Software:PK: Out of the Shadows

From HandWiki
PK: Out of the Shadows
North American cover art for PlayStation 2
Developer(s)Ubi Soft Montreal
Publisher(s)Ubi Soft
Producer(s)
  • Abdelhak Elguss
  • Luigi Proiore
Designer(s)
  • Jason Arsenault
  • Mustapha Mahrach
Programmer(s)
  • Abderrahim Agoumal
  • Abderrahim Boukriss
  • Boujemaa El Hiba
  • Hassan Boulmarfouf
  • Lhoucine Khabir
  • Mohamed Berra
  • Salahedone Essediki
Artist(s)Gabriel Villatte
Writer(s)Guido Martina
Composer(s)Daniel Masson
Platform(s)
ReleasePlayStation 2
  • EU: October 4, 2002
GameCube
  • EU: November 29, 2002
Genre(s)Action-adventure, platformer
Mode(s)Single-player

PK: Out of the Shadows (known as Donald Duck PK in Europe) is a 2002 action-adventure video game developed by Ubi Soft Montreal and published by Ubi Soft. It stars Donald Duck as Paperinik or "PK" as he battles to stop the Evron Empire from taking over Earth. The game is based on the Italian comic book series PK – Paperinik New Adventures.

The game was released on October 4 2002, to mixed reviews from critics; some praised the voice acting, but criticized some level designs and lack of originality.

Plot

Donald Duck works as a security guard in the Ducklair Tower. He falls asleep and starts dreaming of Daisy Duck and his nephews Huey, Dewey and Louie teasing him. He wishes he was a superhero. An artificial intelligence known as One agrees to help him. He is given a future technological weapon, a new voice, and the new name PK. Before PK can begin his training, they are alerted to the Evronians attack on Earth, prompting One to send PK out to defeat them as 'on the job training'.

Gameplay

Players assume the control of PK, navigating 3D levels from a third person perspective.

PK uses an 'X-Transformer' arm device throughout the game, which functions as a utility for defense and movement, primarily firing laser shots and to hover over large gaps. More abilities are unlocked for the X-Transformer as the player progresses, unlocking a super punch for shattering weak ground, a supercharge to break enemy shields, a remote X-Transformer to navigate tight spaces and a more powerful costume variant.

As players traverse the levels, they will collect 'Activation Stars', green circular icons sporting One's face. These function as to power checkpoints for the player, requiring 15 to activate it so that should the player die, they'll return to that previously active checkpoint. The player will also find other weapon variants that give the X-Transformer a limited amount of more powerful shots such as fire bullets or rockets.

Also during certain level portions, the player will encounter captured scientists that must be found and rescued before the timer counts down, otherwise they will be teleported away, requiring the player to try again another time. There are six scientists per level (excluding boss battles and the Evronian Mothership), and 40 scientists must be rescued in order to access the final mothership levels.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate scores
AggregatorScore
GameRankings(GC) 53.68%[3]
(PS2) 51.41%[4]
Metacritic(PS2) 49/100[5]
(GC) 46/100[6]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Game Informer4.7/10[7]
GameSpot3.2/10[8]
GameSpy(PS2) 62%[9]
(GC) StarStar[10]
GameZone(GC) 6/10[11]
(PS2) 5.4/10[12]
IGN4/10[13][14]
Nintendo Power3.3/5[15]
Nintendo World Report4/10[16]
OPM (US)StarStarHalf star[17]
PSM7/10[18]
X-PlayStarStar[19]

On review aggregator Metacritic, It has average rating of 49% on PlayStation 2 and an average of 46% on GameCube, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews."[5][6] GameRankings gave the PlayStation 2 version a score of 51.41%,[4][5] while they gave the GameCube version a score of 53.68%.[3]

GameSpot gave the game a "poor" rating of 3.2 out of 10 and said, "Unless playing poorly made games is your pastime, avoiding this game is highly suggested."[8] IGN gave both the GameCube and PlayStation 2 versions a 4 out of 10, writing for the PlayStation 2 they said, "Yes, Donald Duck is a superhero. No, it's not much fun.", while for the GameCube version they wrote, "We sure do love Donald, but his latest game is a heartbreaker."[13][14]

