are keeping the captured children. Banks agrees to bring Davis and Leo along on their mission to attack Camp T'Kal if they can help uncover its location. Davis and Leo infiltrate a Lutadore command center, where they question the commander, who tells them the location of Camp T'Kal.

Making their way through the city to Camp T'Kal with Banks' forces, Davis and Leo are forced to proceed alone when Banks leaves to take an escaped child back. The duo proceed deeper into the base, finding an extremely high-tech complex underground. Davis and Leo soon reach an observation room revealing that Vanguard City is not on a planet, but inside one of several giant domes connected to the massive spaceship they have wandered into. Shocked and confused, Leo begins to lose hope but is convinced by Davis to keep pushing through to find Leila. The two continue on, finding themselves in a ruined lava-filled city resembling Vanguard, and conclude that it is the dome from which the Lutadores originate. Davis and Leo manage to locate the vehicle transporting the captured children and eventually catch up to the prisoners but fail to find Leila among them and are then captured by the Lutadores.

As the Lutadore leader, Kiltehr, prepares to execute Davis and Leo, the Lutadore is stormed by Banks and his men. Davis and Leo pursue Kiltehr into the core of the spaceship, the Inversion. Kiltehr, who has now taken control of the ship, sends Lutadores and the same type of robot that Davis and Leo encountered in the tunnels, to stop them. Davis and Leo soon confront Kiltehr in the ship's engine room, where he begins its self-destruct sequence. Overpowering Kiltehr, Davis grabs the control key from Kiltehr to stop the self-destruct, throwing it to Leo just as Kiltehr attacks him, knocking Davis and himself down a pit. Leo manages to stop the self-destruct just in time, and with their leader dead the Lutadores surrender, allowing the remaining people of Vanguard to begin rebuilding. Although Vanguard City's true nature as a part of the Inversion has been revealed, it is still unknown who built the ship and where it is going. Leo mentions that Davis was never found, and it is revealed that Leo found Leila's dead body when he and Davis returned to the apartment after escaping the prison, but did not have the heart to tell him.

In a post-credits sequence, Davis is shown climbing back up the pit that he and Kiltehr fell into.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic(PS3) 56/100[3]
(X360) 53/100[4]
(PC) 59/100[5]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Destructoid5/10[6]
Edge6/10[7]
EGM7.5/10[8]
Game Informer6/10[10]
GameRevolutionStarStarStar[11]
GameSpot4/10[13]
GameTrailers5.8/10[12]
IGN5.5/10[14]
JoystiqStarStar[15]
OXM (US)6/10[16]
PC Gamer (UK)52%[17]
PSM7/10[18]
Digital SpyStarStarStar[19]
The Guardian StarStarStar[20]

Upon release, Inversion received "mixed" reviews on all platforms according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[5][3][4]

The Digital Fix gave the PlayStation 3 version a score of six out of ten and called it "a solidly unspectacular shooter".[21] Digital Spy also gave the same console version three stars out of five and called it "a game that feels instantly familiar, and not in a good way. The game lifts heavily from more illustrious sources, while its own unique selling point, gravity powers, never feels fully exploited. But equally, the game is a solid and reasonably well-produced shooter that is fun to play, particularly with other people. As long as you don't expect a revolution, you will have a good time battling this particular alien invasion."[19] The Guardian gave the Xbox 360 version a similar score of three stars out of five and said it was "a nicely crafted game with some good ideas, which nevertheless seems unwilling to claim an identity of its own. If you liked Gears of War, you'll enjoy playing it, but you might find its sheer familiarity a bit annoying. And if you like third-person shooters that don't require superhuman skills, you'll enjoy it, too. But if you're looking for something futuristic, cutting-edge and distinctive, keep on looking."[20] However, Metro gave the same console version three out of ten and said, "Combat and storytelling are boring beyond belief, but what's worst about Inversion is that you can sense the far more interesting game it could've been just beneath the surface."[22]

