Software:NHL 2002

From HandWiki
Short description: 2001 video game
NHL 2002
Cover art featuring Mario Lemieux
Developer(s)EA Canada
Budcat Creations (GBA)
Publisher(s)EA Sports
SeriesNHL series
Platform(s)PlayStation 2, Xbox, Windows, Game Boy Advance
Release
Genre(s)Sports
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

NHL 2002 is a video game released by EA Sports in 2001. It is the predecessor to NHL 2003. The game's cover man is Pittsburgh Penguins superstar and owner Mario Lemieux, who had just made a comeback after being retired for three and a half years. It was the first installment of the NHL series to be released on Xbox.

NHL 2002 was the only game in the series to be released on the Game Boy Advance. This version is an updated port of NHL 96 for the SNES,[4] and contains many features from that past title.

Bill Clement is replaced by Don Taylor for NHL 2002. Taylor's quirky and often slapstick commentary style drew mixed reception from fans of the game.

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
GBAPCPS2Xbox
CGWN/A4/5[9]N/AN/A
EGMN/AN/A8.83/10[10][lower-alpha 1]N/A
EurogamerN/AN/AN/A7/10[14]
Game InformerN/AN/A9.5/10[15]9.25/10[16]
GameRevolutionN/AN/AA−[17]A−[18]
GameSpotN/A9.2/10[19]8.9/10[20]8.7/10[21]
GameSpyN/AN/A88%[22]N/A
IGN7.9/10[4]9.2/10[23]9.2/10[24]9/10[25]
Next GenerationN/AN/A4/5[26]4/5[27]
Nintendo World Report8/10[28]N/AN/AN/A
OPM (US)N/AN/A4.5/5[29]N/A
OXM (US)N/AN/AN/A8.6/10[30]
PC Gamer (US)N/A83%[31]N/AN/A
BBC SportN/AN/AN/A90%[32]
MaximN/A10/10[33]N/AN/A
Aggregate score
Metacritic80/100[5]87/100[6]92/100[7]89/100[8]

The PlayStation 2 version received "universal acclaim", while the rest of the console versions received "generally favorable reviews", according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[5][6][7][8] Jim Preston of NextGen's December 2001 issue said of the PS2 version, "Only frustrating defensive controls mar another brilliant effort from EA Sports."[26] The magazine later said of the Xbox version in its final issue, "the only real issue we have is that the game's defensive AI is rather flawed, somewhat marring an otherwise incredible experience."[27] In Japan, where the former console version was ported for release on February 7, 2002, Famitsu gave it a score of 29 out of 40.[34]

Kevin Krause of GameZone gave the PS2 version 9.1 out of 10, calling it "A landmark release in that it is the first PS2 game to support Dolby™ Pro Logic and DTS™ sound. These surround sound technologies allow for realistic environmental surround sound like you've never heard it before."[35] Kevin "Biff" Giacobbi gave the PC version 9 out of 10, calling it "A great game, but true hockey fans that buy the latest and greatest that EA gives us each year will not see a whole lot of changes."[36] Christopher Allen of AllGame gave the same PC version three-and-a-half stars out of five, however, saying, "Despite the unwise decision to hire Don Taylor, NHL 2002 will appeal more to the arcade action camp than the purist. While most of the new additions don't work as well as planned, it is encouraging to see fresh ideas implemented. NHL 2002 is fun to play, but isn't particularly true to the sport, which may disturb true hockey fans with its slip away from realism."[37] Will Abner of Computer Games Magazine gave the same PC version a similar score of three-and-a-half stars out of five, saying, "while some features are better, the most important part—the AI—has received little attention. While it's still a fun game, it's not much of an improvement over last year's edition."[38]

Air Hendrix of GamePro said of the PlayStation 2 version, "While the PS2 competition from 989 Sports and Konami won't hit the ice until November at the earliest, NHL 2002 plays so well that it's this year's front-running favorite. If you're interested in hockey in the slightest, this is the game to buy."[39][lower-alpha 2] He later said of the Xbox version, "An excellent package of slick graphics and topnotch sound complete[s] NHL 2002's impressive outing."[40][lower-alpha 3] He also said of the Game Boy Advance version, "If fast, playable hockey sounds appealing, you won't go wrong with NHL 2002."[41][lower-alpha 4]

