Software:Scaler (video game)

From HandWiki
Scaler
PAL region PS2 cover art
Developer(s)Artificial Mind & Movement
Publisher(s)Global Star Software
Platform(s)PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube
ReleasePlayStation 2, Xbox
GameCube
  • NA: November 17, 2004
Genre(s)Platform
Mode(s)Single-player

Scaler, also known as Scaler: The Shapeshifting Chameleon, is a video game released in 2004 by Global Star Software for the GameCube, Xbox, and PlayStation 2 video game consoles. Scaler follows the story of a lizard-loving 12-year-old boy named Bobby "Scaler" Jenkins, who stumbles across an evil plot to dominate the world through use of mutated lizards.

Gameplay

The main feature of Scaler is the ability for Bobby to transform into five different types of mutant lizards, each one having its own advantages depending on the environment. The different transformations are the Bakudan - a tiny, bomb-toting reptile, the Krock - a spiky, rolling armored sphere, the Doozum - a large flying dolphin lizard with sonar attacks, the Fruzard - a reptile with the ability to attack from a distance, and the Swoom - a penguin-like lizard adapted for swimming. As the player journeys to different areas of the world, they will occasionally be given a challenge to defeat the creature they wish to transform into, and upon completion of the challenge, they gain the ability to use their unique abilities. Only select areas in which Scaler journeys allow him to transform into these creatures, and only one of this five forms are usable in these locations. By feeding Reppy Klokkies, she secretes a gaseous ooze that gives Scaler upgrades.

In addition, Scaler faces a wide variety of enemies, which attack using various methods. Some enemies shoot projectiles, while others use direct combat or stealth.

Scaler has the ability to ride upon long tube-like pathways that charge his electrical bombs, rendering him ready for combat as soon as he departs from the tubes. These small, narrow tubes also carry him from place to place, allowing him to collect the eggs and get back to Reppy quickly.

Plot

Lizard-loving animal activist Bobby "Scaler" Jenkins discovers five extra-dimensional humanoid reptilian creatures - the leader, Looger, and his henchmen Jazz, Rhombus, Bootcamp, and Turbine - have disguised themselves as humans and intend to conquer the multiverse. Looger and his subordinates discover Scaler knows of their plot, and subsequently kidnap and torture him. During the torture, Bootcamp, frustrated by Scaler's taunts, accidentally opens an extra-dimensional portal, transforming Scaler into a blue reptilian humanoid and releasing him from his restraints. Scaler escapes through the portal, and Looger and his henchmen follow after him.

Scaler finds himself in an parallel universe where he encounters another reptilian man named Leon, who is amnesiac as a result of Looger's machinations and has the same name as his estranged father. Leon challenges Scaler to retrieve a lizard egg being incubated in a mysterious mechanism. When Scaler does so and returns the egg to Leon, he persuades Leon to let him help retrieve the rest of the eggs scattered in the multiverse. Leon grudgingly agrees, and reveals that Scaler can exchange Klokkies, balls of energy obtained by defeating enemies, to improve his abilities, and that Scaler can obtain the ability to transform into other creatures by defeating enough of that creature.

As Scaler and Leon travel the world, they discover that Looger controls a network of unstable portals, intending to create an army of mutant lizards to invade the multiverse. They must rescue all the eggs and stop Looger, or else the universes will be consumed in darkness. Meanwhile, due to spending time with Bobby, Leon begins to remember he is in fact Scaler's father. Years ago, he was a scientist who invented a "portal compass" that transported to him to Looger's dimension, where he was imprisoned, tortured, and left amnesiac before eventually escaping. Leon is overjoyed to remember who he is and see his son again. However, Scaler struggles to accept the truth and accept his father, who he had been estranged from. In the end, however, he forgives him.

After defeating Jazz, Rhombus, Turbine, Bootcamp and some of the mutant monsters while rescuing the remaining lizard eggs, Scaler and Leon arrive at Looger's stronghold. After defeating him and reclaiming the portal compass, they rush to a last portal meant to bring them home. However, Leon, who went to save an egg that fell from a hole in Scaler's sack, remains behind while he crosses through it. Bobby arrives back in Looger's basement, only to realize his father did not make it in time as the portal closes.

