Software:Madden NFL 06

From HandWiki
Short description: 2005 video game
Madden NFL 06
Cover art with Donovan McNabb
Developer(s)EA Tiburon[lower-alpha 1]
Exient Entertainment (GBA, DS)
Floodgate Entertainment (Mobile 3D)[lower-alpha 2]
Sandcastle Studios (Mobile 2D)[2]
Publisher(s)EA Sports
SeriesMadden NFL
Platform(s)PlayStation 2
GameCube
Xbox
Xbox 360
Windows
PlayStation Portable
Game Boy Advance
Nintendo DS
Mobile phone[lower-alpha 3]
Release
Genre(s)Sports
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Madden NFL 06 is an American football video game released in 2005. It is the 16th installment of the Madden NFL series by EA Sports, named for color commentator John Madden. It is the first Madden game for the PlayStation Portable and Xbox 360 and was a launch game for the 360. Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb is on the cover.

Gameplay

Madden 06 introduces the Superstar mode, which allows the player to create and take control of an NFL player from his rookie year all the way to retirement. An athlete can be created by evaluating pairs of judging, based on their IQs, occupations, and hobbies, whether their child would excel in the NFL or by importing a player. Superstar mode is essentially Madden's Franchise mode seen through the eyes of this athlete. Rather than manage the team's front office, the player manages the career of his athlete.

It also features the new QB Vision Control. A cone, appearing as a spotlight emitting from the quarterback, simulates his field of vision. To make an accurate pass, the quarterback must have his intended receiver in his field of vision. Passing to a receiver not in the cone reduces pass accuracy significantly. The size of the quarterback's vision cone is directly correlated to his Awareness rating.

However, this has been criticized by many fans because it may resemble some bias that EA Sports and the Madden series itself is frequently accused of. A player can shift the vision cone with the right analog stick, or focus the cone on a specific receiver by holding a shoulder button and pressing the button assigned to that receiver. This change also met with the poor reception. Although the passing system adds a whole new level of realism, it also makes the game significantly more difficult for players playing teams with less-aware quarterbacks. These players will be forced to improve their reflexes in order to be competitive, as throwing outside the QB vision cone results in a very weak and inaccurate pass.

Accompanying QB Vision is Precision Passing. Pressing the directional button or left analog stick in a certain direction as the quarterback passes the ball will make the throw over the receiver's head, behind him, in front of him, or at his knees.

The most critically acclaimed new feature is the highlight stick, which functions like an offensive version of the hit stick from the previous year. When running the football, a player can push forward the right analog stick to run over the defender, at the cost of risking a potential fumble. Several features from previous titles return such as hot routes, playmaker features, and franchise features.[14][15]

Madden NFL 06 also features online multiplayer. The online servers were shut down on September 1, 2007[16]

The soundtrack for Madden NFL 06 featured EA Trax integration that includes Avenged Sevenfold, Tech N9ne, Memphis Bleek, Slim Thug, Disturbed, Foo Fighters and many more hip hop/rock artists.[17][18]

Compatibility

The player can import their created player from Own The City mode in NFL Street 2 into the game's Superstar mode after finishing the game mode. The player starts as an 18-year-old rookie in NFL Superstar mode and attributes are given by how development points were distributed in NFL Street 2. Also, draft classes from NCAA Football 06 could be imported to franchise mode. If the player has a save file from Madden NFL 06, they can unlock the Madden Challenge Bus in Burnout Revenge; a gameplay demo of Revenge is also available on the PlayStation 2 and Xbox versions of the game.[19]

