Software:Raskulls

From HandWiki

Raskulls is an action platformer video game developed by Halfbrick Studios and published by Microsoft Game Studios for the Xbox 360 via Xbox Live Arcade. It was released on December 29, 2010. In Raskulls, players must navigate through platform-based levels filled with blocks of varying shape and size. The characters must use their brick-breaking wands to create the fastest route to the end of the level.

Raskulls received generally favorable reviews from critics. Reviewers praised the comic character design, humorous dialogue and emotions, and overall gameplay. Many reviewers praised the number of game modes and the multiplayer component as well, but some reviewers felt the game would not keep its novelty as it aged. Initial sales were high, with over 19,000 units sold during the month of its release. Year-end 2011 sales were in excess of 101,000 units.

Gameplay

Raskulls is a racing platform game which features competitive gameplay for up to four players.

Raskulls is an action platform game where players must move through platform-based levels filled with blocks of different shapes and sizes.[1] The objective is to complete the level in the shortest time possible.[1] The Raskulls possess block-breaking wands, and the key to gaining an advantage is by using the character's wand against the blocks to create the most efficient path through the level.[1][2] When blocks are destroyed, remaining blocks fall and like-colored blocks combine in large blocks.[3] When four or more gray block come into contact with each other, all touching gray blocks explode.[3]

The single player campaign, known as Mega Quest, takes places over three game worlds. Players navigate from stage to stage using an overworld layout, similar to Super Mario World. Once a level is selected, the game switches to a side-scrolling, platforming game.[4] The game consists of ten game types which include Ammo Scrooge and Bomb Disposal.[4] Both offensive and defensive items can be acquired during gameplay to traverse through levels and defeat opponents. One such item, known as Boosties, can be collected within each level which fill the character's Frenzy bar. When Frenzy is activated, the Raskull is powered with super speed while the Frenzy energy depletes.[1] Multiplayer is either online via Xbox Live or up to four players locally via splitscreen.[1] In addition to attempting to get the best time in a match, players can also use wands and powerups to throw other players off course or into environment hazards.[4] Players can also level up their characters after multiplayer matches.[5]

Synopsis

The game is set in the fictional world of the title characters, the Raskulls. An evil race of intergalactic buccaneers known as the Pirats have crashed-landed on the Raskulls' world in their search for the cheese planet. As the Pirats seek a source of fuel for their ship, their leader, Captain J. Turncoat, learns of the Shiny Stone, an object with incredible power. The Pirats fail in an attempt to steal the stone, and the Raskull King devises a plan to catch their enemies. A tournament is created in which the winner will receive the Shiny Stone as a surprise.[6] The original plan goes awry: a Raskull named Dragon sends a royal decree to Knight, who winds up getting beaten up by the Pirat henchmen. As per the contingency plan, Dragon emerges the victor of the tournament, but as he claims his prize the second place competitor, revealing himself as Captain Turncoat, punches Dragon in the face and makes off with the Shiny Stone.[7]

The Raskull king sends the Raskull known as Ninja to recover a previously unknown second Shiny Stone from an ancient tomb, under the condition that the latter does not take anything else. Along the way, Ninja encounters Wizard, who opens the door to the temple for him in exchange for a beverage called Jungle Juice; a mummy Raskull who assists in navigating the tombs; the Pirat henchmen Scurv and Barney, who are also searching for the second Shiny Stone; and the Temple Guardian, who attempts to incinerate Ninja with a laser that is reflected back by a mirror that Mummy finds. Stealing the second Shiny Stone from under Captain Turncoat's nose, Ninja is successful in his mission, and the king himself then sets out to recover the first Shiny Stone from the Pirats.[7]

