Software:Kohan: Immortal Sovereigns

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Short description: 2001 video game
Kohan: Immortal Sovereigns
Developer(s)TimeGate Studios[lower-alpha 1]
Publisher(s)
Producer(s)Adel Chaveleh
Designer(s)Alan B. Chaveleh
Steve Hemmesch
Programmer(s)Denis Papp
Artist(s)Zachary Forcher
Composer(s)Phillipe Charron
Platform(s)Windows, Linux
ReleaseWindows
  • NA: March 15, 2001[1]
  • EU: October 16, 2001
Linux
August 24, 2001[2]
Ahriman's Gift
Windows
  • NA: November 6, 2001[3]
  • EU: September 20, 2002
Linux
August 20, 2002[4]
Genre(s)Real-time strategy
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Kohan: Immortal Sovereigns is a real-time strategy video game developed by TimeGate Studios. It was published for Microsoft Windows by Strategy First in North America and Ubi Soft in Europe, and ported to Linux by Loki Software, both in 2001. With a high fantasy setting, the game follows immortal beings named Kohan. It features a lengthy single-player campaign and skirmish maps playable in multiplayer or against the AI. The gameplay focuses on controlling companies instead of individual soldiers, a mechanic praised by critics for eliminating micromanagement.[5][6] A sequel, Software:Kohan II: Kings of War, was released in 2004.

Gameplay

The Kohan economy has five resources, of which gold, as the only resource which can be stockpiled, is the most important. The four secondary resources, stone, wood, iron, and mana, are used to support the military; if their production is insufficient, gold income will be decreased to accommodate. Resources are produced in settlements or in mines; mines can only be placed in predetermined locations. Settlements have a number of slots to be occupied by one of eight components; each produces a particular resource, or gives another benefit to the settlement. Settlements also determine the support limit, which represents the number of companies the player can support.[6]

The company creation screen of an undeveloped town. The five categories of units can be clearly seen; grey units are currently unavailable for recruitment.

The main military unit in Kohan is the company. Each company is led by a Captain, has four front line units, and can have up to two different support units. The units available for company creation depend on the components in the settlement where the company is being recruited. For each company, a recruitment cost must be paid in gold; furthermore, each unit in the company requires a certain amount of secondary resources to support itself. Companies are defined by experience, morale and formation. A company's support units and Kohan can provide additional modifiers, affecting attack strength, move speed, defense and other. Once a company engages in combat, each unit will fight individually. As long as a single unit survives combat, the company can eventually resupply to full strength.[6]

Units in Kohan are divided into six categories: infantry, cavalry, archer, specialty, support, and Hero elements. The first four categories can be both front line and support troops, while the fifth may only occupy support unit slots. The sixth category represents the Kohan, who are the most powerful units, and can only be put in the Captain slot. Each Kohan can provide several modifiers and cast several spells. Kohan have an experience stat separate from the companies' experience, which affect their abilities. If a Kohan dies, he may be resurrected, but will lose all experience. If no Kohan is available, a Captain without any special abilities will lead the company. Kohan can be detached from and attached to companies at any time if the company is in supply (see below).[6]

A significant element in Kohan are the three zones: Zone of Control (ZoC), Zone of Supply (ZoS) and Zone of Population (ZoP). Each company has a ZoC, which is based on formation. If a company's ZoC overlaps with an enemy company's ZoC, they will engage in combat. The ZoS is the area in which companies can be healed; it is provided by settlements, unless the settlement is under siege, and is based on a settlement's size and components. If a company's ZoC overlaps with a friendly ZoS, the company is considered "in supply" and will heal when out of combat. Each settlement also has a ZoP, representing the lands already inhabited. New settlements must be built outside the ZoP.[6]

Setting

Kohan follows the story of a Kohan named Darius Javidan as he fights the rise of the Ceyah, Kohan tainted by evil, to re-establish Kohan society in Khaldun. According to Steve Hemmesch, TimeGate Studio's lead designer at the time, the storyline of Kohan was influenced by Persian mythology and Zoroastrianism.[7] The Kohan are a group of immortals that the Creator tasked with protecting and fostering Khaldun. Although the Kohan can be killed with violence, they only remain dead until they are "awakened" through the use of individually assigned amulets.

When the Creator desired to build a new world, he consulted the two greatest of his Saadya, angel-like beings, named Ahriman and Ormazd. Of the two plans proposed, Ormazd's best fit the Creator's vision and the remaining eight Saadya were ordered to create the world, which Ormazd had named Khaldun. During its construction, however, Ahriman, whose plan had been rejected, plotted Khaldun's downfall. While Kohan culture bloomed early on in Khaldun's history, it was destroyed in The Great Cataclysm when certain Kohan desired to be free from the will of the Creator. The Kohan defeated the Ceyah and the traitors were sent away from Kohan society. One Ceyah, Vashti, formerly known as Roxanna Javidan, Darius Javidan's wife, was particularly rebellious against the Creator. She murdered her husband and led the Ceyah armies, hoping to become a tyrant over all of Khaldun.

