Software:Monster Business

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Monster Business
Developer(s)Eclipse Software Design
Publisher(s)Ascon
Programmer(s)Fabian Hammer
Artist(s)Michael Grohe
Tim Lange
Sven Bauer
Composer(s)Laurens Tummers
John Tonnard
Platform(s)Amiga, Atari ST
Release1991
Genre(s)Platform
Mode(s)Single-player, two-player alternating

Monster Business is a 1991 vertically scrolling platform game developed by Eclipse Software Design and published by Ascon that was released for the Amiga and Atari ST.

Plot

The Mad Meanies, a group of mutated monsters, have invaded construction sites owned by Mr. Bob, stealing the worker's tools and preventing work from being done on the sites. Mr. Bob hires the Beastie Busters, led by Leroy, to clear the construction sites of monsters and retrieve the stolen tools.[1]

Gameplay

The player must defeat monsters by inflating them, while platforming to the top of the level.

Monster Business is a vertically-scrolling platformer wherein the player takes the role of Leroy, the leader of the Beastie Busters, and must remove monsters from a construction yard by inflating them using a pump.[1][2] The player must platform to the top of each level before the time limit runs out, while also defeating all monsters in the level and avoiding hazards such as holes in the scaffolding.[1][2][3] While climbing diagonal slopes, the player is vulnerable to monsters as the pump cannot be used on slopes, and if the player stops moving while on a slope, they slide down to the bottom and become temporarily stunned.[2][4]

The game spans forty-five levels which increase in difficulty as the game progresses, and new monsters are introduced in later levels.[5] When the player runs out of lives, they are given the option to continue four times, after which if they die again, they lose the game, and must start over from level one.[4] To inflate monsters, the player must get close to them without being hit and start pumping. The inflated monsters slowly float skywards and knock other creatures off the construction scaffolding if they are hit.[2] When a monster is defeated, it drops tools that Leroy can collect for additional points.[2] Crates spread throughout the level have bonuses that give varied positive effects to the player when collected, such as a temporary boost in jump height.[1] The game has two-player alternating multiplayer, with the second player beginning their turn once the first player loses.[4]

Development

Both the Amiga and the Atari ST versions of the game were bundled on the same disk,[4] not released separately. A prototype Commodore 64 version was tested by Tilt magazine,[6] and was set to release in mid-July 1991,[7] but never materialized.

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
Amiga Power
New Computer Express
TiltStarStarStarStarHalf star (Amiga, Atari ST)[6]
ACEStarStarStarStar (Amiga)[8]
Amiga DOS78% (Amiga)[9]
Joystick76% (Atari ST)[10]
Aktueller Software Markt9/12 (Atari ST)[7]
Amiga Joker74% (Amiga)[11]
The One for ST Games69% (Atari ST)[1]
CU Amiga68% (Amiga)[2]
Games-XStarStarStar (Amiga)[4]
Amiga Computing58% (Amiga)[3]
Power Play54% (Amiga)[12]
Amiga Action35% (Amiga)[13]

Monster Business received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising its simple arcade-style gameplay as 'addictive and fun',[4][14] and others finding it 'unoriginal' and 'repetitive'.[3] CU Amiga criticized Monster Business's 'lack of variety' in its gameplay, but said it was "mildly enjoyable" nonetheless, calling the game "innocent fun in an uncomplicated way".[2] Games-X praised its gameplay as "fairly addictive and mindless fun", but expressed that while initially pleasant, the gameplay "soon becomes boring and fairly tedious" and its music becomes grating. Despite this, Games-X expressed that each new level motivated them to want to complete it, and that the game is "good value" due to having both the Amiga and ST versions on one disk, and being cheaper than other games.[4]

Stuart Campbell, writing for Amiga Power, praised Monster Business's gameplay, calling it "simple, comical, fun and addictive", and praised its difficulty curve, further stating that the game "plays like all the best arcade games".[14] In a review of the game in New Computer Express, Campbell described it as "the most fun I've had with a computer game since I started writing for games magazines", calling its gameplay "magnificently designed", and described the game as a cross between Dig Dug and Snow Bros.[14][5] Campbell highly praised the game's music, and expressed that he'd "never heard anything sound this good on an ST, and nothing this good actually during a game on any machine".[5] Monster Business was 98th on Amiga Power's list of "All-Time Top 100" games in 1992, calling the game "simple but emotionally involving".[15]