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
DSGBAGCPCPS2PSPXboxXbox 360
EGMN/AN/A9/10[20]N/A9/10[20]7.67/10[21]9/10[20]7.83/10[22]
Game Informer5/10[23]N/A9/10[24]N/A9/10[24]8.5/10[25]9/10[24]7.75/10[26]
GameProN/AN/A4.5/5[27]N/A5/5[28]1.5/5[29]5/5[28]4/5[30]
GameRevolutionN/AN/AB+[31]N/AB+[31]B−[32]B+[31]C+[33]
GameSpot7.4/10[34]7.3/10[35]8.1/10[36]7.8/10[37]8.2/10[38]7.9/10[39]8.2/10[38]7.4/10[40]
GameSpyN/AN/A4/5[41]4/5[42]4.5/5[43]3.5/5[44]4.5/5[43]4/5[45]
GameTrailersN/AN/A8/10[46]8/10[46]8/10[46]N/A8/10[46]7.2/10[47]
GameZone7.5/10[48]6.8/10[49]8.7/10[50]8.8/10[51]8.8/10[52]8.8/10[53]9/10[54]7.9/10[55]
IGN6/10[56]7.8/10[57]8.5/10[58]8.8/10[59]8.8/10[60]8.5/10[61]8.8/10[62]8/10[63]
Nintendo Power8/10[64]7/10[64]9/10[65]N/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
OPM (US)N/AN/AN/AN/A4.5/5[66]3.5/5[67]N/AN/A
OXM (US)N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A8/10[68]7/10[69]
PC Gamer (US)N/AN/AN/A67%[70]N/AN/AN/AN/A
Detroit Free PressN/AN/AN/AN/A4/4[71]N/AN/AN/A
MaximN/AN/A10/10[72]N/A10/10[72]N/A10/10[72]N/A
Aggregate scores
GameRankings63.22%[73]69%[74]83.07%[75]76.61%[76]85.26%[77]74.14%[78]84.11%[79]74.55%[80]
Metacritic66/100[81]71/100[82]86/100[83]78/100[84]88/100[85]75/100[86]86/100[87]74/100[88]

The game was met with very positive to mixed reception. GameRankings and Metacritic gave it a score of 85.26% and 88 out of 100 for the PlayStation 2 version;[77][85] 84.11% and 86 out of 100 for the Xbox version;[79][87] 83.07% and 86 out of 100 for the GameCube version;[75][83] 76.61% and 78 out of 100 for the PC version;[76][84] 74.55% and 74 out of 100 for the Xbox 360 version;[80][88] 74.14% and 75 out of 100 for the PSP version;[78][86] 69% and 71 out of 100 for the Game Boy Advance version;[74][82] 66.67% for the Mobile version;[89] and 63.22% and 66 out of 100 for the DS version.[73][81]

Fans and EA developers both view Madden NFL 06 as "the undisputed lemon of the franchise", because of the concurrent shift from the Xbox and PlayStation 2 to the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.[90] The passing cone was so unpopular that it disappeared in Madden NFL 09.[91] Reviewers criticized the game's lack of new features and lackluster soundtrack (a recurring complaint), claiming the game plays very similarly to Madden NFL 2005 if the QB Vision cone is turned off. GameSpot gave the mobile version a score of 7 out of 10 and called it "a decent game of football with a solid statistical foundation. It breaks new ground for the franchise and promises future installments for football fans. However, this edition definitely shows EA's wireless inexperience and wasn't the stunner it should have been. In particular, the game's visuals are a disappointment. If you already have a V Cast phone, Madden 06 isn't a bad way to go. It's just not the killer app that forces an upgrade."[92] Similarly, IGN gave the same version seven out of ten, saying that the game "was developed not internally, but by a development house called Finite Monkeys. And it ultimately feels like they were rushed to get this game on the decks by "Madden Tuesday." This is unfortunate, because I think a lot of people will download the game hoping to have a "Madden experience" on their handset, and just end up with an average football game, albeit one with above-average visuals and spoken commentary."[93]

Madden NFL 06 was 2005's only NFL-Licensed football videogame, due to the 2004 deal between the NFL/NFLPA and Electronic Arts. The deal grants EA exclusive rights to the likenesses and names of all players, stadiums, logos, and jerseys. Electronic Arts also signed a long-term deal with ESPN, complicating the game's relationship to its titular announcer. In early 2006, Madden—at the time under contract as color commentator for ABC's Monday Night Football—moved to NBC to join their Sunday night NFL coverage beginning in the 2006 season. The Xbox 360 version of Madden 06 features neither Al Michaels nor Madden in the announcing booth. Some positives with the Xbox 360 version were the right stick being used for the QB Vision feature and different songs from the original.