GameSpy gave the GameCube version two stars out of five and commented, "Well sweet, how ... completely disheartening! It's hardly a good setup for a winning platform game."[10] Brad Kane of Extended Play also gave the game a two stars out of five, saying, "If you're really thirsting for some Donald Duck platform action in your life, then "Out of the Shadows" will at least provide enough of a challenge to keep you on the jump. But if you're not a devotee and don't need to see PK make his videogame debut, then you can leave this one for the Evronians."[19]

References

  1. ↑ "Disney's PK: Out of the Shadows Release Information for PlayStation 2". http://www.gamefaqs.com/ps2/562038-disneys-pk-out-of-the-shadows/data. Retrieved November 25, 2014. 
  2. ↑ "Disney's PK: Out of the Shadows Release Information for GameCube". http://www.gamefaqs.com/gamecube/562037-disneys-pk-out-of-the-shadows/data. Retrieved November 25, 2014. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Disney's PK: Out of the Shadows for GameCube". GameRankings. http://www.gamerankings.com/gamecube/562037-disneys-pk-out-of-the-shadows/index.html. Retrieved November 25, 2014. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Disney's PK: Out of the Shadows for PlayStation 2". GameRankings. http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/562038-disneys-pk-out-of-the-shadows/index.html. Retrieved November 25, 2014. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Disney's PK: Out of the Shadows for PlayStation 2 Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/disneys-pk-out-of-the-shadows/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2. Retrieved November 25, 2014. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Disney's PK: Out of the Shadows for GameCube Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/disneys-pk-out-of-the-shadows/critic-reviews/?platform=gamecube. Retrieved November 25, 2014. 
  7. ↑ Mason, Lisa (March 2003). "Disney's PK: Out of the Shadows (GC)". Game Informer (119): 85. Archived from the original on February 12, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080212122237/http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200303/R03.0729.1735.04351.htm. Retrieved November 25, 2014. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Tracy, Tim (January 17, 2003). "Disney's PK: Out of the Shadows Review". http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/disneys-pk-out-of-the-shadows-review/1900-2909142/. Retrieved November 25, 2014. 
  9. ↑ Steinberg, Steve (November 21, 2002). "PK Out of the Shadows (PS2)". GameSpy. Archived from the original on December 12, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20041212071058/http://archive.gamespy.com/reviews/november02/pkps2/. Retrieved November 25, 2014. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Steinberg, Scott (January 28, 2003). "GameSpy: Disney's PK: Out of the Shadows (GCN)". GameSpy. Archived from the original on February 20, 2006. https://web.archive.org/web/20060220122418/http://cube.gamespy.com/gamecube/disneys-pk/498345p1.html. Retrieved November 25, 2014. 
  11. ↑ Bedigian, Louis (December 27, 2002). "Disney's PK: Out of the Shadows - GC - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on December 11, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20081211052304/http://gamecube.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r20548.htm. Retrieved November 25, 2014. 
  12. ↑ Knutson, Michael (November 13, 2002). "Disney's PK: Out of the Shadows - PS2 - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on October 4, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20081004110747/http://ps2.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r20548.htm. Retrieved November 25, 2014. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Smith, David (November 7, 2002). "Disney's PK [Out of the Shadows] Review (PS2)". http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/11/07/disneys-pk-review. Retrieved November 25, 2014. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Smith, David (February 10, 2003). "Disney's PK [Out of the Shadows] (GCN)". http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/02/10/disneys-pk. Retrieved November 25, 2014. 
  15. ↑ "Disney's PK: Out of the Shadows". Nintendo Power 165: 155. February 2003. 
  16. ↑ Shih, Ed (February 4, 2003). "PK: Out of the Shadows". Nintendo World Report. http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/4043/pk-out-of-the-shadows-gamecube. Retrieved November 25, 2014. 
  17. ↑ Steinman, Gary (December 2002). "Disney's PK: Out of the Shadows". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine: 158. Archived from the original on June 29, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20040629201758/http://www.playstationmagazine.com/article2/0,2053,1495374,00.asp. Retrieved November 25, 2014. 
  18. ↑ "Review: Disney's PK: Out of the Shadows". PSM: 42. January 2003. 
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Kane, Brad (December 16, 2002). "'PK: Out of the Shadows' (PS2) Review". X-Play. Archived from the original on December 22, 2002. https://web.archive.org/web/20021222093826/http://www.techtv.com/extendedplay/reviews/story/0,24330,3410577,00.html. Retrieved November 25, 2014. 
  • 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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