Software:Ridge Racer 6

From HandWiki
Short description: 2005 video game
Ridge Racer 6
North American box art featuring the Soldat Meltfire and Assoluto Bisonte
Developer(s)Namco
Publisher(s)
Designer(s)Hisashi Kawamura
Kazuo Yamamoto
Kenichi Shimada
SeriesRidge Racer
Platform(s)Xbox 360
Release
  • NA: 22 November 2005[2]
  • JP: 10 December 2005
  • EU: 20 January 2006
Genre(s)Racing
Mode(s)Single player, multiplayer

Ridge Racer 6 is a racing video game developed and published by Namco for the Xbox 360. It is an installment in the Ridge Racer series. Unlike the previous mainline entries, which were released for either PlayStation or Nintendo consoles, this entry was released exclusively as a launch title for the Xbox 360 in 2005, marking the series' debut on Xbox consoles, while a European release followed in January 2006 though a co-publishing agreement with Electronic Arts.[3][4][5]

It is the last Ridge Racer game made by Namco as an independent company, as they would later merge with Bandai's video game division to form Namco Bandai Games in 2006. Ridge Racer 6 was followed by Ridge Racer 7 on PlayStation 3, a largely enhanced and expanded version. The game was added on the Xbox backward compatible list in November 2021 as part of the Xbox 20th anniversary, playable on Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S consoles.[6]

Gameplay

Like previous Ridge Racer titles, the focus of gameplay is on placing first out of 14 in numerous 3-lap races across several tracks and numerous cars. In most races, the player can earn up to three nitrous boosts by successfully drifting around corners without crashing, which can then be used to give the player a short burst of speed. Some races are labeled as "no-nitrous", which prevent the player from earning any nitrous during the race, though the player can optionally enable nitrous. If the player wins using this option, the race is considered complete, but noted for breaking the no-nitrous rule. Some races are also Duels between the player and a boss opponent, who is usually equipped with a much better car than the player can select from.

Ridge Racer 6 introduces a career-mode "World Xplorer", a branching-tree arrangement of races in which the player can only attempt races next to a race that has already been successfully completed. The layout of the races in the Xplorer is such that the position of a race will indicate what class of car can be used (horizontal position) and the difficulty of the course (vertical position). Rewards can be obtained by completing certain races or completing all races that enclose an area on the Xplorer, and usually offers new cars but also include additional variations of the tracks (mirroring and reverse) or new branches added to the tree. A player can also engage in quick races and time challenges for any track and car that has been unlocked.

Like other Ridge Racer games, this iteration goes beyond cars to feature other outlandish vehicles as well, called "special machines" in the game. These include a hovercraft (Assoluto Pronzione), a tripod supercar (Himmel 490B) and an oversized SUV that can be very loud (Danver Bass Cruiser). The game, as with all games in the Ridge Racer series, contains copious numbers of references to other Namco games, such as Pac-Man, Soulcalibur, and Ace Combat.

There are thirty new circuits available including "Surfside Resort" and "Harborline 765". Also, there are around 130 cars (including 10 special). Online multiplayer is possible with up to 14 players racing against each other and downloadable content was available via Microsoft's Xbox Live service. Players can download another player's "ghost" replay from Xbox Live and attempt to beat it. There are 15 circuits available, each of which can also be raced in reverse, making a total of 30 circuits. The circuits are split into 5 groups of 3, where the 3 tracks in the same group will overlap.

The game also features a FMV opening, starring series mascot Reiko Nagase. She also features in a hidden in-game message from her.[7][8]

Music

Ridge Racer 6 is the second game after Ridge Racer (PSP) to feature composers from both the older and newer game sound teams. Hiroshi Okubo served as the game's sound director, while the soundtrack also has contributions from in-house composers Keiki Kobayashi, Rio Hamamoto, Tetsukazu Nakanishi, Yuu Miyake, Koji Nakagawa, Junichi Nakatsuru, and Akitaka Tohyama. Several contractors who formerly worked in-house include the original Ridge Racer sound team consisting of Shinji Hosoe, Ayako Saso, Nobuyoshi Sano, and Takayuki Aihara, as well as Asuka Sakai and Kohta Takahashi, both of whom composed for Software:R4: Ridge Racer Type 4.[9]

Music from the previous two games in the series, Ridge Racer (PSP) and Software:R: Racing Evolution, was made available for download through the Xbox Live Marketplace in 2006.[10]

Due to high demand from fans, a soundtrack CD titled Ridge Racer 6 Direct Audio was released under SuperSweep Records on 14 January 2009. An extra disc was also included with purchases from SuperSweep's web store SweepRecord, featuring a DJ mix of its music by Yousuke Yasui.[9]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic74/100[11]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Edge8/10[12]
EGM6.5/10[13]
Eurogamer8/10[14]
Famitsu34/40[15]
Game Informer7.5/10[16]
GameProStarStarStar[17]
GameRevolutionC[18]
GameSpot8.1/10[19]
GameSpyStarStarStarStarHalf star[20]
GameTrailers6.8/10[21]
GameZone8/10[22]
IGN7/10[23]
OXM (US)6.5/10[24]
The TimesStarStarStar[25]