Sales

In the United States, the game's PlayStation Portable version sold 590,000 copies and earned $28 million by August 2006. During the period between January 2000 and August 2006, it was the 48th highest-selling game launched for the Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS or PlayStation Portable in that country.[94] The game sold more than 6 million copies.[95]

Awards

E3 2005 Game Critics Awards: Best Sports Game[96]

Notes

  1. ↑ Ported to Windows by Budcat Creations.
  2. ↑ Sole developer of Palm and Pocket PC versions; BREW version co-developed alongside Finite Monkeys.[1]
  3. ↑ 3D version released for Palm OS and Windows Mobile; 2D and 3D versions released for BREW.

References

  1. ↑ "Madden NFL 06 from EA Sports". http://www.floodg.com/madden2006.html. 
  2. ↑ Buchanan, Levi (November 10, 2005). "Madden NFL 2006 2D". http://wireless.ign.com/articles/665/665968p1.html. 
  3. ↑ "New Madden more realistic than ever". http://www.gpstore.com.au/Games/Xbox/. 
  4. ↑ Steel, Wade (July 13, 2005). "Madden Renews EA Agreement" (in en). https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/07/13/madden-renews-ea-agreement. 
  5. ↑ Bramwell, Tom (September 30, 2005). "What's New? (Super Catch-Up Alpha Plus 3)". https://www.eurogamer.net/a-whatsnew-300905. 
  6. ↑ "Madden NFL 06". http://mobile.gamezone.com/gamesell/p25933.htm. 
  7. ↑ Leigh, Chris (August 22, 2005). "Updated Australian Release List - 22/08/05". http://palgn.com.au/article.php?id=2919&sid=7b7984ff736abd9f2b8060f1236324bd. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Surette, Tim (August 9, 2005). "EA heaves new Madden into retail". https://www.gamespot.com/articles/ea-heaves-new-madden-into-retail/1100-6130569/. 
  9. ↑ Jastrzab, Jeremy (December 5, 2005). "Updated Australian Release List - 5/12/05". http://palgn.com.au/article.php?id=3548&sid=7b7984ff736abd9f2b8060f1236324bd. 
  10. ↑ "Microsoft Announces Xbox 360 Day One European Launch Line-Up". November 14, 2005. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/microsoft-announces-xbox-360-day-one-european-launch-line-up. 
  11. ↑ Perry, Douglass C.; Onyett, Charles; Miller, Jonathan (November 7, 2005). "Xbox 360 Launch Guide: The Games" (in en). https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/11/08/xbox-360-launch-guide-the-games. 
  12. ↑ "Xbox 360 Games Launch List" (in en-AU). March 23, 2006. https://www.cnet.com/tech/gaming/xbox-360-games-launch-list/. 
  13. ↑ "Madden Live on Sprint" (in en). November 18, 2005. https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/11/18/madden-live-on-sprint. 
  14. ↑ IGN
  15. ↑ IGN
  16. ↑ "EA - Action, Fantasy, Sports, and Strategy Videogames". 2007-10-24. https://www.ea.com/information.jsp. 
  17. ↑ "News | Business Wire" (Press release). Archived from the original on 2018-08-30. Retrieved 2018-08-30.
  18. ↑ "IGN". August 2005. http://ca.ign.com/articles/2005/08/01/madden-nfl-06-soundtrack. 
  19. ↑ Berardini, César A. (August 2, 2005). "Madden Challenge Bus in Burnout Revenge". http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/8883/Madden-Challenge-Bus-in-Burnout-Revenge/. 
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 EGM staff (September 2005). "Madden NFL 06 (GC, PS2, Xbox)". Electronic Gaming Monthly (195). 
  21. ↑ EGM staff (November 2005). "Madden NFL 06 (PSP)". Electronic Gaming Monthly (197): 156. 
  22. ↑ EGM staff (January 2006). "Madden NFL 06 (X360)". Electronic Gaming Monthly (199). 
  23. ↑ Kato, Matthew (November 2005). "Madden NFL 06 (DS)". Game Informer (151): 182. 
