Software:Osmos

From HandWiki
Short description: 2009 video game
Osmos
Steam digital banner art
Developer(s)Hemisphere Games
Publisher(s)
Designer(s)Eddy Boxerman
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows
Mac OS X
Linux
OnLive
iOS
Android
Release
Genre(s)Puzzle
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Osmos is a 2009 puzzle video game developed by Canadian developer Hemisphere Games for various systems such as Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, OnLive, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch and Android.[2] It was designed by Eddy Boxerman, founder of Hemisphere and a former developer at Ubisoft Montreal.[3]

Gameplay

The goal of most levels is to absorb enough motes to become the largest on the level.

The aim of the game is to propel oneself, a single-celled organism ("Mote"), into other smaller motes to absorb them. Colliding with a mote larger than the player will cause the player to be absorbed, resulting in a game over. Motes smaller than the player are blue, while motes bigger than the player are red. Changing course is done by expelling mass. Due to conservation of momentum, this results in the player's mote moving away from the expelled mass, but also in one's own mote shrinking.

There are three different "zones" of levels in Osmos: In the "sentient" levels, the goal is to prevail over active motes of various types that hunt and absorb other motes, including the player. Hunting them typically involves absorbing as many inactive motes as possible before chasing down the active ones with the extra mass one has gained.

In the "ambient" levels, the player's mote typically floats in a large area surrounded by inactive motes, and must become the largest or simply very large. Variations on this theme involve, for instance, starting the game as a very small mote surrounded by many larger, fast moving motes, or the presence of "antimatter" motes which shrink normal motes during collision no matter which one was originally bigger, or starting the game stuck in a huge, densely packed area with a large number of other motes without much space to move about and having to nudge other motes out of the way by ejecting mass at them.

In the "force" levels, special motes ("Attractors") influence other motes with a force similar to gravitation. The player has to take into account orbital physics when planning movement in order to save mass when changing course. In these levels, the game optionally assists the player with a course trajectory tool that plots the mote's course, up to a short time in the future. Force levels are complicated in various ways, including levels with mutually repelling attractors, attractors bouncing randomly around an area full of motes, several "strata" of bodies in retrograde rotation about an attractor, and attractors orbiting other attractors.

On 25 June 2012 Hemisphere Games announced the release of a multiplayer version of Osmos for iOS on the company blog and the game's Facebook page on 19 July 2012.

Soundtrack

The soundtrack includes:[4]

  1. Vincent et Tristan – "Osmos Theme"
  2. Gas – "Discovery"
  3. Biosphere – "Antennaria" (from Substrata)
  4. Loscil – "Lucy Dub"
  5. Loscil – "Rorschach"
  6. Loscil – "Sickbay"
  7. High Skies – "The Shape of Things to Come"
  8. Julien Neto – "From Cover to Cover"
  9. Julien Neto – "Farewell"

A free download of many of the tracks was made available in March 2010.[5]

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
iOSPC
DestructoidN/A8.5/10[10]
Eurogamer(1) 9/10[11]N/A
GamePro(1) StarStarStarStarHalf star[12]N/A
GameSpotN/A7/10[13]
Gamezebo(2) StarStarStarStarHalf star[14]StarStarStarStarHalf star[15]
IGN9/10[16][17]8.5/10[18]
PC Gamer (US)N/A80%[20]
Pocket GamerStarStarStarStar[21][22]N/A
Aggregate score
Metacritic(2) 90/100[6]
(1) 88/100[7]		80/100[8]

The iPhone version received "universal acclaim", while the PC and iPad versions received "generally favourable reviews", according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[6][7][8]

At IndieCade in 2009, the PC version was named "Best in Show" and won the Fun/Compelling award.[23] Apple Inc. selected the game as the iPad game of the year for 2010.[24] It also won many other awards that year.[25] IGN awarded the iOS version its best video game soundtrack of 2010.[26]