The game received "average" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[11] In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of one eight, one nine, one eight, and one nine for a total of 34 out of 40.[15]

VideoGamer.com called it the closest arcade racer on a home console, in both looks and playability.[26] GameSpy praised the game's "killer graphics" and "great presentation", though it took issue with its stuttering framerate in split-screen multiplayer.[20] GameSpot called it a slick, fast-moving racing game with solid handling characteristics.[19] Conversely, Jolt Online Gaming gave a lukewarm review.[27] X-Play was more negative to the game, considering more inferior to the other arcade racing titles, like Project Gotham Racing 3 or Need for Speed: Most Wanted.[28]

References

  1. ↑ "EA brings us Ridge Racer 6". 30 September 2005. https://www.eurogamer.net/news300905ridge6. 
  2. ↑ "Microsoft Announces Xbox 360 Day One Launch Lineup — Strongest Launch in the History of Video Game Consoles". Microsoft. November 14, 2005. https://news.microsoft.com/2005/11/14/microsoft-announces-xbox-360-day-one-launch-lineup-strongest-launch-in-the-history-of-video-game-consoles/. 
  3. ↑ "EA brings us Ridge Racer 6". 30 September 2005. https://www.eurogamer.net/news300905ridge6. 
  4. ↑ "Backcover of the German release". https://abload.de/img/rr6_eu_backmcjad.jpg. 
  5. ↑ https://www.gamesindustry.biz/electronic-arts-to-co-publish-ridge-racer-6
  6. ↑ McGregor, Ross (2021-11-16). "Ridge Racer 6 and MX vs. ATV titles now Xbox backwards compatible" (in en-US). https://traxion.gg/ridge-racer-6-and-mx-vs-atv-titles-now-xbox-backwards-compatible-traxion/. 
  7. ↑ "シリーズ最新作がXbox 360で登場!! ナムコ、「リッジレーサー6」". Game.watch.impress.co.jp. http://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/20051007/rr.htm. Retrieved 2015-10-07. 
  8. ↑ "Ridge Racer 6 Cheats, Guides, and Tips". GameZone. Archived from the original on 2015-09-24. https://web.archive.org/web/20150924020711/http://www.gamezone.com/games/ridge-racer-6/cheats. Retrieved 2015-07-22. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "リッジレーサー６ ダイレクト・オーディオ". 3 December 2008. https://sweeprecord.com/srin-1050-51/. 
  10. ↑ "Ridge Racer 6". https://marketplace.xbox.com/en-us/Product/ridge-racer-6/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d8024e4d07d3. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Ridge Racer 6 for Xbox 360 Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/ridge-racer-6/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360. 
  12. ↑ Edge staff (January 2006). "Ridge Racer 6". Edge (158): 82. 
  13. ↑ EGM staff (January 2006). "Ridge Racer 6". Electronic Gaming Monthly (199). 
  14. ↑ Bramwell, Tom (10 January 2006). "Ridge Racer 6". https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_ridgeracer6_x360. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 "Famitsu #887". NeoGAF. 30 November 2005. https://www.neogaf.com/threads/famitsu-887.73741/. 
  16. ↑ "Ridge Racer 6". Game Informer (153): 148. January 2006. 
  17. ↑ Funky Zealot (23 November 2005). "Ridge Racer 6 Review for Xbox 360 on GamePro.com". GamePro. http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox360/games/reviews/50088.shtml. Retrieved 30 March 2017. 
  18. ↑ Ferris, Duke (16 December 2005). "Ridge Racer 6 Review". Game Revolution. https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/36343-ridge-racer-6-review. 
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Gerstmann, Jeff (22 November 2005). "Ridge Racer 6 Review". https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/ridge-racer-6-review/1900-6140305/. 
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 McGarvey, Sterling (22 November 2005). "GameSpy: Ridge Racer 6". GameSpy. http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/ridge-racer-6/669533p1.html. 
  21. ↑ "Ridge Racer 6 Review". GameTrailers. 14 December 2005. http://gametrailers.com/gamepage.php?id=2180. 
  22. ↑ Sandoval, Angelina (1 December 2005). "Ridge Racer 6 - 360 - Review". GameZone. http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/ridge_racer_6_360_review. 
  23. ↑ Miller, Jonathan (21 November 2005). "Ridge Racer 6". https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/11/21/ridge-racer-6. 
  24. ↑ "Ridge Racer 6". Official Xbox Magazine: 74. January 2006. 
  25. ↑ "Ridge Racer 6". The Times. 21 January 2006. https://www.thetimes.com/culture/gaming/article/ridge-racer-6-th50lfcjd30. 
  26. ↑ Young, Andy (19 January 2006). "Ridge Racer 6 Review". VideoGamer.com. https://www.videogamer.com/reviews/ridge-racer-6-review. 
  27. ↑ Barnwell, Colin (11 April 2006). "Review: Ridge Racer 6". Jolt Online Gaming. http://www.jolt.co.uk/index.php?articleid=5885. 
  28. ↑ "Ridge Racer 6 Review". X-Play. 31 January 2006. http://www.g4tv.com/xplay/features/53337/Ridge_Racer_6_Review.html. 
  • 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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