Software:Pong: The Next Level

From HandWiki
Short description: 1999 video game
Pong: The Next Level
North American PlayStation box art
Developer(s)Supersonic Software
Morning Star Multimedia (GBC)
Publisher(s)Hasbro Interactive
MacSoft (Mac OS)
Producer(s)Dan Kitchen
Kevin Mitchell (GBC)
Programmer(s)Nick Eastridge (GBC)
Artist(s)Bill Jannott (GBC)
Composer(s)Scott Marshall (GBC)
SeriesPong
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, PlayStation, Game Boy Color
ReleasePlayStation, Windows
Game Boy Color
  • NA: December 1999
  • EU: 2000
Mac OS
Genre(s)Sports (table tennis)
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Pong: The Next Level (known simply as Pong) is a 1999 table tennis video game serving as a remake of the 1972 Atari game Pong. It was developed by Supersonic Software and published by Hasbro Interactive for the PlayStation and Microsoft Windows, and was later ported to Game Boy Color and Mac OS.

Gameplay

Pong: The Next Level consists of many levels that are either traditional Pong matches against a computer-controlled opponent in special three-dimensional arenas with special power-ups and environmental gimmicks that affect the way the game is played, or solo challenges that require the player to keep the ball in play and call for precise and skilled moves to win. An example of the former is "Rock and Roll", where the player must win a Pong match against an opponent on an arena that can tilt or deform, and an example of the latter is "Seal Juggle", where the player must "juggle" a ball on a slanted iceberg and use a special power-up to launch it high up the slope so that a seal can pick it up. Matches use the "deuce" rule, in which if both contestants are one point away from winning, the player who takes a two-point lead is declared the winner.

Each level has three variations of increasing difficulty: an initial easy variation that awards the player three golden bars, a slightly more difficult one that awards two gold bars and a challenging one that grants one golden bar. Golden bars are used to unlock other levels and advance to new zones, and players are encouraged to go back and play harder versions of earlier levels if they are unable to get past a newly discovered level. Collecting golden bars will also cause an in-game crystal Atari logo to slowly change to gold. Filling in one of each of the three bars in the logo by completing one particular variation of every level will grant players access to an emulation of the original Pong game, and two other variants.

All "match" levels support multiplayer, with a special mode for more than two players, named "Last Pong Standing". In this mode, each player will be randomly assigned to guard a certain part of the arena edge from balls in each round and attempt to "eliminate" opponents by scoring goals against them. Eliminated players will have their goal areas blocked off. Once one player remains, the round ends and scoring is awarded as follows: the first eliminated player earns no points, subsequently eliminated players are awarded a limited number of points and the last player standing receives full scoring. Subsequent rounds are played until one player reaches the target score.

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
GBCMacintoshPCPS
AllGame1.5/5[7]N/A3.5/5[8]4.5/5[9]
CGSPN/AN/A3.5/5[12]N/A
EGMN/AN/AN/A6.5/10[13]
GameFanN/AN/AN/A73%[16]
GameSpotN/AN/AN/A4.5/10[17]
IGN2/10[18]N/A7.4/10[19]9/10[20]
Next GenerationN/AN/AN/A4/5[22]
Nintendo Power6.6/10[23]N/AN/AN/A
OPM (US)N/AN/AN/A3.5/5[24]
PC Gamer (UK)N/AN/A45%[25]N/A
PC ZoneN/AN/A28%[26]N/A
Aggregate score
GameRankings66%[4]N/A58%[5]68%[6]

The PC and PlayStation versions received mixed or average reviews, while the Game Boy Color version received unfavorable reviews. Blake Fischer of NextGen, however, called the PlayStation version "Good dumb fun that will keep you hooked for hours at a time. Just don't tell anybody."[22] GamePro said that the PC version "is fun--but not the kind of elaborate fun that will last you six months. It's more like a nifty stocking stuffer than a full-fledged present--one that will keep you warm and nostalgic into January."[27][lower-alpha 1]

Notes

  1. ↑ GamePro gave the PC version two 3/5 scores for graphics and control, 1.5/5 for sound, and 3.5/5 for fun factor.

