Software:NHL Open Ice

From HandWiki
Short description: 1995 video game
NHL Open Ice: 2 on 2 Challenge
Windows cover art
Developer(s)Midway Games
Avalanche Software (PS)
Publisher(s)Midway Home Entertainment
GT Interactive
Designer(s)Jack Haeger
Platform(s)Arcade, PlayStation, Windows
ReleaseArcade
  • NA: November 1995
PlayStation
Windows
Genre(s)Sports (ice hockey)
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer
Arcade systemMidway Wolf Unit

NHL Open Ice: 2 on 2 Challenge is an ice hockey arcade video game released by Midway Games in 1995.[3] It has been described as an ice hockey equivalent to Midway's NBA Jam.[4][5]

NHL Open Ice was ported to the PlayStation in 1996 with updated rosters and teams, the Winnipeg Jets having moved and become the Phoenix Coyotes. The game was released for Windows in 1996-1997, with the same roster and teams as the PlayStation version. The game is an official licensed product of the National Hockey League Players' Association.

Development

Jack Haeger was lead game designer and an avid hockey player. The lead programmer was Mark Penacho, assisted by Bill Dabelstein. Sound design and music was by Jon Hey. The skating sounds were recorded by Jon Hey at the Chicago Park District's only indoor ice rink, McFetridge Sports Center, which is just a block north of what was once Midway's Chicago studios. The announcer in the game is the famous voice of the Chicago Blackhawks Pat Foley. If a team achieves "On-Fire" status (made famous initially by Midway's NBA Jam), Pat Foley's voice will occasionally announce: "Toasty", a reference to Mortal Kombat. A version of NHL Open Ice for Panasonic M2 was in development and slated to be one of the launch titles but it never occurred due to the system's cancellation.[6]

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
ArcadePCPS
AllGameStarStarStarStar[7]StarStarStarHalf star[8]StarStarHalf star[9]
CGSPN/AStarStarHalf star[11]N/A
CGWN/AStarStar[12]N/A
EGMN/AN/A6.25/10[13][lower-alpha 1]
Game InformerN/AN/A7.5/10[14]
GameFanN/AN/A79%[15][lower-alpha 2]
GameSpotN/A7/10[16]7.1/10[17]
Next GenerationStarStarStar[18]N/AStarStar[19]
OPM (UK)N/AN/A3/10[20]

Reviewing the arcade version, Next Generation called the game "NBA Jam on ice", and said it would be particularly appreciated since arcade hockey games were almost unheard of at the time. They applauded the game's full NHL licensing and player rosters, flaming pucks, two-on-two mode, commentary, and overall depth and playability of its hockey action, and concluded that "Williams rarely makes a bad move, and Open Ice is testament to its conservative but consistent quality games."[18] Bruised Lee of GamePro similarly said the game "proves that Midway will continue to dominate the arcade sports market long after the success of NBA Jam." He praised the numerous Easter eggs, sharp graphics, fluid animation, and variety of moves.[21][lower-alpha 3] Brad Cook of AllGame called the same game "a must play for any hockey fan."[7]

In 1996 the arcade version was placed on display in the Hockey Hall of Fame.[22]

The PlayStation and PC versions divided reviewers. Jeff Kitts of GameSpot, The Rookie of GamePro, and Dean Hager of Electronic Gaming Monthly all agreed that it offered fun and fast NBA Jam-style hockey and was a faithful translation of the arcade version.[13][23][17] Kitts acknowledged problems with the animations but praised the inclusion of novelty power-up codes, and judged the game an overall refreshing break from realistic hockey sims.[17] The Rookie went so far as to say that it "shoots and scores at every level."[23][lower-alpha 4] In contrast, Hager's co-reviewer Kraig Kujawa said it "doesn't seem to capture the magic that made [NBA Jam] so popular", and that it compares poorly to its similar contemporary, Wayne Gretzky's 3D Hockey for the Nintendo 64.[13] Next Generation agreed that it simply lacked the spark of NBA Jam, and also "fails to capture the coin-op's flashy essence", citing smaller characters, missing frames of animation, a weaker color palette, and missing audio effects compared to the arcade version.[19] Official UK PlayStation Magazine said that players should "avoid the game at all costs."[20]

Stephen Poole of GameSpot said of the PC version, "NHL Open Ice isn't the kind of game you'll play for hours on end, but it is the kind that you can fire up just about any time for 20 or 30 minutes of fun, or leave running at your next party for your guests to enjoy. Except for the graphics in the full-screen mode, they'll think they're at the arcade - and with a game like this, you can't ask any more than that."[16]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ In Electronic Gaming Monthly's review of the PlayStation version, one critic gave it a score of 5/10, and the other gave it 7.5/10.
  2. ↑ In GameFan's viewpoint of the PlayStation version, one critic gave it 73, and the other 85.
  3. ↑ GamePro gave the arcade version two 4.5/5 scores for graphics and control, 4/5 for sound, and 5/5 for fun factor.
  4. ↑ GamePro gave the PlayStation version 4/5 for graphics, two 4.5/5 scores for sound and fun factor, and 5/5 for control.

