Software:Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor

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Short description: 2001 video game
Pool of Radiance:
Ruins of Myth Drannor
Cover art by Gerald Brom
Developer(s)Stormfront Studios
Publisher(s)Ubi Soft
Designer(s)Mark Buchignani
Ken Eklund
Sarah W. Stocker
Programmer(s)David Yee
Artist(s)Sergio Lobato
Writer(s)Sarah W. Stocker
Composer(s)Andrew Boyd
Robb Mills
SeriesPool of Radiance
Platform(s)Windows
Release
  • NA: September 25, 2001[1]
  • EU: November 30, 2001
Genre(s)Role-playing
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor is a Forgotten Realms Dungeons & Dragons role-playing video game developed by Stormfront Studios and published by Ubi Soft in 2001. It is the fifth and latest game in the Pool of Radiance series.

Gameplay

In-game scene

Ruins of Myth Drannor takes place from an isometric third-person perspective, similar to the Baldur's Gate series. Unlike Baldur's Gate and other Infinity Engine games, Ruins of Myth Drannor features turn-based combat rather than real-time combat.[2] The game uses three-dimensional characters over pre-rendered two-dimensional backgrounds.

The game is a dungeon crawl, with a focus on hack and slash combat and the exploration of large dungeons.[2] Story progression and interaction with other characters is a minimal part of the game, although there is some interaction with non-player characters (NPCs) and other in-game characters.[3]

Plot

The story is set in the city of New Phlan.[2] A dracolich and his sorcerer queen have seized control of the Mythal, the ancient magic that once protected the long abandoned elven city of Myth Drannor. Once the elven ruin is completely in their thrall, the cult intends to expand its domination one city—and one soul—at a time.

Athan's band of heroes are sent to Myth Drannor by Elminster to stop the dracolich Pelendralaar and the sorcerer queen Kya Mordrayn from using the power of the Mythal to conquer Faerûn. The player party is composed of some of the various volunteers assigned to defend Faerun against the appearance of spawn pools which are extensions of a pool of radiance. The player's party of heroes witness the appearance of a magical portal before them and hear a man crying for help, they enter the portal and arrive some time later at the ruins of Myth Drannor. The player must acquire the gauntlets of Moander (which were given by Elminster to Athan's band) in order to destroy the newly formed pool of radiance. The heroes must locate and acquire the gauntlets of Moander and they must learn the correct word of power to open them. They must then find the ring of calling in order to open the seal of Mythanthor so that they may escape the dungeons of Myth Drannor and enter the other parts of the city such as Windrider glade.

The Baelnorn Mirroden Silverblade tells the party that the gem of the weave has been destroyed and that Kya Mordrayn will lose control of the Mythal if a new gem of the weave is attuned. The party then enlists the aid of ancient elf priestess Annorweyn Elvensong to attune a new gem of the weave but discovers that this cannot be done as the original gem of the weave is still intact. Mirroden is confronted by Annorweyn and the heroes learn that the gem of the weave is still intact and is in possession of the cult who have established the new pool of radiance beneath the ruins of castle Cormanthor. The party then traverse the catacombs and enter castle Cormanthor eventually reaching the pool of radiance through a magic portal. Kya Mordrayn is slain, the gem of the weave is destroyed and Pelendralaar breaks through a cave wall and enters into the chamber of the pool of radiance. The heroes slay Pelendraalar and use the gauntlets of Moander to destroy the pool.

Development

Producer Chuck Yager said the game was originally designed using the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition rules, but was converted to the 3rd edition rules partway through development.[2] While Software:Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn implemented some elements from the 3rd edition, Ruins of Myth Drannor was the first game attempting to comprehensively adapt those rules.[4] The game was originally scheduled to be released in May 2001.[5]

Reception

Sales

According to GameSpot's Desslock, Ruins of Myth Drannor "sold extremely well during its first few weeks, but bad word of mouth and reviews crippled future sales". He remarked that certain retailers had placed notes on their displays to warn customers about the title's bugs.[6] In the United States, the game entered NPD Intelect's computer game sales chart at #1 for September 23–29, 2001.[7] It held this position on the following week's chart,[8] before falling to #9 in its third week of release.[9] According to Ubisoft, the game surpassed 150,000 sales in its first 14 days.[10] It finished 20th on NPD Intelect's chart for the month of September overall,[9] and maintained this spot in October.[11] By the first week of November, Ruins of Myth Drannor had sold 55,211 units in the United States.[6]

Critical reviews

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
CGMStarStar[12]
CGWStar[15]
Game Informer7.75/10[13]
PC Gamer (US)59%[14]
PC PowerPlay79%[16]