References

  1. ↑ Fudge, James (October 28, 1999). "Hasbro Interactive Releases Pong". Strategy Plus, Inc.. http://www.cdmag.com/articles/023/183/pong.html. 
  2. ↑ Kennedy, Sam (October 28, 1999). "Atari's 3D Pong Released". Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/articles/ataris-3d-pong-released/1100-2448809/. 
  3. ↑ "MACSOFT TAKES PONG TO NEXT LEVEL". June 12, 2001. http://www.infogrames.net/corporate/press/061201_pong.asp. 
  4. ↑ "Pong: The Next Level for Game Boy Color Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamerankings.com/gbc/577349-pong-the-next-level/index.html. 
  5. ↑ "Pong: The Next Level for PC". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamerankings.com/pc/187986-pong-the-next-level/index.html. 
  6. ↑ "Pong: The Next Level for PlayStation". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamerankings.com/ps/198317-pong-the-next-level/index.html. 
  7. ↑ Weiss, Brett Alan. "Pong: The Next Level (GBC) - Review". All Media Network. http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=20359&tab=review. 
  8. ↑ Weiss, Brett Alan. "Pong: The Next Level (PC) - Review". All Media Network. http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=20777&tab=review. 
  9. ↑ White, Jason. "Pong: The Next Level (PS) - Review". All Media Network. http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=19643&tab=review. 
  10. ↑ Bannan, Karen J. (January 27, 2000). "Pong: The Next Level (PC)". CNET. http://www.gamecenter.com/Reviews/Item/0%2C6%2C0-3678%2C00.html. 
  11. ↑ Gaudiosi, Peyton (October 29, 1999). "Pong (PS)". CNET. http://www.gamecenter.com/Consoles/Sony/Pong/. 
  12. ↑ Bauman, Steve (November 8, 1999). "Pong". Strategy Plus, Inc.. http://www.cdmag.com/articles/024/037/pong_review.html. 
  13. ↑ "Pong (PS)". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (125): 284. December 1999. https://retrocdn.net/images/6/6d/EGM_US_125.pdf. Retrieved October 10, 2023. 
  14. ↑ Rog (November 30, 1999). "Pong: The Next Level (PC)". Greedy Productions Ltd.. http://www.elecplay.com/reviews_article.php?article=7630. 
  15. ↑ Hudak, Chris (December 8, 1999). "Pong (PS)". Greedy Productions Ltd.. http://www.elecplay.com/review.html?article=1613&full=1#mr_toppy. 
  16. ↑ "REVIEW for Pong (PS)". GameFan (Shinno Media). December 20, 1999. 
  17. ↑ Stahl, Ben (December 3, 1999). "Pong Review (PS)". Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/pong-review/1900-2546039/. 
  18. ↑ Harris, Craig (February 2, 2000). "Pong (GBC)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/02/03/pong-4. 
  19. ↑ Butts, Steve (November 11, 1999). "Pong (PC)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/11/12/pong. 
  20. ↑ Harris, Craig (November 4, 1999). "Pong (PS)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/11/05/pong-3. 
  21. ↑ Sammis, Ian (October 2001). "Pong: The Next Level". MacADDICT (Imagine Media) (62): 47. https://archive.org/details/MacAddict-062-200110/page/n47/mode/2up. Retrieved October 10, 2023. 
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 Fischer, Blake (February 2000). "Pong (PS)". NextGen (Imagine Media) (62): 97. https://archive.org/details/NextGen62Feb2000/page/n97/mode/2up. Retrieved October 10, 2023. 
  23. ↑ "Pong [The Next Level]". Nintendo Power (Nintendo of America) 129. February 2000. 
  24. ↑ Kujawa, Kraig (December 1999). "Pong". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine (Ziff Davis) 3 (3): 173. https://archive.org/details/Official_US_PlayStation_Magazine_Volume_3_Issue_3_1999-12_Ziff_Davis_US/page/n167/mode/2up. Retrieved October 10, 2023. 
  25. ↑ Gillen, Kieron (March 2000). "Pong". PC Gamer UK (Future Publishing) (78). http://www.pcgamer.co.uk/games/gamefile_review_page.asp?item_id=3858. Retrieved October 10, 2023. 
  26. ↑ Hill, Mark (April 2000). "Pong". PC Zone (Dennis Publishing) (88): 91. https://archive.org/details/PC_Zone_Issue_088_2000-04_Dennis_Publishing_GB/page/n89/mode/2up. Retrieved October 10, 2023. 
  27. ↑ Werner, Nash (November 3, 1999). "Pong: The Next Level Review for PC on GamePro.com". GamePro (IDG). http://gamepro.com/computer/pc/games/reviews/2826.shtml. Retrieved October 10, 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. 
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