Software:MotoHeroz

From HandWiki
Short description: 2011 video game
MotoHeroz
Title card
Developer(s)Ubisoft RedLynx
Publisher(s)Ubisoft RedLynx, Ubisoft
Platform(s)Wii (WiiWare), iOS, Android
ReleaseWii
September 15, 2011
iOS
March 15, 2012
Android
September 26, 2013
Genre(s)Platform, racing
Mode(s)Single-player

MotoHeroz is a platform-racing video game developed and self-published by Ubisoft RedLynx. It was released as a digital download on September 15, 2011 for the Nintendo Wii via its WiiWare service, March 15, 2012 for iOS devices, and September 26, 2013 for Android.[1]

It features both single and multiplayer gameplay. The game also features online leaderboards and challenge levels which are periodically replaced with new ones.

Gameplay

MotoHeroz is played from a 2D perspective, much like a standard platform game. It differs from a standard platform game in that players will often backtrack or travel in both directions as opposed to the standard linear left-to-right progression.

MotoHeroz is a platform racing video game in which the player must guide their vehicle through a colorful environment. Control emphasis is placed on forward and reverse motion and balancing the vehicle. Unlike many a traditional platform game where the player character progresses from left to right, MotoHeroz will often require the player to double back along a previous path which has been altered, or move in a right-to-left reverse direction on a higher platform.[2]

Three gameplay modes are included, Story, Online, and Party. Story mode is played by one player as they progress through the game's main campaign. Online play features new levels, challenges and online leaderboards. Up to four players can join in for simultaneous gameplay for Party mode.[3] Fourteen different vehicles are available, and includes over 100 levels. Bonus levels are often interchanged by the developer. Popular levels stay in play longer while those less popular are replaced by new or previous creations.[2] Each level is roughly 20 kilobytes in size, and approximately 50 were created to be interchanged post-launch. Each level remains online for 12–24 hours and features a score-based challenge system.[4]

Development, marketing and release

MotoHeroz was first announced on September 1, 2010 as an exclusive for the Nintendo Wii. RedLynx would self-publish the game on Nintendo's WiiWare service.[3] It was released for the Wii on September 15, 2011.[5] It was later announced for iOS devices such as the iPhone and iPad via a teaser trailer on March 7, 2012. This version would be published by Ubisoft, who acquired the developer in November 2011.[6] It was released for iOS devices on March 15, 2012, with the iPad version released as MotoHeroz HD.[7][8]

RedLynx Creative Director Antti Ilvesssuo stated that "From the start [MotoHeroz] had to be designed for Nintendo’s audience."[9] An interviewer from Edge magazine stated if they felt whether the game would work on other platforms, or whether RedLynx's previous title Trials HD, would be successful on the Wii. RedLynx Chief Executive Officer Tero Virtala stated that "I strongly believe that at some point there will be multiplatform launches from us, but those games will have to be such that from the start we feel that it’s going to be an excellent game for every platform."[9] Ilvesssuo stated in a separate interview that MotoHeroz was not intended to be a "Trials HD copycat", and that the original concept for the game was over five years old at the time.[10] He also re-emphasized the focus on Nintendo's audience, stating "With WiiWare, we saw a great opportunity as it suited this type of game very well".[10] The game runs at 60 frames per second and features music by Alan Wake composer Petri Alanko.[11]

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
iOSWii
DestructoidN/A7/10[12]
EdgeN/A7/10[13]
EurogamerN/A6/10[14]
GameProN/AStarStarStarStarHalf star[15]
GamesMasterN/A88%[16]
GameZoneN/A8.5/10[17]
Hyper7/10[18]N/A
IGNN/A9/10[19]
NGamerN/A80%[20]
Nintendo World ReportN/A9/10[21]
Aggregate score
Metacritic77/100[22]82/100[23]

MotoHeroz received "favorable" reviews on both platforms according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[22][23] The Wii version received two perfect scores at Metacritic: from N-Europe's Sam Gittins and Peter Willington of Nintendo Life.[24][25]

David Sanchez of GameZone praised the game's multiplayer aspects. He also noted that until MotoHeroz was released the only reason he found "to hook up my console [was] to play Super Smash Bros. Brawl with [his] buddies."[17] He listed the five-hour campaign and lack of online multiplayer as low points to his review, but stated that the game was still well worth its cost.[17] IGN's Lucas M. Thomas gave high marks to several aspects of the game. He noted that the game's load times were extremely fast, the menus were intuitive, and that it had several moments of humor. He also noted that though the Wii cannot produce HDTV resolutions that MotoHeroz still looked impressive in the console's 480p resolution.[19] Darren Nakamura of Destructoid raised a concern with the game's gold medal difficulty. He felt that the challenge ranged "from pretty tough to ludicrously difficult."[12] He noted that many critics initially scoffed its price when compared to Trials HD, but stated that most reviewers later recanted their concerns due to large amounts of replay value.[12]

Eurogamer's Rich Stanton was more critical of the game. He felt that even though it represented some of the best WiiWare games had to offer it still did not stand up to RedLynx's other titles.[14] A higher score was given by Nadia Oxford of Gamezebo. Oxford did note that there are moments of repetitive gameplay, but appreciated the inclusion of randomized online ghost racers for the iOS version.[26] Official Nintendo Magazine's Jason Killingsworth stated that MotoHeroz "offers countless hours of physics-based fun, especially in chaotic four-player mode."[27]

