Software:MVP Baseball 2005

From HandWiki
Short description: 2005 video game
MVP Baseball 2005
North American cover art with Manny Ramirez
Developer(s)EA Canada
Publisher(s)EA Sports
SeriesMVP Baseball
Platform(s)PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, Windows, PlayStation Portable
Release
  • NA: February 22, 2005
PlayStation Portable
  • NA: May 18, 2005
Genre(s)Sports
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

MVP Baseball 2005 is a 2005 baseball video game developed by EA Canada and published by EA Sports. It features Boston Red Sox left fielder Manny Ramirez on its cover. It is considered by many to be the best baseball video game of all time, and possibly the best sports video game of all time.[1][2]

The game used full Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball, and Major League Baseball Players Association licenses. Like the previous installments, the game includes real-life announcers Duane Kuiper and Mike Krukow, who are best known for their roles as the announcers for the San Francisco Giants.[3]

It was published for PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, and Windows, along with a condensed version for the PlayStation Portable. It was the final installment in the MVP Baseball series, which was itself the successor to the Triple Play series. EA Sports lost the rights to produce an MLB video game after Take Two Interactive signed an exclusive deal with MLB for its MLB 2K series.[4] EA Sports pivoted to producing a college baseball series called MVP: NCAA Baseball which had very similar gameplay and graphics but was discontinued after the 2007 edition. Online modding communities have produced versions of the game with updated rosters, stadiums, and graphics.[5][6]

Gameplay

MVP Baseball 2005 consists of 30 Major League Baseball teams and includes all licensed players within the Major League Baseball Players' Association. Barry Bonds notably does not appear in the game due to his withdrawal from the MLBPA's licensing agreement.[7] His "replacement" is a fictional player named Jon Dowd. Dowd bears no resemblance in appearance to Bonds, but his skills mimic those of Bonds.[8] Similarly, Kevin Millar, who was not a member of the MLBPA due to his crossing the picket line during the 1994–95 Major League Baseball strike, is also absent from the game, replaced by a fictional player named Anthony Friese.[2]

The game features authentic minor league teams and actual minor league players, including double-A and triple-A-level farm teams. Additionally, 2005's instalment includes ball clubs from the High Single-A ranks, providing each MLB team with three levels of minor league farm clubs. Unlockable features include two legends teams, 63 legendary players, 15 classic stadiums, five fantasy parks, and more than 100 retro uniforms.[9] Rosters are current as of January 12, 2005, and the game includes the then-new Washington Nationals, along with their then-temporary home, RFK Stadium. New rosters could be downloaded to the Xbox and PS2 versions via their online play menus.[9]

MVP Baseball 2005 includes an exhibition mode, a manager's mode, two different franchise modes, a scenario editor, and a variety of baseball-themed practice games. In the exhibition mode, players can quickly set up a game against another team, selecting a starting pitcher and adjusting the line-up if needed. The manager mode simulates gameplay based on players' choices before the opening pitch, with outcomes displayed in a running box score rather than visually depicted swings or plays. The scenario editor allows players to adjust 20 different variables, such as the teams involved, inning, count, and base situations.[9]

The most prominent new feature in the game is the "Hitter's Eye" system, which turns the baseball different colors in the pitcher's hand (white for fastballs, red for breaking pitches, green for off-speed pitches, pink for sinkers and orange for knuckleballs) and leaves a trail as the ball flies through the air toward the plate to aid in hitting, which game developers said had been too difficult in previous versions. In addition to the Hitter's Eye, an Owner Mode feature and pitching and hitting Mini-Games were added.[10]

Minor league teams from the California, Carolina, and Florida State Leagues (High A) were added to their respective teams. However, most Minor League rosters are incomplete and feature developer-created replacement players. The game also supported online play, but as of 2008, the servers for the Xbox and PS2 versions are unavailable.

Soundtrack

The soundtrack for MVP Baseball 2005 includes nine songs, all by different artists. The game was the first release for four of these songs, from artists ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead, The Bravery, Hot Hot Heat, and Louis XIV. The soundtrack is widely held as one of the best in-game soundtracks of the 2000s.

