Software:Madden NFL 97

From HandWiki
Short description: 1996 American football video game
Madden NFL 97
Developer(s)
Publisher(s)EA Sports
SeriesMadden NFL
Platform(s)Game Boy, Genesis, PlayStation, Sega Saturn, Super NES, Microsoft Windows, MS-DOS
ReleasePlayStation
  • NA: September 10, 1996[1]
  • EU: October 1996
Windows, Saturn
Genesis
Super NES
Game Boy
  • NA: November 1996
Genre(s)Sports
Mode(s)Single player, multiplayer

Madden NFL 97 is a football video game released in 1996. It was the first Madden game released for the PlayStation and Sega Saturn. 16-bit versions were also made for the established Super NES and Genesis platforms, as well as a portable version for the Game Boy.

This is the first edition of Madden to implement a salary cap when customizing team rosters. It also features the new Baltimore Ravens, formerly the Cleveland Browns for the 1996 season. The game also adds a team of real free agents (as opposed to the blank slate used in Madden NFL '96), which can be traded and added to other teams' rosters (led by recently semi-retired quarterback Randall Cunningham), and can be played by using a cheat code.

Madden NFL 97 was the best-selling PlayStation game of 1996.[7]

Development

The player graphics were created by using 3D models with motion capture data to produce 2D sprites from multiple angles.[8]

Classic teams were once again used, although most were different from the previous year's teams; the years ranged as far back as 1952 (Detroit Lions) and as recent as 1990 (Buffalo Bills). Jacksonville and Carolina, once again, did not get classic teams, but Baltimore was attached to a classic Cleveland Browns team.

The best team in the overall ranking, with a score of 85 was the Dallas Cowboys and the worst team with a score of 62 was the Baltimore Ravens. The best ranked offenses were between the Cowboys and the Lions with a score of 92. The St. Louis Rams had the best ranked defense with an 86. The Miami Dolphins had the best ranked special teams with a 93.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
GameRankings86%(PS1)[14]
Review scores
PublicationScore
AllGameStarStarStar (SNES)[15]
StarStarStar (PS1)[16]
StarStarStarStar (SS)[17]
EGM9.1/10 (PS)[9]
GameSpot6.4/10 (PC)[10]
Next GenerationStarStarStarStar (PS)[12]
PSM8/10[11]
Sega Saturn Magazine92% (SS)[13]

Critics hailed the PlayStation version as a strong comeback for the series after the cancellation of the PlayStation version of Madden NFL '96, citing outstanding gameplay, graphics, and options.[9][12][18] The two sports reviewers of Electronic Gaming Monthly (EGM) were pleased that all the teams are available from the beginning, as opposed to having some teams unlocked via hidden codes as in earlier installments.[9] GamePro wrote that "Madden PlayStation is not only the best football game on the market today, it's the best 32-bit sports game, period."[18] A Next Generation critic was particularly impressed by the control and skill demanded by the gameplay, though he criticized that the AI can be consistently beaten by one specific play, something he said had always held back the Madden games from being as outstanding in single-player mode as they are in multiplayer.[12] EGM named the PlayStation version a runner-up for Sports Game of the Year (behind Wave Race 64).[19]

Reviewing the Saturn version, GamePro praised the gameplay, playbook, animations, sound effects, and "full-motion video that looks TV-real, even with its typically Saturn graininess."[20] Paul Glancey of Sega Saturn Magazine echoed Next Generation's criticism that the AI can always be beaten by one play, but recommended the game on the basis of the large selection of teams, motion captured animation, and combination of strategy and action.[13]

GamePro was much less pleased with the Super NES version. They said that while the game is good in absolute terms, with a wide selection of moves and attention to detail in the backgrounds, it is inferior to Madden NFL '96 due to its weak AI even on the hardest skill level, slower gameplay, awkward graphics and animations, and limited number of voice clips from Madden.[21] GamePro called the Genesis version "an immensely enjoyable game with great action and stat-soaked strategy", going so far as to suggest that it made buying a next generation system unnecessary for football enthusiasts. They particularly praised the fact that the game is not a simple update for the series and offers new features and more realistic graphics.[22]

GamePro's brief review of the Game Boy version criticized the overly small ball and players, prominent slowdown, and lack of any licensing apart from Madden himself, but praised the realistic plays and strategy.[23]

It was #4 on PC Data's monthly PC games sales chart for December 1996.[24]

