Software:Project Snowblind

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Short description: 2005 video game
The correct title of this page is Project: Snowblind. The omission of the colon is due to technical restrictions.
Project: Snowblind
Developer(s)Crystal Dynamics[lower-alpha 1]
Publisher(s)Eidos Interactive
Producer(s)John Chowanec
Designer(s)Zak McClendon
Jason Weesner
Writer(s)Richard Gaubert
Composer(s)Troels Brun Folmann
Platform(s)PlayStation 2, Xbox, Windows
ReleasePlayStation 2
  • NA: February 22, 2005
  • EU: March 4, 2005
Xbox
  • NA: February 22, 2005
  • EU: March 11, 2005
Windows
  • NA: March 15, 2005
  • EU: April 1, 2005
Genre(s)First-person shooter
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Project: Snowblind is a 2005 first-person shooter video game developed by Crystal Dynamics and published by Eidos Interactive for PlayStation 2, Xbox and Microsoft Windows. The game follows soldier Nathan Frost, who is enhanced with nanotechnology following injuries on a mission and sent against a military regime known as the Republic. Players control Frost through a series of linear levels, using enhancements both in combat and to manipulate security devices such as cameras. The online multiplayer allows up to sixteen players to take part in modes ranging from team-based to solo battles.

Beginning development in 2004, the game was Crystal Dynamics' first attempt at a first-person shooter and originally planned as part of the Deus Ex series with consultation from original developer Ion Storm. The game eventually evolved into its own product, but retained gameplay elements from its Deus Ex roots. Reception of the game was generally positive.

Gameplay

Similar to the Deus Ex series, the focus of Project: Snowblind's gameplay is giving the player a variety of choices on how to approach any given situation. Although the game is generally linear, most levels feature multiple paths through any given area, allowing players to either rush in guns blazing or attempt to find a more stealthy side-path. Unlike Deus Ex, the game is entirely centered around pure combat, but nonetheless provides the player with multiple options regarding every battle. Every weapon in the game has a secondary fire mode, several of which create exotic effects such as a swarm of drones that will actively seek out and attack enemies. The player can also throw a variety of grenades with different effects, including a riot shield that creates a temporary stationary energy wall for the player to take cover behind. The player can also use a special "Icepick" device to hack enemy cameras, turrets, and robots and use them against enemy forces. The game also features several driveable vehicles. Finally, the player's character possesses a variety of nano-technology augmentations that can be used to grant them various powers.[2][3]

Augmentations

One of the main focuses of Project: Snowblind's gameplay is Nathan Frost's nano-technology augmentations. Although most of Frost's augmentations are inactive at the beginning of the game, they become activated as the game progresses, granting Frost additional powers.[4]

Multiplayer

Project: Snowblind's multiplayer mode features several of the gameplay elements found in the game's single-player campaign, including drivable vehicles, the ability to operate and hack cameras and turrets on the battlefield, and the ability to use augmentation powers.[2]

The Xbox version of Project: Snowblind had the option to download extra content via Xbox Live. The map "Repair Bay" was available for free.[5]

Synopsis

In 2065, a militant regime called the Republic led by the rogue General Yan Lo attacks Hong Kong. An international peacekeeping force stationed in Hong Kong, known as the Liberty Coalition, is tasked with defending the island from the invasion. New soldier Nathan Frost arrives just before a major attack leaves him near death. Granted experimental nanotechnological augmentations, Frost is put in charge of the Coalition's effort to defeat the Republic and killing Yan Lo. They eventually rescue defecting scientist Joseph Liaw, who reveals Yan Lo's plan. Believing technology is weakening humanity, Yan Lo has initiated "Project: Snowblind"; he plans to detonate EMP bombs in New York, Paris, and Hong Kong, destroying the world's technological hubs and triggering a new Dark Age.

In an attempt to stop Project: Snowblind, Frost spearheads a controversial assault on Yan Lo's underground bunker with Liaw's inside knowledge, fighting past Yan Lo's elite augmented guard. He eventually faces Yan Lo, discovering that he is an augmented soldier like Frost. Created twenty years ago using an earlier generation of mechanical augmentation, Yan Lo was driven insane by the technology's painful side effects, fuelling his hatred of technology. Frost manages to fatally injure Yan Lo, but he declares that Project Snowblind will continue before blowing himself up.