During his journey he encounters opposition from some territorial Raskulls. The king is forced to complete each of the challenges given to progress. Also, Scurv and Barney try to drive him to insanity by hiding under a block and an antique vase, respectively. He eventually arrives at the Pirats' downed ship, which landed near an active volcano called Mount Madness, and recovers the first Shiny Stone only to find out that Captain Turncoat has stolen the second from his castle.[7] The two run into each other on their journey back to their homes. During an initially awkward conversation, the king suggests a game of rock paper scissors to see who gets both Shiny Stones, but is forced to battle the Pirat captain as he pilots his choice, which turns out to be "ship with lots of cannons". When the machine is defeated, Turncoat pulls the second Stone from King. This enrages the latter enough to engage in fisticuffs with the former, only to have both Shiny Stones escape their grasp and fall into a pool of lava. The lava erupts, sending the king, the captain and the Pirat's ship flying upward.[7] The captain kicks the king back to the ground and boards his ship as it reaches orbit. As the ship continues to gain momentum the crew discovers that the molten lava is actually cheese, indicating the Raskulls' planet was the cheese planet they were searching for. King falls back to the ground in front of his subjects, who sat watching the battle,[7] but just after King comments on the battle being a "'cheesy ending'", Dragon reappears and throws a brick into King's face, knocking him out.

Development and marketing

Developers designed various expressions to depict emotions on the Raskulls.

Raskulls was announced for the Xbox 360 via Xbox Live Arcade at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco, California held in Match 2009.[8] Two promo images accompanied the press release and featured King and Dragon, two of the main characters.[9] Following the initial reveal, character profiles were distributed among the gaming media to demonstrate the game's art style and humor.[10] A teaser trailer was also released which took a satirical view on traditional game trailers featuring "epic" music and bold statements, whereas the Raskulls teaser showed an abrupt change in tone as King is shown flexing his muscles in front of a mirror accompanied by elevator music.[11] Halfbrick released the first official trailer for Raskulls in June of the same year. The trailer showed various levels, characters and gameplay modes, including snippets of multiplayer. The game was originally slated for a Q3 2009 release, but it was later pushed back.[1] In mid-2009 Halfbrick held a contest in which community members could design their own Raskull based on a template given by Halfbrick. The winning entry was a police-themed Raskull which was added to the game.[12]

In 2010, Halfbrick posted a poll in February in order to choose the official cover for the game.[13] The winning box art was revealed in March.[14] On May 21, a Raskulls tournament took place at the Mana Bar in Brisbane, Australia.[15] It was next shown at Penny Arcade Expo East in Boston, Massachusetts in April, where it was again made playable to conference attendees.[16] A second tournament at the Mana Bar was held on December 23, where winners received a free copy of the game upon its release.[17][18] The game was also featured in Microsoft's Games for the Holidays promotion. As part of the promotion, additional content was made available if players also purchased A World of Keflings or ilomilo.[19] Players could also use the mascot from Destructoid, a video game blog, which can be unlocked during the game's Mega Quest campaign.[20] Raskulls was released for the Xbox 360 on December 29.[18] In January 2011, Halfbrick released a downloadable content pack entitled Raskulls Reinforcements 1. It contained four new playable characters: three Raskulls, Viking, Spaceman and Kitten, and one Pirat, Barney.[21]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic75/100[22]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Edge6/10[24]
Eurogamer9/10[25]
Game Informer6.5/10[26]
GameProStarStarStarStar[27]
GameRevolutionC+[28]
GameSpot6/10[29]
GameTrailers8/10[30]
GameZone6.5/10[31]
JoystiqStarStarStarHalf star[32]
OXM (US)8/10[33]
The EscapistStarStarStarStar[34]

Pre-release

In a preview of the game, CinemaBlend described Raskulls as a blend between Mario Kart, Castle Crashers, and Bomberman.[35] It also drew comparisons to Mr. Driller.[36] It was praised by various members of the video game media. David Hinkle of Joystiq felt that the blending of genres in Raskulls could be a "dangerously fun combination".[36] Destructoid's James Stephanie Sterling also praised the game in previews, stating that it may be one of the "hottest XBLA titles" of 2009.[37]

Post-release

Raskulls received "generally favorable reviews" according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[22] It received an Editor's Choice award from Peter Eykemans of TeamXbox who praised the re-playability factor of the game.[38]

Tom McShea of GameSpot praised the game's humor. He stated that "the comedic timing is done exceptionally well" and said that Raskulls is overflowed with quirky touches.[29]

