Software:James Bond 007: Nightfire

From HandWiki
Short description: 2002 first-person shooter video game
For the publisher, see Tor Books.

James Bond 007: Nightfire
The game's cover art
North American cover art
Developer(s)Eurocom
Gearbox Software[lower-alpha 1] (PC)
JV Games (GBA)
Publisher(s)Electronic Arts
Director(s)Tim Rogers
Landon Montgomery (PC)[1]
Producer(s)Morgan Roarty
Randy Pitchford (PC)[1]
Programmer(s)Simon Mills
Patrick Deupree & Sean Cavanaugh (PC)
Artist(s)Dave Carson
Jeremy Cook (PC)
Writer(s)Danny Bilson
Paul De Meo
Composer(s)Steve Duckworth
Ed Lima (PC)
Jeff Tymoschuk
SeriesJames Bond video games
EngineGoldSrc (PC)
Platform(s)GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox, Microsoft Windows, Game Boy Advance, Mac OS X
ReleaseGameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox
  • NA: 19 November 2002
  • EU: 29 November 2002
Microsoft Windows
  • NA: 25 November 2002
  • EU: 6 December 2002
Game Boy Advance
  • NA: 18 March 2003
  • EU: 28 March 2003[2]
Mac OS X
  • NA: 21 June 2004
  • EU: 19 July 2004[3]
Genre(s)First-person shooter
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

James Bond 007: Nightfire (sometimes stylised NightFire) is a 2002 first-person shooter game published by Electronic Arts for the GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox and Microsoft Windows, with additional versions released for the Game Boy Advance in 2003, and Mac OS X in 2004. Eurocom developed the console versions, Gearbox Software developed the Windows version, and JV Games developed the Game Boy Advance version. The computer versions feature modifications to the storyline, different missions, and the removal of driving sections used in home console versions.

The game's story involves fictional British Secret Service agent James Bond, as he undertakes a mission to investigate the operations of a noted industrialist, uncovering a plot by them to conquer the world via a major defence satellite created by the United States. The game uses the likeness of James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan, although the character is voiced by Maxwell Caulfield.

The home console versions received positive reviews from critics with the gameplay, multiplayer, and character models being praised, while other versions received mixed reactions for not having the same amount of content as the console versions, as well as being different from said versions.

Gameplay

Nightfire features two game modes for use – a single-player mode featuring a variety of missions focused on the game's story, and a multiplayer mode where players can engage with other players, as well as AI bots. The game operates from a first-person perspective and features a variety of weapons all based on real-life models, but, much like previous games involving James Bond, have alternate names. The game features a similar arrangement to monitoring health as with GoldenEye 007 (1997), in that players have a health meter that decreases when they take damage, with the player's character killed when it is fully depleted, though armor can be acquired to absorb the damage during gameplay.

In the single-player mode, players must complete a set of objectives, which requires navigating around each mission's level dealing with hostiles and making use of gadgets. Completing a level is done by completing all objectives and reaching the level's exit goal. Each level has many unique tokens, referred to as "007 tokens", which unlock special rewards in the game and are acquired by completing certain actions in a level. Players may also carry out "Bond Moments", utilizing gadgets and parts of the level environment to dispatch enemies, open secret paths, and destroy obstacles, the act of which will contribute to the player's performance rating for that level. At times, the player also engages in driving sections during certain levels – these stages function in a similar style to those used in the Spy Hunter series of video games, in which the player uses offensive weapons and gadgets to deal with enemies while following a linear A-to-B route from the start to the finish of the level. Completing a level allows the player to receive a score that denotes how well they performed.

