Software:Red Baron II

From HandWiki
Short description: 1997 video game
Red Baron II
Developer(s)Dynamix
Publisher(s)Sierra On-Line
Director(s)Tucker Hatfield
Producer(s)Graeme Bayless
Designer(s)Doug Johnson
Brian Apgar
Eric Lanz
Programmer(s)Brian Apgar
Artist(s)Douglas Brashear
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows
Release
Red Baron 3D
Genre(s)Combat flight simulator
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Red Baron II is a video game for the PC, developed by Dynamix and published by Sierra On-Line. It is the follow-up to the flight simulation Red Baron, released in 1990. Red Baron II was released in December 1997.[1] A patch was released in 1998 that added support for 3D acceleration and renamed the game to Red Baron 3D.[3] Red Baron 3D was also released as a retail product.

Gameplay

The game features four modes of play: Fly Now (a quick combat mode); Single Mission, which includes several missions and a mission generator to create new ones;[4] Campaign mode, which features one of the only truly dynamic campaigns in a modern flight simulator and which replicates combat on the Western Front of Europe from 1916 through 1918; and peer-to-peer online play.

The game features many German, British, and French combat aircraft of World War I, and features pseudo-realistic flight physics and mechanics such as weapon malfunction, flak, engine damage, and pilot injury.

Reception

Red Baron II
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
GameRankings65%[5]
Review scores
PublicationScore
CGSPStarStar[7]
CGWStarStarStar[8]
GameRevolutionA−[9]
GameSpot7.1/10[10]
GameStar78%[11]
Next GenerationStarStarStarStar[12]
PC Gamer (UK)53%[13]
PC Gamer (US)59%[14]
PC PowerPlay92%[15]
PC Zone60%[16]

Red Baron II received above-average reviews. Next Generation called it "a fine addition to the series, and despite small, technical shortcomings, it establishes itself as one of the most entertaining flight experiences on the market today."[12]

The game was nominated for the "Best Sim Game" award at the CNET Gamecenter Awards for 1997, which went to Jane's Longbow 2.[17]

In 2004, the staff of Computer Gaming World nominated the game's Full Canvas Jacket mod for their 2003 "Flight Simulation of the Year" award, which ultimately went to Flight Simulator 2004: A Century of Flight.[18]

Coupon

Some copies of the game included a coupon for 75 cents off a 12-inch Red Baron pizza. In 2014, YouTube user Clint Basinger of Lazy Game Reviews found the coupon bundled in with the game and, after finding out the coupon had no expiration date, took the coupon to a Food Lion and bought himself a Red Baron pizza with the coupon.[19]

Red Baron 3D

Red Baron 3D is a patch for Red Baron II which improves graphics and mechanics of the game and gives full multiplayer support. Red Baron 3D features 22 different flyable World War I aircraft, along with 18 other types flown by AI pilots.[20]

Reception

Red Baron 3D
Review scores
PublicationScore
AllGameStarStarStarStarHalf star[21]
CGWStarStarStarStarHalf star[22]
GameSpot9/10[23]
GameStar78%[24]
Jeuxvideo.com15/20[25]
Next GenerationStarStarStarStar[26]
PC PowerPlay87%[27]
The Cincinnati EnquirerStarStarStarHalf star[28]

Red Baron 3D received more favorable reviews than Red Baron II. Next Generation said of the game, "If you've ever hankered to climb into an open cockpit and do battle with the early knights of the sky, this is your baby. All you need is a leather helmet, a pair of goggles, and a white silk scarf."[26]

The single-player campaign of Red Baron 3D received particular acclaim, with critics commending the game's realistic portrayal of aerial combat and the various missions players were tasked with completing.[29] The game's AI was also noted as being challenging and unpredictable, keeping players engaged and on their toes throughout the campaign.[30]