Mixed views were given in regards to gameplay. Many reviewers felt that the overall gameplay mechanics were solid, but some reviewers felt that it was repetitive. Joystiq reviewer Garrett Martin felt the game had solid mechanics and well designed levels.[32] Dakota Grabowski of GameZone praised the game's puzzle mechanics.[31] Grabowski stated that the "best portions of Raskulls are when the game slows down and asks players to solve puzzles",[31] but felt that the game may not be able to hold a player's interest in the long-term.[31]

Initial sales were high, with over 19,000 units sold during the month of its release.[39] Year-end 2011 sales were in excess of 101,000 units.[40]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Hinkle, David (April 14, 2009). "Joystiq interview: Halfbrick Studios (Part 2)". Yahoo. https://www.engadget.com/2009-04-14-joystiq-interview-halfbrick-studios-part-2.html. 
  2. ↑ GamesIndustry International (June 12, 2009). "Raskulls (Preview)". Gamer Network. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/raskulls-first-gameplay-trailer-rolled-out. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Sterling, Jim (January 14, 2010). "Exclusive: Raskulls campaign developer walkthrough". Gamurs. https://www.destructoid.com/exclusive-raskulls-campaign-developer-walkthrough/. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Hudak, Chris (January 4, 2010). "Raskulls Preview". CraveOnline. https://www.gamerevolution.com/preview/45162-raskulls-preview. 
  5. ↑ Bennett, Hollie (September 7, 2010). "PAX 10: Raskulls interview with Phil Larsen". Gamurs. https://www.destructoid.com/pax-10-raskulls-interview-with-phil-larsen/. 
  6. ↑ Larsen, Phil (March 22, 2010). "Worldwide release of new Raskulls Mega Quest trailer!". http://www.raskulls.com/2010/03/new-raskulls-trailer/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 Halfbrick Studios (December 29, 2010). Raskulls. Microsoft Game Studios. 
  8. ↑ Brudvig, Erik (March 27, 2009). "Raskulls Coming to Live Arcade". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/03/27/raskulls-coming-to-live-arcade. 
  9. ↑ Sterling, James Stpehanie (March 27, 2009). "Raskulls announced for XBLA, looks adorable". Gamurs. https://www.destructoid.com/raskulls-announced-for-xbla-looks-adorable/. 
  10. ↑ Hillier, Brenna (April 28, 2009). "Raskulls: costumed skeletons in puzzling platform fun!". http://games.on.net/article/5705/Raskulls_costumed_skeletons_in_puzzling_platform_fun/. 
  11. ↑ HDGamerz (May 13, 2009). "Raskulls - Debut Teaser (HD)". Google. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kb9Ybjt4IQk. 
  12. ↑ Larsen, Phil (January 11, 2010). "Design a Raskull ended with a Police Raid". http://www.raskulls.com/2010/01/design-a-raskull-ended-with-a-police-raid/. 
  13. ↑ "Raskulls box art competition! Vote and comment to win!". February 17, 2010. http://www.raskulls.com/2010/02/raskulls-box-art-competition-vote-to-win. 
  14. ↑ Mitchell, Richard (March 3, 2010). "Raskulls box art decided, disappointing". Yahoo. https://www.engadget.com/2010-03-02-raskulls-box-art-decided-disappointing.html. 
  15. ↑ "Raskulls rocks the Mana Bar". May 21, 2010. http://www.raskulls.com/2010/05/raskulls-rocks-the-mana-bar/. 
  16. ↑ Machinima, Inc. (April 2, 2010). "Inside Gaming Plus: Raskulls Interview with Phil Larsen at PAX East". Google. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmAtyvwx_cE.  [|permanent dead YouTube link|dead YouTube link}}]
  17. ↑ "Raskulls Christmas Competition". December 3, 2010. http://www.manabar.com.au/brisbane/events/raskulls-christmas-competition/. 
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Nelson, Randy (December 2, 2010). "A World of Keflings, Raskulls and ilomilo dated for XBLA". Yahoo. https://www.engadget.com/2010-12-02-a-world-of-keflings-raskulls-and-ilomilo-dated-for-xbla.html. 
  19. ↑ Orland, Kyle (December 3, 2010). "Microsoft Offers Cross-Game Content For Holiday Promotion Purchasers". Informa. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/microsoft-offers-cross-game-content-for-holiday-promotion-purchasers. 
