Software:Pro Pinball: Big Race USA

From HandWiki
Short description: 1998 video game
Pro Pinball: Big Race USA
Developer(s)Cunning Developments
Publisher(s)Empire Interactive
SeriesPro Pinball
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows, PlayStation, Macintosh (Mac OS 9 or earlier)
ReleaseMicrosoft Windows
PlayStation
  • EU: 1998
  • NA: 31 July 2000
Genre(s)Action
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Pro Pinball: Big Race USA is an action video game developed by Cunning Developments, published by Empire Interactive and distributed by Take-Two Interactive for Microsoft Windows and PlayStation. It is the third game in the Pro Pinball series, and is themed around travelling around the United States in a car, similar to the Williams physical table Red & Ted's Road Show.

Background

It is notable for having a lot more "simulation" features than its predecessor Software:Pro Pinball: Timeshock!, such as ability to configure table angle, flipper strength and how "worn" the table should appear to be. It also features a skill level setting, perhaps in response to Pro Pinball: Timeshock!'s difficulty. It also has improved graphical features including a subtle texture on the ball (so you can see how the ball is spinning) and motion blur.

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
PCPS
AllGameStarStarStarStarHalf star[5]StarStarStarHalf star[6]
CGWStarStarStarStarHalf star[7]N/A
FamitsuN/A22/40[8]
GameRevolutionN/AC+[9]
GameSpot8.7/10[10]6.8/10[11]
Hyper79/100[12]N/A
IGN7.4/10[1]4.8/10[13]
OPM (US)N/AStarStarStarHalf star[14]
PC Gamer (US)88%[15]N/A
PC Zone83%[16]N/A
PSMN/AStarStarStar[17]
The Cincinnati EnquirerStarStarStarHalf star[18]N/A
Playstation PlusN/A89%[19]
Aggregate scores
GameRankings79%[2]71%[3]
MetacriticN/A69/100[4]

The PlayStation version received "average" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[4] In Japan, where the same console version was ported and published by Syscom as part of the World Greatest Hits Series on 13 June 2002, Famitsu gave it a score of 22 out of 40.[8]

The PC version received the "Special Award" for "Quick-Fix Gaming" from Computer Gaming World in 1999. The editors wrote that it "set a new standard in PC pinball" and "proved so incredibly addictive it might as well have shipped with a set of cranial meat hooks."[20]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Ward, Trent C. (1 February 1999). "[Pro Pinball: Big Race USA (PC)"]. Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/02/02/big-race-usa. Retrieved 8 February 2020. 
  2. ↑ "Pro Pinball: Big Race USA for PC". CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 3 June 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190603184229/https://www.gamerankings.com/pc/198354-pro-pinball-big-race-usa/index.html. Retrieved 7 February 2020. 
  3. ↑ "Pro Pinball: Big Race USA for PlayStation". CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 27 May 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190527084724/https://www.gamerankings.com/ps/342118-pro-pinball-big-race-usa/index.html. Retrieved 7 February 2020. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Pro Pinball: Big Race USA for PlayStation Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/pro-pinball-big-race-usa/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation. Retrieved 25 May 2017. 
  5. ↑ Sutyak, Jonathan. "Pro Pinball: Big Race USA (PC) - Review". All Media Network. Archived from the original on 16 November 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141116184608/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=17600&tab=review. Retrieved 8 February 2020. 
  6. ↑ Woods, Nick. "Pro Pinball: Big Race USA (PS) - Review". All Media Network. Archived from the original on 17 November 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141117072025/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=26058&tab=review. Retrieved 8 February 2020. 
  7. ↑ Atkin, Denny (March 1999). "[Pro Pinball: Big Race USA"]. Computer Gaming World (Ziff Davis) (176): 164. http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_176.pdf. Retrieved 7 February 2020. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "World Greatest Hits シリーズ Vol.1 プロピンボール ビッグレースUSA [PS"] (in Japanese). Famitsu (Enterbrain). https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=4923&redirect=no. Retrieved 7 February 2020. 
  9. ↑ Liu, Johnny (September 2000). "[Pro Pinball: Big Race USA Review (PS)"]. CraveOnline. Archived from the original on 6 September 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150906143108/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/big-race-usa. Retrieved 8 February 2020. 
  10. ↑ Shamma, Tahsin (22 February 1999). "Pro Pinball: Big Race USA Review (PC) [date mislabeled as "May 1, 2000""]. CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/pro-pinball-big-race-usa-review/1900-2538175/. Retrieved 8 February 2020. 
  11. ↑ Gerstmann, Jeff (25 July 2000). "Pro Pinball: Big Race USA Review (PS) [date mislabeled as "May 17, 2006""]. CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/pro-pinball-big-race-usa-review/1900-2607412/. Retrieved 8 February 2020. 
  12. ↑ Adamsons, Matt (January 1999). "Pro Pinball – Big Race USA". Hyper (63): 88. https://archive.org/details/hyper-063/page/88/mode/2up?q=%22Brunswick+Circuit+Pro+Bowling%22. Retrieved 5 August 2021. 
  13. ↑ Cleveland, Adam (5 September 2000). "Pro Pinball: Big Race USA (PS)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/09/06/pro-pinball-big-race-usa. Retrieved 8 February 2020. 
  14. ↑ "Pro Pinball: Big Race USA". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine (Ziff Davis). 2000. 
  15. ↑ Renninger, Dean H. (April 1999). "Pro Pinball: Big Race USA". PC Gamer (Imagine Media) 6 (4): 139. https://archive.org/details/PCGamer199904/page/n155/mode/2up. Retrieved 8 February 2020. 
  16. ↑ Shoemaker, Ritchie (1999). "PC Review: Pro Pinball: Big Race USA". PC Zone (Future plc). Archived from the original on 20 January 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20070120225238/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=3317. Retrieved 8 February 2020. 
  17. ↑ "Review: Pro Pinball". PSM (Future US). October 2000. 
  18. ↑ Bottorff, James (1999). "Detailed 'Big Race' leads the pinball pack (PC)". The Cincinnati Enquirer (Gannett Company). Archived from the original on 27 August 2001. https://web.archive.org/web/20010827043609/http://cincinnati.com/freetime/games/reviews/bigraceusa.html. Retrieved 8 February 2020. 
  19. ↑ Rob (March 1999). "Pro Pinball Big Race USA". Playstation Plus (42): 85. https://archive.org/details/playstation-plus-42/page/84/mode/2up?q=. Retrieved 5 August 2021. 
  20. ↑ CGW staff (April 1999). "Computer Gaming World's 1999 Premier Awards (Special Award: Quick-Fix Gaming)". Computer Gaming World (Ziff Davis) (177): 104. http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_177.pdf. Retrieved 7 February 2020. 
  • 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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