Software:Rollcage Stage II

From HandWiki
Short description: 2000 video game
Rollcage Stage II
Developer(s)Attention to Detail
Publisher(s)
Platform(s)PlayStation, Windows
Release
Genre(s)Racing
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Rollcage Stage II, also released as Death Track Racing, is a 2000 racing video game developed by Attention to Detail and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation and Microsoft Windows. It is the sequel to Rollcage; unlike its predecessor, Psygnosis did not publish the game anywhere, In addition to basic racing, the game also utilizes combat elements. The game's playable vehicles are equipped with weapons, which are collected along the track as bonus items and can be used against competing cars. The vehicles themselves have wheels that are larger than their bodies, allowing them to still be rendered drivable while flipped upside down.

Development

For the North American Windows release, game publisher Take-Two Interactive repackaged the original European/Australasian version as Death Track Racing.

Graphics capabilities

Rollcage Stage II was also among the first titles to feature hardware-accelerated bump mapping upon its release in March 2000, in the form of EMBM (Environment Mapped Bump Mapping). RSII was designed to be best experienced at the time on Matrox Millennium G400 graphics cards, released in mid-1999, which had exclusive support for EMBM until the ATI Radeon was released in late 2000. Matrox's bump mapping technology was much hyped by industry press outlets at the time, with Matrox demoing Rollcage Stage II as a cutting-edge showcase for their cards, as well as dedicating a page on their website to the game.[4][5]

Soundtrack

The game featured a licensed soundtrack that included various electronic music artists. An official soundtrack album was released on CD and vinyl by Moving Shadow in March 2000.[6]

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
PCPS
AllGameStarStarStarHalf star[9]N/A
CGSPStarStarStarHalf star[12]N/A
EdgeN/A8/10[13]
EGMN/A8/10[14]
Eurogamer9/10[16]N/A
Game InformerN/A7.25/10[17]
GameFanN/A(EU) 79%[18][lower-alpha 1]
(F.M.) 78%[19]
(US) 73%[20][lower-alpha 2]
GameSpot7/10[21]7.2/10[22]
GameZone7/10[23]N/A
IGN8.7/10[24]8.7/10[25]
Next GenerationN/AStarStarStarStar[26]
OPM (US)N/AStarStarStarHalf star[27]
Aggregate score
Metacritic73/100[7]85/100[8]

Rollcage Stage II received "favourable" reviews, while Death Track Racing received "average" reviews, according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[7][8] Daniel Erickson of NextGen said of the former's European version, just over six months before its U.S. release date, "A wonderful surprise, Rollcage Stage II is everything Wipeout 3 should've been but wasn't."[26] Electronic Gaming Monthly, The Electric Playground, Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine, and Game Informer also gave the same European version average to positive reviews, also over six or seven months before its U.S. release date.[14][15][17][27] GamePro said of the European PlayStation import while it was still in development, "Be warned: This game is tough to tame, even if you have the steady hand/eye coordination of an expert racer. Nevertheless, no other PlayStation racer can deliver the stomach-churning chaos of Rollcage Stage II. If your constitution and nerves can stand it, it's an enjoyably wild ride."[28][lower-alpha 3]

Spiritual successors

While Attention To Detail (ATD) and Psygnosis did not continue on the Rollcage series after Rollcage Stage II, ATD later developed the game Firebugs featuring roughly the same racing concept.

After the end of support by the developers and publishers, a former ATD developer who previously worked on the Rollcage games, Robert Baker, released in 2014 updated builds of the games' Windows versions. These builds, based on the original source code, fix longstanding bugs and update both games for use on modern operating systems: Rollcage Redux for Rollcage and Rollcage Extreme for Rollcage Stage II[29][30]

In 2015, Robert Baker approached former ATD and Rollcage teammate David Perryman to form Caged Element under the impulsion of entrepreneur Chris Mallinson. Caged Element launched a Kickstarter campaign for Grip, a spiritual successor for the Rollcage series. A prototype was completed before the Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign using Unreal Engine 4. The development staff has two people who worked on the Rollcage series and the soundtrack has artists Technical Itch and Dom & Roland who were on the soundtrack for Rollcage Stage II. However, the campaign was canceled after some time.[31] Software:Grip: Combat Racing was released in November 2018 for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch.

