Software:Mace Griffin: Bounty Hunter

From HandWiki
Short description: 2003 video game
Mace Griffin: Bounty Hunter
Developer(s)Warthog Games
Publisher(s)Black Label Games
Platform(s)PlayStation 2, Xbox, Windows
Release
Genre(s)First-person shooter
Mode(s)Single-player

Mace Griffin: Bounty Hunter is a first-person shooter video game developed by Warthog Games, published by Black Label Games and released for the PlayStation 2, Xbox and Microsoft Windows. A GameCube version was in development, but was cancelled.

Gameplay

One unique feature is the ability to switch between on-foot first-person shooter combat to spacecraft dogfights seamlessly, with no loading times during such moments. This is extended to being able to move away from the controls and walk around during flight as the ship continues on its course. Each weapon also has an alternative fire. For example: the four-barrel shotgun can be fired as a single shot or a burst from all barrels. The semiautomatic pistol can also be fired in a three-round burst or fully automatic.

Plot

The game's plot occurs in the science fiction futuristic Vagner System on the edge of the known universe in an alternate history. The Vagner System is a wild west that is inhabited by large corporations and pioneers looking for a fresh start or to make a quick buck. The backbone of the Vagnerian economy is the large Tannan Corporation, which has a virtual monopoly over the Vagner System. In order to maintain law and order and to protect their interests, a group of large corporations founded the Enforcer police service in the Vagner System. In addition to the Enforcers, the Guild of Bounty Hunters was established.

It develops as a series of missions Mace Griffin (voiced by Henry Rollins) is given while working for the Guild of Bounty Hunters. During these seemingly unrelated missions, Mace discovers a dark conspiracy taking place in the Vagner System involving the appearance of mysterious black wormholes while he is out for his own form of justice: revenge for being thrown into jail years earlier through an act of betrayal. He must seek out and destroy those who have wronged him.

Three different races populate the Vagner System, all settlers from their own home systems. These are humans; the Jaldari, large gorilla-like humanoids; and Valleakan, green lizard-like humanoids. All three races are at peace and mix freely together throughout the universe.

Development

The game was originally announced by publisher Crave Entertainment in April 2001 as Bounty Hunter. It was set to be released as an Xbox console exclusive for a release near the console's release window in the fall.[4] A month later on May 16, a day before E3 2001, Crave announced to enter into a publishing deal with Electronic Arts, where the latter would co-publish three Crave titles for Windows - Freedom Force, Global Ops, and Bounty Hunter, and that Electronic Arts would also solely publish the Xbox version in Europe, and Crave would solely publish the Xbox version in North America.[5]

The fall 2001 release window was missed out, and the two companies would reveal more details for the game in February 2002, set for a fall release window that year.[6]

In April 2002, IGN reported that several retailers had listed a version of the game for the GameCube,[7] which was officially confirmed by Crave on May 10 before E3 2002, in addition to a PlayStation 2 version.[8]

In August, Crave sold the publishing rights to the title to Vivendi Universal Games, who would publish it under the Black Label Games publishing label, and the game was delayed once again to a March 2003 release window to give the game a complete refresh.[9][10] Electronic Arts was still committed to publish the PC version worldwide after Crave's sale of publishing rights but were removed as publishers in favor of VU Games by May 2003, and the PC version was delayed again until September.[11]

The game went gold on June 2, 2003, and was released for the system on June 19.[12] In August, Vivendi Universal canceled the GameCube version and the North American release of the PC version due to the game's mediocre reception, but they published the PC version in Europe.[13] In December, MumboJumbo acquired the North American publishing rights to the PC version from Vivendi Universal and the publisher released the game the following month in January.[14]

