Software:Majesty 2: The Fantasy Kingdom Sim

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Majesty 2: The Fantasy Kingdom Sim
Developer(s)1C:Ino-Co
Publisher(s)1C, Paradox Interactive
Composer(s)Andreas Waldetoft
Platform(s)Windows, Mac OS X
ReleaseSeptember 18, 2009 (Windows)
December 2, 2010 (Mac)[1]
Genre(s)Real-time strategy
Mode(s)Single-player, Multiplayer

Majesty 2: The Fantasy Kingdom Sim is a real-time strategy game developed by 1C:Ino-Co and published by Paradox Interactive.[2] The game was released on September 18, 2009.[3] It is a sequel to Cyberlore's Majesty.

A Mac OS X version of Majesty 2 was announced by Virtual Programming on August 13, 2010.[4] Virtual Programming published the Mac OS X version of the game on November 16, 2010.[5] The publisher released the Mac OS X versions of the first two expansion packs, Kingmaker and Battles of Ardania, on December 15, 2010.[6] In January, 2011, Virtual Programming published the third expansion, Monster Kingdom, for Mac OS X.[7] In April, 2011, Paradox published a collection of the three expansions plus Majesty 2, titled "Majesty 2 Collection", for PC.

Gameplay

Majesty 2 features 3D graphics, unlike 2D graphics of the previous game.

The core gameplay of Majesty 2 is essentially the same as the original Majesty. Players take the role of "the sovereign", placing buildings and recruiting units as in other real-time strategy titles. Individual units ("heroes"), however, are semi-autonomous; each has their own statistics and inventory and interact with the game world according to unit-specific AIs (for example hunters will scout unknown areas of the map while warriors prefer to attack or defend locations).[8] The player can influence the actions of hero units by placing bounties on particular actions, such as exploring an area or defeating a specific enemy unit, using a variety of "flags".[9] They also supply heroes with equipment and other items via trade buildings, which both improves the hero's abilities and allows the player to recoup the money heroes have gained from flags and defeated enemies.[10]

Multiplayer

Unlike the original, Majesty 2 does not feature freestyle play nor co-operative multi-player as part of its release offering. Because the new engine does not provide the technical capability to randomly generate maps it is unlikely that a freestyle game mode, of the sort found in the original game, will be provided. However, patch 1.3 introduced randomized non-quest monster dens, and places for construction of temples and trading posts. The patch also included a map editor.[citation needed]

Plot

Majesty 2 returns to the gently satirical, high fantasy world of Ardania featured in the original, a magical realm populated by elves, gnomes, dwarves and various monsters, as well as humans.

According to the game's back story, Ardania was unified 500 years previously by a great ruler. Since that time, many celebrated kings ruled, who vanquished many legendary foes. The last king, Leonard, however, had no enemies left to conquer, and became worried over his place in history. He summoned a powerful demon in an attempt to banish it and win renown himself, but the demon killed the king and usurped his throne. Under the demon's rule, Ardania crumbled and fell back to its chaotic past, and many pretenders tried and failed to win the throne. The player assumes the role of the "true heir" to Ardania, who sets out to defeat the demon and purge the realm of evil.

Expansions

The first expansion pack named Majesty 2: Kingmaker was released on March 26, 2010 for PC and on December 15, 2010 for Mac OS X. The story revolved around his majesty battling the evil Grum-Gog, lord of pestilence, and God of Goblins. It introduced a randomized map feature that will move the enemy den and trading posts to different locations, and a map generator for custom scenarios.

A second expansion pack named Battles Of Ardania was released on November 10, 2010 for PC and on December 15, 2010 for Mac OS X.

A third expansion pack named Monster Kingdom was released on January 11, 2011 for PC and in mid-January, 2011 for Mac OS X.

A collection of the three expansion packs plus Majesty 2, named "Majesty 2 Collection", was released by Paradox on April 19, 2011 for PC.

An unofficial expansion pack named Cold Sunrise was released on November 16, 2011 for PC.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate scores
AggregatorScore
GameRankings75.85[11]
Metacritic72[12]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Game Informer8/10[13]
GameSpotStarStarStar[14]
IGN7.5/10[15]

Majesty 2 received mixed to mostly positive reviews, with a Metacritic average of 72%, and scores ranging from 50% to 88%.