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 Kato, Matthew (September 2005). "Madden NFL 06 (GC, PS2, Xbox)". Game Informer (149): 92. http://gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/E470BF92-07CD-4091-8E5C-A5EC6BE25E98.htm. Retrieved May 22, 2015. 
  25. ↑ Kato, Matthew (November 2005). "Madden NFL 06 (PSP)". Game Informer (151): 180. 
  26. ↑ Kato, Matthew (January 2006). "Madden NFL 06 (X360)". Game Informer (153): 142. http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/C4BAB5D1-D449-48E5-AD65-0ABD6D6A908E.htm. Retrieved May 22, 2015. 
  27. ↑ Bro Buzz (September 2005). "Madden NFL 06 (GC)". GamePro: 82. http://gamepro.com/nintendo/gamecube/games/reviews/47512.shtml. Retrieved May 22, 2015. 
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 Bro Buzz (September 2005). "Madden NFL 06 (PS2, Xbox)". GamePro: 82. http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/47513.shtml. Retrieved May 22, 2015. 
  29. ↑ "Madden NFL 06 (PSP)". GamePro. December 2005. 
  30. ↑ Bro Buzz (December 7, 2005). "Madden NFL 06 Review for Xbox 360 on GamePro.com". GamePro. http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox360/games/reviews/50437.shtml. Retrieved May 22, 2015. 
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 31.2 Dodson, Joe (August 18, 2005). "Madden NFL 06 Review (GC, PS2, Xbox)". http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/madden-nfl-06. 
  32. ↑ Dodson, Joe (October 12, 2005). "Madden NFL 06 Review (PSP)". http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/madden-06. 
  33. ↑ Dodson, Joe (November 21, 2005). "Madden NFL 06 – Xbox360". http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/xbox360/madden_06. 
  34. ↑ Ekberg, Brian (August 19, 2005). "Madden NFL 06 Review (DS)". http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/madden-nfl-06-review/1900-6131574/. 
  35. ↑ Provo, Frank (August 23, 2005). "Madden NFL 06 Review (GBA)". http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/madden-nfl-06-review/1900-6131771/. 
  36. ↑ Navarro, Alex (August 8, 2005). "Madden NFL 06 Review (GC)". http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/madden-nfl-06-review/1900-6130553/. 
  37. ↑ Navarro, Alex (August 19, 2005). "Madden NFL 06 Review (PC)". http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/madden-nfl-06-review/1900-6131610/. 
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 Navarro, Alex (August 8, 2005). "Madden NFL 06 Review (PS2, Xbox)". http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/madden-nfl-06-review/1900-6130552/. 
  39. ↑ Navarro, Alex (September 19, 2005). "Madden NFL 06 Review (PSP)". http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/madden-nfl-06-review/1900-6133868/. 
  40. ↑ Navarro, Alex (November 18, 2005). "Madden NFL 06 Review (X360)". http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/madden-nfl-06-review/1900-6140115/. 
  41. ↑ Tuttle, Will (August 9, 2005). "GameSpy: Madden NFL 06 (GCN)". http://cube.gamespy.com/gamecube/madden-nfl-2006/640412p1.html. 
  42. ↑ Abner, William (August 31, 2005). "GameSpy: Madden NFL 06 (PC)". http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/madden-nfl-2006/647019p1.html. 
  43. ↑ 43.0 43.1 Tuttle, Will (August 9, 2005). "GameSpy: Madden NFL 06 (PS2, Xbox)". http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/madden-nfl-2006/640399p1.html. 
  44. ↑ Tuttle, Will (September 30, 2005). "GameSpy: Madden NFL 06 (PSP)". http://psp.gamespy.com/playstation-portable/madden-nfl-2006/654966p1.html. 
  45. ↑ Tuttle, Will (November 22, 2005). "GameSpy: Madden NFL 06 (X360)". http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/madden-nfl-06/669005p1.html. 