References

  1. ↑ "Games on Demand coming soon to Games for Windows — LIVE!". Microsoft. Archived from the original on 6 December 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20091206110819/http://www.microsoft.com/games/en-US/community/newsarticles/pages/gamesondemandcomingsoon.aspx. Retrieved 8 February 2018. "The launch lineup will include [...] new exclusive LIVE-enabled versions of popular digital games like World of Goo and Osmos, distributed by Microsoft Game Studios." 
  2. ↑ Usher, Anthony (2 September 2011). "iOS indie hit Osmos set to propel itself onto Android". Steel Media Ltd. https://www.pocketgamer.com/osmos/ios-indie-hit-osmos-set-to-propel-itself-onto-android/. Retrieved 4 February 2023. 
  3. ↑ "Hemisphere Games » About Hemisphere" (in en-US). https://www.hemispheregames.com/about/. 
  4. ↑ eddybox (1 March 2010). "Osmos Soundtrack". https://www.hemispheregames.com/2010/03/01/osmos-soundtrack/. 
  5. ↑ Kirn, Peter (1 March 2010). "Exclusive Free Soundtrack: Osmos, Featuring Gas, Julien Neto, Loscil, High Skies". Create Digital Media GmbH. https://cdm.link/2010/03/exclusive-free-soundtrack-osmos-featuring-gas-julien-neto-loscil-high-skies/. Retrieved 4 February 2023. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Osmos for iPhone/iPad Reviews". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/osmos/critic-reviews/?platform=ios-iphoneipad. Retrieved 12 December 2018. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Osmos for iPad for iPhone/iPad Reviews". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/osmos/critic-reviews/?platform=ios-iphoneipad. Retrieved 12 December 2018. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Osmos for PC Reviews". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/osmos/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. Retrieved 12 December 2018. 
  9. ↑ Teti, John (7 September 2009). "Osmos (PC)". G/O Media. Archived from the original on 19 January 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120119053635/http://www.avclub.com/articles/osmos,32554/. Retrieved 4 February 2023. 
  10. ↑ Burch, Anthony (2 November 2009). "Review: Osmos (PC)". Gamurs. https://www.destructoid.com/review-osmos/. Retrieved 4 February 2023. 
  11. ↑ Reed, Kristan (16 July 2010). "Download Games Roundup". Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/download-games-roundup-16th-july-2010. Retrieved 4 February 2023. 
  12. ↑ Rigney, Ryan (9 July 2010). "App Store Games of the Week: July 9th Edition". GamePro (GamePro Media). Archived from the original on 13 July 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100713171154/http://www.gamepro.com/article/features/215768/app-store-games-of-the-week-july-9th-edition/. Retrieved 4 February 2023. 
  13. ↑ VanOrd, Kevin (25 August 2009). "Osmos Review (PS)". Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/osmos-review/1900-6216073/. Retrieved 4 February 2023. 
  14. ↑ Squires, Jim (5 August 2010). "Osmos Review (iPhone)". https://www.gamezebo.com/reviews/osmos-review-2/. Retrieved 4 February 2023. 
  15. ↑ Squires, Jim (17 September 2009). "Osmos Review (PC)". Archived from the original on 22 July 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110722004104/https://www.gamezebo.com/games/osmos/review. Retrieved 4 February 2023. 
  16. ↑ Buchanan, Levi (9 July 2010). "Osmos iPad Review". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/07/09/osmos-ipad-review. Retrieved 4 February 2023. 
  17. ↑ Buchanan, Levi (5 August 2010). "Osmos iPhone Review". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/08/05/osmos-iphone-review. Retrieved 4 February 2023. 
  18. ↑ Hatfield, Daemon (20 August 2009). "Osmos Review (PC)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/08/20/osmos-review. Retrieved 4 February 2023. 
  19. ↑ Hattersley, Mark (9 July 2010). "Osmos for iPad Review". IDG Communcations. https://www.macworld.com/article/666532/osmos-for-ipad-review.html. Retrieved 5 February 2023. 
  20. ↑ "Osmos". PC Gamer (Future US) 16 (12): 83. December 2009. 
  21. ↑ Wilson, Will (16 July 2010). "Osmos (iPad)". Steel Media Ltd. https://www.pocketgamer.com/osmos/osmos-android-iphone-ipad-22173/. Retrieved 4 February 2023. 
  22. ↑ Erickson, Tracy (11 August 2010). "Osmos (iPhone)". Steel Media Ltd. https://www.pocketgamer.com/osmos/osmos-android-iphone-ipad-22756/. Retrieved 4 February 2023. 
  23. ↑ Diamante, Vincent (5 October 2009). "IndieCade: Impressions Of The Award-Winners". Informa. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/pc/indiecade-impressions-of-the-award-winners. Retrieved 4 February 2023. 
  24. ↑ eddybox (11 December 2010). "Apple's iPad Game of the Year!". https://www.hemispheregames.com/2010/12/11/apples-ipad-game-of-the-year/. Retrieved 5 August 2011. 
  25. ↑ eddybox (20 January 2011). "End-of-Year Awards & Voting". https://www.hemispheregames.com/2011/01/20/end-of-year-awards-voting/. Retrieved 5 August 2011. 
  26. ↑ "Best of 2010: Best Soundtrack (Mobile)". IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on 16 September 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110916010535/https://bestof.ign.com/2010/mobile/best-soundtrack.html. Retrieved 4 February 2023. 
  • 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. 
  • No URL found. Please specify a URL here or add one to Wikidata.

Template:Atari




Retrieved from "https://handwiki.org/wiki/index.php?title=Software:Osmos&oldid=746988"