Software:Microsoft Baseball 3D 1998 Edition

From HandWiki
Microsoft Baseball 3D 1998 Edition
Developer(s)
Publisher(s)Microsoft
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows
Release
Genre(s)Sports
Mode(s)Single player

Microsoft Baseball 3D 1998 Edition, also known as simply Microsoft Baseball 3D, is a sports video game developed by Microsoft and WizBang! Software Productions. It was released for Microsoft Windows in 1998. It received praise for its graphics, but criticism for numerous glitches and its varying difficulty. It was followed by Microsoft Baseball 2000 and Microsoft Baseball 2001.

Gameplay

Microsoft Baseball 3D includes all of the players, teams and ballparks from the 1997 Major League Baseball season.[2] Players include Ron Gant, Lance Johnson, Mickey Morandini, Sammy Sosa, and Todd Stottlemyre.[2][3] The game has three modes, including single game, season play, and playoffs.[2] There is no home run derby or practice mode.[2][4][5] The game has three difficulty settings,[6] three swing types, and four pitch types.[7] The game can be played in a manual mode or an assisted mode.[2][7][6][4] The game includes the General Manager utility, in which baseball players' statistics can be edited, including their weight and height.[2][4]

Development and release

The game was developed by Microsoft[8] and WizBang! Software Productions.[5][9] Development of the game began in January 1996, and took 28 months.[8] The baseball players' actions were created through 500 motion-captured moves.[2] Because of its graphics, the game can only be played with a 3D accelerator card.[5][10][11] The game was originally scheduled for release in October 1997,[11] but underwent additional development,[2] before being released on July 1, 1998.[1] The game shipped without multiplayer capability, although a patch was in development at the time to allow such a feature through the Internet.[2][6]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
GameRankings71%[12]
Review scores
PublicationScore
CGWStarStarStar[2]
GameRevolutionC−[7]
GameSpot7.4/10[6]
GameStar73%[13]
PC Gamer (US)62%[14]
PC Games58%[15]
CNNC+[16]
Sports Gaming Network78/100[3]

The game received above-average reviews according to the review aggregation website GameRankings.[12]

The game was praised for its graphics.[2][7][6][4][10][3][16][17] Scott May of Computer Gaming World praised the animation and considered the graphics to be the best of any computer baseball game to date.[2]

The game was criticized for containing a number of audio and visual glitches.[2][6][4][10][5][3] The artificial intelligence (AI) received criticism as well,[2][6][3][17] although a patch was planned to correct this issue.[6] Long load times were another subject of criticism,[3][10][17] and the ball physics received a mixed response.[2][6][16] Regarding the game's audio, GameSpot's Michael E. Ryan wrote in his early review of the game, "Instead of complementing each other and fitting together to form a realistic game atmosphere, the various sound effects seem to be in constant conflict for your attention."[6] Dan Egger of PC Accelerator similarly criticized the uneven sound effects.[5]

Daniel Morris of CNN considered the gameplay to be mediocre,[16] and Rick Worrell of Sports Gaming Network found it to be the least impressive aspect.[3] Egger criticized the lack of a home run derby,[5] and other reviewers criticized the lack of displayed statistics during season play.[7][6] The difficulty modes were criticized, being described as either too easy or too hard.[6][4][10][3] Tom Anderson of GameRevolution criticized the assisted mode, stating that "rather than assist you, the AI just takes over, moving your fielder to the ball and making the play all on its own."[7] Ryan wrote that it would have been better if "the computer simply gave you a little help starting the fielders in the right direction, then turned control over to you".[6] During play, the game will sometimes rapidly change its camera angles for visual effect, although this was considered disorienting by some critics, who viewed it as one of the reasons for the game's difficulty.[2][7][5] Anderson found the pitching and batting interface difficult to master, and the controls too responsive.[7]

Paul Rosano of Hartford Courant wrote that the game "produced some fine features, but along with most of its competitors, it also falls down in enough other areas to make an unqualified recommendation impossible."[10] May stated that the game's problems "can't be ignored or dismissed. But then again, neither can its considerable strengths."[2] Anderson only recommended the game for "the most dexterous button pushers", although he felt that the game could be worthwhile with fine-tuning in a later release.[7] Worrell called the game a "noble, if ultimately flawed, effort", writing, "This could have been a great title. Unfortunately, there are so many bizarre bugs and inconsistencies. [...] it would take the mother of all patches to fix this game. Barring that, I cannot recommend that you buy it."[3]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Microsoft Baseball 3D and Golf 98 Swing Into Action". July 1, 1998. https://news.microsoft.com/1998/07/01/microsoft-baseball-3d-and-golf-98-swing-into-action/. 
  2. ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 May, Scott (October 1998). "Billy Ball (Microsoft Baseball 3D 1998 Edition Review)". Computer Gaming World (Ziff Davis) (171): 252, 257. http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_171.pdf. Retrieved March 27, 2021. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 Worrell, Rick (July 15, 1998). "Microsoft Baseball 3D (PC) Review". http://www.sports-gaming.com/baseball/ms3d/review.shtml. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 Goble, Gordon (June 11, 1998). "Microsoft Baseball 3D 1998 Edition". CNET. http://gamecenter.com/Reviews/Item/0,6,0-1857,00.html. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 Egger, Dan (September 1998). "Microsoft Baseball 3D". PC Accelerator (Imagine Media) (1): 102. https://archive.org/details/PCXL01Sep1998/page/n101/mode/2up. Retrieved March 27, 2021. 
  6. ↑ 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 6.11 6.12 Ryan, Michael E. (June 15, 1998). "Microsoft Baseball 3D Review [date mislabeled as "May 1, 2000""]. CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/microsoft-baseball-3d-review/1900-2542651/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 7.8 Anderson, Tom (October 1998). "MicroSoft Baseball 3D Review". CraveOnline. https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/33146-microsoft-baseball-3d-review. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Microsoft Baseball 3D (PC) Interview". August 3, 1998. http://www.sports-gaming.com/baseball/ms3d/interview1.shtml. 
  9. ↑ Steinberg, Scott. "Microsoft Baseball 3D - Overview". All Media Network. http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=6353. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 Rosano, Paul (August 9, 1998). "Microsoft Delivery Off Mark". Hartford Courant (Tribune Publishing). https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1998-08-09-9808090216-story.html. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "For Your Eyes Only: Microsoft Baseball 3D". Computer Gaming World (Ziff Davis) (158): 115. September 1997. http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_158.pdf. Retrieved March 27, 2021. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Microsoft Baseball 3D for PC". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamerankings.com/pc/197922-microsoft-baseball-3d/index.html. 
  13. ↑ "Microsoft Baseball 3D" (in de). GameStar (Webedia). August 1998. 
  14. ↑ Smolka, Rob (August 1998). "Microsoft Baseball 3D". PC Gamer (Imagine Media) 5 (8). http://www.pcgamer.com/reviews/114.html. Retrieved March 27, 2021. 
  15. ↑ "Microsoft Baseball 3D" (in de). PC Games (Computec). August 1998. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 Morris, Daniel (August 17, 1998). "Microsoft 3D Baseball: Great graphics, mediocre gameplay". Cable News Network. http://www.cnn.com/TECH/computing/9808/17/3d.baseball.idg/index.html. 
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 "New games race for the pennant". The Tampa Tribune (Tampa Media Group, Inc.). July 10, 1998. https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/340282538/. 
  • Official website, archived via the Wayback Machine
  • 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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