Software:Pool Paradise

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Short description: 2004 video game
Pool Paradise
Developer(s)Awesome Studios
Publisher(s)Ignition Entertainment
Director(s)Archer Maclean
Programmer(s)Ed Bradley
Fred O'Rourke
Artist(s)Drew Northcott
Composer(s)Tom Davies
Platform(s)Windows, PlayStation 2, GameCube
ReleaseWindows, PlayStation 2
  • EU: 2 April 2004
  • NA: April 2004 (PC)
  • NA: 15 June 2004 (PS2)
  • AU: 2004 (PS2)[1]
GameCube
  • EU: 7 May 2004
  • NA: 28 June 2004
Genre(s)Sports
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Pool Paradise is a 2004 pocket billiards video game, developed by Awesome Studios, and published by Ignition Entertainment, released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2, and GameCube. The game is the fourth game to be endorsed by professional snooker and pool player Jimmy White.

Gameplay

Players control a virtual pool player at a beach resort, with pool tables inside different huts. Players have to work their way up the tournament ladder in order to unlock features and complete the game.

The game's features, according to Booners Interactive,[2] include 30 unique computer characters, with highly detailed hands, on an animated island with day and night cycles, and 8 virtual camera modes; 11 different game types and 5 modes of play, with 10 different tournament ladders, and 10 table sizes and shapes; and analog cueing, using a gamepad or a mouse. "Hidden features" throughout the game were also alluded to.[3] As well as various pool and snooker games, beach darts, a coconut shy, skee-ball ramp, and the original Dropzone arcade game are all unlockable.[4] Unlike previous games endorsed by Jimmy White, in Pool Paradise, White is a playable character, and is the best player in game.[5]

International edition

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
GCPCPS2
EdgeN/AN/A8/10[6]
EurogamerN/AN/A8/10[7]
Game Informer6/10[8]N/AN/A
GameSpot7.9/10[9]N/A7.9/10[10]
GameSpyStarStarStar[11]N/AN/A
GameZoneN/AN/A7.9/10[12]
IGN7.6/10[13]N/A7.6/10[14]
Nintendo Power2.5/5[15]N/AN/A
OPM (US)N/AN/AStarStarStar[16]
PC Gamer (UK)N/A78%[17]N/A
BBC Sport80%[18]80%[18]80%[18]
The Sydney Morning HeraldN/AN/AStarStarStarStar[19]
Aggregate score
Metacritic76/100[20]76/100[21]77/100[3]

The game received "generally favourable reviews" on all platforms according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[3][20][21] Alex Trickett of BBC Sport called the game "crisp, clean fun at a budget price"; however, he did call the game's soundtrack "uninspired". Alex Navarro of GameSpot enjoyed the European GameCube version months before it was released, stating in an early review, "Pool Paradise features a great gameplay design, as well as a ton of available pool games and side ventures."[9] He also suggested the game was very strong on its own merits commenting "even if Pool Paradise weren't the only available pool game for the GameCube, it would still be a strong choice for any billiards fan."[9] GameSpot later named it the best GameCube game of April 2004,[22] and nominated it for the year-end "Best Alternative Sports Game" award.[23] GameSpy and Game Informer gave the same European GameCube version a mixed review, two months before it was released in Europe, and nearly three months before it was released Stateside.[8][11]

References

  1. ↑ "Pool Paradise". 31 August 2019. https://www.classification.gov.au/titles/pool-paradise. Retrieved 5 September 2020. 
  2. ↑ "Pool Paradise Company Line". CBS Interactive. 26 April 2004. Archived from the original on 18 October 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121018021334/http://www.gamespot.com/news/pool-paradise-company-line-6094536. Retrieved 4 September 2020. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Pool Paradise for PlayStation 2 Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/pool-paradise/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2. Retrieved 13 December 2017. 
  4. ↑ Calvert, Justin (15 March 2004). "Pool Paradise dated for UK". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/articles/pool-paradise-dated-for-uk/1100-6091452/. Retrieved 13 December 2017. 
  5. ↑ evilmonkeyz (11 July 2005). "Pool Paradise Review for PS2". CBS Interactive. https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/ps2/919222-pool-paradise/reviews/89628. Retrieved 4 September 2020. 
  6. ↑ Edge staff (May 2004). "Pool Paradise (PS2)". Edge (Future plc) (136): 109. 
  7. ↑ Bramwell, Tom (5 May 2004). "Pool Paradise (PlayStation 2)". Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_poolparadise_ps2. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Pool Paradise (GC)". Game Informer (GameStop) (133): 101. May 2004. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Navarro, Alex (12 April 2004). "Pool Paradise Review (GC) [date mislabeled as "July 2, 2004"". https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/pool-paradise-review/1900-6093400/. Retrieved 13 December 2017. 
  10. ↑ Navarro, Alex (2 July 2004). "Pool Paradise Review (PS2)". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/pool-paradise-review/1900-6101882/. Retrieved 5 September 2020. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Hodgson, David (2 April 2004). "GameSpy: Pool Paradise (GCN)". IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on 18 December 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20051218030200/http://cube.gamespy.com/gamecube/pool-paradise/501693p1.html. Retrieved 5 September 2020. 
  12. ↑ Bedigian, Louis (29 July 2004). "Pool Paradise - PS2 - Review". Archived from the original on 9 March 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080309050922/http://ps2.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r23655.htm. Retrieved 5 September 2020. 
  13. ↑ Casamassina, Matt (6 July 2004). "Pool Paradise (GCN)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/07/06/pool-paradise-2. Retrieved 5 September 2020. 
  14. ↑ Casamassina, Matt (6 July 2004). "Pool Paradise (PS2)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/07/07/pool-paradise. Retrieved 5 September 2020. 
  15. ↑ "Pool Paradise". Nintendo Power (Nintendo of America) 180: 121. June 2004. 
  16. ↑ "Pool Paradise". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine (Ziff Davis) (83): 93. August 2004. 
  17. ↑ "Pool Paradise". PC Gamer UK (Future plc). May 2004. 
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 Trickett, Alex (27 May 2004). "Let's Play: Paradise Pool". BBC Sport (BBC). https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/funny_old_game/game_reviews/3738259.stm. 
  19. ↑ Hill, Jason (7 August 2004). "'Pool Paradise' (PS2)". The Sydney Morning Herald (Fairfax Media). Archived from the original on 22 August 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130822104035/http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/08/06/1091732078427.html. Retrieved 5 September 2020. 
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 "Pool Paradise for GameCube Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/pool-paradise/critic-reviews/?platform=gamecube. 
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 "Pool Paradise for PC Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/pool-paradise/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. Retrieved 5 September 2020. 
  22. ↑ Staff (May 3, 2004). "GameSpot's Month in Review for April 2004". GameSpot. Archived from the original on September 14, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20040914143644/http://www.gamespot.com/features/6094997/index.html. 
  23. ↑ The GameSpot Editors (January 5, 2005). "Best and Worst of 2004". GameSpot. Archived from the original on March 7, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050307021607/http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2004/. 
  • 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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