In a final attempt to stop Project: Snowblind, Frost launches a final assault on the facility where the EMP bombs are being prepared for distribution, aided by the surviving Coalition soldiers. While his forces hold off the remainder of the Republic forces, Frost enters the facility and destroys the EMP bombs, disconnecting his own augmentations so he can survive the resultant EMP shockwave. The final scene shows Frost and the survivors, including Liaw, walking to the nearest functional Coalition base fifty miles away.

Development

In 2003, following the release of Software:Deus Ex: Invisible War, multiple attempts were made by series developer Ion Storm and publisher Eidos Interactive to create further entries in the Deus Ex series. One of these projects, planned as the third series entry following Invisible War, was titled Deus Ex: Clan Wars.[6][7] As development progressed, the game changed into its own identity and was rebranded as Project: Snowblind.[7] Preproduction for Project: Snowblind began in early 2004, being the first FPS produced by Crystal Dynamics.[8] During its early development, Crystal Dynamics had advice from Ion Storm and series creator Warren Spector. As development progressed, the game evolved into its own entity and took an original name.[8][9]

The music was composed by Troels Brun Folmann, who became involved with the game after joining the company to complete research for a PhD thesis. Project Snowblind was Folmann's second score after Software:Robin Hood: Defender of the Crown. He was invited to score the game to further his research into video game music. The game's directors wanted Folmann to create an "epic orchestral score with eastern/ethnic elements".[10]

The Xbox and PC versions were created by Nixxes Software.[1] The multiplayer middleware was provided by Quazal in a partnership with Eidos. Crystal Dynamics used Quazal's Net-Z and Rendez-Vous software models to allow a large player number for matches, real-time communication, and easy matching-making for sessions.[11]

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
PCPS2Xbox
1Up.comB−[12]B+[13]B+[13]
EurogamerN/A7/10[14]N/A
Game InformerN/A8.25/10[15]8.25/10[15]
GameProN/AStarStarStar[16]StarStarStarHalf star[17]
GameRevolutionN/AB−[18]B−[18]
GameSpot7.7/10[4]8.3/10[19]8.3/10[19]
GameSpyStarStarStarStar[20]StarStarStarStar[21]StarStarStarStar[22]
IGN8/10[23]8.8/10[24]8.8/10[24]
OXM (US)N/AN/A8.4/10[25]
Aggregate score
Metacritic76/100[26]78/100[27]79/100[28]

The game received "favorable" reviews on all platforms according to video game review aggregator Metacritic.[26][27][28] It was criticized for its short length and inactive multiplayer, but was praised for its surprisingly entertaining gameplay.

