Software:NASCAR Thunder 2003

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Not to be confused with NASCAR Racing 2003 Season.
Short description: 2002 video game
NASCAR Thunder 2003
PlayStation 2 cover art with Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Developer(s)EA Tiburon
Budcat Creations (PS)
Image Space (Windows)
Publisher(s)EA Sports
SeriesEA Sports NASCAR
EngineEAGL
Platform(s)PlayStation 2, GameCube, Windows, Xbox, PlayStation
ReleaseGameCube, PlayStation, PlayStation 2, Xbox
  • NA: September 18, 2002[1]
Windows
Genre(s)Sim racing
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

NASCAR Thunder 2003 is the sixth edition of the EA Sports' NASCAR racing simulator series. Developed by EA Tiburon and Budcat Creations and published by EA Sports. It was released for PlayStation, PlayStation 2, GameCube, and Xbox on September 18, 2002, and for Microsoft Windows on October 21. The product features Dale Earnhardt Jr. on the cover. It was the first time the NASCAR's Most Popular Driver Award recipient was featured on the cover, although he did not win the award for the first time until the following year. Dale Earnhardt appeared in the game as a driver as a result of entering his name as a Create-A-Car driver's name; he did not appear in the previous game due to his death. He appeared as a legend in subsequent games.

Gameplay

Being a racing simulation, NASCAR Thunder 2003 places the player in control of a stock car in a NASCAR race. Players battle AI drivers for race position for a preset number of laps. As the race progresses, players are forced to make a pit stop to refuel, replace tires and repair damage.

For multiplayer support, NASCAR Thunder 2003 becomes split-screen and eliminates much of the field. Normally featuring the NASCAR number of 43 drivers in a race, it is limited to 18 or fewer with more than one human driver. As an option, the AI drivers can be disabled, allowing the players to just race each other.

There are two modes available for players. Quick Race simply allows up to four players to participate on any track and race with a specified number of settings. After the race ends, the game returns to the main menu. Career Mode is the most involving mode of the game. Returning from NASCAR Thunder 2002, it places the player in control of a custom NASCAR Winston Cup Series driver, who must manage pit crew, sponsorship and research and development for 20 seasons.

Although Season Mode, like Career Mode, allows the player to play through 20 seasons, it is essentially the Quick Race mode with season standings. Unlike career mode, which starts the player with inferior equipment and pit crew, they are equal to the AI's from the start. Players have a choice to play as either existing or custom drivers, and the settings are completely customizable, unlike the limited options in Career Mode. To achieve multiplayer compatibility, it not only decreases the number of AI drivers in a race while also randomizing them, meaning only a handful of drivers end up participating in the entire season. However, like in Quick Race, they can be disabled for a 2–4 player competition.

Thunder License is the time attack mode of the game; basically a tutorial and time trial of how to race across the included tracks. Lightning Challenges are playable re-enactments of Winston Cup races from 1999, 2000, 2001, and the 1st part of 2002. These challenges are played on all three difficulty levels. The drivers tell the players about what happened to them in the race. The player then has the chance to re-enact or alter history according to the particular scenario's requirement.

Release

A month after the console versions' release, a PC version of NASCAR Thunder 2003 was made available, becoming the second PC game in the series. Despite its later release, it removes all special modes (and the entire Thunder Plate system) except for Season mode. A new testing mode is added, and 16-player multiplayer over the Internet or LAN is supported. It generally received lower scores from reviewers than the console version did.