Multiplayer

Multiplayer mode focuses on players battling with each other and AI bots across a variety of stages – while some stages are based on levels from the game, others are based on settings and fictional locations based on the James Bond film franchise, including Fort Knox, from Goldfinger (1964), and Atlantis from The Spy Who Loved Me (1977). Players can choose which characters to play, including a selection taken from the film franchise such as Jaws, Baron Samedi, Max Zorin, Auric Goldfinger, and Victor "Renard" Zokas. Players can customise settings before a match, such as length of play, conditions for winning, and so forth, as well as the setting for any AI bots used in the match – alongside players, bots can be used (four for PlayStation 2, and six for GameCube and Xbox), which can be customised with different reaction times, speed and health.

PC/Mac gameplay

Computer versions of the game function similar to the console versions, though with some differences:

  • There are no driving stages used in single-player.
  • Some weapons are changed for different models.
  • Multiplayer mode allows for online gaming and the use of 12 bots; console versions mainly offer split-screen multiplayer.

Plot

British MI6 agent James Bond works alongside French Intelligence operative Dominique Paradis to prevent the use of a stolen nuclear weapon within the city of Paris by a terrorist group during New Year's Eve. The pair manage to thwart the terrorists and prevent the device from being detonated before Bond and Dominique spend the evening celebrating the New Year's Day. Shortly after returning, Bond's boss M reveals news that a missile guidance chip, intended for the Space Defense Platform (SDP) – a new militarised space station built by the United States – has been stolen. MI6 suspects the theft is linked to Phoenix International, a company owned by industrialist Raphael Drake – and that the head of Drake's Asian division, Alexander Mayhew, is due to bring the chip to him during a party at his castle in Austria.

M sends Bond to recover the chip during the exchange and investigate Drake's motive for its acquisition. Infiltrating the party, Bond meets with CIA agent Zoe Nightshade, his contact sent to assist in the chip's recovery, but is surprised to find Dominique within the castle, learning that she is working undercover as Drake's mistress. After reaching the meeting room where Drake and Mayhew intend to meet, Bond overhears the men discussing a project codenamed "Nightfire" before discovering that Zoe has been captured. Bond recovers the chip before going after and rescuing Zoe, whereupon the pair make their escape down the mountain for a rendezvous with Q while dealing with Drake's men and his head of security, Armitage Rook. Following the incident, Mayhew contacts MI6 to offer information on Drake's operations in exchange for protection.

Bond is sent to Japan to extract Mayhew at his Japanese estate, but shortly after being introduced to his bodyguard Kiko, Drake's men attack the building. While Mayhew is killed, Bond finds important information that leads him to Phoenix's Tokyo offices and a nuclear power plant being decommissioned. After gathering evidence, Kiko turns on Bond and brings him to Drake, who exposes Dominique as a spy for helping Bond escape his security teams and has her killed, though not before she distracts Kiko to help Bond break free and escapes to the ground floor of the Phoenix building, where he is rescued by Australian Intelligence agent Alura McCall. Upon leaving Tokyo, Bond finds himself sent to an island in the South Pacific alongside Alura, learning that Drake owns it and is using a jamming signal to conceal what he has stationed there.

Sent ahead of a joint task force of UN, EU, and NATO forces, Bond and Alura deal with the island's defences, while eliminating Rook and Kiko. Discovering that Drake built a missile launch facility on the island, Bond determines that he plans to capture the SDP and use its weapons to dominate the world. While Alura remains behind, Bond pursues Drake in one of his space shuttles. On reaching the station, he proceeds to sabotage it so that it will destroy itself and then eliminates Drake as the station begins to break apart. Bond swiftly escapes in an escape pod moments before the station is destroyed and returns to Earth. Upon his return, Bond reunites with Alura and spends a romantic evening celebrating another successful mission.

Development and release

The game had been in development as early as September 2000,[4] and was announced as James Bond 007 in May 2001.[5] By February 2002, the game's working title was James Bond in... Phoenix Rising.[6] The game's final title was unveiled three months later.[7] In July 2002, James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan had his head scanned with a laser digitizer to create the player character,[4][8] who is voiced by Maxwell Caulfield.[9] Michael Ensign voices the game's villain, Raphael Drake, while Jeanne Mori replaces Sydney Rainin-Smith as the voice of Zoe Nightshade, a character returning from Agent Under Fire. Kimberley Davies voices Alura McCall, a new character for the game.

