Software:Millennium Soldier: Expendable

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Short description: 1999 video game
Millennium Soldier: Expendable
European PlayStation cover art
Developer(s)Rage Software
Publisher(s)
Programmer(s)Alan Webb
Phil Scott
Kevin Franklin
Composer(s)Gordan Hall
Platform(s)Windows, Dreamcast, PlayStation, Android
Release
Genre(s)Run and Gun
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Millennium Soldier: Expendable, known in Japan as Seitai Heiki Expendable (生体兵器エクスペンダブル, Seitai Heiki Ekusupendaburu, lit. "Organism Weapon Expendable"), and in North America as just Expendable, is a run and gun video game that was released by Rage Software for Microsoft Windows in 1999. It was later ported to the Dreamcast and PlayStation consoles. A remake of the game, entitled Expendable: Rearmed, was released for Android in 2012. It is in the format of a modern arcade game. The player starts with 7 "credits" and can continue until running out of credits. A second player can join the game at any time by pressing start.

Gameplay

Expendable takes place sometime in the post-apocalyptic future, where most of the galaxy was conquered by a hostile alien race. To combat the aliens, scientists had developed a "Millennium Soldier" project by cloning two super-soldiers. Like most top-down run and gun video games, Expendable has collectible upgrades and weapons, and features common aspects like bosses and levels, familiar with most games of this type.

Development

Expendable supports Environment-Mapped Bump Mapping, a DirectX 6 feature first supported by the Matrox Millennium G400.[3]

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
DreamcastPCPS
AllGameStarStarHalf star[7]N/AStarHalf star[8]
EdgeN/A5/10[11]N/A
EGM7.5/10[12]N/A2.83/10[13][lower-alpha 1]
Famitsu26/40[14]N/AN/A
Game Informer4/10[15]N/A3.5/10[16]
GameFan63%[17]N/AN/A
GameSpot7/10[18]N/A6.5/10[19]
GameSpy2/10[20]N/AN/A
IGN7.3/10[21]N/A6/10[22]
Next GenerationStar[23]StarStarStar[24]N/A
OPM (US)N/AN/AStarHalf star[25]
PC Gamer (UK)N/A60%[26]N/A
Aggregate score
GameRankings62%[4]69%[5]55%[6]

The game received mixed or average reviews on all platforms according to the review aggregation website GameRankings.[4][5][6] Edge praised the PC version's graphics, stating that "the textures are near works of art, aided by colour lighting, true shadows and ubiquitous explosions."[11] An unnamed reviewer of Next Generation in its August 1999 issue called the same PC version "a smart little shooter, but one with limited appeal in the PC market. A forthcoming Dreamcast version may be a better fit."[24] However, their premonition was proven wrong one month later in the magazine's September 1999 issue, when Jeff Lundrigan called the Japanese Dreamcast import "a shameful waste of technology", and warned the reader to "Stay away. Stay far, far away."[23] In Japan, Famitsu gave the latter a little bit better score of 26 out of 40.[14]

GamePro said of the Dreamcast version in one review, "If you are looking for all of the smoking guns fun of Contra, then Expendable will fit the bill perfectly and make your Dreamcast anything but expendable.[27][lower-alpha 2] In another review, the magazine said that the same console version "isn't a bad game, it just isn't a very exciting one. If mindless shooters are your bag, though, it's a great way to kill some time... and nothing more."[28][lower-alpha 3]

Notes

  1. ↑ In Electronic Gaming Monthly's review of the PlayStation version, one critic gave it 3.5/10, and the rest gave it each a score of 2.5/10.
  2. ↑ GamePro gave the Dreamcast version two 4/5 scores for graphics and sound, 4.5/5 for control, and 3.5/5 for fun factor in one review.
  3. ↑ GamePro gave the Dreamcast version 3.5/5 for graphics, and three 3/5 scores for sound, control, and fun factor.