The One for ST Games criticized the game's "cute" artstyle as generic, saying that they give the feeling of having "seen it all before", consequently lowering their expectations for the game. The One noted that the game felt "aimed at a younger audience", and that there are better games for older audiences, calling Monster Business "mostly forgettable".[1] Amiga Computing criticized the game as 'outdated' and boring, stating that it would be "more suited to the ZX Spectrum some six or seven years ago", and said that its playability "is just not there .. what starts off as vaguely diverting soon gets repetitive". Amiga Computing expressed that they expected better due to the owner of Eclipse Software Design being a programmer with "close involvement with the project", but was disappointed.[3]

ACE called Monster Business "the epitome of the average arcade game [with] stupid graphics and a doubly stupid premise", and stated that while it's 'idiotic', the game is "actually quite good". ACE praised the game's varied hazards on each level, music, and "smart" graphics, concluding by calling Monster Business "an example of what arcade games should be about".[8]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Presley, Paul (October 1991). "Monster Business". The One for ST Games (EMAP Images) (37): 86. ISSN 0962-2888. https://archive.org/details/One_for_ST_Games_The_Issue_037_1991-10_EMAP_Images_GB/page/n85/mode/2up. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Dykes, Alan (November 1991). "Screen Scene Shorts - Monster Business". CU Amiga (EMAP) (21): 101. ISSN 0963-0090. https://archive.org/details/cuamiga-magazine-021/page/n99/mode/2up. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Maddock, Jonathan (October 1991). "Monster Business". Amiga Computing (Europress Publications) (41): 78–79. ISSN 0959-9630. https://archive.org/details/AmigaComputingIssue041Oct91/page/n77/mode/2up. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 Sharp, Brian (August 1991). "Monster Business". Games-X (Europress Interactive) (19): 18. http://amr.abime.net/review_10428. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named express
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Monster Business et Rodland sont sur un plateau..." (in French). Tilt (94): 52, 54. October 1991. ISSN 0753-6968. https://archive.org/details/Tilt094/page/n51/mode/2up. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Alter, Sandra (July 1991). "Das Schweigen der ASM-Redakteure/Innen - Monster Business" (in German). Aktueller Software Markt (Tronic Verlag): 10. ISSN 0933-1867. https://archive.org/details/Aktueller_Software_Markt_-_Ausgabe_1991.07/page/n11/mode/2up. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Monster Business". ACE (EMAP Images) (53): 115. February 1992. ISSN 0954-8076. https://archive.org/details/Ace_Magazine_Issue_53/page/n113/mode/2up. 
  9. ↑ Hink, Antje (September 1991). "Fair Play - Monster Business" (in German). Amiga DOS (DMV-Verlag): 115. ISSN 0937-2717. https://archive.org/details/amiga-dos-1991-09/page/114/mode/2up. 
  10. ↑ "Monster Business" (in French). Joystick (Sipress) (18): 224. July 1991. ISSN 1145-4806. https://archive.org/details/joystick018/page/n223/mode/2up. 
  11. ↑ Borgmeier, Carsten (August 1991). "Monster Business" (in German). Amiga Joker (Joker Verlag): 18. https://archive.org/details/Amiga_Joker_1991-08_Joker_Verlag_DE/page/n17/mode/2up. 
  12. ↑ Forster, Winfried (October 1991). "Blas mal wieder - Monster Business" (in German). Power Play (Markt & Technik): 56. ISSN 0937-9754. https://archive.org/details/powerplaymagazine-1991-10/page/56/mode/2up. 
  13. ↑ "Action Guide". Amiga Action (Europress Interactive) (36): 96. September 1992. ISSN 0957-4050. https://archive.org/details/Amiga_Action_Issue_36_1992-09_Europress_Interactive_GB/page/n95/mode/2up. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named amigapower1991
  15. ↑ "The All-Time Top 100 Games '92". Amiga Power (Future Publishing) (13): 4. May 1992. ISSN 0961-7310. https://archive.org/details/AmigaPowerIssue013199205FuturePublishingGB300dpi/page/n3/mode/2up. 
  • Monster Business at Amiga Hall of Light
  • Monster Business at Atari Mania
  • 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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