Software:Jane's WWII Fighters

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Jane's WWII Fighters
Developer(s)Jane's Combat Simulations
Publisher(s)Electronic Arts
Director(s)Beth Comstock
Producer(s)Steven Matulac
Designer(s)Nathan Cummins
David Luoto
Programmer(s)Ken Allen
Artist(s)Terry Fowler
Nicholas Corea
Chuck Eyler
Composer(s)Don Veca
SeriesJane's Combat Simulations
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows
Release
Genre(s)Air combat simulation
Mode(s)Single-player, Multiplayer

Jane's World War II Fighters is the 1998 combat flight simulation video game. Set in the European theatre of operations during World War II, it is part of the Jane's Combat Simulations franchise. The game was considered a commercial failure, and contributed to the end of the Jane's Combat Simulations line.

Gameplay

The game is set during the Battle of the Bulge in late 1944 and early 1945. The game features famous fighter aircraft from World War II. It also included a virtual museum, where aircraft profiles and interviews with fighter pilots such as George Unwin, Günther Rall, and others could be viewed.

Reception

Critical reviews

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
GameRankings78%[2]
Review scores
PublicationScore
CGSPStarStarStarHalf star[4]
CGWStarStarStarStarHalf star[5]
GameProStarStarStarStarHalf star[6]
GameSpot9/10[7]
IGN8/10[8]
PC Gamer (UK)85%[9]
PC Gamer (US)84%[10]

The game received favorable reviews according to the review aggregation website GameRankings.[2]

Sales

The game was released in direct competition with Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator, and became a commercial flop.[11][12] In 1999, Computer Gaming World reported that the game "appears to have been murdered by Microsoft's brand recognition". Its lifetime sales in the U.S. reached 60,943 copies by October 1999, which drew revenues of $2.58 million.[12] Speaking anonymously to Bruce Geryk of GameSpot, an ex-staffer for Origin Systems remarked that the game "spent some serious cash, and did not sell". He attributed its failure to Combat Flight Simulator's dominance of the World War II flight simulation field during 1998, and called the game's performance "the death knell for Jane's products", after which the brand unraveled.[11] Following the May 2000 bankruptcy of Jane's Attack Squadron developer Looking Glass Studios shortly before that game's completion,[13] Electronic Arts declined to finish the project,[14] and instead opted to exit the flight simulation genre.[15]

For the week ending April 29, 2000, the game appeared at No. 10 on PC Data's weekly computer game sales chart in the United States, with an average retail price of $25.[16] It climbed to No. 8 the following week,[17] before exiting the charts for the May 7–13 period.[18] PC Data named it the country's ninth-best-selling game of May 2000.[19] By October, its sales in the region had reached 166,971 units for the year 2000 alone, which accounted for $2.5 million in revenue. Mark Asher and Tom Chick of Quarter to Three remarked that the game "did a good job of trying to convince us that flight sims aren't dead" that year.[20]