  20. ↑ Larson, Phil (February 3, 2010). "Mr. Destructoid joins Raskulls!". http://www.raskulls.com/2010/02/mr-destructoid-joins-raskulls/. 
  21. ↑ "Raskulls Reinforcements 1". Microsoft. https://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/Product/Raskulls-Reinforcements-1/00000000-0000-4000-8000-000258410920. 
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 "Raskulls for Xbox 360 Reviews". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/raskulls/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360. 
  23. ↑ Teti, John (January 3, 2011). "Raskulls". G/O Media. https://www.avclub.com/raskulls-1798223394. 
  24. ↑ Edge staff (January 4, 2011). "Raskulls Review". Edge (Future plc). http://www.next-gen.biz/features/raskulls-review. Retrieved March 29, 2022. 
  25. ↑ Reed, Kristan (January 6, 2011). "Raskulls". Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-01-05-raskulls-review. 
  26. ↑ Marchiafava, Jeff (January 6, 2011). "Raskulls Review". Game Informer (GameStop). https://www.gameinformer.com/games/raskulls/b/xbox360/archive/2011/01/06/no-one-wins-in-these-chaotic-races.aspx. Retrieved March 29, 2022. 
  27. ↑ Terones, Terry (January 3, 2011). "Raskulls". GamePro (GamePro Media). http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/217762/raskulls/. Retrieved March 29, 2022. 
  28. ↑ Reboucas, Eduardo (January 4, 2011). "Raskulls Review". CraveOnline. https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/49716-raskulls-review. 
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 McShea, Tom (December 30, 2010). "Raskulls Review". Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/raskulls-review/1900-6285794/. 
  30. ↑ "Raskulls". Viacom. January 20, 2011. http://www.gametrailers.com/reviews/tl6xix/raskulls-review. 
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 31.2 31.3 Grabowski, Dakota (December 29, 2010). "Raskulls Review". https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/raskulls/. 
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 Martin, Garrett (December 30, 2010). "Raskulls review: Take my skull for a ride". Yahoo. https://www.engadget.com/2010-12-30-raskulls-review.html. 
  33. ↑ Hayward, Andrew (February 2011). "Raskulls review". Official Xbox Magazine (Future US): 78. http://oxmonline.com/raskulls-review. Retrieved March 29, 2022. 
  34. ↑ Funk, John (January 11, 2011). "Review: Raskulls". Gamurs. https://www.escapistmagazine.com/review-raskulls/. 
  35. ↑ Rigney, Ryan (June 12, 2009). "Mario Kart + Castle Crashers + Bomberman = Raskulls". Future plc. https://www.cinemablend.com/games/Mario-Kart-Castle-Crashers-Bomberman-Raskulls-18123.html. 
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 Hinkle, David (June 12, 2009). "The Raskulls bust some blocks in latest trailer". Yahoo. https://www.engadget.com/2009-06-12-the-raskulls-bust-some-blocks-in-latest-trailer.html. 
  37. ↑ Sterling, James Stephanie (June 12, 2009). "Raskulls finally gets a gameplay video, we jump on its bones". Gamurs. https://www.destructoid.com/raskulls-finally-gets-a-gameplay-video-we-jump-on-its-bones/. 
  38. ↑ Eykemans, Peter (January 4, 2011). "Raskulls Review (Xbox 360)". IGN Entertainment. http://reviews.teamxbox.com/xbox-360/1895/Raskulls/p1/. 
  39. ↑ Langley, Ryan (January 28, 2011). "In-Depth: Xbox Live Arcade's 2010 Sales Revealed". Informa. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/console/in-depth-xbox-live-arcade-s-2010-sales-revealed. 
  40. ↑ Langley, Ryan (January 20, 2012). "Xbox Live Arcade by the numbers - the 2011 year in review". Informa. https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/39713/Xbox_Live_Arcde_by_the_numbers__the_2011_year_in_review.php. 
  • 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 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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