See also

  • Trials (series)

References

  1. ↑ Clark, Robert (September 26, 2013). "New Game From Ubisoft, Motoheroz, Out Now On Android". http://www.androidshock.com/news/new-game-from-ubisoft-motoheroz-out-now-on-android/. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 George, Richard (March 7, 2011). "The Mayhem of MotoHeroz". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/03/08/the-mayhem-of-motoheroz. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Fletcher, JC (September 1, 2010). "Trials HD dev announces MotoHeroz for WiiWare". Oath Inc.. https://www.engadget.com/2010/09/01/trials-hd-dev-announces-motoheroz-for-wiiware/. 
  4. ↑ Tolito, Stephen (March 7, 2011). "The Trials HD People Believe They Can Bring Online Innovation To, Get This, The Wii". Gawker Media. https://kotaku.com/the-trials-hd-people-believe-they-can-bring-online-inno-5778800. 
  5. ↑ Pereira, Chris (September 15, 2011). "WiiWare Gets MotoHeroz Today, 3DS Adds a Game Boy Mega Man". Ziff Davis. http://www.1up.com/news/wiiware-motoheroz-today-3ds-adds-game-boy-mega-man. 
  6. ↑ Goulter, Tom (November 2, 2011). "Trials developer RedLynx bought up by Ubisoft". Future plc. https://www.gamesradar.com/trials-developer-redlynx-bought-ubisoft/. 
  7. ↑ "UBISOFT LAUNCHES 'MOTOHEROZ ®' GAME FOR iOS". UBM plc. March 15, 2012. https://www.gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/165874/UBISOFT_LAUNCHES_lsquoMOTOHEROZ_regrsquo_GAME_FORiOS.php. 
  8. ↑ Narcisse, Evan (March 21, 2012). "MotoHeroz HD Combines Racing and Platforming For a Fast, Fun Ride". Gawker Media. https://kotaku.com/motoheroz-hd-combines-racing-and-platforming-for-a-fast-5895222. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Edge staff (April 14, 2011). "The Story Of Trials HD". Edge (Future plc). http://www.edge-online.com/features/story-trials-hd. Retrieved March 7, 2019. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Parkin, Simon (September 9, 2010). "Interview: RedLynx On Life After Trials HD". UBM plc. https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/30352/Interview_RedLynx_On_Life_After_Trials_HD.php. 
  11. ↑ Caoili, Eric (January 18, 2011). "Trials Developer Releasing MotoHeroz To WiiWare". UBM plc. http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2011/01/trials_developer_releasing_mot.php. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Nakamura, Darren (October 25, 2011). "Review: MotoHeroz (Wii)". Enthusiast Gaming. https://www.destructoid.com/review-motoheroz-214271.phtml. 
  13. ↑ Edge staff (September 15, 2011). "MotoHeroz review (Wii)". Future plc. http://www.next-gen.biz/reviews/motoheroz-review. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Stanton, Rich (September 26, 2011). "MotoHeroz (Wii)". Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-09-26-motoheroz-review. 
  15. ↑ Terrones, Terry (September 19, 2011). "Review: MotoHeroz (Wii)". GamePro (GamePro Media). http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/223152/review-motoheroz-wii/. Retrieved March 7, 2019. 
  16. ↑ "Review: MotoHeroz (Wii)". GamesMaster (Future plc): 91. December 2011. 
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 Sanchez, David (September 22, 2011). "MotoHeroz Review (Wii)". https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/motoheroz/. 
  18. ↑ "Review: MotoHeroz (iOS)". Hyper (Next Media Pty Ltd): 29. June 2012. 
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Thomas, Lucas M. (September 16, 2011). "MotoHeroz Review (Wii)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/09/16/motoheroz-review. 
  20. ↑ "Review: MotoHeroz". Nintendo Gamer (Future plc): 74. October 2011. 
  21. ↑ Rosenberg, Jared (September 17, 2011). "MotoHeroz". NINWR, LLC. https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/27887/motoheroz-wii. 
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 "MotoHeroz for iPhone/iPad Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/motoheroz/critic-reviews/?platform=ios-iphoneipad. 
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 "MotoHeroz for Wii Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/motoheroz/critic-reviews/?platform=wii. 
  24. ↑ Gittins, Sam (October 4, 2011). "MotoHeroz". http://www.n-europe.com/reviews/motoheroz. 
  25. ↑ Willington, Peter (September 18, 2011). "MotoHeroz Review". Gamer Network. http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/2011/09/motoheroz. 
  26. ↑ Oxford, Nadia (March 18, 2012). "MotoHeroz Review (iOS)". https://www.gamezebo.com/2012/03/18/motoheroz-review/. 
  27. ↑ Killingsworth, Jason (September 16, 2011). "MotoHeroz review". Future plc. http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/30608/motoheroz-review/. 
  • (Wii)
  • (iOS)
  • 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. 
  • No URL found. Please specify a URL here or add one to Wikidata.

Template:Atari



  • 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. 
  • No URL found. Please specify a URL here or add one to Wikidata.

Template:Atari




Retrieved from "https://handwiki.org/wiki/index.php?title=Software:MotoHeroz&oldid=770366"