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
PCPS2Xbox
AllGameN/AN/AStarStarHalf star[15]
EdgeN/A7/10[16]7/10[16]
EGMN/AN/A5.17/10[17]
Eurogamer4/10[18]4/10[18]4/10[18]
Game InformerN/A7.25/10[19]8/10[20]
GameProN/AStarStarHalf star[21]StarStarStar[22]
GameRevolutionN/AC[23]C[23]
GameSpot6.6/10[24]7.2/10[25]7.2/10[25]
GameSpyN/AStarStarStar[26]StarStarStar[27]
GameZoneN/A8.2/10[28]8/10[29]
IGN6.3/10[30]6.3/10[31]6.3/10[32]
OPM (US)N/AStarStar[33]N/A
OXM (US)N/AN/A7.8/10[34]
PC Gamer (UK)55%[35]N/AN/A
Aggregate score
Metacritic56/100[36]62/100[37]64/100[38]

The game received "mixed" reviews on all platforms according to video game review aggregator Metacritic.[36][37][38]

Comic

A single prequel comic was released by Image Comics in 2003, telling of the events prior to the game.

References

  1. ↑ Taylor, Martin (August 20, 2003). "Mace Griffin gets a date". https://www.eurogamer.net/news200803mace. 
  2. ↑ "Mace Griffin is Golden". June 2, 2003. https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/06/02/mace-griffin-is-golden. 
  3. ↑ "Mace Griffin: Bounty Hunter". http://pc.ign.com:80/objects/477/477071.html. 
  4. ↑ "First look: Bounty Hunter". https://www.gamespot.com/articles/first-look-bounty-hunter/1100-2706078/. 
  5. ↑ "EA, Crave Enter Publishing Partnership". 16 May 2001. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/pc/ea-crave-enter-publishing-partnership. 
  6. ↑ "New Mace Griffin Bounty Hunter details". https://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-mace-griffin-bounty-hunter-details/1100-2847361/. 
  7. ↑ "Mace Griffin GCN Bound". 25 April 2002. https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/04/25/mace-griffin-gcn-bound. 
  8. ↑ "Mace Griffin Official". 10 May 2002. https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/05/10/mace-griffin-official. 
  9. ↑ "Mace Griffin Bounty Hunter". 4 May 2012. https://www.gamezone.com/originals/mace-griffin-bounty-hunter-2/. 
  10. ↑ "Mace Griffin Developer Interview". 18 December 2002. https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/12/18/mace-griffin-developer-interview. 
  11. ↑ "Solid Mace PC Details". 28 May 2003. https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/05/28/solid-mace-pc-details. 
  12. ↑ "No Longer a Distant Future". 2 June 2003. https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/06/02/no-longer-a-distant-future. 
  13. ↑ "No Mace for the States". 13 August 2003. https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/08/13/no-mace-for-the-states. 
  14. ↑ "MumboJumbo to Publish Mace Griffin". 3 December 2003. https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/12/03/mumbojumbo-to-publish-mace-griffin. 
  15. ↑ Marriott, Scott Alan. "Mace Griffin Bounty Hunter (Xbox) - Review". All Media Network. Archived from the original on 16 November 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141116094151/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=34532&tab=review. Retrieved 3 April 2016. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Edge staff (August 2003). "Mace Griffin Bounty Hunter (PS2, Xbox)". Edge (Future plc) (126). 
  17. ↑ EGM staff (August 2003). "Mace Griffin: Bounty Hunter (Xbox)". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (169): 122. Archived from the original on 18 February 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20040218065025/http://www.egmmag.com/article2/0%2C4364%2C1489640%2C00.asp. Retrieved 3 April 2016. 
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 Jennings, Ronan (16 October 2003). "Mace Griffin: Bounty Hunter". Gamer Network. http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_macegriffin. Retrieved 3 April 2016. 
  19. ↑ Reiner, Andrew (August 2003). "Mace Griffin Bounty Hunter (PS2)". Game Informer (GameStop) (124): 92. http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200308/R03.0807.1653.47734.htm. Retrieved 3 April 2016. 
  20. ↑ Kato, Matthew (July 2003). "Mace Griffin Bounty Hunter (Xbox)". Game Informer (GameStop) (123): 114. http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200307/R03.0717.1140.20369.htm. Retrieved 3 April 2016. 
  21. ↑ Four-Eyed Dragon (3 July 2003). "Mace Griffin Bounty Hunter Review for PS2 on GamePro.com". GamePro (IDG Entertainment). Archived from the original on 12 February 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050212134956/http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/30085.shtml. Retrieved 3 April 2016. 