In the secret ending, Scaler's defeat of Looger creates a new timeline where Leon was never captured. However, Bobby retains his chameleon tongue and the reflex to eat flies, as well as his memories of the previous timeline and the portal compass. He also expresses a desire to return to the other dimension in the future.

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
GCPS2Xbox
1Up.comB+[3]B+[3]N/A
Game Informer4.5/10[4]N/A4.5/10[4]
GameSpot6.6/10[5]6.6/10[6]6.6/10[6]
GameSpyN/AStarStarStarStar[7]StarStarStarStar[7]
GameZoneN/AN/A7.7/10[8]
IGN8/10[9]8/10[9]8/10[9]
Nintendo PowerStarStarStarHalf star[10]N/AN/A
OPM (US)N/AStarStarStarStar[11]N/A
OXM (US)N/AN/A6.7/10[12]
TeamXboxN/AN/A7.6/10[13]
The TimesN/AStarStarStar[14]StarStarStar[14]
Aggregate score
Metacritic69/100[15]70/100[16]69/100[17]

Scaler received "average" reviews on all platforms according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[15][16][17] While receiving praise for its high production values and gameplay, some reviewers criticized it for having an unexciting plot and formulaic design.[citation needed]

References

  1. ↑ "What's New?" (in en-gb). Eurogamer.net. 2004-11-26. https://www.eurogamer.net/whatsnew-261104. 
  2. ↑ Adams, David (2004-10-20). "Go Reptilian" (in en). https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/10/20/go-reptilian. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Wooldridge, Andrew (November 2, 2004). "Scaler (NGC, PS2)". Archived from the original on June 3, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160603174526/http://www.1up.com/reviews/scaler_2. Retrieved December 15, 2017. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Mason, Lisa (February 2005). "Scaler: The Shape Shifting Chameleon [sic (GC, Xbox)"]. Game Informer (142): 113. Archived from the original on November 4, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20051104055224/http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/30ADB950-7B17-4336-8EBC-1D53CF5715DA.htm. Retrieved December 15, 2017. 
  5. ↑ Navarro, Alex (November 23, 2004). "Scaler Review (GC)". https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/scaler-review/1900-6113899/. Retrieved December 15, 2017. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Navarro, Alex (October 26, 2004). "Scaler Review (PS2, Xbox)". https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/scaler-review/1900-6111505/. Retrieved December 15, 2017. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Chapman, David (November 9, 2004). "GameSpy: Scaler (PS2, Xbox)". GameSpy. http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/scaler-the-shapeshifting-chameleon/564864p1.html. Retrieved December 15, 2017. 
  8. ↑ Knutson, Michael (October 27, 2004). "Scaler: The Shape Shifting Chameleon [sic - XB - Review"]. GameZone. Archived from the original on February 24, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080224052347/http://xbox.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r23005.htm. Retrieved December 15, 2017. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Castro, Juan (October 22, 2004). "Scaler". http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/10/22/scaler-2. Retrieved December 15, 2017. 
  10. ↑ "Scaler". Nintendo Power 188: 113. February 2005. 
  11. ↑ Jongewaard, Dana (January 2005). "Scaler [link mislabels the site name as 'GMR'"]. Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. Archived from the original on December 25, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20041225015139/http://gmr.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3136109&did=3. Retrieved December 15, 2017. 
  12. ↑ "Scaler". Official Xbox Magazine: 74. January 2005. 
  13. ↑ Nardozzi, Dale (October 25, 2004). "Scaler Review (Xbox)". TeamXbox. Archived from the original on March 11, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120311110156/http://reviews.teamxbox.com/xbox/826/Scaler/p1. Retrieved December 15, 2017. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Kendall, Nigel (January 22, 2005). "Scaler (PS2, Xbox)". The Times. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/scaler-kxhdggsh298. Retrieved December 15, 2017. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 "Scaler for GameCube Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/scaler/critic-reviews/?platform=gamecube. Retrieved December 15, 2017. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 "Scaler for PlayStation 2 Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/scaler/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2. Retrieved December 15, 2017. 
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 "Scaler for Xbox Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/scaler/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox. Retrieved December 15, 2017. 
  • Scaler 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. 
  • No URL found. Please specify a URL here or add one to Wikidata.

Template:Atari




Retrieved from "https://handwiki.org/wiki/index.php?title=Software:Scaler_(video_game)&oldid=739945"