References

  1. Hussain, Tamoor (June 26, 2012). "European Inversion release date confirmed". Future plc. Archived from the original on December 4, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141204171006/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/355366/european-inversion-release-date-confirmed/. Retrieved May 14, 2018. 
  2. Inversion (June 15, 2011). "Check out this read...". https://www.facebook.com/Inversion/posts/208850182483449. Retrieved September 16, 2011. 
  3. 3.0 3.1 "Inversion for PlayStation 3 Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/inversion/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-3. Retrieved December 4, 2012. 
  4. 4.0 4.1 "Inversion for Xbox 360 Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/inversion/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360. Retrieved December 4, 2012. 
  5. 5.0 5.1 "Inversion for PC Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/inversion/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. Retrieved December 4, 2012. 
  6. Sterling, Jim (June 12, 2012). "Review: Inversion (X360)". Enthusiast Gaming. https://www.destructoid.com/review-inversion-229400.phtml. Retrieved April 28, 2015. 
  7. Edge staff (July 11, 2012). "Inversion review (X360)". Edge (Future plc). Archived from the original on July 14, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120714002735/http://www.edge-online.com/reviews/inversion-review. Retrieved May 14, 2018. 
  8. Justice, Brandon (June 12, 2012). "EGM Review: Inversion (PS3)". EGMNow (EGM Media, LLC). Archived from the original on June 18, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120618002021/http://www.egmnow.com/articles/reviews/egm-review-inversion/. Retrieved May 14, 2018. 
  9. Donlan, Christian (June 5, 2012). "Inversion Review (Xbox 360)". Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-06-05-inversion-review. Retrieved April 28, 2015. 
  10. Cork, Jeff (June 5, 2012). "Inversion (PS3, X360): Weighed Down By Its Distinguishing Gimmick". Game Informer (GameStop). http://www.gameinformer.com/games/inversion/b/ps3/archive/2012/06/05/weighed-down-by-its-distinguishing-gimmick.aspx. Retrieved April 28, 2015. 
  11. Ingenito, Vince (June 21, 2012). "Inversion Review (X360)". CraveOnline. Archived from the original on September 16, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140916224650/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/inversion. Retrieved May 14, 2018. 
  12. "Inversion Review (PS3, X360)". Viacom. June 13, 2012. Archived from the original on June 25, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120625131337/http://www.gametrailers.com/gamereview.php?id=12232. Retrieved May 14, 2018. 
  13. Walton, Mark (June 5, 2012). "Inversion Review (X360)". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/inversion-review/1900-6380919/. Retrieved April 28, 2015. 
  14. Krupa, Daniel (June 5, 2012). "Inversion Review". Ziff Davis. http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/06/05/inversion-review. Retrieved April 28, 2015. 
  15. Grayson, Nathan (June 18, 2012). "Inversion review: Gears of Snore (X360)". Oath Inc.. https://www.engadget.com/2012/06/18/inversion-review-gears-of-snore/. Retrieved May 14, 2018. 
  16. Lewis, Cameron (June 5, 2012). "Inversion review". Official Xbox Magazine (Future US). Archived from the original on June 7, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120607075853/http://www.oxmonline.com/inversion-review. Retrieved May 14, 2018. 
  17. Savage, Phil (November 2012). "Inversion review". PC Gamer UK (Future plc) (244): 72. https://www.pcgamer.com/inversion-review/. Retrieved May 14, 2018. 
  18. "Review: Inversion". PlayStation: The Official Magazine (Future plc) (61): 82. August 2012. 
  19. 19.0 19.1 Laughlin, Andrew (July 11, 2012). "'Inversion' review (PS3)" A solid but unspectacular shooter". Hearst Communications. http://www.digitalspy.com/gaming/review/a392223/inversion-review-ps3-a-solid-but-unspectacular-shooter/. Retrieved May 14, 2018. 
  20. 20.0 20.1 Boxer, Steve (July 24, 2012). "Inversion - review (X360)". The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/technology/gamesblog/2012/jul/24/inversion-game-review-xbox-ps3. Retrieved May 14, 2018. 
  21. Luff, Kevin (August 9, 2012). "Inversion Review (PS3)". Poisonous Monkey. Archived from the original on May 5, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160505163303/http://gaming.thedigitalfix.com/content/id/1049/inversion.html. Retrieved May 14, 2018. 
  22. Jenkins, David (July 13, 2012). "Inversion review - gears of bore (X360)". Metro (DMG Media). https://metro.co.uk/2012/07/13/inversion-review-gears-of-bore-494964/. Retrieved June 2, 2018. 
  • Inversion at Namco Bandai Games site
  • 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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