Software:Neighbours from Hell 2: On Vacation

From HandWiki
Short description: 2004 video game
Neighbors from Hell: On Vacation
Windows PAL cover art
Developer(s)JoWooD Vienna[lower-alpha 1]
Publisher(s)
Director(s)Michael Paeck
Producer(s)Michael Paeck
Designer(s)Michael Paeck
Gerhard E. Kodys
Programmer(s)Andreas Meissl
Bernhard Gruber
Artist(s)Stefan M. Halegger
Writer(s)Gerhard E. Kodys
Composer(s)Wolfgang Tockner
Robbie Ost
EngineUnity (remastered)
Platform(s)
ReleaseWindows
  • PAL: February 20, 2004
  • NA: March 28, 2006
Nintendo DS
  • EU: June 30, 2009
iOS & Android
  • WW: May 25, 2017
macOS
  • WW: June 22, 2017
Switch & PlayStation 4 & Xbox One
  • WW: October 8, 2020
Genre(s)Puzzle, strategy
Mode(s)Single-player

Neighbours From Hell 2: On Vacation (German: Böse Nachbarn 2: Urlaub mit Hindernissen, lit. 'Evil Neighbours 2: Vacation with Obstacles'), known in the United States as Neighbors from Hell: On Vacation, is a puzzle strategy video game developed and published by JoWooD for Microsoft Windows, Android and iOS. It is the sequel to Neighbours from Hell. It was released for Windows on February 20, 2004 in Europe and March 28, 2006 in the United States.

A remastered compilation of the first two games titled Neighbours Back from Hell was released on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in October 2020. It features increased framerate and HD visuals.

Plot

Mr. Rottweiler, tired of Woody's jokes, goes on holiday around the world with his mother. He didn't know however that he became a star of the next season of the self-titled reality show, which is another opportunity for Woody to make pranks.[1][2] In the end, the ship they travel with collides with an iceberg and sinks, but Rottweiler rescues himself finding a lifeboat, sailing ashore with his mother and unknowingly with Woody.

Gameplay

Neighbours From Hell 2: On Vacation is a point-and-click puzzle strategy game.[1] Where the player controls Woody, as he travels to various locations around the world, namely China, India, and Mexico. The game is slightly harder as a new character appeared, the Neighbour's Mom, who can also beat up Woody along with her son. The player character now has three lives instead of one, and if he is spotted by the Neighbour or his Mom, Woody will be kicked to another area and lose a life. There is also a character named Olga, the woman that the Neighbour is attracted to, and player can use various things to have Olga beat him up (such as breaking the chair Neighbour is standing to and being a Peeping Tom while Olga is having shower). Olga also has a child who is often picked on by the Neighbour and he is not harmful to the player. As the game progresses, the player unlocks various new locations.[1][2][3][4]

Release

Neighbours From Hell 2: On Vacation was developed by JoWooD Productions.[5] It was announced by Big Ben Interactive, at the European Computer Trade Show (ECTS) in August 2003,[5][6][7] and was scheduled to be released on October 24 of that same year.[5] The game was released on February 20, 2004, alongside a bundle with the first game.[8] Weeks after the release of the game, a demo version was released on April 27, 2004.[9] A selection of levels from the game were included with the GameCube and Xbox versions of the original title, which was released in March 2005 exclusively in Europe.[10]

A Nintendo DS port of the game, titled Neighbours from Hell, was announced in 2007.[11][12] It was released exclusively in Europe on June 30, 2009.[13] While the cover art and title imply that the game is a port of the original game, the game only contains the sequel.[13] A North American release by DreamCatcher Interactive under the name of Prank'd - Pranking Your Way Around the World was planned and was even rated by the ESRB, but was never released.[14]

The original Microsoft Windows version was digitally rereleased on GOG.com with the previous game by JoWood on June 9, 2009.[15] It was released on Steam by Nordic Games on November 7, 2013 after successfully getting Greenlit by the community.[16][17] A mobile port of the game was released worldwide by THQ Nordic for iOS and Android on May 25, 2017 on the App Store and Google Play, respectively. A port for macOS was released on the App Store on June 22 of the same year.[18]

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
Jeuxvideo.com12/20[2]
PC Games6/10[3]
GRY-Online.pl6/10[1]
Canard PC2/10[19]

Reception

The game received mixed reviews from critics. While they praised the game for the premise and presentation, they criticised its short length and low difficulty.[1][2][3][4][19] PC Games described that the game is "still fun, but not for very long - after half a day the credits are already flickering across the screen."[3] With Kevin Kuipers of Gamekult, expressing his disappointment, as he found the game easier than its predecessor, alongwith a lack of replayability, after completing it in 100%.[4]