References

  1. ↑ "INFOGRAMES NORTH AMERICA GETS EXPENDABLE™ WITH SEGA® DREAMCAST™". September 8, 1999. Archived from the original on August 19, 2000. https://web.archive.org/web/20000819015703/http://www.infogrames.net/corporate/press_archive/090899_expendableships.asp. Retrieved April 8, 2023. 
  2. ↑ IGN staff (April 26, 2000). "PlayStation Gets Expendable". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on May 7, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170507193823/https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/04/27/playstation-gets-expendable. Retrieved July 10, 2023. 
  3. ↑ Shimpi, Anand Lal (May 20, 1999). "Matrox Millennium G400 & G400MAX". https://www.anandtech.com/show/298/5. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Expendable for Dreamcast". CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 5, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190505082239/https://www.gamerankings.com/dreamcast/197255-expendable/index.html. Retrieved September 3, 2020. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Expendable for PC Reviews". CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 29, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190529190516/https://www.gamerankings.com/pc/197254-expendable/index.html. Retrieved September 3, 2020. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Expendable for PlayStation Reviews". CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 27, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190527042700/https://www.gamerankings.com/ps/197256-expendable/index.html. Retrieved September 3, 2020. 
  7. ↑ Sutyak, Jonathan. "Expendable (DC) - Review". All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 14, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141114164121/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=20064&tab=review. Retrieved September 4, 2020. 
  8. ↑ Knight, Kyle. "Expendable (PS) - Review". All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 15, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141115122512/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=24408&tab=review. Retrieved September 4, 2020. 
  9. ↑ D'Aprile, Jason (September 10, 1999). "Expendable (DC)". CNET. Archived from the original on August 16, 2000. https://web.archive.org/web/20000816030841/http://www.gamecenter.com/Consoles/Dreamcast/Expendable/. Retrieved July 10, 2023. 
  10. ↑ Derr, Andrew L. (May 24, 2000). "Expendable (PS) [Incomplete"]. CNET. Archived from the original on August 18, 2000. https://web.archive.org/web/20000818082437/http://www.gamecenter.com/Consoles/Sony/Expendable/. Retrieved July 10, 2023. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Edge staff (June 1999). "Expendable (PC)". Edge (Future Publishing) (72): 84. Archived from the original on April 28, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230428215744/https://retrocdn.net/images/4/4a/Edge_UK_072.pdf. Retrieved July 10, 2023. 
  12. ↑ "Expendable (DC)". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (123): 218. October 1999. Archived from the original on March 25, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220325131947/https://retrocdn.net/images/d/d6/EGM_US_123.pdf. Retrieved July 10, 2023. 
  13. ↑ Kujawa, Kraig; MacDonald, Mark; Sewart, Greg (July 2000). "Expendable (PS)". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (132): 143. Archived from the original on May 8, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230508050531/https://retrocdn.net/images/5/54/EGM_US_132.pdf. Retrieved July 10, 2023. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "生体兵器エクスペンダブル [ドリームキャスト"] (in ja). Famitsu (Enterbrain). Archived from the original on July 10, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230710155519/https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=2232&redirect=no. Retrieved July 10, 2023. 
  15. ↑ McNamara, Andy (October 1999). "Expendable: Millennium Soldier [sic (DC)"]. Game Informer (FuncoLand) (78). https://www.gameinformer.com/reviews/review_detail.cfm?ITEM_ID=4584. Retrieved September 3, 2020. 
  16. ↑ "Expendable (PS)". Game Informer (FuncoLand) (87). July 2000. 
  17. ↑ Mylonas, Eric "ECM" (September 1999). "Expendable (DC) [Import"]. GameFan (Shinno Media) 7 (9): 76. https://archive.org/details/Gamefan_Vol_7_Issue_09/page/n77/mode/2up. Retrieved September 4, 2020. 
  18. ↑ Mielke, James (July 2, 1999). "Expendable Review [Import (DC) [date mislabeled as "April 28, 2000"]"]. Fandom. Archived from the original on December 12, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20041212211852/http://www.gamespot.com/dreamcast/action/expendable/review.html. Retrieved July 10, 2023. 
  19. ↑ Provo, Frank (May 24, 2000). "Expendable (PS) Review [date mislabeled as "May 17, 2006""]. Fandom. Archived from the original on January 12, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050112112238/http://www.gamespot.com/ps/action/expendable/review.html. Retrieved July 10, 2023. 
  20. ↑ Fragmaster (September 13, 1999). "Expendable". IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on February 25, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090225085942/http://www.planetdreamcast.com/games/reviews/expendable/. Retrieved September 4, 2020. 
  21. ↑ Dunham, Jeremy (September 8, 1999). "Expendable Review (DC)". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on January 30, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230130185401/https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/09/09/expendable-review. Retrieved July 10, 2023. 
  22. ↑ Zdyrko, Dave (May 1, 2000). "Expendable (PS)". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on January 29, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230129001753/https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/05/02/expendable-2. Retrieved July 10, 2023. 
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 Lundrigan, Jeff (September 1999). "Expendable (DC) [Import"]. Next Generation (Imagine Media) (57): 84. https://archive.org/details/NextGen57Sep1999/page/n87/mode/2up. Retrieved September 3, 2020. 
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 "Expendable (PC) [Import"]. Next Generation (Imagine Media) (56): 92. August 1999. https://archive.org/details/NextGeneration56Aug1999/page/n93/mode/2up. Retrieved September 3, 2020. 
  25. ↑ Steinman, Gary (July 2000). "Expendable". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine (Ziff Davis) 3 (10): 103. https://archive.org/details/official-u.-s.-playstation-magazine-issue-34-july-2000_202208/page/102/mode/2up. Retrieved July 10, 2023. 
  26. ↑ "Millennium Soldier: Expendable". PC Gamer UK (Future Publishing). 1999. 
  27. ↑ Uncle Dust (1999). "Expendable Review for Dreamcast on GamePro.com". GamePro (IDG Entertainment). Archived from the original on July 6, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20040706173829/http://gamepro.com/sega/dreamcast/games/reviews/1989.shtml. Retrieved September 4, 2020. 
  28. ↑ Hryb, Larry "Major Mike" (November 1999). "Expendable (DC)". GamePro (IDG) (134): 136. Archived from the original on April 4, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230404043405/https://retrocdn.net/images/1/10/GamePro_US_134.pdf. Retrieved July 10, 2023. 
  • 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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