  46. ↑ 46.0 46.1 46.2 46.3 "Madden NFL 06 Review". August 12, 2005. http://www.gametrailers.com/reviews/7wcr7b/madden-nfl-06-review. 
  47. ↑ "Madden NFL 06 Review (X360)". December 5, 2005. http://www.gametrailers.com/reviews/7eqsqx/madden-nfl-06-review. 
  48. ↑ Sandoval, Angelina (September 6, 2005). "Madden NFL 06 Review – Nintendo DS". http://nds.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r25933.htm. 
  49. ↑ Lafferty, Michael (September 20, 2005). "Madden NFL 06 Review – Game Boy Advance". http://gameboy.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r25933.htm. 
  50. ↑ Hobbs, Ronnie (September 8, 2005). "Madden NFL 06 – GC – Review". http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/madden_nfl_06_gc_review. 
  51. ↑ Knutson, Michael (September 8, 2005). "Madden NFL 06 – PC – Review". http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/madden_nfl_06_pc_review. 
  52. ↑ Wrentmore, John (August 17, 2005). "Madden NFL 06 – PS2 – Review". http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/madden_nfl_06_ps2_review. 
  53. ↑ Sandoval, Angelina (September 29, 2005). "Madden NFL 06 – PSP – Review". http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/madden_nfl_06_psp_review. 
  54. ↑ Knutson, Michael (August 17, 2005). "Madden NFL 06 – XB – Review". http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/madden_nfl_06_xb_review. 
  55. ↑ Knutson, Michael (November 29, 2005). "Madden NFL 06 – 360 – Review". http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/madden_nfl_06_360_review. 
  56. ↑ Harris, Craig (August 12, 2005). "Madden NFL 06 (NDS)". http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/08/13/madden-nfl-06-5. 
  57. ↑ Harris, Craig (August 12, 2005). "Madden NFL 06 (GBA)". http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/08/12/madden-nfl-06-6. 
  58. ↑ Beridon, Craig (August 15, 2005). "Madden NFL 06 (GCN)". http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/08/15/madden-nfl-06-4. 
  59. ↑ Beridon, Craig (August 22, 2005). "Madden NFL 06 (PC)". http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/08/22/madden-nfl-06-3. 
  60. ↑ Beridon, Craig (August 5, 2005). "Madden NFL 06 (PS2)". http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/08/06/madden-nfl-06-9. 
  61. ↑ Allen, Jason (September 19, 2005). "Madden NFL 06 (PSP)". http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/09/19/madden-nfl-06-2. 
  62. ↑ Beridon, Craig (August 5, 2005). "Madden NFL 06 (Xbox)". http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/08/06/madden-nfl-06-8. 
  63. ↑ Allen, Jason (November 15, 2005). "Madden NFL 06 (X360)". http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/11/15/madden-nfl-06. 
  64. ↑ 64.0 64.1 "Madden NFL 06 (DS, GBA)". Nintendo Power 196: 97. October 2005. 
  65. ↑ "Madden NFL 06 (GC)". Nintendo Power 195: 82. September 2005. 
  66. ↑ "Madden NFL 2006 [sic] (PS2)". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. September 2005. http://www.1up.com/reviews/madden-nfl-2006_17. Retrieved May 22, 2015. 
  67. ↑ "Madden NFL 2006 [sic] (PSP)". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine: 122. November 2005. 
  68. ↑ "Madden NFL 06 (Xbox)". Official Xbox Magazine: 78. September 2005. 
  69. ↑ "Madden NFL 06 (X360)". Official Xbox Magazine: 60. January 2006. 
  70. ↑ "Madden NFL 06". PC Gamer: 70. November 2005. 
  71. ↑ Schaefer, Jim (August 7, 2005). "Touchdown! 'Madden NFL 06' shuts out the competition and runs up the score". Detroit Free Press. http://www.freep.com/entertainment/videogames/game7e_20050807.htm. 
  72. ↑ 72.0 72.1 72.2 "Madden NFL 06 (GC, PS2, Xbox)". http://www.maximonline.com/entertainment/reviews/review_games_10326.html. 