  22. ↑ Air Hendrix (3 July 2003). "Mace Griffin Bounty Hunter Review for Xbox on GamePro.com". GamePro (IDG Entertainment). Archived from the original on 8 February 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050208021548/http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox/games/reviews/30086.shtml. Retrieved 3 April 2016. 
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 Silverman, Ben (June 2003). "Mace Griffin: Bounty Hunter Review (PS2, Xbox)". CraveOnline. Archived from the original on 20 September 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150920011852/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/mace-griffin-bounty-hunter. Retrieved 3 April 2016. 
  24. ↑ Davis, Ryan (31 March 2004). "Mace Griffin Bounty Hunter Review (PC)". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/mace-griffin-bounty-hunter-review/1900-6092658/. Retrieved 3 April 2016. 
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 Davis, Ryan (25 June 2003). "Mace Griffin Bounty Hunter Review (PS2, Xbox)". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/mace-griffin-bounty-hunter-review/1900-6030629/. Retrieved 3 April 2016. 
  26. ↑ Meston, Zach (25 June 2003). "GameSpy: Mace Griffin: Bounty Hunter (PS2)". Ziff Davis. http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/mace-griffin-bounty-hunter/5944p1.html. Retrieved 3 April 2016. 
  27. ↑ Meston, Zach (25 June 2003). "GameSpy: Mace Griffin: Bounty Hunter (Xbox)". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on 1 December 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20051201184617/http://xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/mace-griffin-bounty-hunter/5945p1.html. Retrieved 3 April 2016. 
  28. ↑ Lafferty, Michael (25 June 2003). "Mace Griffin Bounty Hunter Review - PlayStation 2". Archived from the original on 30 December 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20081230220413/http://ps2.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r19814.htm. Retrieved 3 April 2016. 
  29. ↑ Lafferty, Michael (25 June 2003). "Mace Griffin Bounty Hunter Review - Xbox". Archived from the original on 24 May 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090524010834/http://xbox.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r19814.htm. Retrieved 3 April 2016. 
  30. ↑ Goldstein, Hilary (17 March 2004). "Mace Griffin [Bounty Hunter Review (PC)"]. Ziff Davis. http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/03/17/mace-griffin-review. Retrieved 3 April 2016. 
  31. ↑ Goldstein, Hilary (17 June 2003). "Mace Griffin: Bounty Hunter (PS2)". Ziff Davis. http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/06/17/mace-griffin-bounty-hunter-2. Retrieved 3 April 2016. 
  32. ↑ Goldstein, Hilary (19 June 2003). "Mace Griffin: Bounty Hunter Review (Xbox)". IGN. http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/06/19/mace-griffin-bounty-hunter-review. Retrieved 3 April 2016. 
  33. ↑ Rybicki, Joe (August 2003). "Mace Griffin: Bounty Hunter". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine (Ziff Davis): 101. Archived from the original on 19 June 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20040619075826/http://www.playstationmagazine.com/article2/0%2C2053%2C1494386%2C00.asp. Retrieved 3 April 2016. 
  34. ↑ "Mace Griffin: Bounty Hunter". Official Xbox Magazine (Future plc): 82. August 2003. 
  35. ↑ "Mace Griffin: Bounty Hunter". PC Gamer UK (Future plc). December 2003. 
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 "Mace Griffin Bounty Hunter for PC". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/mace-griffin-bounty-hunter/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. Retrieved 3 April 2016. 
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 "Mace Griffin Bounty Hunter for PlayStation 2 Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/mace-griffin-bounty-hunter/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2. Retrieved 3 April 2016. 
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 "Mace Griffin Bounty Hunter for Xbox Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/mace-griffin-bounty-hunter/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox. Retrieved 3 April 2016. 
  • 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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