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
GCPCPS2Xbox
CGWN/AStarStarStarHalf star[7]N/AN/A
EGM9/10[8]N/A9/10[9]9/10[10]
Game Informer9/10[11]N/A9/10[12]9/10[13]
GameProStarStarStarStarHalf star[14]N/AStarStarStarStarHalf star[14]StarStarStarStarHalf star[14]
GameSpot8.1/10[15]5.1/10[16]7.9/10[17]8.1/10[18]
GameSpyStarStarStarStar[19]StarStar[20]StarStarStarStar[21]StarStarStarStarHalf star[22]
GameZone9.3/10[23]9/10[24]9.1/10[25]8.5/10[26]
IGN8.5/10[27]7.7/10[28]8.5/10[29]8.5/10[30]
Nintendo Power4.2/5[31]N/AN/AN/A
OPM (US)N/AN/AStarStarStarStarHalf star[32]N/A
OXM (US)N/AN/AN/A8/10[33]
PC Gamer (US)N/A77%[34]N/AN/A
The Cincinnati EnquirerStarStarStarStar[35]StarStarStarStar[35]StarStarStarStar[35]StarStarStarStar[35]
Aggregate score
Metacritic85/100[3]68/100[4]84/100[5]84/100[6]

The game received "favorable" reviews on all platforms except the PC version, which received "average" reviews, according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[3][4][5][6]

The GameCube version was a runner-up for the "Best Driving Game for GameCube" award at GameSpot's Best and Worst of 2002 Awards, which went to Software:NASCAR: Dirt to Daytona.[36] The game was also a nominee for "Console Racing Game of the Year" at the AIAS' 6th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, which ultimately went to Software:Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2.[37]