IncGamers enjoyed the game, saying it was "lots of fun, remains true to the original and has some great new features." They only bemoaned the "lack of [a] freestyle mode."[16]

IT Reviews said that "there's some initial enjoyment to be garnered here, [but] developing your heroes and coaxing them around soon starts to feel like a chore. The missions become repetitive, despite the constant drip-feed of new buildings and heroes, and we found the whole experience less than Majestic in the end."[17]

PC Gamer magazine in the UK agreed, stating that Majesty 2 is "an intriguing spanner in the strategy game works, but one that causes too many malfunctions to justify its existence."

GameSpot critiques it, citing "Repetitive, formulaic missions" giving it a 6.5 out of 10.[18]

Sequels

A sequel stand alone game, Defenders of Ardania, was released on March 14 of 2012.[19] The gameplay is very different from either of its predecessors, having switched genres to tower defense/offense.

References

  1. ↑ "Majesty 2 arrives on the Mac" (in en). https://www.macworld.com/article/209275/majesty2news.html. 
  2. ↑ Press Release (2008-04-18). "Majesty 2 – The Fantasy Kingdom Sim Announced". Paradox Interactive. http://uk.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/majesty2thefantasykingdomsim/news.html?sid=6189538&mode=press. Retrieved 2008-04-19. 
  3. ↑ Susana Meza (2009-08-27). "Majesty 2 Release Date". Paradox. http://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/showpost.php?p=10057344&#post10057344. Retrieved 2009-08-27. 
  4. ↑ "Virtual Programming Bringing Majesty 2 to the Mac". MacGamer. August 13, 2010. http://www.macgamer.com/news/virtual-programming-bringing-majesty-2-mac2. Retrieved 2010-08-20. 
  5. ↑ "Majesty 2 Released for Macintosh". MacGamer. November 16, 2010. http://www.macgamer.com/news/majesty-2-released-macintosh. Retrieved 2010-11-30. 
  6. ↑ "Majesty 2 Expansions Released". MacGamer. December 15, 2010. http://www.macgamer.com/news/majesty-2-expansions-released. Retrieved 2010-12-16. 
  7. ↑ "Virtual Programming Ships Majesty 2: Monster Kingdom". The Mac Observer. January 18, 2011. http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/virtual_programming_ships_sc2_infinite_war_majesty_2_monster_kingdom. Retrieved 2011-01-19. 
  8. ↑ "Majesty 2 - Heroes". Paradox Interactive. http://www.majesty2.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=64&Itemid=137. Retrieved 2 September 2011. 
  9. ↑ "Majesty 2 - Indirect Control". Paradox Interactive. http://www.majesty2.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=61&Itemid=134. Retrieved 2 September 2011. 
  10. ↑ "Majesty 2 - The Economy". Paradox Interactive. http://www.majesty2.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=63&Itemid=136. Retrieved 2 September 2011. 
  11. ↑ "Majesty 2 aggregate rating". GameRankings. http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/945877-majesty-2-the-fantasy-kingdom-sim/index.html. Retrieved 5 August 2011. 
  12. ↑ "Majesty 2 aggregate rating". Metacritic. https://www.metacritic.com/game/majesty-2-the-fantasy-kingdom-sim/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. Retrieved 5 August 2011. 
  13. ↑ Biessener, Adam (2009-10-08). "Majesty 2 review". Game Informer. http://www.gameinformer.com/games/majesty_2_the_fantasy_kingdom_sim/b/pc/archive/2009/10/08/review.aspx. Retrieved 5 August 2011. 
  14. ↑ Todd, Brett (2009-09-18). "Majesty 2 review". GameSpot. http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/majesty2thefantasykingdomsim/review.html. Retrieved 5 August 2011. 
  15. ↑ Haynes, Jeff (2009-09-15). "Majesty 2 review". IGN. http://pc.ign.com/articles/102/1025140p1.html. Retrieved 5 August 2011. 
  16. ↑ "IncGamers". IncGamers. http://www.incgamers.com/Reviews/950/Majesty-2-Review-PC. Retrieved 2011-02-16. 
  17. ↑ "IT Reviews". IT Reviews. http://www.itreviews.co.uk/games/g626.htm. Retrieved 2011-02-16. 
  18. ↑ Todd, Brett (2009-09-18). "Majesty 2: The Fantasy Kingdom Sim Review for PC". GameSpot. http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/majesty2thefantasykingdomsim/review.html?tag=tabs;reviews. Retrieved 2011-02-16. 
  19. ↑ "Defenders of Ardania (PC) - Paradox Interactive". Paradoxplaza.com. http://www.paradoxplaza.com/games/defenders-of-ardania-pc. Retrieved 2012-02-27. 

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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