Notes

  1. ↑ iOS and Android releases were developed by Big Moon Entertainment. Back from Hell compilation was developed by Farbworks.
  2. ↑ Android, iOS, macOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch and Back from Hell.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Marcinkiewicz, Krzysztof (April 27, 2004). "Sąsiedzi z Piekła Rodem 2 - recenzja gry" (in pl). Archived from the original on February 23, 2026. https://web.archive.org/web/20260223132440/https://www.gry-online.pl/recenzje/sasiedzi-z-piekla-rodem-2-recenzja-gry/ze671. Retrieved February 23, 2026. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Super Panda (March 25, 2004). "Test du jeu Un Voisin d'Enfer! 2: En Vacances sur PC" (in fr). Archived from the original on December 12, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20041212105516/http://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0000/00004091_test.htm. Retrieved February 23, 2026. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "Böse Nachbarn 2" (in de). July 4, 2004. Archived from the original on May 21, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240521012438/https://www.pcgames.de/Boese-Nachbarn-2-Urlaub-mit-Hindernissen-Spiel-47586/Tests/Boese-Nachbarn-2-324980/. Retrieved February 23, 2026. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Kuipers, Kevin (March 24, 2004). "Test: Le Voisin d'Enfer part en vacances" (in fr). Archived from the original on December 4, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201204141730/https://www.gamekult.com/jeux/un-voisin-d-enfer-2-en-vacances-59961/test.html. Retrieved March 27, 2026. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Planning des sorties Big Ben Interactive" (in fr). 2003-08-26. https://www.gamekult.com/actualite/planning-des-sorties-big-ben-interactive-27410.html. 
  6. ↑ Taylor, Martin (2003-08-29). "Neighbours From Hell returns to our screens" (in en). https://www.eurogamer.net/news290803nfromhell2. 
  7. ↑ "ECTS: Un Voisin d'Enfer 2" (in fr). 2003-08-29. http://www.jeuxvideo.com/news/2003/00007126.htm. 
  8. ↑ "Un second Voisin d'Enfer !" (in fr). 2003-10-21. http://www.jeuxvideo.com/news/2003/00007459.htm. 
  9. ↑ Poischich (2004-04-27). "Un Voisin d'Enfer 2: la démo" (in fr). https://www.gamekult.com/actualite/un-voisin-d-enfer-2-la-demo-33272.html. 
  10. ↑ "JoWooD Releases 'Neighbours From Hell' On Console" (in en). 2005-01-17. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/jowood-releases-neighbours-from-hell-on-console. 
  11. ↑ Boyes, Emma (2007-06-05). "Pinnacle to distribute JoWood in UK" (in en-US). https://www.gamespot.com/articles/pinnacle-to-distribute-jowood-in-uk/1100-6164014/. 
  12. ↑ "JoWooD Productions Sign With Pinnacle" (in en). 2007-01-10. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/jowood-productions-sign-with-pinnacle. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Neighbours From Hell - DS version coming June 2009." (in en). 2009-05-28. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/neighbours-from-hell-ds-version-coming-june-2009. 
  14. ↑ "Prank’d: Pranking Your Way Around the World - ESRB" (in en-US). https://www.esrb.org/ratings/27312/prankd-pranking-your-way-around-the-world/. 
  15. ↑ "New release: Neighbours From Hell Compilation". CD Projekt. 9 June 2009. https://www.gog.com/news/new_release_neighbours_from_hell_compilation. 
  16. ↑ "Now Available on Steam - Neighbours from Hell Compilation, 25% off!". Valve Corporation. 7 November 2013. https://store.steampowered.com/news/11808/. 
  17. ↑ Sykes, Tom (17 October 2013). "Steam Greenlight approves 37 more titles, including Ikaruga, TowerClimb, Steam Marines". PC Gamer (Future plc). https://www.pcgamer.com/steam-greenlight-approves-37-more-titles-including-ikaruga-towerclimb-steam-marines/. Retrieved 9 August 2020. 
  18. ↑ "Neighbors from Hell 1 and 2 out now on Mac App Store". THQ Nordic. 22 June 2017. https://www.thqnordic.com/article/neighbors-hell-1-and-2-out-now-mac-app-store. 
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 "Un voisin d'enfer! 2: en vacances Gags pour gogos" (in fr). Canard PC (Presse Non-Stop) (18): 20. March 31, 2004. 
  20. ↑ Kuipers, Kevin (March 24, 2004). "Test: Le Voisin d'Enfer part en vacances" (in fr). Archived from the original on December 4, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201204141730/https://www.gamekult.com/jeux/un-voisin-d-enfer-2-en-vacances-59961/test.html. Retrieved March 27, 2026. 
  • Official website
  • 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 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]

On February 13, 2025, Freyholtz stepped down as the site lead to move onto new projects, leaving operations to Tracy Poff, a veteran coder on the site, and Atari staff.[18]

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. 
  18. ↑ "An update on MobyGames leadership". 2025-02-13. https://www.mobygames.com/forum/3/thread/269628/an-update-on-mobygames-leadership/#post-269628. 
  • No URL found. Please specify a URL here or add one to Wikidata.



  • 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 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]

On February 13, 2025, Freyholtz stepped down as the site lead to move onto new projects, leaving operations to Tracy Poff, a veteran coder on the site, and Atari staff.[18]

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. 
  18. ↑ "An update on MobyGames leadership". 2025-02-13. https://www.mobygames.com/forum/3/thread/269628/an-update-on-mobygames-leadership/#post-269628. 
  • No URL found. Please specify a URL here or add one to Wikidata.




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