References

  1. ↑ "Thunder Roars Early" (in en). September 17, 2002. https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/09/17/thunder-roars-early. 
  2. ↑ "NASCAR Thunder 2003". http://pc.ign.com:80/objects/482/482155.html. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "NASCAR Thunder 2003 for GameCube Reviews". Red Ventures. https://www.metacritic.com/game/nascar-thunder-2003/critic-reviews/?platform=gamecube. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "NASCAR Thunder 2003 for PC Reviews". Red Ventures. https://www.metacritic.com/game/nascar-thunder-2003/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "NASCAR Thunder 2003 for PlayStation 2 Reviews". Red Ventures. https://www.metacritic.com/game/nascar-thunder-2003/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "NASCAR Thunder 2003 for Xbox Reviews". Red Ventures. https://www.metacritic.com/game/nascar-thunder-2003/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox. 
  7. ↑ Smolka, Rob (February 2003). "NASCAR Thunder 2003". Computer Gaming World (Ziff Davis) (223): 92. https://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_223.pdf. Retrieved January 23, 2019. 
  8. ↑ EGM staff (November 2002). "NASCAR Thunder 2003 (GC)". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (160): 306. 
  9. ↑ Sewart, Greg (November 2002). "NASCAR Thunder 2003 (PS2)". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (160): 283. http://www.egmmag.com/article2/0,2053,1498122,00.asp. Retrieved January 23, 2019. 
  10. ↑ "NASCAR Thunder 2003 (Xbox)". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (160): 300. November 2002. 
  11. ↑ Kato, Matthew (October 2002). "NASCAR Thunder 2003 (GC)". Game Informer (FuncoLand) (114): 87. http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200210/R03.0731.1646.05705.htm. Retrieved January 22, 2019. 
  12. ↑ Kato, Matthew (October 2002). "NASCAR Thunder 2003 (PS2)". Game Informer (FuncoLand) (114): 82. http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200210/R03.0731.1755.07180.htm. Retrieved January 22, 2019. 
  13. ↑ McNamara, Andy (November 2002). "NASCAR Thunder 2003 (Xbox)". Game Informer (FuncoLand) (115): 144. http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200211/R03.0807.1204.07832.htm. Retrieved January 22, 2019. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Air Hendrix (September 24, 2002). "NASCAR Thunder 2003 (GC, PS2, Xbox)". GamePro (IDG Entertainment). http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/gamecube/games/reviews/26351.shtml. Retrieved January 23, 2019. 
  15. ↑ Shoemaker, Brad (October 10, 2002). "NASCAR Thunder 2003 Review (GC)". Red Ventures. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/nascar-thunder-2003-review/1900-2885202/. 
  16. ↑ Shoemaker, Brad (October 28, 2002). "NASCAR Thunder 2003 Review (PC)". Red Ventures. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/nascar-thunder-2003-review/1900-2895900/. 
  17. ↑ Shoemaker, Brad (October 10, 2002). "NASCAR Thunder 2003 Review (PS2)". Red Ventures. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/nascar-thunder-2003-review/1900-2885195/. 
  18. ↑ Shoemaker, Brad (October 10, 2002). "NASCAR Thunder 2003 Review (Xbox)". Red Ventures. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/nascar-thunder-2003-review/1900-2885203/. 
  19. ↑ Satterfield, Shane (October 17, 2002). "GameSpy: NASCAR Thunder 2003 (GCN)". IGN Entertainment. http://cube.gamespy.com/gamecube/nascar-thunder-2003/502894p1.html. 
  20. ↑ Osborne, Scott (April 9, 2003). "GameSpy: NASCAR Thunder 2003 (PC)". CBS Interactive. http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/nascar-thunder-2003/5766p1.html. 
  21. ↑ Murphy, Kevin (October 17, 2002). "GameSpy: NASCAR Thunder 2003 (PS2)". IGN Entertainment. http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/nascar-thunder-2003/596991p1.html. 
  22. ↑ Steinberg, Steve (October 27, 2002). "GameSpy: NASCAR Thunder 2003". IGN Entertainment. http://xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/nascar-thunder-2003/597018p1.html. 
  23. ↑ Lafferty, Michael (October 4, 2002). "NASCAR Thunder 2003 - GC - Review". https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/nascar_thunder_2003_gc_review/. 
  24. ↑ Ovaldog (November 2, 2002). "NASCAR Thunder 2003 - PC - Review". https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/nascar_thunder_2003_pc_review/. 
  25. ↑ The Wiz (October 2, 2002). "NASCAR Thunder 2003 - PS2 - Review". https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/nascar_thunder_2003_ps2_review/. 
  26. ↑ Valentino, Nick (October 1, 2002). "NASCAR Thunder 2003 - XB - Review". https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/nascar_thunder_2003_xb_review/. 
  27. ↑ Dunham, Jeremy (September 20, 2002). "NASCAR Thunder 2003 (GCN)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/09/20/nascar-thunder-2003-2. 
  28. ↑ Magruder, Randy (November 12, 2002). "NASCAR Thunder 2003 (PC)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/11/12/nascar-thunder-2003. 
  29. ↑ Dunham, Jeremy (September 19, 2002). "NASCAR Thunder 2003 (PS2)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/09/19/nascar-thunder-2003-3. 
  30. ↑ Dunham, Jeremy (September 20, 2002). "NASCAR Thunder 2003 Review (Xbox)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/09/20/nascar-thunder-2003-review. 
  31. ↑ "NASCAR Thunder 2003". Nintendo Power (Nintendo of America) 162: 222. November 2002. 
  32. ↑ "NASCAR Thunder 2003". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine (Ziff Davis): 184. November 2002. 
  33. ↑ "NASCAR Thunder 2003". Official Xbox Magazine (Future US): 120. November 2002. 
  34. ↑ "NSACAR Thunder 2003". PC Gamer (Future US) 10 (1): 92. January 2003. 
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 35.2 35.3 Garton, Matt (September 24, 2002). "'NASCAR Thunder' drives circles [around competition"]. The Cincinnati Enquirer (Gannett Company). http://cincinnati.com/freetime/games/reviews/092402_nascarthunder.html. 
  36. ↑ GameSpot staff (December 23, 2002). "GameSpot's Best and Worst of 2002 (Best Driving Game for GameCube, Nominees)". CNET. http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/gc16.html. 
  37. ↑ "6th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards: Winners". http://www.interactive.org/awards/IAA-6/winners.asp. 

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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