Software:Robotech: Invasion

From HandWiki
Short description: 2004 video game
Robotech: Invasion
Developer(s)Vicious Cycle Software
Publisher(s)Global Star
Director(s)Marc Racine
Producer(s)Rodney W. Harper
Designer(s)Matt Greig
Programmer(s)Wayne Harvey
Composer(s)Jesper Kyd
Platform(s)PS2, Xbox
Release
  • NA: October 5, 2004
  • AU: November 19, 2004[1]
  • EU: January 14, 2005 (Xbox)
  • EU: February 4, 2005 (PS2)
Genre(s)First-person shooter[2]
Mode(s)Single player, multiplayer

Robotech: Invasion is a 2004 first-person shooter video game set in the Invid Invasion era of the Robotech saga, itself based in the Japanese anime series Genesis Climber Mospeada. Developed by Vicious Cycle Software and published by Global Star (following parent company Take-Two Interactive's acquisition of TDK Mediactive, which published Software:Robotech: Battlecry).

Overview

The game starts out with the Robotech Expeditionary Force returning to Earth and fighting the Invid Forces. One of the ships crashes on Earth and the crew begins fighting the Invid close to one of their hives. One member of the crew (the main character) makes a mad dash on foot to assault the hive but is knocked out by an Invid Trooper.

Four years pass and humanity is still fighting the Invid. The member that was knocked out wakes up with no memory in the rear of a truck being driven by soldiers, he then dons the name Locke by taking the armor of a fallen soldier that went by that name. Then meets up with squad leader, Silas and his partner Arturo. With the squad low on ammo, Locke looks for Sam, a member that is guarding protoculture ammo reserves. After Locke needs his cyclone repaired he meets Guppy, who repairs his cyclone and tells him to meet her in a Town called Greystone. Soon after they find an abandoned ship and replenish their equipment. Finally (and after various skirmishes with the Invid and other hostile humans) they head on to Reflex Point, where the final attack on the Invid Invaders is set to take place at the end of the game.

Development

The second Robotech game produced by Vicious Cycle focuses on the universe as depicted in Robotech: The New Generation series. Instead of the distinctive, cell-shaded style of Battlecry, Invasion has a 3D textured graphic look. As with Software:Robotech: Battlecry, Invasion used a number of the original Robotech voice cast to reprise their old roles for cameos and voice many of the new characters introduced in the game.

During production of the Robotech game several unused mecha and armor designs from the original Japanese series, which can be found in an artbook called The Imai Files, were used or served as inspiration for new designs.

Due to lower than expected sales of Robotech: Battlecry on the GameCube, Vicious Cycle chose to only develop the game for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox. It was also decided to release a single version, instead of both a normal and a bonus-packed Collectors Edition like those seen with Robotech: Battlecry. Ultimately sales of Invasion were much lower than Robotech: Battlecry.

The musical score of Invasion was composed by Jesper Kyd. Like Battlecry, Invasion's soundtrack was released on audio CD, though available separately and not as part of a Collector's Edition.

Much like Robotech: Battlecry made an official design out of a slight variation in the VF-1R Veritech, Invasion made use of two formerly unofficial designs, the Devastator and the fan-created Shadow Dancer.

The fate of Jack Archer

Thanks to the open ended nature of the end of the Software:Robotech: Battlecry game, the fate and future of main character Jack Archer was unclear. Vicious Cycle inserted a hidden Easter egg that shows a message spray painted as if it were graffiti, saying "Jack Archer lives", but the player does not discover what exactly happens to him.

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
PS2Xbox
1Up.comC[3]C[3]
EGM5.67/10[4]5.67/10[4]
Game Informer6.5/10[5]6.5/10[5]
GameProStarHalf star[6]StarStar[7]
GameSpot6.3/10[8]6.3/10[8]
GameSpyStarStarStar[9]StarStarHalf star[10]
GameZoneN/A7.2/10[11]
IGN7.4/10[12]7.4/10[12]
OPM (US)StarStarStar[13]N/A
OXM (US)N/A5.9/10[14]
Aggregate score
Metacritic57/100[15]59/100[16]

Compared to Robotech: Battlecry, Robotech: Invasion was a critical disappointment, receiving "mixed" reviews on both platforms according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[15][16] Electronic Gaming Monthly called it "pretty dull, even for a first-person shooter."[4] GameSpot said, "the game's single-player campaign still suffers from the same bland gameplay and mission design that plagued its predecessor."[8]

References

  1. ↑ van Leuveren, Luke (November 14, 2004). "Updated Australian Release List - 14/11/2004". PAL Gaming Network. http://www.palgn.com.au/article.php?id=1750. 
  2. ↑ Gibson, Jon M. (April 2004). "A New 'Generation' - Robotech's New Saga Invades!". Anime Insider (Wizard Entertainment) (13): 84. https://archive.org/details/Anime-Insider-13/Anime%20Insider%20Vol.%2013/page/n85/mode/2up. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Liu, Johnny (October 21, 2004). "Robotech: Invasion". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121105115217/http://www.1up.com/reviews/robotech-invasion_12. Retrieved September 8, 2019. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 EGM staff (December 2004). "Robotech: Invasion". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (185): 150. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Miller, Matt (October 2004). "Robotech: Invasion". Game Informer (GameStop) (138): 128. http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/032D3CA1-DEAB-4E33-96E9-0A23F051BF1E.htm?CS_pid=210643. Retrieved September 8, 2019. 
  6. ↑ Super8 Samurai (November 3, 2004). "Robotech: Invasion Review for PS2 on GamePro.com". GamePro (IDG Entertainment). Archived from the original on February 12, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050212160349/http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/39415.shtml. Retrieved September 8, 2019. 
  7. ↑ Super8 Samurai (November 3, 2004). "Robotech: Invasion Review for Xbox on GamePro.com". GamePro (IDG Entertainment). Archived from the original on February 11, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050211213406/http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox/games/reviews/39414.shtml. Retrieved September 8, 2019. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Colayco, Bob (October 15, 2004). "Robotech: Invasion Review". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/robotech-invasion-review/1900-6110708/. Retrieved September 8, 2019. 
  9. ↑ Chapman, David (October 26, 2004). "GameSpy: Robotech: Invasion (PS2)". IGN Entertainment. http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/robotech-invasion/560547p1.html. Retrieved September 8, 2019. 
  10. ↑ Chapman, David (October 26, 2004). "GameSpy: Robotech: Invasion (Xbox)". IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on August 2, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090802152550/http://xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/robotech-invasion/560552p1.html. Retrieved November 29, 2009. 
  11. ↑ Knutson, Michael (October 17, 2004). "Robotech Invasion - XB - Review". Archived from the original on May 28, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090528032400/http://xbox.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r24074.htm. Retrieved September 8, 2019. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Sulic, Ivan (October 11, 2004). "Robotech: Invasion". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/10/11/robotech-invasion-2. Retrieved September 8, 2019. 
  13. ↑ Varanini, Giancarlo (November 2004). "Robotech: Invasion". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine (Ziff Davis): 132. Archived from the original on January 15, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050115072512/http://1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3135861&did=3. Retrieved September 8, 2019. 
  14. ↑ "Robotech: Invasion". Official Xbox Magazine (Future US): 84. November 2004. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 "Robotech: Invasion for PlayStation 2 Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/robotech-invasion/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2. Retrieved September 8, 2019. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 "Robotech: Invasion for Xbox Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/robotech-invasion/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox. Retrieved September 8, 2019. 
  • 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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