Software:Knights of Pen & Paper

From HandWiki
Short description: 2012 role-playing video game
Knights of Pen & Paper
Developer(s)Behold Studios
Publisher(s)Paradox Interactive, Seaven Studio
Platform(s)iOS, Android, Windows, OS X, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
ReleaseiOS, Android
October 30, 2012
Windows, OS X, Linux
June 18, 2013
Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4
May 29, 2018
Xbox One
May 30, 2018
Genre(s)Role-playing game

Knights of Pen & Paper is a role-playing video game developed by Behold Studios and published by Paradox Interactive and Seaven Studio. It was released on October 30, 2012, for iOS and Android, and on June 18, 2013, for Windows, OS X and Linux (the latter under the name Knights of Pen & Paper: +1 Edition). A Nintendo Switch version, entitled Knights of Pen & Paper: +1 Deluxier Edition, was released on May 29, 2018, in North America and Europe and on November 21, 2019, in Japan.[1][2] Similar versions for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One were released on May 29 and May 30, 2018, respectively.

The game received positive reviews from critics, who cited its originality.

Gameplay

Knights of Pen & Paper is a turn-based RPG with the twist that the game itself exists in the imaginations of a group of Dungeons & Dragons-style role-playing game players, who are also shown.[3] The player can control not only the players of the in-universe game, but also the Dungeon Master, allowing them to choose which battles to fight.[3] The table upon which the in-universe game is being played is also a constant presence.[3]

Sometimes the role-players will break character and talk amongst themselves informally.[3] The game contains many references to 16-bit RPGs.[3]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic(iOS) 83/100[4]
(NS) 80/100[5]
(XOne) 70/100[6]
(PC) 62/100[7]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Edge(PC) 6/10[8]
Eurogamer(iOS) 9/10[3]
GamezeboStarStarStarStarHalf star[9][10]
GameZone(PC) 8.5/10[11]
Nintendo World Report(NS) 8/10[12]
PCGamesN(PC) 6/10[13]
Pocket Gamer(Android) StarStarStarStar[14]
RPGamer(PC) 2.5/5[15]
TouchArcade(iOS) StarStarStarStar[17]

The iOS and Switch versions received "favorable" reviews, while the PC and Xbox One versions received "mixed or average reviews", according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[4][5][6][7]

Rich Stanton of Eurogamer called the iOS version a "rare case" in which such an "offbeat premise" is "executed with such winning aplomb that you can't help but be sucked in", and said that it made him interested in the real Dungeons & Dragons.[3] Nick Tywalk of Gamezebo called it a "send up and tribute to old-school RPGs", with "witty writing".[9]

Sequels

The game received a sequel called Knights of Pen & Paper 2, which was developed by Kyy Games and released in 2015.

Galaxy of Pen & Paper, a table-top RPG based on science fiction rather than swords and sorcery, which was developed by Behold Studios once again, and released in 2017.

Knights of Pen & Paper 3 was released in March 2023.[18]

References

  1. ↑ "Knights of Pen and Paper +1 Deluxier Edition". https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/knights-of-pen-and-paper-plus-one-deluxier-edition-switch. 
  2. ↑ "ナイツ オブ ペン アンド ペーパー（Knights of Pen and Paper +1 Deluxier Edition）" (in ja). https://ec.nintendo.com/JP/ja/titles/70010000023967. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 Stanton, Rich (January 25, 2013). "Knights of Pen & Paper review (iOS)". Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/knights-of-pen-and-paper-review. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Knights of Pen & Paper for iPhone/iPad Reviews". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/knights-of-pen-and-paper/critic-reviews/?platform=ios-iphoneipad. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Knights of Pen and Paper +1 Deluxier Edition for Switch Reviews". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/knights-of-pen-and-paper-plus-1-deluxier-edition/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Knights of Pen and Paper +1 Deluxier Edition for Xbox One Reviews". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/knights-of-pen-and-paper-plus-1-deluxier-edition/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-one. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Knights of Pen & Paper +1 Edition for PC Reviews". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/knights-of-pen-and-paper/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. 
  8. ↑ Edge staff (June 27, 2013). "Knights Of Pen And Paper [sic review (PC)"]. Edge (Future plc). http://www.edge-online.com/review/knights-of-pen-and-paper-review/. Retrieved December 25, 2022. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Tywalk, Nick (November 7, 2012). "Knights of Pen & Paper Review (iOS, Android)". https://www.gamezebo.com/reviews/knights-of-pen-paper-review/. 
  10. ↑ Tywalk, Nick (June 27, 2013). "Knights of Pen & Paper: +1 Edition (PC)". https://www.gamezebo.com/reviews/knights-of-pen-paper-1-edition-review/. 
  11. ↑ Splechta, Mike (August 3, 2013). "Review: Knights of Pen & Paper +1 Edition brings the tabletop RPG to the digital era (PC) [date mislabeled as "August 1, 2013""]. https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/review-knights-of-pen-paper-1-edition-brings-the-tabletop-rpg-to-the-digital-era/. 
  12. ↑ Lloyd, David (May 29, 2018). "Knights of Pen and Paper [sic +1 Deluxier Edition (Switch) Review"]. NINWR, LLC. https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/47312/knights-of-pen-and-paper-1-deluxier-edition-switch-review. 
  13. ↑ Brown, Fraser (July 15, 2013). "Knights of Pen & Paper +1 [Edition review [date mislabeled as "September 2, 2013"]"]. Network N. https://www.pcgamesn.com/indie/knights-pen-paper-1-review. 
  14. ↑ Devlin, Paul (November 6, 2012). "Knights of Pen & Paper (Android)". Steel Media Ltd. https://www.pocketgamer.com/knights-of-pen-paper/knights-of-pen-paper/. 
  15. ↑ Marchello, Sam (October 19, 2014). "Knight of Pen & Paper [+1 Edition - Review"]. CraveOnline. https://archive.rpgamer.com/games/other/multi/penandpaper/reviews/penandpaperstrev1.html. 
  16. ↑ Tucker, John (April 15, 2013). "Knights of Pen and Paper [sic (iOS)"]. Emerald Shield Media LLC. https://www.rpgfan.com/review/knights-of-pen-and-paper/. 
  17. ↑ Campbell, Nissa (November 7, 2012). "'Knights of Pen & Paper' Review – A Tabletop Lover's RPG". TouchArcade.com, LLC. https://toucharcade.com/2012/11/07/knights-of-pen-paper-review/. 
  18. ↑ "'Knights of Pen & Paper 3' Announced, Launches Tomorrow - Trailer". http://worthplaying.com/article/2023/3/6/news/136119-knights-of-pen-paper-3-announced-launches-tomorrow-trailer/. 
  • 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. 
  • No URL found. Please specify a URL here or add one to Wikidata.



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



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