Software:Lifeforce Tenka

From HandWiki
Short description: 1997 video game
Lifeforce Tenka
Codename: Tenka
European PlayStation box art
Developer(s)Psygnosis
Publisher(s)Psygnosis
Platform(s)PlayStation, Windows
ReleasePlayStation
Windows
Genre(s)First-person shooter
Mode(s)Single-player

Lifeforce Tenka (known as Codename: Tenka in the US) is a 1997 first-person shooter video game developed and published by Psygnosis for the PlayStation and Microsoft Windows. It is also known as just Tenka in some other forms of release. The game is set in a futuristic action environment as the player character engages in battle with a number of various armed flying robots, stationary turrets, and bipedal creatures.

Plot

Lifeforce Tenka takes place in a future where a multinational conglomerate, Trojan Incorporated, is in the process of performing presumably unethical genetic experiments. Joseph D. Tenka, the protagonist, discovers the corporation's nefarious activities and sets about bringing them and their genetically engineered army down.[3]

Gameplay

The weapon design differs from similar games of the time in that instead of the player character acquiring stronger more powerful weapons to add to an accumulated arsenal, weapon modifications are picked up and added to the same weapon (known as the "Self-Generating Polymorphic armoury", or SG-26) and switched between as necessary.

Development

Development on the game began in earnest in January 1995.[4] The graphics in the game were created using Softimage 3D.[5] With Softimage as the construction tool, the programmers additionally wrote a suite of custom Softimage scene extraction utilities.[6] Since the PlayStation cannot perform perspective correct texture mapping, what senior programmer Martin Linklater called "a dynamic multistage clipping and meshing system" was incorporated in Lifeforce Tenka's graphics engine in order to reduce the effect of warping textures.[5]

The development team opted to make the game single-player only. Linklater explained: "The current design for the game does not lend itself to a two-player game. We have chosen to concentrate on a single-player game - which would be the most played version anyway".[6]

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
AllGameStarStarStarStar[7]
Edge7/10[8]
EGM5.675/10[9][lower-alpha 1]
Game Informer8.25/10[10]
GameFan86%[11][lower-alpha 2]
GameStar(PC) 26%[12]
Hyper88%[13]
IGN7/10[14]
Mega Fun85%[15]
Next GenerationStarStarStar[16]
The Sydney Morning HeraldStarStarStarHalf star[17]

The PlayStation version received above-average reviews. Many magazines, including Game Informer, gave it positive to mixed reviews while the game was still in development.[8][9][10][11][16][18] Critics deemed the graphics technically impressive due to the lighting effects and polygonal enemies,[3][9][14][16][18] but some found them overly dark, making most of the levels appear the same.[9][16] Most also stated that the game simply did not offer enough new gameplay elements to make it stand out from previous first person shooters.[3][9][16] However, GamePro's Atomic Dawg opined in an early review that the unintuitive controls for strafing and looking up and down are the game's weak point, and the familiarity of the gameplay is actually what saves it from mediocrity: "...just when you feel like swearing, some ugly mutant charges you, and the ensuing adrenaline rush reminds you why you play video games. Tenka is trigger-happy fun."[18][lower-alpha 3] In addition, critics universally praised the bizarre and often gruesome enemy designs.[3][9][14][16][18] Crispin Boyer of Electronic Gaming Monthly stated in an early review that "the spider-head bad guys will give you nightmares", though he and his three co-reviewers said the game overall lacks excitement and variety.[9] A Next Generation critic similarly remarked in an early review: "Occasionally intense, Tenka's gameplay is solid but never frantically drives the player forward the way the best first-person shooters do."[16] IGN's early review looked at it more optimistically, concluding: "At its heart, Tenka is a good, solid shooter. It won't knock Doom off its throne, but it is strong enough to contend."[14] Glenn Rubenstein of GameSpot judged that though Lifeforce Tenka was one of the better first-person shooters on the market, its high difficulty level and lack of innovation would make it unappealing to all but fans of the genre.[3]

Notes

  1. ↑ Four critics of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the PlayStation version each a score of 6/10, 4/10, 7/10, and 5.5/10 in an early review.
  2. ↑ In GameFan's viewpoint of the PlayStation version's European import, three critics gave it each a score of 89, 88, and 80.
  3. ↑ GamePro gave the PlayStation version two 4.5/5 scores for graphics and sound, 3.5/5 for control, and 4/5 for fun factor in an early review.

