Software:Moto Racer

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Short description: 1997 video game
Moto Racer
Developer(s)Delphine Software International
Publisher(s)Electronic Arts
Designer(s)Paul Cuisset
Composer(s)Raphaël Gesqua
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows, PlayStation
ReleaseWindows
PlayStation
Genre(s)Racing
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Moto Racer, mislabeled as Moto Racer Gold,[5] is an arcade style[6] motorcycle racing game developed by Delphine Software International and published by Electronic Arts for Microsoft Windows and PlayStation. The game was originally to be published by BMG Interactive, but after BMG closed down its U.S. operations[7] it sold the publication rights to Electronic Arts.[8] Critics hailed the game as the first outstanding arcade-style racer to appear on PC, and the PlayStation version in turn was called a strong conversion in reviews.

Gameplay

Players race on either a motocross bike or street bike, depending on the track.[9] The PC version features a total of eight tracks, four of which are unlockable, while the PlayStation version adds two tracks for a total of ten.[10] A multiplayer option is also available, allowing two players to compete over a LAN or Internet on the PC[9] or split screen on the PlayStation version.[10] The single player modes include "Time Attack" and "Championship". The most laps a player can do is eight on the Practice Race.

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
PCPS
CGSPStarStarStarHalf star[15]N/A
CGWStarStarStarStar[16]N/A
Edge8/10[17]7/10[18]
EGMN/A7.25/10[10]
Game InformerN/A8/10[19]
GameFanN/A82%[20][lower-alpha 1]
GameRevolutionB+[21]N/A
GameSpot7/10[22]7.2/10[23]
IGNN/A7.5/10[24]
Next GenerationStarStarStarStarStar[25]StarStarStarStarStar[26]
OPM (US)N/AStarStarStarStarStar[27]
PC Gamer (US)91%[28]N/A
Aggregate score
GameRankings76%[11]80%[12]

The game received favorable reviews on both platforms according to the review aggregation website GameRankings.[11][12]

Next Generation said in an early review of the PC version that it "fills the vacant niche of the PC motorcycle racing genre admirably. With luck, more titles will use Direct3D as this one does."[25] PC Gamer similarly said that the game does an exceptional job of satisfying PC gamers' previously unfulfilled desire for an arcade racer, summarizing that it "blends together all the great aspects of the genre into an experience that redefines fun. From ultra-fast graphics to heavenly control, this game delivers on all counts." He added that the game's visuals are impressive even without the use of a 3D accelerator card, and the multiplayer options and unlockables give it a higher replay value than most of the competition.[28]

Critics widely praised the PlayStation version for its sharp graphics[10][23][24][26][29] and strong sense of speed.[10][23][26][29] Tim Soete of GameSpot remarked that "the gut-turning velocities achieved during parts of the game - and the requirement that your reflexes one-up this pace - is definitely where the challenge lies in Moto Racer."[23] The vast majority also applauded the controls, particularly when using analog joypads.[10][23][26][29] Jay Boor of IGN disagreed, saying the realism and precision of the bike's handling frustrated him.[24] Crispin Boyer of Electronic Gaming Monthly (EGM) acknowledged that while the game is too easy on easy difficulty, medium difficulty is rather unforgiving, but he and co-reviewers John Ricciardi and Kelly Rickards found this outweighed by the strong controls and overall fun of the game. EGM guest reviewer David Siller gave Moto Racer one of its few negative reviews, citing poor track design.[10] GamePro gave it a 4.5 out of 5 in both control and sound and a perfect 5 in graphics and fun factor, citing the exhilarating sense of speed, "instant onscreen responsiveness" of the controls, low-key musical score, and variety of tracks and options.[29]

Reviewers for IGN and Next Generation agreed that the PlayStation port, while clearly inferior to the PC version in terms of graphics, is an exemplary conversion given the PlayStation's limitations and provides the same essential gaming experience as the PC original.[24][26] Next Generation said, "Although perhaps not quite as technically proficient as the PC version, Moto Racer for PlayStation loses nothing in the essence of the gaming experience it offers. A remarkable achievement."[26]

During the inaugural Interactive Achievement Awards, the PlayStation version of Moto Racer received a nomination for "Console Racing Game of the Year" by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences.[30]

Sequels and spin-offs

Several sequels and spin-offs followed, including Moto Racer 2, Moto Racer World Tour, Moto Racer 3, Moto Racer 4,[31] Moto Racer Advance and Moto Racer DS.

Remake

In 2011, Anuman and Nobilis released a remake called Moto Racer 15th Anniversary for iOS and Microsoft Windows.

Notes

  1. ↑ Three critics of GameFan gave the PlayStation version each a score of 78, 82, and 85.