Eurocom developed the home console versions,[10] while Gearbox Software handled the Microsoft Windows version.[11][12] Gearbox utilized the GoldSrc game engine by Valve Corporation, though it was heavily modified for Nightfire.[12][13][11] Driving levels were developed by Savage Entertainment and a team at Electronic Arts.[14] These levels were excluded from the Windows version so Gearbox could focus on the first-person and multiplayer modes.[15] Nightfire marked the first time a James Bond video game featured an original song: "Nearly Civilized" performed by Canadian singer-songwriter Esthero.[16] Its original score was composed by Steve Duckworth, Ed Lima and Jeff Tymoschuk.

In North America, Nightfire was released for home consoles around 19 November 2002, coinciding with the theatrical release of the Bond film Die Another Day.[10][17] The Windows version was released a week later.[18] In January 2003, Electronic Arts announced that a Game Boy Advance version of the game was in development by JV Games.[19] A Mac version, by Aspyr, was released in June 2004.[20]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic(GC) 80/100[21]
(Xbox) 78/100[22]
(PS2) 77/100[23]
(GBA) 66/100[24]
(PC) 59/100[25]
Review scores
PublicationScore
AllGameStarStarStarHalf star[26][27][28]
(GBA) StarStarStar[29]
(PC) StarStarHalf star[30]
Edge4/10[31]
EGM8.5/10[32]
Eurogamer3/10[33]
Game Informer(GC) 8/10[34]
7.75/10[35][36]
GameProStarStarStarStar[37][38][39]
(GBA) StarStarStarHalf star[40]
GameSpot7.9/10[41]
(PC) 6/10[42]
GameSpy(Xbox) StarStarStarStar[43]
StarStarStarHalf star[44][45]
(PC) StarStarStar[46]
GameZone(PC) 8.9/10[47]
(PS2) 8.3/10[48]
8/10[49][50]
(GBA) 7/10[51]
IGN(GC) 8.5/10[52]
(Xbox) 8.2/10[53]
(PS2) 8.1/10[54]
(PC) 7/10[55]
(GBA) 6.5/10[56]
Nintendo Power(GC) 4.4/5[57]
(GBA) 3.5/5[58]
OPM (US)StarStarStarStarHalf star[59]
OXM (US)8.4/10[60]
PC Gamer (US)57%[61]
Entertainment WeeklyC[62]

The Xbox, GameCube, and PlayStation 2 versions of James Bond 007: Nightfire received "generally favorable" reviews, while the Game Boy Advance and PC versions received "mixed or average" reviews, according to review aggregator Metacritic.[21][22][23][24][25] It was a runner-up for GameSpot's annual "Best Shooter on GameCube" award, which went to TimeSplitters 2.[63] In 2008, PC Games Hardware included Alura McCall, Makiko Hayashi, Dominique Paradis and Zoe Nightshade among the 112 most important female characters in games.[64] During the 6th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences nominated Nightfire for "Console First-Person Action Game of the Year".[65]

By September 2003, the game had sold five million copies across all platforms,[66] with the Xbox version achieving Platinum Hits status for selling at least two million copies.[67] In the United States, the computer version sold 230,000 copies and earned $5.3 million by August 2006, after its release in November 2002. It was the country's 93rd best-selling computer game during this period.[68] The PlayStation 2 version received a "Platinum" sales award from the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA),[69] indicating sales of at least 300,000 copies in the United Kingdom.[70]

