Software:Lucidity (video game)

From HandWiki
Short description: 2009 video game by LucasArts
Lucidity
Lucidity promotional artwork
Developer(s)LucasArts
Publisher(s)LucasArts
Writer(s)David Nottingham
Joe Ching
Andrea Rhodes
EngineXNA
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360
ReleaseOctober 7, 2009
Genre(s)Puzzle-platformer
Mode(s)Single-player

Lucidity is a side-scrolling puzzle-platform game developed and published by LucasArts for the Microsoft Windows and Xbox Live Arcade.

Overview

The game involves helping Sofi, a little girl wandering through her dreams in search of her Nana, who has disappeared from her life. Sofi walks innocently across the screen, to the end of each level. Instead of controlling her directly, players control a cursor and use objects such as stairs, trampolines and slingshots to get her across platforms and protect her from enemies. Similar to Tetris, these items come randomly, with an icon in the corner showing which object will come next. Players can "hold" one item for use later on, but they cannot discard items. Within the level there are fireflies that can restore Sofi's health if she is hit by enemies, and which unlock bonus levels if collected in great numbers. If Sofi falls into hazards such as thorns, the player has to restart the level.

Development

The initial prototype for Lucidity was built during an event called "Dream Week" at LucasArts in 2009, where teams of employees had a week to build a game that they wanted to make.[1] The prototype did not win a prize at the end of the event, but it was the only Dream Week game that turned into a published game.[2] A different team built the published game, with one of the original team members, Chip Sbrogna.[1]

The team that built the published game also worked on the 2009 remake of The Secret of Monkey Island. LucasArts said these games were part of an "effort at LucasArts to form several small internal development teams and give them the creative freedom to make games that surprise, amaze and inspire", after several years of mostly making licensed games.[3]

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
PCXbox 360
DestructoidN/A4.5/10[4]
Edge7/10[5]7/10[5]
Eurogamer8/10[6]8/10[6]
Game InformerN/A7/10[7]
GameProStarStarHalf star[8]StarStarHalf star[8]
GameSpot5.5/10[9]5.5/10[9]
Giant BombN/AStarStarStar[10]
IGNN/A6.3/10[11]
OXM (US)N/A8/10[12]
PC Gamer (UK)45%[13]N/A
The A.V. ClubN/AC+[14]
Teletext GameCentralN/A5/10[15]
Aggregate score
Metacritic59/100[16]63/100[17]

The game received "mixed" reviews on both platforms according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[16][17]

IGN's Daemon Hatfield said that while the art style of the Xbox 360 version is great, the gameplay isn't engaging enough.[11] Giant Bomb's Vinny Caravella said that while the art design of the same console version is "absolutely exquisite", the gameplay is average, and the random order of the items can get frustrating. Caravella also said that the framing story, of Sofi dealing with the loss of her Nana, tried too hard to be cute and heartwarming, at times being "a little too 'fuzzy mittens' for its own good".[10] Carolyn Petit, a reviewer for GameSpot, stated that the "Difficulty [of the game] can be maddening sometimes." She also noted the inability of the camera to zoom out made navigation difficult. She praised the game's interesting concept, but claimed that "Unfortunately, the gameplay rarely contributes much enjoyment to this experience and often operates at direct odds with it."[9]

The Australian video game talk show Good Game's two reviewers gave the Xbox 360 version 5.5 out of 10 and 6.5 out of 10.[18]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Shara (November 10, 2009). "From dreams come dreams". https://lucasartsworkshop.wordpress.com/2009/11/10/from-dreams-come-dreams/. Retrieved September 9, 2015. 
  2. ↑ Haemmerle, Judith (August 31, 2014). "Preservation – Physical or Digital?". https://www.digitalgamemuseum.org/september-2014-newsletter/. Retrieved September 9, 2015. 
  3. ↑ Remo, Chris (September 11, 2009). "LucasArts Announces PC/XBLA Puzzler Lucidity, Promises New Properties". UBM plc. https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/116165/LucasArts_Announces_PCXBLA_Puzzler_Lucidity_Promises_New_Properties.php. Retrieved July 21, 2019. 
  4. ↑ Nicholson, Brad (October 12, 2009). "Review: Lucidity (X360)". Enthusiast Gaming. https://www.destructoid.com/review-lucidity-151566.phtml. Retrieved July 22, 2019. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Edge staff (October 9, 2009). "Review: Lucidity". Edge (Future plc). Archived from the original on October 11, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20091011224403/http://www.edge-online.com/features/review-lucidity. Retrieved July 21, 2019. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Donlan, Christian (October 7, 2009). "Lucidity". Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/lucidity-review. Retrieved July 22, 2019. 
  7. ↑ Marchiafava, Jeff (October 8, 2009). "Lucidity (X360): Lucidity's Artistic Dream World Quickly Becomes A Nightmare For Gamers". Game Informer (GameStop). https://www.gameinformer.com/games/lucidity/b/xbox360/archive/2009/10/08/review.aspx. Retrieved July 21, 2019. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Ely, Sean (October 14, 2009). "PC/XBLA Review: Lucidity". GamePro Arcade (GamePro Media). Archived from the original on April 13, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110413180457/http://gparcade.blogfaction.com/article/111146/pc-xbla-review-lucidity/. Retrieved July 22, 2019. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Petit, Carolyn (October 13, 2009). "Lucidity Review". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/lucidity-review/1900-6232974/. Retrieved July 21, 2019. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Caravella, Vinny (October 12, 2009). "Lucidity Review (XBGS)". CBS Interactive. https://www.giantbomb.com/reviews/lucidity-review/1900-213/. Retrieved July 21, 2019. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Hatfield, Daemon (October 6, 2009). "Lucidity Review (X360)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/10/06/lucidity-review. Retrieved July 21, 2019. 
  12. ↑ "Lucidity". Official Xbox Magazine (Future US): 81. December 25, 2009. 
  13. ↑ "Lucidity". PC Gamer UK (Future plc): 92. December 2009. 
  14. ↑ Jones, Scott (October 12, 2009). "Lucidity (X360)". The Onion. Archived from the original on October 15, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20091015043129/http://www.avclub.com/articles/lucidity,33915/. Retrieved July 22, 2019. 
  15. ↑ Hargreaves, Roger (October 2009). "Lucidity (360)". Teletext Ltd.. Archived from the original on October 10, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20091010201558/http://www.teletext.co.uk/gamecentral/features-reviews/4b80fc92d134040cc34deefb7e55de7a/Lucidity+(360).aspx. Retrieved July 22, 2019. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 "Lucidity for PC Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/lucidity/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. Retrieved July 21, 2019. 
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 "Lucidity for Xbox 360 Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/lucidity/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360. Retrieved July 21, 2019. 
  18. ↑ "Lucidity". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. October 19, 2009. http://www.abc.net.au/tv/goodgame/stories/s2717945.htm. 

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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