Playable races

There are seven distinct playable races in the Kohan series, all of which are common within the fantasy genre, though some have game-specific names. The Mareten (humans), Gauri (dwarves), Drauga (orcs), Haroun (elves), Slaan (lizardfolk), Undead, and Shadow have Kohan that resemble them, although supposedly all Kohan originally appeared human. It is explained that Kohan who dwell with a race for a number of years begin to take on their physical attributes. It is also said that Kohan who were enlightened could take on a War Form (Drauga like) or a Magic Form (Haroun like) in addition to their Normal Form (Maretan like) and that these races were descendants of Kohan while in those forms. The Gauri being descendants of Drauga and Haroun inheriting qualities of both. In Kohan and its expansion pack Kohan: Ahriman's Gift, the player can gain control of Gauri, Drauga, Haroun and Slaan settlements and control units from these races, but the player's main settlements are always Mareten settlements. Instead of selecting a playable race, the player selects a faction which has units unique to it. Players of the Ceyah faction can produce Undead and Shadow units as well as Mareten settlers and engineers.

Reception

Kohan: Immortal Sovereigns
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic87/100[8]
Review scores
PublicationScore
AllGameStarStarStarStarHalf star[9]
CGSPStarStarStarStarStar[10]
CGWStarStarStarStar[11]
Eurogamer8/10[13]
GameRevolutionA−[14]
GameSpot8.6/10[5]
GameSpy85%[15]
GameZone8.5/10[16]
IGN8.5/10[6]
Next GenerationStarStarStar[17]
PC Gamer (US)88%[18]
PC Zone50%[19]
X-PlayStarStarStarStar[20]

The game received "generally favorable reviews" according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[8] It was praised for eliminating much of the micromanagement inherent in real-time strategy games while introducing new concepts to the genre,[15] and for the strong AI opponents and multiplayer support.[5] It was criticized for the somewhat lackluster world, and the "inability to establish a distinctive atmosphere."[5] John Lee of NextGen said of the game, "Innovation and simplicity are the super attributes here, and even if you've pretty much seen all this before, it's still quite a ride."[17]

The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences nominated Kohan for the "PC Strategy" award in 2002,[21] which ultimately went to Civilization III.[22] However, the game won PC Gamer US' "Best Real-Time Strategy Game" and Computer Gaming World's "Best Strategy Game" awards that year,[23][24] and was likewise named 2001's top real-time strategy game by Computer Games Magazine and GamePen.[25][26] The staff of PC Gamer, Computer Gaming World and Computer Games Magazine praised the game's increased strategic depth compared to other real-time strategy titles.[23][24][25] The game was nominated for the "Best Artificial Intelligence", "Most Innovative Game", "Best Single-Player Strategy Game", and "Best Multiplayer Strategy Game" awards at GameSpot's Best and Worst of 2001 Awards, which went to Black & White, Shattered Galaxy (twice), and Civilization III, respectively.[27][28][29][30]

Expansion

Kohan: Ahriman's Gift (known as Kohan: Battles of Ahriman in Europe) is a stand-alone expansion pack for Kohan released in November 2001. The game allows play from an evil perspective, with the player leading armies of Undead and Shadowbeasts. It introduces an improved AI, new units and three new campaigns, as well as some new multiplayer maps and modes.[31] However, it was criticized for not bringing enough new features to justify its cost.[32]

The main campaign of Ahriman's Gift serves as the prequel to the original game with the perspective from the evil Ceyah Kohan led by their champion Mistress Vashti, formerly Roxanna Javidan wife of Darius Javidan, the main protagonist of the original game. The Quest for Darius follows the story of Ilyana Aswan and her armies as she races against time and evil to recover the amulet of Darius Javidan, while the Slaanri campaign features the newly reawakened Slaanri champion, Slyy's Stok as he struggles to remember his past and unite the tribes of his people against an unknown enemy.