The game was nominated for "Simulation of the Year" at GameSpot's Best & Worst of 1998 Awards, which went to European Air War.[31]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "The Red Baron Flies Again for the PC". December 16, 1997. Archived from the original on June 27, 1998. https://web.archive.org/web/19980627112357/http://www.dynamix.com/pr/rb2-pr.html. Retrieved April 24, 2022. 
  2. ↑ Hulsey, Joel (October 29, 1998). "Red Baron 3D Lands In Retail Stores". Strategy Plus, Inc.. Archived from the original on July 10, 2003. https://web.archive.org/web/20030710225317/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/015/054/rb2.html. Retrieved November 16, 2021. 
  3. ↑ IGN staff (August 25, 1998). "Sierra Fixes Plane Game". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/1998/08/25/sierra-fixes-plane-game. Retrieved May 15, 2020. 
  4. ↑ "NG Alphas: Red Baron II". Next Generation (Imagine Media) (17): 83. May 1996. https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_17/page/n87/mode/2up. Retrieved November 16, 2021. 
  5. ↑ "Red Baron II". CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on June 3, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190603195412/https://www.gamerankings.com/pc/12228-red-baron-ii/index.html. Retrieved November 16, 2021. 
  6. ↑ Falk, Hugh (January 27, 1998). "Red Baron II". CNET. Archived from the original on August 16, 2000. https://web.archive.org/web/20000816103340/http://www.gamecenter.com/Reviews/Item/0,6,0-1447,00.html. Retrieved November 16, 2021. 
  7. ↑ Chick, Tom (1997). "Red Baron II". Strategy Plus, Inc.. Archived from the original on January 21, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20040121065923/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/009/158/red_baron_2_review.html. Retrieved November 16, 2021. 
  8. ↑ Kim, Robin G. (April 1998). "The Baron Flies Again (Red Baron II Review)". Computer Gaming World (Ziff Davis) (165): 162–63. https://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_165.pdf. Retrieved November 16, 2021. 
  9. ↑ Anderson, Tom (December 1997). "Red Baron II Review". CraveOnline. Archived from the original on February 18, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20040218155006/http://www.game-revolution.com/games/pc/flight/redbaron.htm. Retrieved November 16, 2021. 
  10. ↑ Atkin, Denny (February 17, 1998). "Red Baron II Review [date mislabeled as "May 5, 2000""]. Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/red-baron-ii-review/1900-2532770/. Retrieved November 16, 2021. 
  11. ↑ "Red Baron II" (in de). GameStar (Webedia). April 1998. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Red Baron II". Next Generation (Imagine Media) (40): 104, 108. April 1998. https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_40/page/n105/mode/2up. Retrieved November 16, 2021. 
  13. ↑ Evans, Dean (May 1998). "Red Baron 2 [sic"]. PC Gamer UK (Future Publishing) (56). Archived from the original on October 27, 2000. https://web.archive.org/web/20001027231003/http://www.pcgamer.co.uk/games/gamefile_review_page.asp?item_id=964. Retrieved November 17, 2021. 
  14. ↑ Bennett, Dan (April 1998). "Red Baron II". PC Gamer (Imagine Media) 5 (4). Archived from the original on January 18, 2000. https://web.archive.org/web/20000118080800/http://www.pcgamer.com/reviews/864.html. Retrieved November 16, 2021. 
  15. ↑ Argy, George (April 1998). "Red Baron II". PC PowerPlay (Next Media Pty Ltd) (23): 62–64. https://archive.org/details/PCPowerplay-023-1998-04/page/n61/mode/2up. Retrieved November 16, 2021. 
  16. ↑ Presley, Paul (May 1998). "Red Baron II". PC Zone (Dennis Publishing) (63): 92–93. https://archive.org/details/PC_Zone_63_May_1998/page/n91/mode/2up. Retrieved November 17, 2021. 
  17. ↑ Gamecenter staff (January 28, 1998). "The Gamecenter Awards for 1997! (Sims, Part 2)". CNET. Archived from the original on September 28, 2000. https://web.archive.org/web/20000928231623/http://gamecenter.com/Features/Exclusives/Awards97/Off/ss09a.html. Retrieved November 16, 2021. 
  18. ↑ CGW staff (March 2004). "Computer Gaming World's 2003 Games of the Year (Flight Simulation of the Year)". Computer Gaming World (Ziff Davis) (236): 63. https://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_236.pdf. Retrieved November 16, 2021. 
  19. ↑ Owen, Phil (March 9, 2014). "Man Uses 17-Year-Old Coupon for Frozen Pizza Bundled With PC Game". G/O Media. https://kotaku.com/man-uses-17-year-old-coupon-for-frozen-pizza-bundled-wi-1539878046. 
  20. ↑ "Red Baron 3D Review" (in en-US). https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/red-baron-3d-review/1900-2532771/. 
  21. ↑ House, Michael L.. "Red Baron 3-D - Review". All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 16, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141116011345/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=17656&tab=review. Retrieved November 16, 2021. 
  22. ↑ Kim, Robin G. (February 1999). "3D's the Charm (Red Baron 3D Review)". Computer Gaming World (Ziff Davis) (175): 200. https://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_175.pdf. Retrieved November 16, 2021. 
  23. ↑ Atkin, Denny (November 25, 1998). "Red Baron 3D Review [date mislabeled as "May 5, 2000""]. Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/red-baron-3d-review/1900-2532771/. Retrieved November 16, 2021. 
  24. ↑ "Red Baron 3D" (in de). GameStar (Webedia). January 1999. 
  25. ↑ lightman (March 2, 1999). "Test: Red Baron 3D" (in fr). Webedia. https://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0000/00000257_test.htm. Retrieved November 17, 2021. 
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 "Red Baron 3D". Next Generation (Imagine Media) (50): 105. February 1999. https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_50/page/n105/mode/2up. Retrieved November 16, 2021. 
  27. ↑ Robinson, Brett (March 1999). "Red Baron 3D". PC PowerPlay (Next Media Pty Ltd) (34): 94–95. https://archive.org/details/PCPowerplay-034-1999-03/page/n93/mode/2up. Retrieved November 16, 2021. 
  28. ↑ Hopper, D. Ian (1999). "Dynamix makes good". The Cincinnati Enquirer (Gannett Company). Archived from the original on April 28, 2001. https://web.archive.org/web/20010428145351/http://www.cincinnati.com/freetime/games/reviews/hopper/redbaron.html. Retrieved November 16, 2021. 
  29. ↑ Grabham, Dan (2021-08-31). "Gaming Greats – Red Baron 3D (1998)" (in en-US). https://www.stuff.tv/news/gaming-greats-red-baron-3d-1998/. 
  30. ↑ "Red Baron 3D Review" (in en-US). https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/red-baron-3d-review/1900-2532771/. 
  31. ↑ GameSpot staff (1999). "The Best & Worst of 1998 (Simulation of the Year - Nominees)". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on October 3, 2000. https://web.archive.org/web/20001003072542/http://www.gamespot.com/features/awards1998/genre6.html. Retrieved November 16, 2021. 

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. 
  • No URL found. Please specify a URL here or add one to Wikidata.

Template:Atari



  • 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. 
  • No URL found. Please specify a URL here or add one to Wikidata.

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