Software:MySims

From HandWiki

MySims is a video game developed by EA Redwood Shores and published by Electronic Arts as a spin-off to Maxis's The Sims franchise for the Wii and Nintendo DS in September 2007, re-released for Microsoft Windows and mobile phones in 2008,[1] and for BlackBerry in 2009. The game sold over 4 million units as of 2008.

MySims: Cozy Bundle, which contains MySims and MySims Kingdom, was released for Nintendo Switch on November 19, 2024 [2] and released on Microsoft Windows via Steam and Epic Games Store on March 18, 2025.[3]

Overview

Gameplay

Apart from creating a custom Mii-like character, players may also modify their houses and build furniture and appliances using a selection of building blocks.[4] This gives the player more building options, allowing them to create objects by using blueprints, a change from the usual virtual catalog found in The Sims. There are 80 characters with whom the player may interact in the Wii version (30 characters in the Nintendo DS version), such as a mad scientist, a magician, a librarian, a pizza chef, and a martial arts teacher. Some of these characters may ask the player to build things for them. As with previous Sims games, meeting people and forming relationships is a major gameplay focus, but unlike The Sims games, the characters do not have to fulfil needs such as hunger and sleep. Becoming a Sim's best friend will earn the player either a special blueprint not available anywhere else in the game, or a style of clothing for their wardrobe. Players can also earn blueprints by performing tasks for Commercial Sims (Sims who have their own businesses). Typically this involves building around 5-10 items for Sims, depending on the Star Level (the 1-5 level) of the player's town and the essences they have access to.

A feature new to MySims is "Essences". They can be found in various locations in town or by interacting with Sims or objects. Essences are used for a number of things including paint for the walls of houses, construction of items, as well as decoration. The minigames in the DS Version include racquetball, paragliding, Scuba diving and more.

Character design

Compared to previous Sims titles, MySims has a more Chibi-inspired look, with cute character designs; this was Emmy Toyonaga's idea. In Official Nintendo Magazine, she remarked: "Well, Mario and other Nintendo characters are pretty short and stubby. Also, being Japanese, I'm used to the mindset that fun games should have shorter, stubbier characters. So these characters came naturally." In April 2007, designer Robin Hunicke said in Nintendo Power that the character designs imply youthfulness and that the aesthetic was chosen for worldwide appeal while referring to the lesser sales of previous Sims games in Japan compared to other territories.[5] MySims also differs from The Sims games by introducing a designed cast of characters rather than procedurally-generated "townies". Every NPC the player encounters has their own name, personality, and backstory.

Music

The game's music was composed by John Enroth and Silas Hite of Mutato Muzika. The music changes depending on what type of building the player is visiting. There is a specific motif for each business and for each Interest, which will play when the player approaches a building.

Release

MySims was released for the Wii and Nintendo DS in September 2007.[6] In October 2008, the game was released on PC, featuring additional characters and online features, allowing players to communicate and participate in mini-games such as tag and hide-and-seek.[7] In 2010, Taco Bell included a copy of MySims with its kids' meals in the United States.[8][9]

On November 19, 2024, Electronic Arts released My Sims: Cozy Bundle on Nintendo Switch, featuring a high-definition version of MySims.[10] On March 18, 2025, it was released on EA Play, Steam, and the Epic Games Store.[11] A subsequent update from Electronic Arts added compatibility with the Steam Deck.[12] On November 6, 2025, MySims: Cozy Bundle was released on Apple Arcade.[13]

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
DSmobilePCWii
EGMN/AN/AN/A5.83/10[17]
Eurogamer6/10[18]N/AN/A8/10[19]
Famitsu28/40[20]N/AN/A30/40[21]
Game InformerN/AN/AN/A8/10[22]
GameProN/AN/AN/AStarStarHalf star[23]
GameRevolutionN/AN/AN/AC−[24]
GameSpot6.5/10[25]N/AN/A6.5/10[26]
GameSpyStarStarStarHalf star[27]N/AN/AStarStarStarHalf star[28]
GameTrailersN/AN/AN/A6.8/10[29]
IGN6.9/10[30]N/A7/10[31]7/10[32]
Nintendo Life6/10[33]N/AN/A8/10[34]
Nintendo PowerN/AN/AN/A7/10[35]
PC Gamer (UK)N/AN/A68%[36]N/A
Pocket GamerStarStarStar[37]StarStarStarHalf star[38]N/AN/A
Digital SpyN/AN/AN/AStarStarStar[39]
Aggregate score
Metacritic67/100[14]N/A70/100[15]68/100[16]