  73. ↑ 73.0 73.1 "Madden NFL 06 for DS". http://www.gamerankings.com/ds/928160-madden-nfl-06/index.html. 
  74. ↑ 74.0 74.1 "Madden NFL 06 for Game Boy Advance". http://www.gamerankings.com/gba/928162-madden-nfl-06/index.html. 
  75. ↑ 75.0 75.1 "Madden NFL 06 for GameCube". http://www.gamerankings.com/gamecube/927446-madden-nfl-06/index.html. 
  76. ↑ 76.0 76.1 "Madden NFL 06 for PC". http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/927447-madden-nfl-06/index.html. 
  77. ↑ 77.0 77.1 "Madden NFL 06 for PlayStation 2". http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/927412-madden-nfl-06/index.html. 
  78. ↑ 78.0 78.1 "Madden NFL 06 for PSP". http://www.gamerankings.com/psp/928461-madden-nfl-06/index.html. 
  79. ↑ 79.0 79.1 "Madden NFL 06 for Xbox". http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/927413-madden-nfl-06/index.html. 
  80. ↑ 80.0 80.1 "Madden NFL 06 for Xbox 360". http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox360/927449-madden-nfl-06/index.html. 
  81. ↑ 81.0 81.1 "Madden NFL 06 for DS Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/madden-nfl-06/critic-reviews/?platform=ds. 
  82. ↑ 82.0 82.1 "Madden NFL 06 for Game Boy Advance Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/madden-nfl-06/critic-reviews/?platform=game-boy-advance. 
  83. ↑ 83.0 83.1 "Madden NFL 06 for GameCube Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/madden-nfl-06/critic-reviews/?platform=gamecube. 
  84. ↑ 84.0 84.1 "Madden NFL 06 for PC Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/madden-nfl-06/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. 
  85. ↑ 85.0 85.1 "Madden NFL 06 for PlayStation 2 Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/madden-nfl-06/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2. 
  86. ↑ 86.0 86.1 "Madden NFL 06 for PSP Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/madden-nfl-06/critic-reviews/?platform=psp. 
  87. ↑ 87.0 87.1 "Madden NFL 06 for Xbox Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/madden-nfl-06/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox. 
  88. ↑ 88.0 88.1 "Madden NFL 06 for Xbox 360 Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/madden-nfl-06/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360. 
  89. ↑ "Madden NFL 06 for Mobile". http://www.gamerankings.com/mobile/928089-madden-nfl-06/index.html. 
  90. ↑ Bissell, Tom (January 26, 2012). "Kickoff: Madden NFL and the Future of Video Game Sports". Grantland. http://grantland.com/features/tom-bissell-making-madden-nfl/. 
  91. ↑ Hruby, Patrick (August 5, 2010). "OTL: The Franchise". http://www.espn.com/espn/eticket/story?page=100805/madden&redirected=true. 
  92. ↑ Score, Avery (August 12, 2005). "Madden NFL 06 Review (Mobile)". http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/madden-nfl-06-review/1900-6130999/. 
  93. ↑ Buchanan, Levi (August 11, 2005). "Madden NFL 06 (Cell)". http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/08/12/madden-nfl-06-7. 
  94. ↑ Keiser, Joe (August 2, 2006). "The Century's Top 50 Handheld Games". Next Generation. http://www.next-gen.biz/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3557&Itemid=2&pop=1&page=0. 
  95. ↑ Terry, Mike (August 4, 2006). "Madden Game Popularity Climbs". p. 62. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94778294/the-los-angeles-times/. Retrieved February 12, 2022. 
  96. ↑ "Game Critics Awards: 2005 Winners". E3. http://www.gamecriticsawards.com/2005winners.html. 
  • 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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