Notes

  1. ↑ Ported to Mac OS X by Aspyr.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "007: Nightfire (2002) Windows credits". https://www.mobygames.com/game/windows/007-nightfire_/credits. 
  2. ↑ "007: Nightfire Releases". https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/gba/583514-007-nightfire/data. 
  3. ↑ "007: Nightfire Releases". https://www.mobygames.com/game/37796/007-nightfire/releases/#macintosh. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "NightFire Developer Diary: Entry 1". 2002-08-09. http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/08/09/nightfire-developer-diary-entry-1. 
  5. ↑ "The Ultimate GameCube Preview Guide". 2001-05-02. http://www.ign.com/articles/2001/05/02/the-ultimate-gamecube-preview-guide?page=4. 
  6. ↑ "Eurocom Develops Next James Bond Title". 2002-02-12. http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/02/12/eurocom-develops-next-james-bond-title. 
  7. ↑ "007 NightFire Screenshot". 2002-05-09. http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/05/09/007-nightfire-screenshot. 
  8. ↑ Mirabella, Fran (2002-07-18). "Pierce Returns to Bond". http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/07/18/pierce-returns-to-bond. 
  9. ↑ Holub, Christian (5 April 2019). "'Empire Records': Where are they now?". Entertainment Weekly. https://ew.com/gallery/empire-records-where-are-they-now/. Retrieved 23 September 2021. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Ajami, Amer (2002-10-18). "James Bond 007: NightFire Updated Preview". http://www.gamespot.com/gamecube/action/jamesbond007nightfire/preview_2895091.html. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Ajami, Amer (2002-07-18). "James Bond 007: NightFire Preview". http://www.gamespot.com/articles/james-bond-007-nightfire-preview/1100-2874776/. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Asher, Mark; Brown, Ken (August 2002). "Bondage". Computer Gaming World (United States) (217): 40. 
  13. ↑ Shoemaker, Brad (2002-05-22). "E3 2002: James Bond 007: Night Fire impressions". http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/jamesbond007nightfire/preview_2867383.html. 
  14. ↑ "NightFire Developer Diary: Entry 2". 2002-10-09. http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/10/09/nighfire-developer-diary-entry-2. 
  15. ↑ Brown, Ken (November 2002). "James Bond 007: Nightfire". Computer Gaming World (United States) (220): 88–96. 
  16. ↑ Harrington, Richard (28 October 2005). "Esthero, Mixing It Up Again". The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2005/10/28/esthero-mixing-it-up-again/02b88377-b203-4317-924d-0c6872792685/. 
  17. ↑ Parker, Sam (19 November 2002). "007: NightFire ships for consoles". https://www.gamespot.com/articles/007-nightfire-ships-for-consoles/1100-2898006/. 
  18. ↑ Sulic, Ivan (20 November 2002). "Nightfire Ships Next Week". https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/11/20/nightfire-ships-next-week. 
  19. ↑ "James Bond 007: Nightfire". 2003-01-07. http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/01/07/james-bond-007-nightfire-8. 
  20. ↑ "James Bond 007: Nightfire". 13 June 2004. https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/06/13/james-bond-007-nightfire-5. 
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 "James Bond 007: Nightfire for GameCube Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/james-bond-007-nightfire/critic-reviews/?platform=gamecube. 
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 "James Bond 007: Nightfire for Xbox Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/james-bond-007-nightfire/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox. 
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 "James Bond 007: Nightfire for PlayStation 2 Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/james-bond-007-nightfire/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2. 
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 "James Bond 007: Nightfire for Game Boy Advance Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/james-bond-007-nightfire/critic-reviews/?platform=game-boy-advance. 