The staff of Computer Games Magazine nominated the PC version as the best sports game of 2001, but ultimately gave the award to High Heat Major League Baseball 2002.[42] The game was also nominated for the "Best Sports Game" (PC version) and "Best Sports, Traditional Game" (console versions) awards at GameSpot's Best and Worst of 2001 Awards, both of which went to FIFA 2002 and NBA 2K2, respectively.[43][44] The PC version also received a nomination for the "PC Sports" award at the 5th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, but ultimately lost to FIFA 2002.[45] The game was also nominated at The Electric Playground's 2001 Blister Awards for "Best Sports Game for PC" and "Best Canadian Console Game of the Year", but lost both to High Heat Major League Baseball 2002 and NHL Hitz 2002.[46][47]

Notes

  1. ↑ Two critics of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the PlayStation 2 version each a score of 9/10, and the other gave it 8.5/10.
  2. ↑ GamePro gave the PlayStation 2 version two 4.5/5 scores for graphics and sound, and two 5/5 scores for control and fun factor.
  3. ↑ GamePro gave the Xbox version two 4/5 scores for graphics and sound, 4.5/5 for control, and 5/5 for fun factor.
  4. ↑ GamePro gave the Game Boy Advance version three 4/5 scores for graphics, control, and fun factor, and 3.5/5 for sound.