The game received lackluster reviews and was plagued with bugs. One major bug would cause a player's system files to uninstall when the game was removed.[17] Other bugs included problems with installation, saving game files, graphics, and gameplay.[3] Chris Chan of the New Straits Times complained that most of the game is spent "[engaged] with a lot of mindless battles and health and spell recuperation exercises".[2] Mark Meadows of The Wisconsin State Journal called the game "a half-finished adaptation of D&D's new 3rd Edition rules that was rushed out the door despite being over a year late".[3] GameSpy gave a negative review to the game.[18] Later patches fixed some of the stability issues.[2] Branislav Babovic of mania.com commented: "Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor could simply be defined as a disk full of bugs, striving to be a slow Diablo based on AD&D third edition rules".[19] Johnny Wilson for Dragon commented: "I like the way the new edition of the D&D rules have been integrated into the game [...] I'm thrilled with the emphasis on drow and undead, the villains we love to hate".[20]

Adaptations

A novel based on the game, written by Carrie Bebris, was published by Wizards of the Coast and was also included with the collector's edition of the game, except in Europe.[citation needed] The Collector's Edition version of the game contained a copy of the book, an original pen and paper module, an audio CD, and a bag of polyhedral dice.[21] The printed adventure was called Pool of Radiance: Attack on Myth Drannor.

References

  1. ↑ "Readers' Vote: Best Roleplaying Game of 2001" (in en). January 5, 2002. https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/01/05/readers-vote-best-roleplaying-game-of-2001. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Chan, Chris (April 22, 2002). "In battle against evil". New Straits Times. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-82667741.html. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Meadows, Mark (November 1, 2001). "Bugs, Design Flaws Sink 'Pool of Radiance'". The Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, Wisconsin). http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-79639657.html. 
  4. ↑ Desslock (1 October 2001). "Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor Review". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. http://us.gamespot.com/pool-of-radiance-ruins-of-myth-drannor/reviews/pool-of-radiance-ruins-of-myth-drannor-review-2815696/. 
  5. ↑ Gaudiosi, John (January 17, 2001). "Learning Company = Game Studios". Archived from the original on April 24, 2001. https://web.archive.org/web/20010424182703/http://www.videobusiness.com:80/games/011701_learningco_name_change.asp. Retrieved November 27, 2025. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Desslock (November 23, 2001). "Desslock's Ramblings - Wizardry 8 Arrives, Kinda; RPG Sales Stats Updated". GameSpot. http://desslock.gamespot.com/#20011123-01. 
  7. ↑ Walker, Trey (October 10, 2001). "Pool of Radiance debuts at number one". GameSpot. http://gamespot.com:80/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2817286,00.html. 
  8. ↑ Walker, Trey (October 17, 2001). "Pool of Radiance hangs on to number one". GameSpot. http://gamespot.com:80/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2818352,00.html. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Walker, Trey (October 25, 2001). "Camelot takes the lead". GameSpot. http://gamespot.com:80/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2820323,00.html. 
  10. ↑ "Acquisitions Propel Ubi Soft Sales Up 72%". Gamasutra. November 5, 2001. http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/91838/Acquisitions_Propel_Ubi_Soft_Sales_Up_72.php. 
  11. ↑ Walker, Trey (November 29, 2001). "Hot Date holds off Harry Potter". GameSpot. http://gamespot.com:80/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2828791,00.html. 
  12. ↑ Fleet, Adam (December 13, 2001). "Review; Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor". Computer Games Magazine. http://www.cgonline.com/reviews/poolofradi-02-r1.html. 
  13. ↑ Fitzloff, Jay; Brogger, Kristian (November 2001). "D&D for Dummies". Game Informer. http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200111/R03.0805.1704.52280.htm. 
  14. ↑ Klett, Steve. "Reviews; Pool of Radiance". PC Gamer US. http://www.pcgamer.com/archives/2005/07/pool_of_radianc.html. 
  15. ↑ Smolka, Rob (January 2002). "Reviews; Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor". Computer Gaming World (210): 112, 113. 
  16. ↑ Dewhurst, John; Wildgoose, David; Best, Timothy C.; Hovingh, Ryan (November 2001). "Pool of Radiance". PC PowerPlay (66): 56–59. 
  17. ↑ Salminen, Carl (November 24, 2001). "Pool of Radiance". Ars Technica. https://arstechnica.com/reviews/01q4/pool_of_radiance/pool-1.html. 
  18. ↑ Rausch, Allen (2004-08-19). "A History of D&D Video Games - Part V". GameSpy. http://pc.gamespy.com/articles/540/540375p2.html. 
  19. ↑ "Article". http://www.mania.com/pool-radiance-ruins-myth-drannor_article_48008.html. 
  20. ↑ Wilson, Johnny (August 2000). "Silicon Sorcery". Dragon (274): 128–130. 
  21. ↑ "Amazon.com:Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor". https://www.amazon.com/Pool-Radiance-Drannor-Collectors-Edition-Pc/dp/B00005KANS. 

Further reading

  • D'Aprile, Jason (December 2001). "Pool party". InQuest Gamer (Wizard Entertainment) (80): 70. 
  • 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. 
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