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 "James Bond 007: Nightfire for PC Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/james-bond-007-nightfire/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. 
  26. ↑ Marriott, Scott Alan. "007: NightFire (GC) - Review". AllGame. http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=39037&tab=review. 
  27. ↑ Marriott, Scott Alan. "007: NightFire (Xbox) - Review". AllGame. http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=39036&tab=review. 
  28. ↑ Marriott, Scott Alan. "007: NightFire (PS2) - Review". AllGame. http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=39035&tab=review. 
  29. ↑ Frankle, Gavin. "007: NightFire (GBA) - Overview". AllGame. http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=42337. 
  30. ↑ Marriott, Scott Alan. "007: NightFire (PC) - Overview". AllGame. http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=39040. 
  31. ↑ Edge staff (December 2002). "007: Nightfire". Edge (118). 
  32. ↑ EGM Staff (January 2003). "James Bond 007: Nightfire Xbox Review From EGM". Electronic Gaming Monthly (163): 196. http://www.egmmag.com/article2/0,2053,1488255,00.asp. Retrieved 2013-12-03. 
  33. ↑ Taylor, Martin (2002-12-02). "James Bond 007: Nightfire Review (PC)". http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_nightfire_pc. 
  34. ↑ Helgeson, Matt (January 2003). "Bond 007: Nightfire (GC)". Game Informer (117): 102. http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200301/R03.0730.1642.36534.htm. Retrieved 2013-12-03. 
  35. ↑ "Bond 007: Nightfire (Xbox)". Game Informer (117): 108. January 2003. 
  36. ↑ Reiner, Andrew (January 2003). "Bond 007: Nightfire (PS2)". Game Informer (117): 90. http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200301/R03.0730.1351.27918.htm. Retrieved 2013-12-03. 
  37. ↑ Simon Limon (2002-11-19). "James Bond 007: NightFire Review for GameCube on GamePro.com". GamePro. http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/gamecube/games/reviews/27177.shtml. Retrieved 2013-12-03. 
  38. ↑ Air Hendrix (2002-11-19). "James Bond 007: NightFire Review for Xbox on GamePro.com". GamePro. http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox/games/reviews/27179.shtml. Retrieved 2013-12-03. 
  39. ↑ DJ Dinobot (2002-11-19). "James Bond 007: Nightfire Review for PS2 on GamePro.com". GamePro. http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/27178.shtml. Retrieved 2013-12-03. 
  40. ↑ DJ Dinobot (2003-03-20). "James Bond 007: Nightfire Review for Game Boy Advance on GamePro.com". GamePro. http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/gameboy_advance/games/reviews/28600.shtml. Retrieved 2013-12-03. 
  41. ↑ Gerstmann, Jeff (2002-11-25). "James Bond 007: NightFire Review". http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/james-bond-007-nightfire-review/1900-2898571/. 
  42. ↑ Gerstmann, Jeff (2002-12-06). "James Bond 007: NightFire Review (PC)". http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/james-bond-007-nightfire-review/1900-2901142/. 
  43. ↑ Williams, Bryn (2002-12-06). "GameSpy: James Bond 007: NightFire (Xbox)". GameSpy. http://xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/james-bond-007-nightfire/546790p1.html. 
  44. ↑ Williams, Bryn (2002-12-04). "GameSpy: 007: Nightfire (GC)". GameSpy. http://cube.gamespy.com/gamecube/james-bond-007-nightfire/547313p1.html. 
  45. ↑ Williams, Bryn (2002-12-04). "GameSpy: 007: Nightfire (PS2)". GameSpy. http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/james-bond-007-nightfire/563764p1.html. 
  46. ↑ Osborne, Scott (2002-12-04). "GameSpy: 007: Nightfire (PC)". GameSpy. http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/james-bond-007-nightfire/563743p1.html. 
  47. ↑ Giacobbi, Kevin "BIFF" (2002-12-08). "James Bond 007: NightFire - PC - Review". GameZone. http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/2002/12/08/james_bond_007_nightfire_pc_review. 
  48. ↑ Romano, Natalie (2002-12-04). "James Bond 007: NightFire - PS2 - Review". GameZone. http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/2002/12/04/james_bond_007_nightfire_ps2_review. 