References

  1. ↑ IGN staff (September 18, 2001). "NHL 2002 Ships". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on February 5, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240205164031/https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/09/18/nhl-2002-ships. Retrieved February 5, 2024. 
  2. ↑ IGN staff (September 25, 2001). "Five New PS2 Titles Ship". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on March 23, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230323212042/https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/09/25/five-new-ps2-titles-ship. Retrieved February 5, 2024. 
  3. ↑ IGN staff (January 8, 2002). "Xbox Reader's Vote 2001: Sports". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on June 19, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240619153703/https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/01/09/xbox-readers-vote-2001-sports. Retrieved February 16, 2025. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Craig Harris (March 18, 2002). "NHL 2002 (GBA)". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211019165340/https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/03/18/nhl-2002. Retrieved February 5, 2024. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "NHL 2002 critic reviews (GBA)". Fandom. Archived from the original on October 20, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211020151721/https://www.metacritic.com/game/game-boy-advance/nhl-2002. Retrieved February 5, 2024. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "NHL 2002 critic reviews (PC)". Fandom. Archived from the original on July 29, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230729204648/https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/nhl-2002. Retrieved February 5, 2024. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "NHL 2002 critic reviews (PS2)". Fandom. Archived from the original on August 7, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230807052852/https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/nhl-2002. Retrieved February 5, 2024. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "NHL 2002 critic reviews (Xbox)". Fandom. Archived from the original on July 29, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230729204632/https://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox/nhl-2002. Retrieved February 5, 2024. 
  9. ↑ Gord Goble (December 2001). "NHL 2002". Computer Gaming World (Ziff Davis) (209): 126. Archived from the original on September 18, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230918200236/https://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_209.pdf. Retrieved February 5, 2024. 
  10. ↑ Dan Leahy; Kraig Kujawa; Greg Sewart (December 2001). "NHL 2002 (PS2)". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (149): 244. Archived from the original on July 2, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230702235003/https://retrocdn.net/images/c/c6/EGM_US_149.pdf. Retrieved February 5, 2024. 
  11. ↑ Jason MacIsaac (September 18, 2001). "NHL 2002 (PC)". Greedy Productions Ltd.. Archived from the original on June 22, 2002. https://web.archive.org/web/20020622164739/http://www.elecplay.com/review.html?article=6716&full=1. Retrieved February 5, 2024. 
  12. ↑ Todd Mowatt (September 19, 2001). "NHL 2002 (PS2)". Greedy Productions Ltd.. Archived from the original on June 22, 2002. https://web.archive.org/web/20020622181348/http://www.elecplay.com/review.html?article=6739&full=1. Retrieved February 5, 2024. 
  13. ↑ Todd Mowatt (December 21, 2001). "NHL 2002 (Xbox)". Greedy Productions Ltd. Archived from the original on June 22, 2002. https://web.archive.org/web/20020622045210/http://www.elecplay.com/review.html?article=7873&full=1. Retrieved February 5, 2024. 
  14. ↑ Tom Bramwell (April 12, 2002). "NHL 2002 (Xbox)". Gamer Network. Archived from the original on April 29, 2002. https://web.archive.org/web/20020429074451/http://www.eurogamer.net/content/r_nhl2002_x. Retrieved February 5, 2024. 
  15. ↑ Andrew Reiner (November 2001). "NHL 2002 (PS2)". Game Informer (FuncoLand) (103): 104. Archived from the original on April 10, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050410143947/http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200111/R03.0806.1019.15997.htm. Retrieved February 16, 2025. 
  16. ↑ Andrew Reiner (December 2001). "NHL 2002 (Xbox)". Game Informer (FuncoLand) (104): 109. https://archive.org/details/game-informer-issue-104-december-2001/page/108/mode/2up. Retrieved February 16, 2025. 
  17. ↑ G-Wok (October 2001). "NHL 2002 Review (PS2)". CraveOnline. Archived from the original on June 22, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150622220603/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/nhl-2002. Retrieved October 17, 2021. 
  18. ↑ G-Wok (December 2001). "NHL 2002 - Xbox Review". CraveOnline. Archived from the original on February 16, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20040216004549/http://www.game-revolution.com/games/xbox/sports/nhl_2002.htm. Retrieved October 17, 2021. 
  19. ↑ Michael E. Ryan (September 19, 2001). "NHL 2002 Review (PC)". Fandom. Archived from the original on October 4, 2001. https://web.archive.org/web/20011004055414/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/reviews/0,10867,2813489,00.html. Retrieved February 5, 2024. 
  20. ↑ Shane Satterfield (September 25, 2001). "NHL 2002 Review (PS2)". Fandom. Archived from the original on December 17, 2001. https://web.archive.org/web/20011217161430/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/reviews/0,10867,2814702,00.html. Retrieved February 5, 2024. 
  21. ↑ Shane Satterfield (December 17, 2001). "NHL 2002 Review (Xbox)". Fandom. Archived from the original on March 7, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050307153031/http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/sports/nhl2002/review.html. Retrieved February 5, 2024. 
  22. ↑ Ralph "Gizzo" Sparkes (October 20, 2001). "NHL Hockey 2002 [sic (PS2)"]. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on December 28, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20041228114230/http://archive.gamespy.com/reviews/october01/nhl2002/. Retrieved June 22, 2015. 
  23. ↑ Tal Blevins (September 18, 2001). "NHL 2002 (PC)". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211019095955/https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/09/18/nhl-2002-5. Retrieved February 5, 2024. 