References

  1. ↑ PC Gamer staff (September 3, 1997). "Now Shipping". Imagine Media. http://www.pcgamer.com/news/news-1997-09-01.html. "A slew of new games have been released to retail outlets over the last few weekends, including...Moto Racer GP..." 
  2. ↑ "Indulge your need for speed". Western Daily Press: pp. 7. August 1, 1997. https://www.newspapers.com/image/921332202/?terms=%22Moto%20Racer%22&match=1. "This week, racing mania hits the shops...Game of the Week: Moto Racer (Delphine Software) For PC-CD Rom Out now." 
  3. ↑ "Disks + Discs Computer Store". Staffordshire Newsletter: pp. 28. November 14, 1997. https://www.newspapers.com/image/832387551/?terms=%22Moto%20Racer%22&match=1. 
  4. ↑ "Electronic Arts Ships Moto Racer for the Playstation". 1998-02-07. http://www.ea.com/companyinfo/press/motopsxships.htm. 
  5. ↑ GameSpot staff (November 4, 1997). "VGS Game Calendar [date mislabeled as "April 26, 2000""]. CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/articles/vgs-game-calendar/1100-2467411/. 
  6. ↑ "Moto Racer (PC)". 1998. http://www.homeoftheunderdogs.net/game.php?id=3587. 
  7. ↑ "Cleaning Time: Corporations Slim Down". Next Generation (Imagine Media) (31): 23. July 1997. https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_31/page/n23. 
  8. ↑ "In the Studio". Next Generation (Imagine Media) (32): 19. August 1997. https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_32/page/n20. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "NG Alphas: Moto Racer". Next Generation (Imagine Media) (28): 106. April 1997. https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_28/page/n107/mode/2up. Retrieved July 18, 2021. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 10.6 EGM staff (December 1997). "Moto Racer". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (101): 204. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Moto Racer for PC". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamerankings.com/pc/198001-moto-racer/index.html. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Moto Racer for PlayStation". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamerankings.com/ps/198002-moto-racer/index.html. 
  13. ↑ Lombardi, Doug (September 2, 1997). "Moto Racer (PC)". CNET. http://www.gamecenter.com/Reviews/Item/0,6,0-1094,00.html. 
  14. ↑ Marrin, John (October 17, 1997). "Moto Racer (PS)". CNET. http://www.gamecenter.com/Consoles/Sony/Moto/. 
  15. ↑ Bauman, Steve (1997). "Moto Racer". Strategy Plus, Inc.. http://www.cdmag.com/articles/005/027/moto_racer_review.html. 
  16. ↑ Goble, Gordon (November 1997). "Hell on Wheels (Moto Racer Review)". Computer Gaming World (Ziff Davis) (160): 298. http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_160.pdf. Retrieved July 18, 2021. 
  17. ↑ Edge staff (May 1997). "Moto Racer (PC)". Edge (Future Publishing) (45): 78–79. https://retrocdn.net/images/8/8f/Edge_UK_045.pdf. Retrieved July 18, 2021. 
  18. ↑ Edge staff (Christmas 1997). "Moto Racer (PS)". Edge (Future Publishing) (53): 111. https://retrocdn.net/images/4/45/Edge_UK_053.pdf. Retrieved July 18, 2021. 
  19. ↑ "Moto Racer (PS)". Game Informer (FuncoLand) (55): 79. November 1997. http://www.gameinformer.com/nov97/mr.html. Retrieved November 25, 2014. 
  20. ↑ Halverson, Dave "E. Storm"; Mylonas, Eric "ECM"; Stockert, Bruce "Reubus" (November 1997). "Moto Racer (PS)". GameFan (Metropolis Media) 5 (11): 20. https://archive.org/details/Gamefan_Vol_5_Issue_11/page/n21/mode/2up. Retrieved July 18, 2021. 
  21. ↑ Hubble, Calvin (November 1997). "Moto Racer Review (PC)". CraveOnline. https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/32998-moto-racer-review. 
  22. ↑ Kaiafas, Tasos (September 26, 1997). "Moto Racer Review (PC)". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/moto-racer-review/1900-2542649/. 
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 23.3 23.4 Soete, Tim (January 29, 1998). "Moto Racer Review (PS)". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/moto-racer-review/1900-2548466/. 
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 24.3 Boor, Jay (November 3, 1997). "Moto Racer (PS)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/1997/11/04/moto-racer. 
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 "Smokin' (Moto Racer Review; PC)". Next Generation (Imagine Media) (31): 168. July 1997. https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_31/page/n173/mode/2up. Retrieved July 18, 2021. 
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 26.3 26.4 26.5 "Moto Racer (PS)". Next Generation (Imagine Media) (36): 162. December 1997. https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_36/page/n163/mode/2up. Retrieved July 18, 2021. 
  27. ↑ "Moto Racer". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine (Ziff Davis) 1 (2). November 1997. 
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 Williamson, Colin (December 1997). "Moto Racer GP [sic]". PC Gamer (Imagine Media) 4 (12). http://www.pcgamer.com/reviews/713.html. Retrieved November 25, 2014. 
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 29.2 29.3 Dr. Zombie (December 1997). "Moto Racer (PS)". GamePro (IDG Entertainment) (111): 152. https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_111_Volume_09_Number_12_1997-12_IDG_Publishing_US/page/n153/mode/2up. Retrieved July 18, 2021. 
  30. ↑ "D.I.C.E. Awards By Video Game Details Moto Racer". Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. https://www.interactive.org/games/video_game_details.asp?idAward=1998&idGame=759. 
  31. ↑ Scammell, David (May 4, 2016). "Moto Racer 4 speeds onto PS4, Xbox One & PC in October". Resero Network. https://www.videogamer.com/news/moto-racer-4-speeds-onto-ps4-xbox-one-and-pc-in-october/. 
  • Moto Racer homepage
  • 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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