Awards

The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences nominated the game for "PC Simulation Game of the Year" at the 2nd Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, although it lost to Need for Speed III.[21] It was also a finalist for Computer Gaming World's 1998 "Best Simulation", CNET Gamecenter's 1998 Best Combat Flight Sim, GameSpot's "Simulation of the Year" and IGN's "Best Simulation of the Year" prizes, all of which ultimately went to European Air War.[22][23][24][25] The game received further runner-up positions for "Best Soundtrack" and "Best Graphics" from IGN,[25] and "Best Sound" and "Best Graphics (Technical Excellence)" from GameSpot.[26][27] However, it won Computer Gaming World's "Special Award: Musical Score" prize. The magazine's staff wrote of the game having excellent aircraft graphics, special effects, challenging AI, and accurate flight model, also calling its multiplayer as blast to play.[28]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Jebens, Harley (November 23, 1998). "WWII Fighters Ships [date mislabeled as "April 28, 2000""]. CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/articles/wwii-fighters-ships/1100-2465637/. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "WWII Fighters for PC". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamerankings.com/pc/71566-wwii-fighters/index.html. 
  3. ↑ Cirulis, Martin E. (December 22, 1998). "WWII Fighters". CNET. http://www.gamecenter.com/Reviews/Item/0,6,0-2356,00.html. 
  4. ↑ Chick, Tom (December 15, 1998). "WWII Fighters". Strategy Plus, Inc.. http://www.cdmag.com/articles/016/042/ww2f_review.html. 
  5. ↑ Nolan, John (March 1999). "Not Just a Pretty Face (WWII Fighters Review)". Computer Gaming World (Ziff Davis) (176): 166–67. http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_176.pdf. Retrieved August 23, 2021. 
  6. ↑ Mahood, Andy (1999). "Jane's WWII Fighters Review for PC on GamePro.com". GamePro (IDG Entertainment). http://www.gamepro.com/computer/pc/games/reviews/877.shtml. Retrieved August 23, 2021. 
  7. ↑ Atkin, Denny (December 28, 1998). "WWII Fighters Review [date mislabeled as "May 2, 2000""]. CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/wwii-fighters-review/1900-2531900/. 
  8. ↑ Berg, Gordon (December 29, 1998). "Jane's WWII Fighters". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/1998/12/30/janes-wwii-fighters. 
  9. ↑ Jones, Nathan (March 1999). "World War II Fighters [sic"]. PC Gamer UK (Future Publishing) (67). http://www.pcgamer.co.uk/games/gamefile_review_page.asp?item_id=1404. Retrieved August 26, 2021. 
  10. ↑ McDonald, T. Liam (March 1999). "WWII Fighters". PC Gamer (Imagine Media) 6 (3). http://www.pcgamer.com/reviews/1187.html. Retrieved August 23, 2021. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Geryk, Bruce (2000). "PC Gaming Graveyard: Jane's A-10 Warthog (The Changing Marketplace)". Ziff Davis. https://brihernandez.github.io/janesa10/a10.html. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Flight Sim Sales". Computer Gaming World (Ziff Davis) (183): 45. October 1999. http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_183.pdf. Retrieved August 23, 2021. 
  13. ↑ Asher, Mark (August 2000). "Looking Glass Shuts Down". Computer Gaming World (Ziff Davis) (193): 34. http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_193.pdf. Retrieved August 23, 2021. 
  14. ↑ Berg, Gordon (September 2000). "Rage Against the Machine". Computer Gaming World (Ziff Davis) (194): 140. http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_194.pdf. Retrieved August 23, 2021. 
  15. ↑ Atkin, Denny (July 2002). "Jane's Attack Squadron". Computer Gaming World (Ziff Davis) (216): 76. http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_216.pdf. Retrieved August 23, 2021. 
  16. ↑ Fudge, James (May 14, 2000). "The Sims still on top". Strategy Plus, Inc.. http://www.cdmag.com/articles/027/162/pc_data_04292000.html. 
  17. ↑ Fudge, James (May 22, 2000). "The Sims in top retail spot in U.S.". Strategy Plus, Inc.. http://www.cdmag.com/articles/028/028/pc_data_05062000.html. 
  18. ↑ Ho, Jennifer (May 24, 2000). "Millionaires Double-Up to Dominate Sales [date mislabeled as "May 17, 2006""]. CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/articles/millionaires-double-up-to-dominate-sales/1100-2576549/. 
  19. ↑ Fudge, James (June 13, 2000). "The Sims on top of May 2000 retail charts". Strategy Plus, Inc.. http://www.cdmag.com/articles/028/086/pc_data_may2000.html. 
  20. ↑ "The Year's Ten Best-Selling Games (Index)". 2001. http://www.quartertothree.com/features/pcdata_top_10/years_bestsellers.shtml. 
  21. ↑ "Second Interactive Achievement Awards: Personal Computer". http://www.interactive.org/iaa/finalists_pc.html. 
  22. ↑ CGW staff (April 1999). "Computer Gaming World's 1999 Premier Awards (Best Simulation)". Computer Gaming World (Ziff Davis) (177): 98. http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_177.pdf. Retrieved August 23, 2021. 
  23. ↑ Gamecenter staff (January 29, 1999). "The CNET Gamecenter.com Awards for 1998! (Combat Flight Sims Nominees)". CNET. http://www.gamecenter.com/Features/Exclusives/Awards98/ss03.html. 
  24. ↑ GameSpot staff (1999). "The Best & Worst of 1998 (Simulation of the Year, Nominees)". Ziff Davis. http://www.gamespot.com/features/awards1998/genre6.html. 
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 IGN staff (January 29, 1999). "IGNPC's Best of 1998 Awards". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/01/29/ignpcs-best-of-1998-awards. 
  26. ↑ GameSpot staff (1999). "The Best & Worst of 1998 (Best Sound)". Ziff Davis. http://gamespot.com/features/awards1998/special.html. 
  27. ↑ GameSpot staff (1999). "The Best & Worst of 1998 (Best Graphics, Technical Excellence)". Ziff Davis. http://www.gamespot.com/features/awards1998/special2.html. 
  28. ↑ CGW staff (April 1999). "Computer Gaming World's 1999 Premier Awards (Best Musical Score)". Computer Gaming World (Ziff Davis) (177): 104. 
  • 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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