  24. ↑ David Zdyrko (September 24, 2001). "NHL 2002 (PS2)". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on October 28, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221028202057/https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/09/24/nhl-2002-4. Retrieved February 5, 2024. 
  25. ↑ Aaron Boulding (December 11, 2001). "NHL 2002 (Xbox)". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211019095957/https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/12/12/nhl-2002-2. Retrieved February 5, 2024. 
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 Jim Preston (December 2001). "NHL 2002 (PS2)". NextGen (Imagine Media) (84): 108. https://archive.org/details/NextGen84Dec2001/page/n109/mode/2up. Retrieved October 17, 2021. 
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 "NHL 2002 (Xbox)". NextGen (Imagine Media) (85): 28. January 2002. https://archive.org/details/NextGen85Jan2002/page/n29/mode/2up. Retrieved October 17, 2021. 
  28. ↑ Mike Orlando (March 21, 2002). "NHL 2002 GBA". NINWR, LLC. Archived from the original on September 1, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230901000537/https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/3882/nhl-2002-gba-game-boy-advance. Retrieved February 5, 2024. 
  29. ↑ Todd Zuniga (November 2001). "NHL 2002". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine (Ziff Davis) (50): 160. https://archive.org/details/official-us-playstation-magazine-issue-50-november-2001/page/160/mode/2up. Retrieved February 5, 2024. 
  30. ↑ "NHL 2002". Official Xbox Magazine (Imagine Media). January 2002. 
  31. ↑ Jim Preston (December 2001). "NHL 2002". PC Gamer (Imagine Media) 8 (12). Archived from the original on January 17, 2002. https://web.archive.org/web/20020117204403/http://www.pcgamer.com/reviews/review_2002-01-02u.html. Retrieved June 22, 2015. 
  32. ↑ David Gibbon (March 12, 2002). "Let's play: NHL 2002 (Xbox)". BBC. https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/funny_old_game/1867365.stm. 
  33. ↑ Ryan Boyce (September 22, 2001). "NHL 2002 (PC)". Maxim (MaximNet, Inc.). Archived from the original on December 29, 2001. https://web.archive.org/web/20011229013535/http://www.maximonline.com/articles/review_videogames.asp?videogame_id=1193. Retrieved June 22, 2015. 
  34. ↑ "NHL 2002 (PS2)" (in ja). Famitsu (Enterbrain). Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211019202551/https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=9239&redirect=no. Retrieved February 5, 2024. 
  35. ↑ Kevin Krause (October 7, 2001). "NHL 2002 Review - PlayStation 2". Archived from the original on October 5, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20081005040753/http://ps2.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r18456.htm. Retrieved June 22, 2015. 
  36. ↑ Kevin "BIFF" Giacobbi (October 11, 2001). "NHL 2002 Review on PC". Archived from the original on April 26, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050426161520/http://pc.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r18456.htm. Retrieved June 22, 2015. 
  37. ↑ Allen, Christopher. "NHL 2002 (PC) - Review". All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 16, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141116032828/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=35181&tab=review. Retrieved June 22, 2015. 
  38. ↑ William Abner (November 6, 2001). "NHL 2002". Computer Games Magazine (theGlobe.com). Archived from the original on April 21, 2002. https://web.archive.org/web/20020421215457/http://www.cgonline.com/reviews/nhl2002-01-r1.html. Retrieved October 17, 2021. 
  39. ↑ Air Hendrix (September 27, 2001). "NHL 2002 Review for PS2 on GamePro.com". GamePro (IDG). Archived from the original on February 14, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050214002112/http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/16991.shtml. Retrieved June 22, 2015. 
  40. ↑ Air Hendrix (December 6, 2001). "NHL 2002 Review for Xbox on GamePro.com". GamePro (IDG). Archived from the original on February 9, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050209090706/http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox/games/reviews/18900.shtml. Retrieved June 22, 2015. 
  41. ↑ Air Hendrix (June 10, 2002). "NHL 2002 Review for Game Boy Advance on GamePro.com". GamePro (IDG). Archived from the original on December 13, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20041213035936/http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/gameboy_advance/games/reviews/24121.shtml. Retrieved June 22, 2015. 
  42. ↑ CGM staff (March 2002). "11th Annual Computer Games Awards". Computer Games Magazine (theGlobe.com) (136): 50–56. 
  43. ↑ GameSpot staff (2001). "GameSpot's Best and Worst of 2001 (PC: Best Sports Game Nominees)". CNET. Archived from the original on June 4, 2002. https://web.archive.org/web/20020604055611/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/pc/bestof_2001/p3_19.html. Retrieved February 16, 2025. 
  44. ↑ GameSpot staff (2001). "The Best and Worst of 2001 (Best Sports, Traditional Game Nominees)". CNET. Archived from the original on June 9, 2002. https://web.archive.org/web/20020609023748/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/bestof_2001/p3_11.html. Retrieved October 17, 2021. 
  45. ↑ "5th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards: Winners". Archived from the original on June 3, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20040603022924/http://www.interactive.org/awards/IAA-5/winners.asp. Retrieved February 5, 2024. 
  46. ↑ EP staff (2002). "Blister Awards 2001 (PC Games 2)". Greedy Productions Ltd.. Archived from the original on July 13, 2003. https://web.archive.org/web/20030713061431/http://www.elecplay.com/feature.html?id=8152&page=3. Retrieved February 6, 2024. 
  47. ↑ EP staff (2002). "Blister Awards 2001 (Special Awards)". Greedy Productions Ltd.. Archived from the original on July 13, 2003. https://web.archive.org/web/20030713062509/http://www.elecplay.com/feature.html?id=8152&page=7. Retrieved February 6, 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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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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