Reception

Kohan: Ahriman's Gift
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic79/100[33]
Review scores
PublicationScore
AllGameStarStarStarHalf star[34]
CGMStarStarStarStarHalf star[35]
CGWStarStarStarStar[36]
GameSpot7.7/10[32]
GameSpy68%[38]
GameZone8.3/10[39]
IGN8.3/10[40]
PC Gamer (US)79%[41]
PC Zone78%[42]

Ahriman's Gift received "generally favorable reviews", although moderately less than the original Kohan, according to Metacritic.[33]

Port and sequel

The game was ported to Linux by Loki Software, shipping on August 24, 2001. A special edition was published in May 2002, featuring new heroes, maps and AI options, but not the expansion pack.[43] A Kohan mod tool was released on June 17, 2002.[44] A sequel, Software:Kohan II: Kings of War, was released in 2004. A compilation, Kohan Warchest, is a download bundling the three Kohan titles Immortal Sovereigns, Ahriman's Gift, and Kings of War. It was released by Impulse in January 2011[45] and Steam in August 2011.[46]

Notes

  1. ↑ Linux port developed and published by Loki Software.

References

  1. ↑ Walker, Trey (March 15, 2001). "Kohan ships". Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/articles/kohan-ships/1100-2697081/. 
  2. ↑ "Loki in the news". http://www.lokigames.com/news/archive.php3?082001. 
  3. ↑ IGN staff (November 6, 2001). "Ahriman's Gift Ships". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/11/07/ahrimans-gift-ships. 
  4. ↑ "TransGaming ports Kohan to Linux". The Globe and Mail (The Woodbridge Company). August 20, 2002. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/technology/transgaming-ports-kohan-to-linux/article25695111/. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Geryk, Bruce (March 29, 2001). "Kohan: Immortal Sovereigns Review". Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/kohan-immortal-sovereigns-review/1900-2702572/. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 Butts, Steve (April 3, 2001). "Kohan: Immortal Sovereigns". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/04/03/kohan-immortal-sovereigns. 
  7. ↑ Omri (2001). "Kohan: Ahriman's Gift Interview". http://www.armchairempire.com/Interviews/ahrimans_gift.htm. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Kohan: Immortal Sovereigns". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/kohan-immortal-sovereigns/. 
  9. ↑ Deci, T.J.. "Kohan: Immortal Sovereigns - Review". All Media Network. http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=31747&tab=review. 
  10. ↑ Sones, Benjamin E. (March 9, 2001). "Kohan: Immortal Sovereigns". Strategy Plus, Inc.. http://www.cdmag.com/articles/032/086/kohan-01.html. 
  11. ↑ Chin, Elliott (July 2001). "It's Two, Two, Two Games in One (Kohan: Immortal Sovereigns Review)". Computer Gaming World (Ziff Davis) (204): 85. https://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_204.pdf. Retrieved February 25, 2024. 
  12. ↑ Walker, Mark H. (November 27, 2001). "Kohan: Immortal Sovereigns [date mislabeled as "November 27, 2000""]. Greedy Productions Ltd.. http://www.elecplay.com/review.html?article=7594&full=1. 
  13. ↑ Bye, John "Gestalt" (October 16, 2001). "Kohan : Immortal Sovereigns". Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/r-kohan. 
  14. ↑ Villines, C. Joshua (June 2001). "Kohan: Immortal Sovereigns Review". CraveOnline. http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/33243-kohan-immortal-sovereigns-review. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 McConnaughy, Tim (April 4, 2001). "Kohan: Immortal Sovereigns". IGN Entertainment. http://archive.gamespy.com/reviews/march01/Kohan/index.shtm. 
  16. ↑ Lafferty, Michael (May 7, 2001). "Kohan: Immortal Sovereigns Review". http://pc.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r14067.htm. 
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Lee, John (July 2001). "Kohan: Immortal Sovereigns". NextGen (Imagine Media) (79): 89. https://archive.org/details/NextGen79Jul2001/page/n89/mode/2up. Retrieved September 7, 2021. 
  18. ↑ Vederman, Greg (June 2001). "Kohan: Immortal Sovereigns". PC Gamer (Imagine Media) 8 (6): 82. http://www.pcgamer.com/archives/2005/07/kohan_immortal.html. 
  19. ↑ Anderson, Chris (December 2001). "Kohan: Immortal Sovereigns". PC Zone (Dennis Publishing) (109): 100. https://archive.org/details/PC_Zone_Issue_109_2001-12_Dennis_Publishing_GB/page/n99/mode/2up. Retrieved February 25, 2024. 
  20. ↑ Bemis, Greg (June 29, 2001). "Kohan: Immortal Sovereigns (PC) Review". TechTV. http://www.techtv.com/xplay/reviews/story/0,24330,3334262,00.html. 
  21. ↑ "Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences Announces Finalists for the 5th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards". Los Angeles. February 5, 2002. http://www.interactive.org/newsandevents.asp?show=138&thetype=1. 