Reception

Critical response

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
GCPCPS2PSPXbox
CGWN/A4/5[16]N/AN/AN/A
EGM8.67/10[17][lower-alpha 1]N/A8.67/10[17]N/A8.67/10[17]
Game Informer8.5/10[18]N/A8.5/10[18]7/10[19]8.5/10[18]
GameRevolutionB+[20]N/AB+[20]C−[21]B+[20]
GameSpot8.8/10[22]8.7/10[23]8.9/10[9]7.7/10[24]8.9/10[9]
GameSpy4/5[25]N/A4/5[26]3/5[27]4/5[28]
GameTrailers9/10[29]9/10[29]9/10[29]N/A9/10[29]
IGN9.2/10[30]8.8/10[31]9.2/10[30]7.5/10[32]9.2/10[30]
Nintendo Power4.5/5[33]N/AN/AN/AN/A
Nintendo World Report9/10[34]N/AN/AN/AN/A
OPM (US)N/AN/A4.5/5[35]3/5[36]N/A
OXM (US)N/AN/AN/AN/A9/10[37]
PC Gamer (US)N/A85%[38]N/AN/AN/A
X-Play4/5[39]N/A4/5[39]2/5[40]4/5[39]
Aggregate score
Metacritic88/100[11]85/100[12]87/100[13]67/100[14]86/100[15]

The game received "generally favorable reviews" on all plaforms except the PSP version, which received "average" reviews, according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[11][12][13][14][15] In Japan, where the PlayStation 2 version was ported for release on July 7, 2005,[41] Famitsu gave it a score of one nine, two eights, and one seven for a total of 32 out of 40.[42] GamePro said that the PlayStation 2 and Xbox versions "[retain] the Gold Glove for controls, but the competition has made up ground."[43][lower-alpha 2]

GameZone gave the PlayStation 2 and Xbox versions each a score of 9.3 out of 10, with Angelina Sandoval calling the former console version "the most solid and wonderfully addictive ballgame on the PS2. With various improvements and some very neat additions to the game, there's just no denying the fact that this is the closest to baseball gaming heaven we'll come this year";[44] and Eduardo Zacarias saying of the latter console version, "With great modes, gorgeous graphics and near perfect controls this one will no doubt be the franchise we turn to when we want a baseball game true to the sport itself."[45] Natalie Romano gave the GameCube version 9.2 out of 10, calling it "the deepest, most impressive ballgame that's just too addictive."[46] Michael Lafferty gave the PC version nine out of ten, saying, "You can learn to read pitches, fine-tune the single-player controls to give you more room for error or tighten them up to make each pitch a challenge."[47] Romano later gave the PSP version 8.3 out of 10, saying that it "might not feel like the complete package the console version offers, but it's still one of the most genuinely enjoyable and solid ballgames on the PSP."[48] Computer Games Magazine gave the PC version three-and-a-half stars out of five, saying, "While the AI is good on the field, it's terrible in the front office."[49]

Awards

The game was given an award for the best sports video game of 2005 from X-Play. It was named by GameSpot as the Best Console Game of February 2005 in Review.[50] The PC version was a finalist for the "Best Sports Game" award at the 12th Annual PC Gamer Awards, which went to Tiger Woods PGA Tour 06.[51] The game held the 98th spot on IGN's reader's choice top 100 games.[52] In May 2013 the game ranked fourth on a "Best sports video games" list by ESPN.[3]

Sales

By July 2006, the game had sold 1 million units and earned $29 million in the U.S. NextGen ranked it as the 55th highest-selling game launched for the PlayStation 2, Xbox or GameCube between October 2000 and July 2006 in that country. Combined sales of the MVP Baseball games released in the 2000s reached 3.5 million units.[53]