Notes

  1. ↑ In GameFan's early viewpoint of the European PlayStation version, three critics gave it each a score of 82, 84, and 72.
  2. ↑ In GameFan's viewpoint of the U.S. PlayStation version, three critics gave it each a score of 71, 73, and 74.
  3. ↑ GamePro gave the European PlayStation import 4.5/5 for graphics, 3.5/5 for sound, and two 4/5 scores for control and fun factor in an early review.

References

  1. ↑ "Take Two Rolls with it". Archived from the original on 29 February 2000. https://web.archive.org/web/20000229083023/http://www.take2games.com/public/news/hottv.jhtml. 
  2. ↑ "Rollcage Stage II". http://www.chipsworld.co.uk/detProd.asp?ProductCode=2348. 
  3. ↑ IGN staff (16 October 2000). "Midway Releases Rollcage Stage 2 [sic"]. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on 1 July 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210701220809/https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/10/17/midway-releases-rollcage-stage-2. Retrieved 14 November 2023. 
  4. ↑ Gonzo (November 1999). "Comdex Day Two: A doctor of journalism's tale - Wednesday Edition". Condé Nast. Archived from the original on 22 July 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230722102238/https://archive.arstechnica.com/wankerdesk/4q99/comdex2-1.html. Retrieved 14 November 2023. 
  5. ↑ "Rollcage Stage II Shipping with EMBM". 22 March 2000. Archived from the original on 24 August 2000. https://web.archive.org/web/20000824014548/http://www.matrox.com/mga/feat_story/mar2000/millg400_rollcage.htm. 
  6. ↑ "ASHADOW23CD | Rollcage Stage II: The Soundtrack - VGMdb" (in en). https://vgmdb.net/album/6674. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Rollcage Stage II [sic critic reviews (PC)"]. Fandom. Archived from the original on 16 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201116103952/https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/death-track-racing. Retrieved 14 November 2023. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Rollcage Stage II critic reviews (PS)". Fandom. Archived from the original on 20 March 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230320062304/https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation/rollcage-stage-ii. Retrieved 14 November 2023. 
  9. ↑ Woods, Nick. "Death Track Racing - Review". All Media Network. Archived from the original on 15 November 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141115203652/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=28535&tab=review. Retrieved 14 February 2020. 
  10. ↑ Goble, Gordon (31 October 2000). "Death Track Racing". CNET. Archived from the original on 6 December 2000. https://web.archive.org/web/20001206222600/http://www.gamecenter.com/Reviews/Item/0,6,0-4960,00.html. Retrieved 26 June 2021. 
  11. ↑ Hicks, Cliff (27 September 2000). "Rollcage Stage II". CNET. Archived from the original on 16 December 2000. https://web.archive.org/web/20001216205000/http://www.gamecenter.com/Psx/Reviews/Rollcage2/. Retrieved 26 June 2021. 
  12. ↑ Long, David J. (6 December 2000). "DeathTrack Racing [sic"]. Strategy Plus, Inc.. Archived from the original on 21 May 2003. https://web.archive.org/web/20030521164416/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/031/021/deathrace_review.html. Retrieved 15 February 2020. 
  13. ↑ Edge staff (March 2000). "Rollcage Stage II (PS)". Edge (Future Publishing) (82): 71. Archived from the original on 18 October 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231018225334/https://retrocdn.net/images/7/7a/Edge_UK_082.pdf. Retrieved 14 November 2023. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "Rollcage Stage 2 [sic (Import)"]. Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (129): 166. April 2000. Archived from the original on 5 November 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221105031904/https://retrocdn.net/images/4/4f/EGM_US_129.pdf. Retrieved 14 November 2023. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Pavlacka, Adam (22 March 2000). "Rollcage Stage II (PSX) [EU Import"]. Greedy Productions Ltd.. Archived from the original on 14 July 2002. https://web.archive.org/web/20020714003207/http://www.elecplay.com/review.html?article=2230&full=1#mr_toppy. Retrieved 14 November 2023. 