References

  1. ↑ "Electronic Arts - News Room, Electronic Arts Ships Madden NFL 97 for the PlayStation". http://www.ea.com/companyinfo/press/eamadden97.html. 
  2. ↑ "Checkpoint - Events And Software Releases". Computer and Video Games (Future Publishing) (180): 48. November 1996. https://archive.org/details/Computer_and_Video_Games_Issue_180_1996-11_EMAP_Images_GB/page/n48. 
  3. ↑ "Electronic Arts - News Room, Electronic Arts Ships Madden NFL 97 for the Sega Saturn". http://www.ea.com/companyinfo/press/madsaturnrelease.html. 
  4. ↑ "Electronic Arts - News Room, Electronic Arts Ships Madden NFL 97 for the PC". http://www.ea.com/companyinfo/press/madpcrelease.html. 
  5. ↑ "Team EGM: Madden NFL 97". Electronic Gaming Monthly (88): 276. November 1996. https://archive.org/details/electronic-gaming-monthly-issue-088-november-1996/page/n277/mode/1up. Retrieved January 10, 2022. 
  6. ↑ "Super NES Games". Nintendo of America. http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/downloads/snes_games.pdf. 
  7. ↑ Paprocki, Matt (August 22, 2017). "The Asterisk on Madden's Annual Release Legacy". https://www.polygon.com/features/2017/8/22/16175256/madden-nfl-96-playstation-canceled-ea-sports-history. 
  8. ↑ "NG Alphas: John Madden Football '97". Next Generation (Imagine Media) (20): 66–67. August 1996. https://archive.org/details/nextgen-issue-020/page/n67/mode/2up. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Mowatt, Todd; Perez, Dindo (October 1996). "Box Scores: NFL Madden '97 [sic"]. Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (87): 178. https://archive.org/details/ElectronicGamingMonthly_201902/Electronic%20Gaming%20Monthly%20Issue%20087%20%28October%201996%29/page/n177/mode/2up. 
  10. ↑ Mical, Kevin (October 10, 1996). "Madden 97 Review". https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/madden-nfl-97-review/1900-2542410/. 
  11. ↑ Madden NFL '97 review, Official UK PlayStation Magazine, Future Publishing issue 11, August 1996
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 "Madden '97". Next Generation (Imagine Media) (24): 256. December 1996. https://archive.org/details/NextGeneration24Dec1996/page/n257/mode/2up. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Glancey, Paul (January 1997). "Review: Madden '97". Sega Saturn Magazine (Emap International Limited) (15): 86–87. https://archive.org/details/Official_Sega_Saturn_Magazine_015/page/n85/mode/2up. 
  14. ↑ "Madden NFL 97 PlayStation review score". http://www.gamerankings.com/ps/197827-madden-nfl-97/index.html. 
  15. ↑ "Madden NFL 97 (SNES) Review". http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=7424&tab=review. 
  16. ↑ "Madden NFL 97 (PlayStation) Review". http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=2169&tab=review. 
  17. ↑ "Madden NFL 97 (Sega Saturn) Review". http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=1884&tab=review. 
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Johnny Ballgame (November 1996). "Madden '97: Headed Straight to the Hall of Fame". GamePro (IDG) (98): 134. 
  19. ↑ "Best of '96". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (92): 90. March 1997. https://archive.org/details/ElectronicGamingMonthly_201902/Electronic%20Gaming%20Monthly%20Issue%20092%20%28March%201997%29/page/n91/mode/2up. 
  20. ↑ Slo Mo (November 1996). "Madden Ready for Prime Time... Again!". GamePro (IDG) (98): 135. 
  21. ↑ Johnny Ballgame (October 1996). "Madden NFL '97". GamePro (IDG) (97): 100. https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_097_Volume_09_Number_10_1996-10_IDG_Publishing_US/page/n101/mode/2up. 
  22. ↑ Scary Larry (November 1996). "Madden Makes the Grade-Again". GamePro (IDG) (98): 140. 
  23. ↑ "Madden '97". GamePro (IDG) (100): 45. January 1997. https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_100_Volume_09_Number_01_1997-01_IDG_Publishing_US/page/n45/mode/2up. 
  24. ↑ "PC Data Hits List of Top-Selling Software December 1996". Archived from the original on June 28, 1998. https://web.archive.org/web/19980628235303/http://www.pcdata.com:80/html/top_sellers/dec96_all.html. Retrieved April 16, 2024. 
  • 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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