  22. ↑ "Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences Announces Recipients of Fifth Annual Interactive Achievement Awards". Las Vegas. March 1, 2002. http://www.interactive.org/newsandevents.asp. 
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 PC Gamer staff (March 2002). "The Eighth Annual PC Gamer Awards". PC Gamer (Imagine Media) 9 (3): 32–33, 36–37, 40, 42. 
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 CGW staff (April 2002). "Games of the Year: The Very Best of a (Sometimes) Great Year in Gaming (Best Strategy Game)". Computer Gaming World (Ziff Davis) (213): 78–79. https://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_213.pdf. Retrieved February 25, 2024. 
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 CGM staff (March 2002). "11th Annual Computer Games Awards". Computer Games Magazine (136): 50–56. 
  26. ↑ "Kohan does it again adding an AIAS nomination for 'Computer Strategy Game of the Year'". February 26, 2002. http://www.strategyfirst.com/press/DisplayArticle.asp?sLanguageCode=EN&iArticleID=932. 
  27. ↑ GameSpot staff (2002). "GameSpot's Best and Worst PC Games of 2001 (Best Artificial Intelligence)". CNET. http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/pc/bestof_2001/p2_07.html. 
  28. ↑ GameSpot staff (2002). "GameSpot's Best and Worst PC Games of 2001 (Most Innovative Game)". CNET. http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/pc/bestof_2001/p2_08.html. 
  29. ↑ GameSpot staff (2002). "GameSpot's Best and Worst PC Games of 2001 (Best Single-Player Strategy Game Nominees)". CNET. http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/pc/bestof_2001/p3_21.html. 
  30. ↑ GameSpot staff (2002). "GameSpot's Best and Worst PC Games of 2001 (Best Multiplayer Strategy Game Nominees)". CNET. http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/pc/bestof_2001/p3_23.html. 
  31. ↑ "Games". http://www.timegate.com/games.php. 
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 Geryk, Bruce (November 21, 2001). "Kohan: Ahriman's Gift Review". Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/kohan-ahrimans-gift-review/1900-2826692/. 
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 "Kohan: Ahriman's Gift". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/kohan-ahrimans-gift/. 
  34. ↑ White, Jason. "Kohan: Ahriman's Gift - Review". All Media Network. http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=35133&tab=review. 
  35. ↑ Perkins, Dave (March 18, 2002). "Kohan: Ahriman's Gift". Computer Games Magazine (theGlobe.com). http://www.cgonline.com/reviews/kohan-01a-r1.html. Retrieved June 24, 2018. 
  36. ↑ Price, Tom (February 2002). "Kohan: Ahriman's Gift". Computer Gaming World (Ziff Davis) (211): 102. https://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_211.pdf. Retrieved February 25, 2024. 
  37. ↑ Walker, Mark H. (February 6, 2002). "Kohan: Ahriman's Gift". Greedy Productions Ltd.. http://www.elecplay.com/review.html?article=8244&full=1. 
  38. ↑ Chick, Tom (November 18, 2001). "Kohan: Ahriman's Gift". IGN Entertainment. http://archive.gamespy.com/reviews/november01/kohangift/. 
  39. ↑ Immortal (December 20, 2001). "Kohan: Ahriman's Gift Review". http://pc.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r18892.htm. 
  40. ↑ Adams, Dan (December 4, 2001). "Kohan: Ahriman's Gift". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/12/05/kohan-ahrimans-gift. 
  41. ↑ Kuo, Li C. (April 2002). "Kohan: Ahriman's Gift". PC Gamer (Future US) 9 (4): 71. http://www.pcgamer.com/archives/2005/07/kohan_ahrimans.html. Retrieved June 24, 2018. 
  42. ↑ Anderson, Chris (August 12, 2002). "PC Review: Kohan: Ahriman's Gift". PC Zone (Future plc). http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=77721. Retrieved June 24, 2018. 
  43. ↑ Walker, Trey (May 2, 2002). "Kohan special edition in stores [date mislabeled as 'May 17, 2006'"]. Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/articles/kohan-special-edition-in-stores/1100-2863696/. 
  44. ↑ "TimeGate Studios releases mod tool for Kohan fans to play it their way". June 5, 2002. http://www.strategyfirst.com/press/DisplayArticle.asp?sLanguageCode=EN&iArticleID=1336. 
  45. ↑ "Kohan Comes to Impulse". Stardock Corporation. January 5, 2011. http://www.impulsedriven.com/news/2281/Kohan_Comes_to_Impulse. 
  46. ↑ "Now Available - Kohan Franchise". Valve Corporation. August 25, 2011. https://store.steampowered.com/oldnews/6137. 

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This lengthy approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
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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. 
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