Software:NCAA March Madness 2004

From HandWiki
Short description: 2003 PS2 and Xbox video game
NCAA March Madness 2004
File:250px
Developer(s)NuFX (PS2)
EA Canada (Xbox)
Publisher(s)Electronic Arts
SeriesNCAA March Madness
Platform(s)PlayStation 2, Xbox
Release
  • NA: November 17, 2003
Genre(s)Sports
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

NCAA March Madness 2004 is the 2003 installment in the NCAA March Madness series. Former Syracuse player Carmelo Anthony is featured on the cover. Commentary is done by Brad Nessler and "Mr. College Basketball" Dick Vitale as he is introduced in the game. This is the first entry in which players can pick their favorite schools. The menus are then stylized in the school's colors, and a cheerleader or mascot can appear on the main menu the school's fight song plays. The game plays similarly to NBA Live 2004.

Features

The game allows the player to pick their favorite school and run a college basketball dynasty for 30 seasons and attempt to lead them to national championships. The player can play as a prestigious school or a school of lower prestige in an attempt to bring them into the national spotlight. The game allows the player to create their own school, but with limited options. The game features all of the major tournaments including the NCAA Tournament and Maui Invitational and a Frat Party Mode which is a four team tournament for four players. Other modes include mascot game, where the player can play as a school's mascot, as well as Dickie V integration where Dick Vitale offers his take on the features of the game and gives gamers hints in Dynasty Mode on recruiting. The player can also import their draft class to NBA Live 2004. However, the players are given fictional names after they are imported.

Player Names

Players are not given names in the game because of rights of the NCAA to its players, as including names would have required the NCAA to pay the players. Players can still give the players names, and some players are recognizable, such as 2004 NBA draft prospects Josh Childress (Stanford), Ben Gordon, and Emeka Okafor (Connecticut).

Extras

Extras in the game feature the cameos of NBA rookies Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, and Kirk Hinrich and rowdy college fans and NCAA head coaches saying "EA Sports, It's In The Game". For added realism, NCAA head basketball coaches offer defensive and offensive strategies.

Controls

The game is the first in the series to feature freestyle moves and separate buttons for dunks and layups and the ability to perform an alley-oop. Also the player can make decisions in mid-air and make adjusted shots.

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
PS2Xbox
EGM8/10[3]8/10[3]
Game Informer8.25/10[4]8.25/10[4]
GameRevolutionB−[5]B−[5]
GameSpot7.7/10[6]7.7/10[6]
GameSpyStarStarStarStar[7]StarStarStarStar[8]
GameZone8.4/10[9]8.5/10[10]
IGN8.5/10[11]8.4/10[12]
OPM (US)StarStarStarStar[13]N/A
OXM (US)N/A8.9/10[14]
X-PlayStarStarStar[15]N/A
Aggregate score
Metacritic82/100[1]81/100[2]

The game received "favorable" reviews on both platforms according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[1][2] Tokyo Drifter of GamePro said of the game, "By a fair margin, NCAA March Madness 2004 comes out on top in the showdown against ESPN College Basketball 2K4 [sic]. Online support for the Xbox version would have made its victory complete for this year."[16][lower-alpha 1]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ GamePro gave the PlayStation 2 version 4/5 for graphics, 4.5/5 for sound, and two 5/5 scores for control and fun factor, while also giving the Xbox version three 4.5/5 scores for graphics, sound, and fun factor, and 5/5 for control.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "NCAA March Madness 2004 critic reviews (PS2)". Fandom. Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190331050231/https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/ncaa-march-madness-2004. Retrieved November 4, 2024. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "NCAA March Madness 2004 critic reviews (Xbox)". Fandom. Archived from the original on October 28, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201028082944/https://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox/ncaa-march-madness-2004. Retrieved November 4, 2024. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Intihar, Bryan; Mauro, Patrick; Varanini, Giancarlo (January 2004). "NCAA March Madness 2004". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (174): 116. Archived from the original on December 31, 2003. https://web.archive.org/web/20031231103410/http://www.egmmag.com/article2/0,4364,1386105,00.asp. Retrieved November 5, 2024. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Reiner, Andrew (January 2004). "NCAA March Madness 2004". Game Informer (GameStop) (129): 135. Archived from the original on June 24, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080624021008/http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/F92913F7-4DE4-4320-9275-6484C67E3A23.htm. Retrieved November 5, 2024. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Dr. Moo (December 16, 2003). "NCAA March Madness 2004 Review". CraveOnline. Archived from the original on September 12, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150912225932/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/ncaa-march-mad04. Retrieved September 19, 2020. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Colayco, Bob (November 25, 2003). "NCAA March Madness 2004 Review". Fandom. Archived from the original on December 21, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20041221084136/http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/sports/ncaamm2004/review.html. Retrieved November 4, 2024. 
  7. ↑ Steinberg, Steve (December 24, 2003). "GameSpy: NCAA March Madness 2004 (PS2)". IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on September 14, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050914211908/http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/ncaa-march-madness-2004/6497p1.html. Retrieved November 4, 2024. 
  8. ↑ Steinberg, Steve (December 24, 2003). "GameSpy: NCAA March Madness 2004 (Xbox)". IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on June 9, 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20070609211425/http://xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/ncaa-march-madness-2004/6498p1.html. Retrieved November 4, 2024. 
  9. ↑ Lafferty, Michael (December 5, 2003). "NCAA March Madness 2004 - PS2 - Review". Archived from the original on December 31, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20081231055106/http://ps2.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r22225.htm. Retrieved September 18, 2020. 
  10. ↑ Code Cowboy (December 15, 2003). "NCAA March Madness 2004 - XB - Review". Archived from the original on June 2, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090602203918/http://xbox.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r22225.htm. Retrieved September 18, 2020. 
  11. ↑ Robinson, Jon (November 20, 2003). "NCAA March Madness 2004 (PS2)". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on April 6, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230406001326/https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/11/21/ncaa-march-madness-2004. Retrieved November 4, 2024. 
  12. ↑ Robinson, Jon (November 20, 2003). "NCAA March Madness 2004 (Xbox)". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on April 5, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230405092756/https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/11/21/march-madness-2004. Retrieved November 4, 2024. 
  13. ↑ Varanini, Giancarlo (January 2004). "NCAA March Madness 2004". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine (Ziff Davis) (76). Archived from the original on December 19, 2003. https://web.archive.org/web/20031219161100/http://www.playstationmagazine.com/article2/0,4364,1381224,00.asp. Retrieved September 18, 2020. 
  14. ↑ "NCAA March Madness 2004". Official Xbox Magazine (Imagine Media): 94. December 2003. 
  15. ↑ Schkloven, Emmett (January 19, 2004). "'NCCA [sic March Madness 2004' (PS2) Review [game is mislabeled as also being on the "GameCube"]"]. TechTV. Archived from the original on February 6, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20040206135606/http://www.techtv.com/xplay/reviews/story/0,24330,3591603,00.html. Retrieved November 5, 2024. 
  16. ↑ Tokyo Drifter (January 2004). "NCAA March Madness 2004". GamePro (IDG) (184): 136. https://retrocdn.net/images/6/60/GamePro_US_184.pdf. Retrieved November 4, 2024. 
  • 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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