Software:Roogoo

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Roogoo
Developer(s)SpiderMonk Entertainment
Publisher(s)SouthPeak Games
Platform(s)Xbox 360 (XBLA), Windows
ReleaseXbox 360
  • WW: June 4, 2008[1]
Windows
  • EU: June 20, 2008
  • NA: June 24, 2008 (Online)
  • NA: June 30, 2008
Genre(s)Puzzle game
Mode(s)Single player, Multiplayer (up to 4 (same machine), and 2 online)

Roogoo is a downloadable puzzle video game for the Xbox Live Arcade and Microsoft Windows developed by American studio SpiderMonk Entertainment and published by SouthPeak Games. The game is followed by Roogoo Twisted Towers (Wii) and Roogoo Attack (Nintendo DS).[2]

Gameplay

Roogoo gameplay screenshot.

The objective of the game is to guide special shaped meteors though a series of rotating disks and save the planet Roo and ultimately the Roogoo race. Shapes include triangles, squares, circles, stars, and so forth. Each level, the player is given a set level of meteors to try to allow safely to pass to the bottom.

When properly aligned, the disks allow the blocks to fit into the hole. When the meteor pile is heavy enough, it descends to the lower disks. When a stack hits the wrong shaped slot, the player loses meteor blocks until all of the blocks are gone or the player manages to save some of them by properly aligning them before they are all gone. The object is to get as many meteors into the bottom rung as possible.

Obstacles include "Meemoos", enemies who impede the blocks' movement. To get rid of the enemies, the player must quick drop a la Tetris the blocks to knock them out of the way; doing so causes the meteor block to bounce in the air, so it is possible to eliminate Meemoos on other slots, so long as the final location for the stack is the current slot. Butterflies will sometimes grab a falling stack and lift it to an upper rung, and the player must rotate the disc so that it goes through the proper slot.

In later levels, different gameplay mechanics come into play, such as different stacks of meteors that feature different shades of the same color within the stack, require the player to match the shades by scrolling though the stack to make sure the proper shade is aligned.

The game includes more than 45 puzzle levels with single-player, two-player same machine and party game modes, online multiplayer, and introduces bonus challenges and stages as the game progresses with new shapes and characters.

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
PCXbox 360
1Up.comN/AA−[3]
EurogamerN/A8/10[4]
GameProN/AStarStarStarStar[5]
GamesMasterN/A80%[6]
GameSpotN/A7.5/10[7]
GameZone7/10[8]8/10[9]
IGN7.1/10[10]8.5/10[11]
OXM (US)N/A8/10[12]
PC Gamer (UK)71%[13]N/A
TeamXboxN/A8.5/10[14]
411ManiaN/A8.2/10[15]
Aggregate score
Metacritic72/100[16]78/100[17]

The Xbox 360 version received "generally favorable reviews", while the PC version received "average" reviews, according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[16][17]

IGN's Nate Ahearn said of the Xbox 360 version, "Roogoo is a worthy addition to any puzzle fan's library."[11] 1UP.com's Anthony Gallegos said of the same console version: "Its bright and cheery art style, adorably cute characters, and challenging play make this one of my favorite XBLA titles to date."[3] TeamXbox reviewer Tom Price stated: "If you like puzzle games that require quick reflexes as well as mental acuity, then Roogoo is definitely for you."[14] Eurogamer reviewer Dan Whitehead said of the same console version, "Roogoo is an original and beautifully presented addition to Live Arcade."[4] Ryan McCaffrey of Official Xbox Magazine stated, "Part Jenga, part Tetris, and part Fisher Price, Roogoo is a clever take on the block-dropping puzzle subgenre that will challenge both your brain and your willingness to stop playing."[12] GameSpot's Carolyn Petit stated of the Xbox 360 version, "Roogoo's fast-paced, challenging twist on the old falling-shapes concept is absolutely worth a look."[7]

The Xbox 360 version was nominated for one Xbox Live Arcade 2008 award: "Best Family Game".[18]

References

  1. ↑ "Roogoo". Xbox.com. http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/Product/Roogoo/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d802584108f3. Retrieved October 12, 2017. 
  2. ↑ Hatfield, Daemon (July 17, 2008). "E3 2008: Roogoo Headed to Wii, DS". http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/07/17/e3-2008-roogoo-headed-to-wii-ds. Retrieved October 12, 2017. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Gallegos, Anthony (June 5, 2008). "Roogoo Review (XBOX 360)". 1UP.com. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on March 7, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160307033209/http://www.1up.com/reviews/roogoo-review. Retrieved October 12, 2017. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Whitehead, Dan (June 5, 2008). "Xbox Live Arcade Roundup (Page 2)". Eurogamer. Eurogamer Network Ltd.. http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/xbox-live-arcade-roundup?page=2. Retrieved October 12, 2017. 
  5. ↑ Terrones, Terry (June 9, 2008). "Review: Roogoo (X360)". GamePro. Archived from the original on June 10, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080610074618/http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox360/games/reviews/190628.shtml. Retrieved October 12, 2017. 
  6. ↑ "Roogoo (X360)". GamesMaster: 84. September 2008. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Petit, Carolyn (June 9, 2008). "Roogoo Review (X360)". GameSpot. CNET. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/roogoo-review/1900-6192315/. Retrieved October 12, 2017. 
  8. ↑ Hollingshead, Anise (August 6, 2008). "Roogoo - PC - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on October 2, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20081002000631/http://pc.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r34709.htm. Retrieved October 12, 2017. 
  9. ↑ Folkers, Brandon (June 25, 2008). "Roogoo - 360 - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on October 6, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20081006162629/http://xbox360.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r34709.htm. Retrieved October 12, 2017. 
  10. ↑ Ahearn, Nate (July 11, 2008). "Roogoo Review (PC)". http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/07/11/roogoo-review. Retrieved October 12, 2017. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Ahearn, Nate (June 3, 2008). "Roogoo Review (X360)". http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/06/03/roogoo-review-2. Retrieved October 12, 2017. "Another cutesy puzzler, but this one is actually worth its weight in Microsoft Points." 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 McCaffrey, Ryan (June 4, 2008). "Roogoo". Official Xbox Magazine (Future US). Archived from the original on June 5, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080605103030/http://www.oxmonline.com/article/reviews/xbox-live-arcade/m-r/roogoo. Retrieved October 12, 2017. 
  13. ↑ "Roogoo". PC Gamer UK: 89. September 2008. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Price, Tom (June 4, 2008). "Roogoo Review (Xbox 360)". TeamXbox. Archived from the original on July 20, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130720092839/http://reviews.teamxbox.com/xbox-360/1515/Roogoo/p1/. Retrieved October 12, 2017. 
  15. ↑ Aranda, Ramon (June 24, 2008). "Roogoo (Xbox Live Arcade) Review". 411Mania. Archived from the original on August 30, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080830025108/http://www.411mania.com/games/downloadable_content/78656/Roogoo-(Xbox-Live-Arcade)-Review.htm. Retrieved October 12, 2017. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 "Roogoo for PC Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/roogoo/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. Retrieved October 12, 2017. 
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 "Roogoo for Xbox 360 Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/roogoo/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360. Retrieved October 12, 2017. 
  18. ↑ Fahey, Mike (February 27, 2009). "Vote In The Xbox Live Arcade 2008 Awards". https://kotaku.com/5161442/vote-in-the-2008-xbox-live-arcade-awards. Retrieved March 24, 2009. 

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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