References

  1. ↑ "Available Titles Released in 1996 (172) (222 total)". http://www.vidgames.com:80/ps/software/release.html. 
  2. ↑ "NHL Open Ice 2 on 2 Challenge". http://www.gamespot.com/sports/openice/index.html. 
  3. ↑ "2 On 2 Open Ice Challenge". Archived from the original on May 3, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220503231950/https://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=6774. Retrieved October 5, 2023. 
  4. ↑ EGM staff (January 1997). "Open Ice [sic: Williams Puts Their Arcade Action on Ice"]. Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (90): 218. Archived from the original on August 8, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230808030620/https://retrocdn.net/images/a/a6/EGM_US_090.pdf. Retrieved October 5, 2023. 
  5. ↑ "Sports Insider Previews: NHL Open Ice". GamePro (IDG) (99): 196. December 1996. https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_089_December_1996/page/n199/mode/2up. Retrieved December 28, 2020. 
  6. ↑ "News - E3 '96: 3DO? - M2 Dream List". 3DO Magazine (Paragon Publishing) (12): 4. July 1996. https://archive.org/details/3DO_Magazine_Issue_12_1996-07_Paragon_Publishing_GB/page/n3/mode/2up. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Cook, Brad. "Open Ice (Arcade) - Review". All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 16, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141116111335/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=10648&tab=review. Retrieved December 28, 2020. 
  8. ↑ Whittleton, Kasey. "NHL Open Ice (PC) - Review". All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 16, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141116110927/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=5902&tab=review. Retrieved December 28, 2020. 
  9. ↑ Marriott, Scott Alan. "NHL Open Ice (PS) - Review". All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 15, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141115234144/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=2212&tab=review. Retrieved December 28, 2020. 
  10. ↑ Mahood, Andy (August 26, 1997). "[NHL Open Ice (PC)"]. CNET. Archived from the original on August 16, 2000. https://web.archive.org/web/20000816100736/http://www.gamecenter.com/Reviews/Item/0,6,0-1076,00.html. Retrieved October 5, 2023. 
  11. ↑ Lackey, Jeff (1997). "NHL Open Ice [2 on 2 Challenge"]. Strategy Plus, Inc.. Archived from the original on May 23, 2003. https://web.archive.org/web/20030523194338/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/005/100/open_ice_review.html. Retrieved December 28, 2020. 
  12. ↑ Goble, Gordon (February 1998). "Hockey Faceoff '98 (NHL Open Ice)". Computer Gaming World (Ziff Davis) (163): 187. Archived from the original on December 20, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221220094517/https://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_163.pdf. Retrieved October 5, 2023. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Kujawa, Kraig; Hager, Dean (February 1997). "NHL Open Ice [2 on 2 Challenge (PS)"]. Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (91): 151. Archived from the original on March 30, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230330082734/https://retrocdn.net/images/b/b2/EGM_US_091.pdf. Retrieved October 5, 2023. 
  14. ↑ "[NHL Open Ice: 2 on 2 Challenge - PlayStation"]. Game Informer (FuncoLand) (46). February 1997. http://www.gameinformer.com/feb97/openice.htm. Retrieved December 28, 2020. 
  15. ↑ Jacques Strap; Joe Kidd (February 1997). "[NHL Open Ice (PS)"]. GameFan (Metropolis Media) 5 (2): 92. https://archive.org/details/Gamefan_Vol_5_Issue_02/page/n93/mode/2up. Retrieved December 28, 2020. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Poole, Stephen (September 17, 1997). "NHL Open Ice 2 on 2 Challenge Review (PC) [date mislabeled as "May 2, 2000""]. Fandom. Archived from the original on January 4, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050104075239/http://www.gamespot.com/pc/sports/nhlopenice2on2challenge/review.html. Retrieved October 5, 2023. 
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 Kitts, Jeff (January 3, 1997). "NHL Open Ice Review (PS)". Fandom. Archived from the original on February 10, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180210062143/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/nhl-open-ice-review/1900-2548809/. Retrieved October 5, 2023. 
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 "NHL Open Ice Hockey [sic (Arcade)"]. Next Generation (Imagine Media) (12): 206. December 1995. https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_12/page/n207/mode/2up. Retrieved December 28, 2020. 
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 "Open Ice Challenge [sic (PS)"]. Next Generation (Imagine Media) (28): 120. April 1997. https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_28/page/n121/mode/2up. Retrieved December 28, 2020. 
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 OPMUK staff (January 1997). "NHL Open Ice". Official UK PlayStation Magazine (Future Publishing) (29): 116. 
  21. ↑ Bruised Lee (February 1996). "Hot at the Arcades: 2 on 2 Open Ice Challenge". GamePro (IDG) (89): 46. https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_079_February_1996/page/n47/mode/2up. Retrieved December 28, 2020. 
  22. ↑ EGM staff (February 1997). "Tidbits". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (91): 26. 
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 The Rookie (March 1997). "NHL Open Ice (PS)". GamePro (IDG) (102): 91. https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_102_Volume_09_Number_03_1997-03_IDG_Publishing_US/page/n91/mode/2up. Retrieved December 28, 2020. 
  • 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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