  49. ↑ Surette, Tim (2002-12-10). "James Bond 007: NightFire Review - GameCube". GameZone. http://gamecube.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r20312.htm. 
  50. ↑ Raymond, Justin (2002-12-15). "James Bond 007: NightFire Review - Xbox". GameZone. http://xbox.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r20312.htm. 
  51. ↑ Zacarias, Eduardo (2003-04-19). "James Bond 007: NightFire Review - Game Boy Advance". GameZone. http://gameboy.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r20312_GBA.htm. 
  52. ↑ Casamassina, Matt (2002-11-18). "James Bond 007: NightFire (GC)". http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/11/18/james-bond-007-nightfire-2. 
  53. ↑ Casamassina, Matt (2002-11-19). "James Bond 007: Nightfire (Xbox)". http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/11/19/james-bond-007-nightfire. 
  54. ↑ Casamassina, Matt; Smith, D.F. (2002-11-18). "James Bond 007: NightFire (PS2)". http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/11/18/james-bond-007-nightfire-3. 
  55. ↑ Sulic, Ivan; Casamassina, Matt (2002-11-25). "Nightfire Review (PC)". http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/11/25/nightfire-review. 
  56. ↑ Harris, Craig (2003-03-31). "James Bond 007: NightFire (GBA)". http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/03/31/james-bond-007-nightfire-6. 
  57. ↑ "James Bond 007: Nightfire (GC)". Nintendo Power: 170. January 2003. 
  58. ↑ "James Bond 007: Nightfire (GBA)". Nintendo Power: 137. May 2003. 
  59. ↑ 1UP Staff (January 2003). "James Bond 007: Nightfire". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine: 130. http://www.1up.com/reviews/james-bond-007-nightfire_2. Retrieved 2013-12-02. 
  60. ↑ "Review: James Bond 007: Nightfire". Official Xbox Magazine: 63. January 2003. 
  61. ↑ Osborn, Chuck (February 2003). "007: Nightfire". PC Gamer: 61. http://www.pcgamer.com/archives/2005/06/007_nightfire.html. Retrieved 2013-12-03. 
  62. ↑ Walk, Gary Eng (2002-11-22). "James Bond 007: Nightfire Review". Entertainment Weekly (683): 84. http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20431259_390666,00.html. Retrieved 2013-12-03. 
  63. ↑ GameSpot Staff (December 30, 2002). "GameSpot's Best and Worst of 2002". GameSpot. http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/. 
  64. ↑ Bayer, Thilo (2008-01-01). "PCGH history: The most important female characters in games". PC Games Hardware. http://www.pcgameshardware.com/%26menu%3Dbrowser%26image_id%3D754266%26article_id%3D626856%26page%3D4%26show%3Doriginal. 
  65. ↑ "D.I.C.E. Awards By Video Game Details James Bond 007: Nightfire". Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. https://www.interactive.org/games/video_game_details.asp?idAward=2003&idGame=398. 
  66. ↑ "Bond Delayed to 2004". 17 September 2003. https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/09/17/bond-delayed-to-2004. 
  67. ↑ Calvert, Justin (22 August 2003). "Next wave of Xbox Platinum Hits coming". https://www.gamespot.com/articles/next-wave-of-xbox-platinum-hits-coming/1100-6073712/. 
  68. ↑ Edge Staff (25 August 2006). "The Top 100 PC Games of the 21st Century". Edge. http://www.edge-online.com/features/top-100-pc-games-21st-century/. 
  69. ↑ "ELSPA Sales Awards: Platinum". Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association. http://www.elspa.com:80/?i=3944. 
  70. ↑ Caoili, Eric (26 November 2008). "ELSPA: Wii Fit, Mario Kart Reach Diamond Status In UK". Gamasutra. https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/112220/ELSPA_Wii_Fit_Mario_Kart_Reach_Diamond_Status_In_UK.php. 
  • 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. 
  • No URL found. Please specify a URL here or add one to Wikidata.

Template:Atari



  • 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. 
  • No URL found. Please specify a URL here or add one to Wikidata.

Template:Atari



  • 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. 
  • No URL found. Please specify a URL here or add one to Wikidata.

Template:Atari



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