Legacy

After EA lost the license to make MLB video games, EA ended support for the game. Despite this, the game's modding community continues support and releases annually updated rosters and alternative leagues (e.g. MVP Caribe, MVP Mods, etc.).[6][5][54] The modding community has remained active even as of the 20th anniversary of the game's release.[1] In addition to the PC modders, eBay users have sold PS2 memory cards containing updated rosters using the game's create-a-player feature which can be loaded into the PS2 version of the game.[1]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Two critics of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the console versions each a score of 8.5/10, and the other gave them 9/10.
  2. ↑ GamePro gave the PlayStation 2 and Xbox versions each three 4/5 scores for graphics, sound, and fun factor, and 4.5/5 for control.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Santos, Justice DeLos (February 24, 2025). "'We did it right': How Krukow, Kuiper became voices of MVP Baseball 2005". The Mercury News (Media News Group). https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/02/22/we-did-it-right-how-krukow-kuiper-became-voices-of-mvp-baseball-2005/. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Johnson, Stephen (September 16, 2019). "The Saga of Anthony Friese: MVP Baseball and the 1994 Strike". https://tht.fangraphs.com/mvp-baseball-and-the-2004-strike/. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Robinson, Jon (May 6, 2013). "ESPN's Sports Video Game Rankings". https://www.espn.com/espn/playbook/story/_/id/9236225/jon-robinson-ranks-best-sports-video-games-all. 
  4. ↑ Sarkar, Samit (June 21, 2013). "EA faces barriers to entry for a baseball franchise, says EA Sports chief Andrew Wilson". Vox Media. https://www.polygon.com/2013/6/21/4453304/ea-sports-mvp-baseball-barriers-to-entry-andrew-wilson-interview-e3-2013. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Lindbergh, Ben (April 14, 2015). "'MVP Baseball...2015'? How the Best Baseball Video Game Ever Has Refused to Retire for 10 Years". ESPN. https://grantland.com/the-triangle/mvp-baseball-2005-mod-community-mlb-video-games/. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Good, Owen S. (December 22, 2013). "Nine Years Later, Latin America's Leagues Keep MVP Baseball Alive". G/O Media. https://kotaku.com/nine-years-later-latin-americas-leagues-keep-mvp-base-1488236659. 
  7. ↑ Rovell, Darren (November 14, 2003). "Bonds will be individually licensed". https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=1661883. 
  8. ↑ Monagan, Matt (November 19, 2020). "The video game creator who became Barry Bonds". MLB Advanced Media. https://www.mlb.com/news/an-interview-with-the-real-jon-dowd. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 Provo, Frank (March 14, 2005). "MVP Baseball 2005 Review (PS2, Xbox)". Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/mvp-baseball-2005-review/1900-6119298/. 
  10. ↑ Shih, Ed (20 June 2005). "MVP Baseball 2005 Review". https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/4371/mvp-baseball-2005-gamecube. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "MVP Baseball 2005 critic reviews (GC)". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/mvp-baseball-2005/critic-reviews/?platform=gamecube. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "MVP Baseball 2005 critic reviews (PC)". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/mvp-baseball-2005/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "MVP Baseball 2005 critic reviews (PS2)". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/mvp-baseball-2005/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "MVP Baseball (PSP)". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/mvp-baseball/. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 "MVP Baseball 2005 critic reviews (Xbox)". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/mvp-baseball-2005/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox. 
  16. ↑ Salvatore, Kristen (July–August 2005). "MVP Baseball 2005". Computer Gaming World (Ziff Davis) (253): 84-85. https://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_253.pdf. Retrieved February 28, 2025. 
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 Intihar, Bryan; Mauro, Patrick; Ford, Greg (April 2005). "MVP Baseball 2005 (GC, PS2, Xbox) vs. Major League Baseball 2005". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (190): 112-13. https://archive.org/details/electronic-gaming-monthly-issue-190-april-2005/page/112/mode/2up. Retrieved March 4, 2025. 
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 Reiner, Andrew (March 2005). "MVP Baseball 2005 (GC, PS2, Xbox)". Game Informer (GameStop) (143): 118. https://archive.org/details/game-informer-issue-143-march-2005/page/118/mode/2up. Retrieved February 28, 2025. 
  19. ↑ Kato, Matthew (July 2005). "MVP Baseball (PSP)". Game Informer (GameStop) (147): 126. https://archive.org/details/game-informer-issue-147-july-2005/page/126/mode/2up. Retrieved February 28, 2025. 
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 Dodson, Joe (March 16, 2005). "MVP Baseball 2005 Review (GC, PS2, Xbox)". CraveOnline. https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/32451-mvp-baseball-2005-review. 
  21. ↑ Dodson, Joe (June 3, 2005). "MVP Baseball Review (PSP)". CraveOnline. https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/33785-mvp-baseball-review. 
  22. ↑ Provo, Frank (February 25, 2005). "MVP Baseball 2005 Review (GC)". Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/mvp-baseball-2005-review/1900-6119297/. 
  23. ↑ Todd, Brett (March 1, 2005). "MVP Baseball 2005 Review (PC)". Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/mvp-baseball-2005-review/1900-6119464/. 