Notes

  1. ↑ Ported to Xbox and Microsoft Windows by Nixxes Software.[1]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Nixxes - Project Snowblind". Nixxes Software. Archived from the original on March 2, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140302123810/http://www.nixxes.com/nixxes/projects/19-uk/projects/137-project-snowblind. Retrieved August 26, 2019. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Project: Snowblind Windows Manual". Square Enix. Archived from the original on November 7, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181107171055/http://support.na.square-enix.com/document/manual/1008/Project_Snowblind_PC.pdf. Retrieved August 26, 2019. 
  3. ↑ Shoemaker, Brad (January 12, 2005). "Project: Snowblind Preview". Archived from the original on August 10, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190810182315/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/project-snowblind-preview/1100-6116235/. Retrieved August 26, 2019. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Davis, Ryan (April 4, 2005). "Project: Snowblind Review (PC)". Archived from the original on March 6, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140306070848/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/project-snowblind-review/1900-6121653/. Retrieved June 18, 2015. 
  5. ↑ "Eidos releases Project: Snowblind Xbox Live map, PC demo" (in en-US). https://www.gamespot.com/articles/eidos-releases-project-snowblind-xbox-live-map-pc-demo/1100-6122222/. 
  6. ↑ Martin, Joe (November 16, 2014). "Ion Storm's lost Deus Ex Sequels". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304063706/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-11-16-ion-storms-lost-deus-ex-sequels. Retrieved November 17, 2014. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Thorsen, Tor (June 17, 2004). "Snowblind was Deus Ex: Clan Wars". Archived from the original on December 7, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131207025757/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/snowblind-was-deus-ex-clan-wars/1100-6100820/. Retrieved August 26, 2019. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Project: Snowblind Q&A". December 15, 2004. Archived from the original on November 6, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181106203207/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/project-snowblind-qanda/1100-6115125/. Retrieved August 26, 2019. 
  9. ↑ "Project: Snowblind Interview". CGOnline. February 16, 2005. Archived from the original on February 16, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050216072959/http://www.cgonline.com/content/view/273/2/. Retrieved August 26, 2019. 
  10. ↑ "New interview with Game Soundtracks". Troels Brun Folmann Website. February 18, 2008. Archived from the original on March 25, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080325001744/http://www.troelsfolmann.com/blog/?p=107. Retrieved July 22, 2018. 
  11. ↑ "Eidos Chooses Quazal Net-Z and Rendez-Vous for Project: Snowblind". GameInfoWire. March 3, 2005. Archived from the original on May 3, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050503155144/http://www.gameinfowire.com/news.asp?nid=5902. Retrieved August 26, 2019. 
  12. ↑ Neigher, Eric (July 22, 2005). "Project: Snowblind Review (PC)". Archived from the original on June 5, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160605140611/http://www.1up.com/reviews/project-snowblind. Retrieved August 26, 2019. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Project: Snowblind Review". February 22, 2005. Archived from the original on May 31, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160531025748/http://www.1up.com/reviews/project-snowblind_2. Retrieved June 18, 2015. 
  14. ↑ Reed, Kristan (March 4, 2005). "Project: Snowblind (PS2)". Archived from the original on June 18, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150618214705/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_snowblind_ps2. Retrieved June 18, 2015. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Zoss, Jeremy (April 2005). "Project: Snowblind (PS2, Xbox)". Game Informer (GameStop) (144): 117. http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/CBC56607-1FFE-4A38-A9AF-54668F668D74.htm. Retrieved June 18, 2015. 
  16. ↑ Syriel (February 23, 2005). "Project: Snowblind Review for PS2". GamePro. Archived from the original on March 5, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050305232117/http://gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/42349.shtml. Retrieved June 18, 2015. 
  17. ↑ Syriel (February 23, 2005). "Project: Snowblind Review for Xbox". GamePro. Archived from the original on December 4, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20051204132630/http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox/games/reviews/42350.shtml. Retrieved June 18, 2015. 
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Sanders, Shawn (March 11, 2005). "Project: Snowblind Review (PS2, Xbox)". Game Revolution. Archived from the original on June 19, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150619052624/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/project-snowblind. Retrieved June 18, 2015. 
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Davis, Ryan (February 23, 2005). "Project: Snowblind Review (PS2, Xbox)". Archived from the original on October 15, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131015125613/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/project-snowblind-review/1900-6119126/. Retrieved June 18, 2015. 
  20. ↑ Osborne, Scott (March 29, 2005). "GameSpy: Project: Snowblind (PC)". GameSpy. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304111218/http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/snowblind/599829p1.html. Retrieved June 18, 2015. 
  21. ↑ Leeper, Justin (February 22, 2005). "GameSpy: Project: Snowblind (PS2)". GameSpy. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304105559/http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/snowblind/589777p1.html. Retrieved June 18, 2015. 
  22. ↑ Leeper, Justin (February 22, 2005). "GameSpy: Project: Snowblind (Xbox)". GameSpy. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304130108/http://xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/snowblind/589780p1.html. Retrieved June 18, 2015. 
  23. ↑ Sulic, Ivan (March 31, 2005). "Project: Snowblind (PC)". Archived from the original on September 19, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120919004430/http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/04/01/project-snowblind. Retrieved June 18, 2015. 
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 Sulic, Ivan (February 18, 2005). "Project: Snowblind (PS2, Xbox)". Archived from the original on March 17, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140317052102/http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/02/19/project-snowblind-3. Retrieved June 18, 2015. 
  25. ↑ Jon, Brown (March 2005). "Review - Project: Snowblind". Official Xbox Magazine (Future plc) (40): 72. https://archive.org/details/Official_XBOX_Magazine_Issue_040_2005-03_Future_Publishing_GB/page/n71. 
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 "Project: Snowblind for PC Reviews". Archived from the original on December 11, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171211032447/http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/project-snowblind. Retrieved June 18, 2015. 
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 "Project: Snowblind for PlayStation 2 Reviews". Archived from the original on October 24, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171024055714/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/project-snowblind. Retrieved June 18, 2015. 
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 "Project: Snowblind for Xbox Reviews". Archived from the original on March 7, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160307044619/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox/project-snowblind. Retrieved June 18, 2015. 
  • Official website
  • 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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