The game received "average" reviews on all platforms according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[14][15][16] In Japan, where the Wii version was ported for release under the name Boku to Sim no Machi (ぼくとシムのまち, Boku to Shimu no Machi) on September 27, 2007, followed by the DS version under the name Boku to Sim no Machi: Resort ni Genki o Torimodosō! (ぼくとシムのまち リゾートに元気をとりもどそう！, Boku to Shimu no Machi Risōto ni Genki o Torimodosō!) on December 6, 2007, Famitsu gave it a score of 30 out of 40 for the former,[21] and 28 out of 40 for the latter.[20]

IGN said of the Wii version, "The problem is that nearly all of the objectives revolve around the same two tasks: the collection of essences and the construction of houses, buildings and items. All of the Sim management and social interaction elements of the previous games – well, you're not going to find much of that in the streamlined Wii affair."[32] GameSpot praised the same console version for the construction being intuitive and flexible and for the presentation being cheery and clean.[26] It was also criticized for having longer than usual load times. Its Nintendo DS counterpart is regarded as virtually an all new game in design; however, reception of its control scheme varied greatly.

GameZone gave the PC version a score of seven out of ten, saying, "Geared more for younger players, MySims is a nice little experience with a linear story arc that players will have to play to unlock the wide variety of content."[40] However, Edge gave the Wii version a score of six out of ten, saying, "Residents themselves are a colourless bunch, a series of knowing archetypes – goth girls, hip DJs, Italian chefs – that lack the effortless charm of Animal Crossing's simple ciphers."[41]

Sales

MySims is one of the best-selling Nintendo DS video games. By October 2008, the game had sold over 4 million copies worldwide.[42] This total included 3.72 million units sold prior to the end of that year, earning a Guinness World Record for the best-selling Sims title on a Nintendo console.[43][44][45] By December 2008, MySims had sold over one million units on the Nintendo DS in the United States.[46]

In the United Kingdom, MySims: Cozy Bundle debuted as the 8th best-selling title on the UK physical sales chart for the week of November 23, 2024.[47] The game later ranked 15th during the week of December 16,[48] 23rd in the final week of 2024,[49] and 21st in early January 2025.[50] During the final week of February 2025, MySims: Cozy Bundle was the 31st best-selling title.[51]

In the United States, MySims: Cozy Bundle was the 19th best-selling title in November 2024.[52][53] The game also ranked as the 10th best-selling Nintendo Switch title for the period from January 5 to February 1, 2025.[54] In February 2025, Electronic Arts CEO Andrew Wilson said MySims: Cozy Bundle had "performed well ahead of our expectations".[55][56]

Sequels

Five games have been subsequently released in the MySims series.

Game Release date
MySims Kingdom October 28, 2008
MySims Party March 10, 2009
MySims Racing June 12, 2009
MySims Agents September 25, 2009
MySims SkyHeroes September 28, 2010

