Software:Sega Superstars

From HandWiki
Short description: 2004 video game
Not to be confused with Sonic Superstars.
Sega Superstars
Developer(s)Sonic Team
Publisher(s)Sega
Director(s)Yoshihisa Hashimoto
Producer(s)Takashi Yuda
Designer(s)Yoshihisa Hashimoto
Programmer(s)Takaaki Saito
Artist(s)Sachiko Kawamura
Composer(s)Tomoya Ohtani
Mariko Nanba
Keiichi Sugiyama
SeriesSega All-Stars
Platform(s)PlayStation 2
Release
  • EU: October 22, 2004
  • NA: November 2, 2004[1]
  • JP: November 11, 2004
Genre(s)Party
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Sega Superstars is a party video game developed by Sonic Team for the PlayStation 2. It was published by Sega and released in Europe on October 22, 2004; in North America on November 2, 2004; and in Japan on November 11, 2004. The game features several minigames based on various Sega titles that are controlled using the EyeToy peripheral. Upon release, the game received "average" review scores from critics.

Gameplay

A promotional example of gameplay, where the player controls NiGHTS by "gliding," from the NiGHTS-themed minigame

Gameplay is similar to that of Software:EyeToy: Play, in which players use their body to play a variety of minigames. However, while that game only picked up player's movement, Sega Superstars uses a more advanced system. Before the start of each game, a setup screen with an orange area is shown. In order to start the game, players have to stand in a position where the orange area won't pick up any movement and select the continue button. This method determines what area is the background, allowing EyeToy to pick up the player's position, as opposed to just what areas are moving.

Sega Superstars features 12 minigames, each based on different Sega franchises. Rings earned in each game can be used in a Chao Garden mode, in which players raise Chao from the Sonic the Hedgehog series.[2][3]

  • Sonic the Hedgehog — Using their hands, players must guide Sonic through a tube, collecting rings and Chaos Emeralds while avoiding bombs.
  • Super Monkey Ball — Players use their arms to control AiAi as he rolls in a ball through a maze, aiming to reach a goal without falling off the stage.
  • Samba de Amigo — Players move their hands over one of the six circles in time to the music.
  • Space Channel 5 — Players must copy dance moves given by the Morolian opponents by hitting monitors with their arms.
  • NiGHTS into Dreams — Using their arms as if they were flying, players guide NiGHTS through a series of rings and collectables.
  • The House of the Dead — Players use their body to attack zombies that appear on-screen, being careful not to hit any hostages.
  • Virtua Fighter — Players fight against various fighters, following command prompts to attack them while also defending against their attacks.
  • Billy Hatcher — Players must use rolling motions to help Billy Hatcher roll a giant egg around and clear each level.
  • Puyo Pop Fever — Players use their entire body to funnel colored Puyos into their respective departments, being careful not to accidentally roll in a bomb.
  • ChuChu Rocket! — Players use their hands to activate mechanisms and guide ChuChus to a rocket while protecting them from a hungry cat.
  • Virtua Striker — Players must knock falling soccer balls into floating balloons to score points.
  • Crazy Taxi — Players attempt to make as much movement and noise as possible to attract the attention of a taxi.

Development

Before Sega Superstars, few games had made use of the EyeToy.[4] As such, the game was developed as a product that would combine the novelty of this accessory with the familiarity of Sega's first-party franchises to extend the long-term viability of the PlayStation 2 console. It was announced in April 2004[5] and exhibited at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3)[6] and Tokyo Game Show events of that same year.[4]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic72/100[7]
Review scores
PublicationScore
1Up.comB[8]
Edge7/10[9]
EGM5.67/10[10]
Eurogamer8/10[11]
Famitsu32/40[12]
Game Informer8/10[13]
GameSpot7.3/10[14]
GameZone8.3/10[15]
IGN7/10[16]
OPM (US)StarStarStarStar[17]
The Sydney Morning HeraldStarStarStarHalf star[18]

The game received "average" reviews, according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[7] In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of two nines and two sevens for a total of 32 out of 40.[12]

References

  1. ↑ "Sega of America". 2005-03-11. http://www.sega.com/corporate/corporate.php?item=pr_20041102a. 
  2. ↑ "SEGA Superstars - IGN". http://uk.ign.com/games/sega-superstars/ps2-679391. 
  3. ↑ "SEGA SuperStars - IGN". 29 October 2004. http://uk.ign.com/articles/2004/10/29/sega-superstars. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Lewis, Ed (September 26, 2004). "TGS 2004: Sega SuperStars Hands-On". http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/09/26/tgs-2004-sega-superstars-hands-on. Retrieved October 24, 2014. 
  5. ↑ Lewis, Ed (April 26, 2004). "SEGA Brings the SuperStars". http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/04/26/sega-brings-the-superstars. Retrieved October 24, 2014. 
  6. ↑ Lewis, Ed (May 13, 2004). "E3 2004: Sega SuperStars - Hands-Off". http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/05/13/e3-2004-sega-superstars-hands-off. Retrieved October 24, 2014. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Sega SuperStars for PlayStation 2 Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/sega-superstars/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2. Retrieved October 22, 2014. 
  8. ↑ Baker, Chris (November 16, 2004). "Sega SuperStars". Archived from the original on June 3, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160603194326/http://www.1up.com/reviews/sega-superstars_2. Retrieved September 16, 2016. 
  9. ↑ Edge staff (December 2004). "Sega SuperStars". Edge (143): 112. 
  10. ↑ EGM staff (January 2005). "Sega SuperStars". Electronic Gaming Monthly (187): 135. 
  11. ↑ Bramwell, Tom (October 20, 2004). "Sega SuperStars". http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_segasuperstars_ps2. Retrieved October 22, 2014. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Famitsu Ratings (How did Halo2 do?)". The MagicBox. November 9, 2004. http://www.the-magicbox.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10220. Retrieved September 16, 2016. 
  13. ↑ Miller, Matt (December 2004). "Sega Superstars/Eye Toy [sic"]. Game Informer (140): 177. http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/570E236C-2D19-4E77-9358-1D21A315F998.htm?CS_pid=281108. Retrieved September 16, 2016. 
  14. ↑ Davis, Ryan (November 3, 2004). "Sega SuperStars Review". http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/sega-superstars-review/1900-6112263/. Retrieved September 16, 2016. 
  15. ↑ The Bearer (November 29, 2004). "Sega SuperStars for EyeToy [sic - PS2 - Review"]. GameZone. Archived from the original on October 4, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20081004030059/http://ps2.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r24020.htm. Retrieved September 16, 2016. 
  16. ↑ Lewis, Ed (October 29, 2004). "SEGA SuperStars". http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/10/29/sega-superstars. Retrieved October 22, 2014. 
  17. ↑ "Sega SuperStars". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. January 2005. http://www.1up.com/reviews/sega-superstars_3. Retrieved September 16, 2016. 
  18. ↑ Hill, Jason (October 21, 2004). "Uneven quality". The Sydney Morning Herald. http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/10/20/1097951758625.html. Retrieved October 22, 2014. 
  • 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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