  24. ↑ Provo, Frank (May 27, 2005). "MVP Baseball Review". Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/mvp-baseball-review/1900-6126649/. 
  25. ↑ Leeper, Justin (March 3, 2005). "GameSpy: MVP Baseball 2005 (GCN)". IGN Entertainment. http://cube.gamespy.com/gamecube/mvp-baseball-2005/593227p1.html. 
  26. ↑ Leeper, Justin (March 3, 2005). "GameSpy: MVP Baseball 2005 (PS2)". IGN Entertainment. http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/mvp-baseball-2005/593224p1.html. 
  27. ↑ Leahy, Dan (May 31, 2005). "GameSpy: MVP Baseball (PSP)". IGN Entertainment. http://psp.gamespy.com/playstation-portable/electronic-arts-psp-title-5/620624p1.html. 
  28. ↑ Leeper, Justin (March 3, 2005). "GameSpy: MVP Baseball 2005 (Xbox)". IGN Entertainment. http://xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/mvp-baseball-2005/593221p1.html. 
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 29.2 29.3 "MVP Baseball 2005 Review". Viacom. July 5, 2005. http://gametrailers.com/gamepage.php?id=1423. 
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 30.2 Clayman, David (February 25, 2005). "MVP Baseball 2005 (GCN, PS2, Xbox)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/02/26/mvp-baseball-2005-2. 
  31. ↑ Clayman, David (March 1, 2005). "MVP Baseball 2005 (PC)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/03/02/mvp-baseball-2005. 
  32. ↑ Allen, Jason (May 27, 2005). "MVP Baseball (PSP)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/05/27/mvp-baseball. 
  33. ↑ "MVP Baseball 2005". Nintendo Power (Nintendo of America) 191: 91. May 2005. 
  34. ↑ Shih, Ed (June 20, 2005). "MVP Baseball 2005". NINWR, LLC. https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/4371/mvp-baseball-2005-gamecube. 
  35. ↑ Ford, Greg (April 2005). "The Starting Lineup". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine (Ziff Davis) (91): 110-11. https://archive.org/details/official-us-playstation-magazine-issue-91-april-2005/page/n109/mode/2up. Retrieved February 28, 2025. 
  36. ↑ Varanini, Giancarlo (August 2005). "MVP Baseball (PSP)". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine (Ziff Davis) (95): 89. https://archive.org/details/official-u.-s.-playstation-magazine-issue-95-august-2005/page/n87/mode/2up. Retrieved February 28, 2025. 
  37. ↑ "MVP Baseball 2005". Official Xbox Magazine (Future US): 84. April 2005. 
  38. ↑ "MVP Baseball 2005". PC Gamer (Future US) 12 (5): 85. May 2005. 
  39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 39.2 Fischer, Russ (March 18, 2005). "MVP Baseball 2005 Review (GC, PS2, Xbox)". G4 Media. http://www.g4tv.com/xplay/features/51365/MVP_Baseball_2005_Review.html. 
  40. ↑ Fischer, Russ (August 8, 2005). "MVP Baseball 05 [sic Review"]. G4 Media. http://www.g4tv.com/xplay/features/52240/MVP_Baseball_05_Review.html. 
  41. ↑ "MVPベースボール2005 (PS2)" (in ja). Famitsu (Kadokawa Game Linkage). https://www.famitsu.com/game/title/6519/page/1. Retrieved February 28, 2025. 
  42. ↑ "June 29, 2005". June 29, 2005. http://www.the-magicbox.com/game20050629.shtml. 
  43. ↑ Slo Mo (April 2005). "This Championship Season". GamePro (IDG) (199): 96-97. https://retrocdn.net/images/f/f3/GamePro_US_199.pdf. Retrieved February 28, 2025. 
  44. ↑ Sandoval, Angelina (March 7, 2005). "MVP Baseball 2005 - PS2 - Review". Archived from the original on December 26, 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20071226231537/http://ps2.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r25210.htm. Retrieved August 2, 2015. 
  45. ↑ Zacarias, Eduardo (March 8, 2005). "MVP Baseball 2005 - XB - Review". Archived from the original on January 3, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080103010128/http://xbox.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r25210.htm. Retrieved August 2, 2015. 
  46. ↑ Romano, Natalie (March 7, 2005). "MVP Baseball 2005 - GC - Review". Archived from the original on February 8, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080208231056/http://gamecube.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r25210.htm. Retrieved August 2, 2015. 
  47. ↑ Lafferty, Michael (March 7, 2005). "MVP Baseball 2005 - PC - Review". Archived from the original on January 4, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080104180901/http://pc.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r25210.htm. Retrieved August 2, 2015. 
  48. ↑ Romano, Natalie (May 31, 2005). "MVP Baseball - PSP - Review". Archived from the original on October 6, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20081006050959/http://psp.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r25465.htm. Retrieved August 2, 2015. 
  49. ↑ "Review: MVP Baseball 2005". Computer Games Magazine (theGlobe.com) (175): 57. June 2005. 
  50. ↑ GameSpot staff (March 9, 2005). "Month in Review: February 2005". Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/articles/month-in-review-february-2005/1100-6119951/. 
  51. ↑ PC Gamer staff (March 2006). "The Twelfth Annual PC Gamer Awards (Best Sports Game)". PC Gamer (Future US) 13 (3). 
  52. ↑ "Readers' Picks Top 100 Games: 91-100". IGN Entertainment. http://top100.ign.com/2006/091-100.html. 
  53. ↑ Campbell, Colin; Keiser, Joe (July 29, 2006). "Top 100 Games of the 21st Century". NextGen (Future US). http://www.next-gen.biz/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3537&Itemid=2&pop=1&page=1. 
  54. ↑ Purdon, Sarah (September 15, 2015). "Open Source Breathes New Life Into 'MVP Baseball 2005' Video Game". http://info.protecode.com/bid/74171/Open-Source-Breathes-New-Life-Into-MVP-Baseball-2005-Video-Game. 
  • 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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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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