Software:Road Not Taken

From HandWiki
For other uses, see The Road Not Taken (disambiguation).
Short description: 2014 video game
Road Not Taken
Developer(s)Spry Fox
Publisher(s)Spry Fox
Platform(s)PlayStation 4
Microsoft Windows
OS X
iOS
Android
ReleasePlayStation 4
  • NA: August 5, 2014
  • PAL: August 6, 2014
Windows, OS X
August 5, 2014
iOS
July 28, 2016
Android
October 12, 2016
Genre(s)Roguelike, puzzle

Road Not Taken is an independent video game developed by Spry Fox for PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, OS X, iOS, and Android. In a take on the Robert Frost poem of the same name, the game is described as being about life's surprises, both positive and negative.[1]

Gameplay

Road Not Taken combines roguelike and puzzle game elements with the hopes of exploring surprises in accordance to the game's theme. As players explore, they will come across wild animals, impassable barriers, lost children and other objects. An object's use is not explained upfront, players are encouraged to learn about each object's use as they discover them, in traditional roguelike fashion.[1]

Development

In development since at least 2013, the game was officially announced for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita in August 2013. Developer David Edery cited recent games Software:FTL: Faster Than Light and Don't Starve as inspirations for the game.[1] Writing at the PlayStation.Blog, Edery explained the formulas the team used for creating the gameplay: randomness and hand crafted puzzles were used in conjunction.[2]

Spry Fox organized a competition asking fans to submit audio of what they think a "spry fox" would say, the winner would be used for an in-game spry fox character. Spry Fox showed the game at PAX East in 2014[3] before launching on August 5.[4]

Despite the game's original announcement containing a release on PlayStation Vita, that version of the game has not been released.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic(PC) 75/100[5]
(iOS) 74/100[6]
(PS4) 70/100[7]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Destructoid(PS4) 7/10[8]
Edge(PC) 7/10[10]
Eurogamer(PS4) 7/10[11]
Game Informer(PS4) 7.25/10[12]
GameSpot(PC) 7/10[13]
Gamezebo(iOS) StarStarStarStar[14]
Hardcore Gamer(PC) 3/5[15]
IGN(PC) 6.7/10[16]
Joystiq(PC) StarStarStarStarHalf star[17]
OPM (UK)(PS4) 8/10[18]
Push Square(PS4) StarStarStarStarStarStarStar[19]
Common Sense MediaStarStarStarStar[20]
Digital Spy(PC) StarStarStarStar[21]

The PC version received "generally favorable reviews", while the PlayStation 4 and iOS versions received above-average reviews, according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[5][6][7]

Critics generally praised the art and themes, but were divided on the design choices. Writing for PlayStation LifeStyle, Dyani Wood felt the PlayStation 4 version "proved to be a very unique game for its genre" and called it "a great game to have in your PS4 library."[22]

In an above-average review for Game Informer, Matt Miller enjoyed seeing randomized puzzles with each playthrough, but felt the "sense of repetition on similar (even if not identical) puzzles isn't worth the trade-off."[12] Some reviewers felt the PS4 version was an "acquired taste"[11] and "not for every gamer." Spry Fox responded to feedback on the PS4 version's difficulty, releasing a patch in December 2014 adding various fixes and gameplay additions.[23]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Edery, David (August 30, 2013). "Roguelike Puzzle Game, Road Not Taken, Coming to PS4, PS Vita in 2014". Sony Interactive Entertainment. https://blog.playstation.com/2013/08/30/roguelike-puzzle-game-road-not-taken-coming-to-ps4-ps-vita-in-2014/. 
  2. ↑ Edery, David (March 14, 2014). "Road Not Taken: Hand-crafted Randomness". Sony Interactive Entertainment. https://blog.playstation.com/2014/03/14/road-not-taken-hand-crafted-randomness/. 
  3. ↑ Edery, David (April 10, 2014). "Road Not Taken Playable at PAX East". Sony Interactive Entertainment. https://blog.playstation.com/2014/04/10/road-not-taken-playable-at-pax-east/. 
  4. ↑ Edery, David (August 5, 2014). "Road Not Taken Out Today on PS4". Sony Interactive Entertainment. https://blog.playstation.com/2014/08/05/road-not-taken-out-today-on-ps4/. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Road Not Taken for PC Reviews". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/road-not-taken/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Road Not Taken for iPhone/iPad Reviews". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/road-not-taken/critic-reviews/?platform=ios-iphoneipad. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Road Not Taken for PlayStation 4 Reviews". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/road-not-taken/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4. 
  8. ↑ Carter, Chris (August 11, 2014). "Review: Road Not Taken (PS4)". Gamurs. https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-road-not-taken/. 
  9. ↑ Rosenberg, Adam (August 14, 2014). "Road Not Taken review (PC)". Digital Trends Media Group. https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/road-taken-review/. 
  10. ↑ Edge staff (September 2014). "Road Not Taken (PC)". Edge (Future plc) (270): 115. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Parkin, Simon (August 7, 2014). "Road Not Taken review (PlayStation 4)". Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/road-not-taken-review. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Miller, Matt (August 5, 2014). "Road Not Taken Review (PS4)". Game Informer (GameStop). https://www.gameinformer.com/games/road_not_taken/b/playstation4/archive/2014/08/05/roguish-puzzling.aspx. 
  13. ↑ Venter, Jason (August 5, 2014). "Road Not Taken Review (PC)". Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/road-not-taken-review/1900-6415834/. 
  14. ↑ Rich, Rob (August 8, 2016). "Road Not Taken Review: Lost in the Woods (iOS)". https://www.gamezebo.com/reviews/road-not-taken-review-lost-in-the-woods/. 
  15. ↑ Whittaker, Matt (August 5, 2014). "Review: Road Not Taken (PC)". Hardcore Gamer. https://hardcoregamer.com/reviews/review-road-not-taken/97337/. Retrieved January 19, 2023. 
  16. ↑ Vazquez, Suriel (August 5, 2014). "Road Not Taken Review (PC)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/08/05/road-not-taken-review. 
  17. ↑ Conditt, Jessica (August 5, 2014). "Road Not Taken review: Take it (PC)". Yahoo. https://www.engadget.com/2014-08-05-road-not-taken-review-take-it.html. 
  18. ↑ "Road Not Taken". PlayStation Official Magazine – UK (Future plc): 90. October 2014. 
  19. ↑ Growcott, Mat (August 5, 2014). "Road Not Taken Review". Gamer Network. https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps4/road_not_taken. 
  20. ↑ Sapieha, Chad (2014). "Road Not Taken". https://www.commonsensemedia.org/game-reviews/road-not-taken. 
  21. ↑ Nichols, Scott (August 11, 2014). "Road Not Taken review (PC): A challenging puzzle game out of poetry". Hearst Communications. https://www.digitalspy.com/videogames/a589222/road-not-taken-review-pc-a-challenging-puzzle-game-out-of-poetry/. 
  22. ↑ Wood, Dyani (August 11, 2014). "Road Not Taken Review – Berries, Littles, and Demons (PS4)". Evolve Media. https://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2014/08/11/road-not-taken-review-berries-littles-demons-ps4/. 
  23. ↑ Edery, David (December 15, 2014). "Road Not Taken: Free Update Out Now". Sony Interactive Entertainment. https://blog.playstation.com/2014/12/15/road-not-taken-free-update-out-now/. 
  • 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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