References

  1. ↑ Roberts, Cory (February 17, 2017). "The story so far on the MySims franchise... (updated 2019)". A Medium Corporation. https://medium.com/shinkretro/the-story-so-far-on-the-mysims-franchise-ed562b3266e5. 
  2. ↑ Makar, Connor (27 August 2024). "MySims Cozy Bundle is bringing two of the most underrated Sims games to the Switch on November 19" (in en). https://www.vg247.com/mysims-cozy-bundle-is-bringing-two-of-the-most-underrated-sims-games-to-the-switch-on-november-19. 
  3. ↑ "MySims™ on Steam" (in en). https://store.steampowered.com/app/3328900/MySims/. 
  4. ↑ "MySims". https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Wii/MySims-282167.html. 
  5. ↑ Imgur. "Nintendo Power April 2007 - MySims Feature" (in en). https://imgur.com/a/nintendo-power-april-2007-mysims-feature-To453pp. 
  6. ↑ "MySims Hands-on" (in en). 2007-09-05. https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/09/05/mysims-hands-on-2. 
  7. ↑ Thang, Jimmy (2008-07-07). "MySims Coming to PC" (in en). https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/07/07/mysims-coming-to-pc. 
  8. ↑ Yoon, Andrew (September 25, 2010). "Taco Bell offering free copies of MySims with its Kid's Meals". Weblogs. http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/25/taco-bell-offering-free-copies-of-mysims-with-its-kids-meals/. 
  9. ↑ Razak, Matthew (September 26, 2010). "Taco Bell offers MySims with kid’s meal". https://www.destructoid.com/taco-bell-offers-mysims-with-kids-meal/. 
  10. ↑ Scullion, Chris (2024-08-27). "Two Wii games from the MySims series are getting re-released on Switch" (in en-US). https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/two-wii-games-from-the-mysims-series-are-getting-re-released-on-switch/. 
  11. ↑ Arts, Electronic (2025-03-18). "Mysims Cozy Bundle PC release notes" (in en). https://www.ea.com/games/the-sims/mysims-cozy-bundle/news/03-18-2025-update. 
  12. ↑ Kupetsky, Noah (2025-04-15). "MySims Officially Adds Steam Deck Compatibility For MySims and MySims Kingdom - Steam Deck HQ" (in en-US). https://steamdeckhq.com/news/mysims-officially-adds-steam-deck-compatibility/. 
  13. ↑ Arts, Electronic (2025-10-07). "All You Need To Know About MySims and MySims Kingdom, Now Available on Apple Arcade" (in en). https://www.ea.com/games/the-sims/mysims-cozy-bundle/news/mysims-available-now-on-apple-arcade. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "MySims for DS Reviews". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/mysims/critic-reviews/?platform=ds. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 "MySims for PC Reviews". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/mysims/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 "MySims for Wii Reviews". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/mysims/critic-reviews/?platform=wii. 
  17. ↑ EGM staff (October 2007). "MySims (Wii)". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (220): 84. 
  18. ↑ MacDonald, Keza (September 13, 2007). "MySims (DS) [date mislabeled as "September 20, 2007""]. Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/mysims-review. 
  19. ↑ MacDonald, Keza (October 3, 2007). "MySims (Wii)". Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/r-mysims-wii. 
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 "ぼくとシムのまち リゾートに元気をとりもどそう！" (in ja). Famitsu (Enterbrain). https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=3100&redirect=no. Retrieved May 27, 2023. 
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 "ぼくとシムのまち" (in ja). Famitsu (Enterbrain). https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=3104&redirect=no. Retrieved May 27, 2023. 
  22. ↑ Reiner, Andrew (October 2007). "MySims (Wii)". Game Informer (GameStop) (174): 121. http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/655FBC68-FE60-4A09-BF30-53BCB52171F2.htm. Retrieved May 27, 2023. 
  23. ↑ Ngak, Chenda (October 15, 2007). "Review: MySims (Wii)". GamePro (IDG Entertainment). http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/wii/games/reviews/140648.shtml. Retrieved May 28, 2023. 
  24. ↑ Tan, Nicholas (October 10, 2007). "MySims Review (Wii)". CraveOnline. https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/38898-mysims-review. 
  25. ↑ Provo, Frank (October 19, 2007). "MySims Review (DS)". Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/mysims-review/1900-6181404/. 
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 Davis, Ryan (September 17, 2007). "MySims Review (Wii)". Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/mysims-review/1900-6178929/. 
  27. ↑ Di Fiore, Elisa (October 10, 2007). "GameSpy: MySims (NDS)". IGN Entertainment. http://ds.gamespy.com/nintendo-ds/my-sims/826359p1.html. 
  28. ↑ Di Fiore, Elisa (September 28, 2007). "GameSpy: MySims (Wii)". IGN Entertainment. http://wii.gamespy.com/wii/the-sims-wii/823837p1.html. 
  29. ↑ "MySims (Wii)". Viacom. September 13, 2007. http://www.gametrailers.com/reviews/nuv10r/mysims-review. 
  30. ↑ Bozon, Mark (September 18, 2007). "MySims Review (NDS)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/09/18/mysims-review-3. 