  16. ↑ Bramwell, Tom (6 April 2000). "Rollcage Stage II (PC)". Gamer Network. Archived from the original on 1 October 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191001005416/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/rollcage2. Retrieved 14 November 2023. 
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 "Rollcage Stage II (Import)". Game Informer (FuncoLand) (84). April 2000. 
  18. ↑ Rodriguez, Tyrone "Cerberus"; Weitzner, Jason "Fury"; Mylonas, Eric "ECM" (May 2000). "RollCage Stage 2 [sic (PS; Import)"]. GameFan (Shinno Media) 8 (5): 13. https://archive.org/details/Gamefan_Vol_8_Issue_05/page/n13/mode/2up. Retrieved 26 June 2021. 
  19. ↑ Mosquera, Fernando "Lagi". "Rollcage Stage II (PS)". GameFan (BPA International) 8 (12): 98. https://archive.org/details/Gamefan_Vol_8_Issue_12/page/n99/mode/2up. Retrieved 26 June 2021. 
  20. ↑ Van Stone, Matt "Kodomo"; Weitzner, Jason "Fury"; Ngo, George "Eggo" (December 2000). "Rollcage Stage II (PS)". GameFan (BPA International) 8 (12): 28. https://archive.org/details/Gamefan_Vol_8_Issue_12/page/n29/mode/2up. Retrieved 26 June 2021. 
  21. ↑ Poole, Stephen (23 October 2000). "Death Track Racing Review [date mislabeled as "May 17, 2006""]. Fandom. Archived from the original on 10 December 2000. https://web.archive.org/web/20001210220200/http://www.zdnet.com/gamespot/stories/reviews/0,10867,2643783,00.html. Retrieved 14 November 2023. 
  22. ↑ Provo, Frank (16 October 2000). "Rollcage Stage II Review [date mislabeled as "May 17, 2006""]. Fandom. Archived from the original on 15 March 2002. https://web.archive.org/web/20020315064426/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/reviews/0,10867,2641046,00.html. Retrieved 14 November 2023. 
  23. ↑ Lafferty, Michael (30 October 2000). "Death Track Racing Review". Archived from the original on 2 October 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20081002055856/http://pc.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r16200.htm. Retrieved 15 February 2020. 
  24. ↑ Steinberg, Scott (26 October 2000). "Death Track Racing". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on 13 February 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200213222533/https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/10/27/death-track-racing. Retrieved 14 November 2023. 
  25. ↑ Steinberg, Scott (16 October 2000). "Rollcage Stage 2 [sic"]. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on 15 June 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230615184358/https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/10/17/rollcage-stage-2. Retrieved 14 November 2023. 
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 Erickson, Daniel (April 2000). "Rollcage Stage II (Import)". NextGen (Imagine Media) (64): 89. https://archive.org/details/NextGen64Apr2000/page/n89/mode/2up. Retrieved 28 June 2021. 
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 Rybicki, Joe (April 2000). "Rollcage Stage II (Import)". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine (Ziff Davis) 3 (7): 95. https://archive.org/details/official-us-playstation-magazine-issue-31-april-2000/page/n91/mode/2up. Retrieved 14 November 2023. 
  28. ↑ Dan Elektro (April 2000). "Rollcage Stage II (PS) [Import"]. GamePro (IDG) (139): 96. Archived from the original on 6 November 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231106234438/https://retrocdn.net/images/d/d6/GamePro_US_139.pdf. Retrieved 14 November 2023. 
  29. ↑ "Rollcage Redux builds :: Rollcage". Valve. Archived from the original on 30 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221230144346/https://steamcommunity.com/groups/rollcage/discussions/2/. Retrieved 14 November 2023. 
  30. ↑ "Rollcage Redux". Archived from the original on 5 July 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230705164910/https://www.codemonkey.me.uk/rollcage_redux.php. Retrieved 14 November 2023. 
  31. ↑ "GRIP - An intense futuristic combat racer". Archived from the original on November 14, 2023. https://archive.today/20231114172017/https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/169002413/grip-an-intense-futuristic-combat-racer. Retrieved November 14, 2023. 
  • 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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