Software:Rock of the Dead

From HandWiki
Short description: 2010 video game
Rock of the Dead
Developer(s)Epicenter Studios
Publisher(s)Conspiracy Entertainment
UFO Interactive Games
Platform(s)iOS, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
ReleaseiOS
September 2, 2010
PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
  • NA: October 19, 2010
Genre(s)Rhythm game, Rail shooter

Rock of the Dead is a music video game. It was developed by Epicenter Studios and distributed by Conspiracy Entertainment and UFO Interactive Games. The game was released in 2010 for iOS, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360.[1]

Gameplay

Players use a guitar or drum peripheral to control the game. Two players can play what is called a "competitive co-op" throughout the game.

Plot

Players will take on the role of the main character (voiced by Neil Patrick Harris) who has the ability to defeat enemies (often zombies) with the power of rock as he searches for his love interest (voiced by Felicia Day). Players have a few weapons at their disposal (including a shield and blast power-up), but the player can only use these by strumming the correct colored fret buttons in order on their guitar controller. The developers have bands record rock versions of classical music.[2]

Development

Epicenter described the game, saying, "Picture Typing of the Dead but with Guitar Hero guitars."[2]

While originally announced as a Wii exclusive title, the title would ultimately release on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and iOS.[3] While Epicenter claimed that a planned Wii version was not cancelled and simply on the back burner, the game never saw a release on the Wii console.[4]

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
PS3Xbox 360
1Up.comC−[5]C−[5]
Destructoid3/10[6]3/10[6]
GameProN/AStarStar[7]
GamesRadar+N/AStarStarHalf star[8]
IGN5/10[9]5/10[10]
JoystiqN/AStarStarHalf star[11]
OPM (UK)3/10[12]N/A
OXM (US)N/A4.5/10[13]
Aggregate score
Metacritic45/100[14]48/100[15]

The game received "generally unfavorable reviews" on both platforms according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[14][15] David Wolinsky of 1UP.com felt there was a great idea on paper but was hampered by the "riffs and chord progressions" mechanic not corresponding to the background music, the soundtrack mostly consisting of "lazy, metal renditions" of classical compositions and the boss battles being stale and "arbitrarily drag on too long," concluding that: "There's a great idea lurking around in Rock Of The Dead's dumb-fun concept, but instead the game winds up being dumb even when it isn't trying to be."[5] Corey Cohen from the Official Xbox Magazine was also intriguted by the idea but criticized the repetitive "key-smacking gameplay" and "campy but laugh-less" tone, concluding that: "With co-op play, four difficulty levels, and multi-instrument support, Rock's developers clearly put effort into it. We just wish it were a shorter, cheaper proposition — like a $10 slice on Live Arcade. Even at $40, it's hard to recommend to anyone besides serious thrashmasters."[13] Will Herring of GamePro found it to be a "surprisingly lengthy game" that boasts a great concept but was poorly executed in its "mundane gameplay", "cluttered interface", overused tracks and a "barebones presentation."[7] Ian Bonds of Destructoid criticized the "confusing controls", lack of a targeting system and the "hum drum voicework" from an inconsistent cast, concluding that: "[T]his game does not in fact rock, but succeeds in doing quite the opposite."[6]

References

  1. ↑ "Rock of the Dead". Archived from the original on October 24, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20101024110114/http://www.rockofthedead.com/. Retrieved July 1, 2019. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Harris, Craig (February 9, 2010). "First Look: Rock of the Dead". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/02/09/first-look-rock-of-the-dead. Retrieved July 1, 2019. 
  3. ↑ Fletcher, JC (August 26, 2010). "Rock of the Dead now listed for PS3 and 360, with spinoff iOS apps". Oath Inc.. https://www.engadget.com/2010/08/26/rock-of-the-dead-now-listed-for-ps3-and-360-with-spinoff-ios-ap/. 
  4. ↑ rawmeatcowboy (October 4, 2010). "GameStop drops Rock of the Dead Wii listing". https://gonintendo.com/stories/145038-gamestop-drops-rock-of-the-dead-wii-listing. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Wolinsky, David (October 19, 2010). "Rock of the Dead Review". Ziff Davis. http://www.1up.com/reviews/rock-dead-review. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Bonds, Ian (October 24, 2010). "Review: Rock of the Dead". ModernMethod. http://www.destructoid.com/review-rock-of-the-dead--4. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Herring, Will (November 1, 2010). "Rock of the Dead (X360)". GamePro (GamePro Media). http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/217115/rock-of-the-dead. Retrieved July 1, 2019. 
  8. ↑ Bishop, Sam (November 5, 2010). "Rock of the Dead review (X360)". Future plc. https://www.gamesradar.com/rock-of-the-dead-review/. 
  9. ↑ Miller, Greg (October 19, 2010). "Rock of the Dead Review (PS3)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/10/19/rock-of-the-dead-review-2. 
  10. ↑ Miller, Greg (October 29, 2010). "Rock of the Dead Review (X360)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/10/29/rock-of-the-dead-review. 
  11. ↑ McElroy, Justin (October 11, 2010). "Rock of the Dead review: Frampton comes undead (X360)". Oath Inc.. https://www.engadget.com/2010-10-11-rock-of-the-dead-review.html. 
  12. ↑ "Rock of the Dead". PlayStation Official Magazine – UK (Future plc): 103. February 2011. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Cohen, Corey (November 2010). "Rock of the Dead". Official Xbox Magazine (Future US): 76. http://www.oxmonline.com/article/reviews/xbox-360/m-r/rock-dead. Retrieved July 1, 2019. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "Rock of the Dead for PlayStation 3 Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/rock-of-the-dead/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-3. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 "Rock of the Dead for Xbox 360 Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/rock-of-the-dead/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360. 
  • Rock of the Dead Official Website[Usurped!]
  • 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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