  31. ↑ Thang, Jimmy (November 21, 2008). "MySims Review (PC)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/11/21/mysims-review. 
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 Casamassina, Matt (September 18, 2007). "MySims Review (Wii)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/09/18/mysims-review-2. 
  33. ↑ McFerran, Damien (October 8, 2007). "MySims Review (DS)". Gamer Network. https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/2007/10/mysims_ds. 
  34. ↑ McFerran, Damien (October 2, 2007). "MySims Review (Wii)". Gamer Network. https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/2007/10/mysims_wii. 
  35. ↑ "MySims (Wii)". Nintendo Power (Nintendo of America) 221: 100. November 2007. 
  36. ↑ "MySims". PC Gamer UK (Future plc): 76. January 2009. 
  37. ↑ McFerran, Damien (October 2, 2007). "MySims (DS)". Steel Media Ltd. https://www.pocketgamer.com/mysims/mysims-ds-review/. 
  38. ↑ Williams, Andrew (January 20, 2009). "MySims (Mobile)". Steel Media Ltd. https://www.pocketgamer.com/mysims/mysims-mobile-review/. 
  39. ↑ Gibbon, David (September 21, 2007). "Wii: 'MySims'". Digital Spy Limited. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/gaming/a75957/wii-mysims.html. 
  40. ↑ Lafferty, Michael (November 6, 2008). "MySims - PC - Review". https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/mysims_pc_review/. 
  41. ↑ Edge staff (December 2007). "MySims (Wii)". Edge (Future plc) (182): 97. 
  42. ↑ "MySims Kingdom Goes Gold". 6 October 2008. https://ir.ea.com/press-releases/press-release-details/2008/MySims-Kingdom-Goes-Gold/default.aspx. "We've had enormous success with the MySims franchise, selling more than 4 million copies of the original MySims" 
  43. ↑ "Best-selling Sims game on Nintendo consoles". https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/89389-best-selling-sims-game-on-nintendo-consoles. 
  44. ↑ Carpenter, Nicole (2024-08-26). "MySims, EA's answer to Animal Crossing, coming to Nintendo Switch" (in en-US). https://www.polygon.com/the-sims/444219/mysims-nintendo-switch-announcement#. 
  45. ↑ "MySims Cozy Bundle: The Adorable Life Sim Returns" (in en-US). 2024-08-28. https://totalapexgaming.com/mysims-cozy-bundle-for-nintendo-switch/. 
  46. ↑ Graft, Kris (December 18, 2008). "How Long Are GTA's Legs?". Edge (Future plc). http://www.edge-online.com/features/how-long-are-gtas-legs. Retrieved May 27, 2023. "...and My Sims at no. 23 (1 million).". 
  47. ↑ "UK Charts: Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake Crashes Out Of The Top 40" (in en-GB). 2024-11-27. https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2024/11/uk-charts-dragon-quest-iii-hd-2d-remake-crashes-out-of-the-top-40. 
  48. ↑ "UK Charts: The Usual Suspects Make Up The Top Ten As Christmas Approaches" (in en-GB). 2024-12-16. https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2024/12/uk-charts-the-usual-suspects-make-up-the-top-ten-as-christmas-approaches. 
  49. ↑ "UK Charts: Nintendo Switch Closes Out 2024 With The Old Favourites" (in en-GB). 2024-12-31. https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2024/12/uk-charts-nintendo-switch-closes-out-2024-with-the-old-favourites. 
  50. ↑ "UK Charts: 2025 Gets Off To A Predictable Start, With Familiar Faces Dominating" (in en-GB). 2025-01-06. https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/01/uk-charts-2025-gets-off-to-a-predictable-start-with-familiar-faces-dominating. 
  51. ↑ "UK Charts: Familiar Faces Keep Nintendo In The Top Ten, As Like A Dragon Arrives In Style" (in en-GB). 2025-02-28. https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/02/uk-charts-familiar-faces-keep-nintendo-in-the-top-ten-as-like-a-dragon-arrives-in-style. 
  52. ↑ Valentine, Rebekah (2024-12-18). "November 2024 Sales Charts: Nintendo Switch Passes PS2 to Become the Second Best-Selling Gaming Hardware in U.S. History" (in en). https://www.ign.com/articles/november-2024-sales-charts-nintendo-switch-passes-ps2-to-become-the-second-best-selling-gaming-hardware-in-us-history. 
  53. ↑ Straw, Mike (2024-12-18). "Call Of Duty: Black Ops 6 Was November's Best-Selling Video Game" (in en-US). https://insider-gaming.com/call-of-duty-black-ops-6-was-novembers-best-selling-video-game/. 
  54. ↑ "Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Tops Switch Charts In Opening Month (US)" (in en-GB). 2025-02-22. https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/02/donkey-kong-country-returns-hd-tops-switch-charts-in-opening-month-us. 
  55. ↑ "EA eyeing Nintendo Switch 2 for several key franchises" (in en). Eurogamer.net. 2025-02-05. https://www.eurogamer.net/ea-eyeing-nintendo-switch-2-for-several-key-franchises. 
  56. ↑ Yin-Poole, Wesley (2025-02-05). "EA Says Madden and FC Might Find 'Real Energy' on Nintendo Switch 2" (in en). https://www.ign.com/articles/ea-says-madden-and-fc-might-find-real-energy-on-nintendo-switch-2. 
  • 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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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. 
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  • 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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