References

  1. ↑ "LIFEFORCE TENKA - (PAL)". https://psxdatacenter.com/games/P/L/SLES-00613.html. 
  2. ↑ "Tenka". http://www.psygnosis.com/tenka/index.html. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named GSrev
  4. ↑ "Behind the Screens". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (89): 277. December 1996. https://retrocdn.net/images/9/9e/EGM_US_089.pdf. Retrieved 7 January 2023. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "NG Alphas: Tenka". Next Generation (Imagine Media) (16): 63–65. April 1996. https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_16/page/n65/mode/2up. Retrieved 7 January 2023. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "NG Alphas: Tenka". Next Generation (Imagine Media) (17): 48–49. May 1996. https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_17/page/n53/mode/2up. Retrieved 7 January 2023. 
  7. ↑ House, Michael L.. "Codename: Tenka - Review". All Media Network. http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=7839&tab=review. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Tenka (PS)". Edge (Future Publishing) (44): 76. April 1997. https://retrocdn.net/images/0/0d/Edge_UK_044.pdf. Retrieved 7 January 2023. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 Smith, Shawn; Hsu, Dan; Boyer, Crispin; Williams, Ken "Sushi-X" (March 1997). "Codename: Tenka [EU Import"]. Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (92): 50. https://retrocdn.net/images/8/8f/EGM_US_092.pdf. Retrieved 7 January 2023. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Anderson, Paul; Reiner, Andrew; Storm, Jon (March 1997). "Codename: Tenka [EU Import"]. Game Informer (FuncoLand) (47). http://www.gameinformer.com/mar97/tenka.html. Retrieved 7 January 2023. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Halverson, Dave "E. Storm"; Jevons, Dan "Knightmare"; Hodgson, David "Chief Hambleton" (March 1997). "Tenka [Import"]. GameFan (Metropolis Media) 5 (3): 26. https://archive.org/details/Gamefan_Vol_5_Issue_03/page/n27/mode/2up. Retrieved 7 January 2023. 
  12. ↑ "Lifeforce Tenka (PC)" (in de). GameStar (Webedia). March 1998. 
  13. ↑ Fish, Eliot (July 1997). "Lifeforce Tenka (PS)". Hyper (Next Media Pty Ltd) (45): 42–43. https://retrocdn.net/images/4/44/Hyper_AU_045.pdf. Retrieved 7 January 2023. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 IGN staff (27 May 1997). "Codename: Tenka". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/1997/05/27/codename-tenka. 
  15. ↑ Georg (May 1997). "Lifeforce Tenka (PS)" (in de). Mega Fun (5/97): 64–65. https://retrocdn.net/images/4/4e/MegaFun_DE_1997-05.pdf. Retrieved 7 January 2023. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 16.5 16.6 "Codename Tenka (PS)". Next Generation (Imagine Media) (28): 118. April 1997. https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_28/page/n119/mode/2up. Retrieved 7 January 2023. 
  17. ↑ Clarke, Stuart (26 July 1997). "Liberate an army". The Sydney Morning Herald (Fairfax Media): p. 191. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103014678/the-sydney-morning-herald/. 
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 Atomic Dawg (March 1997). "Codename: Tenka". GamePro (IDG) (102): 72. https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_102_Volume_09_Number_03_1997-03_IDG_Publishing_US/page/n73/mode/2up. Retrieved 7 January 2023. 
  • 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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