Software:SkyDrift

From HandWiki
SkyDrift
Cover art
Developer(s)Digital Reality
THQ Nordic (Infinity)
Publisher(s)Digital Reality
Bandai Namco Partners (Xbox 360)[1]
HandyGames (Infinity)
Platform(s)
ReleasePlayStation 3
  • NA: September 6, 2011
  • PAL: September 7, 2011
Xbox 360
  • WW: September 7, 2011
Microsoft Windows
  • WW: November 21, 2011
Infinity
Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
  • WW: July 29, 2021
Genre(s)Arcade racing
Mode(s)Single-player, Multiplayer

SkyDrift is a 2011 airplane racing video game developed by Digital Reality. It was self-published by the developer on the Microsoft Windows and PlayStation 3 platforms. The Xbox 360 version was published by Bandai Namco Partners.

The game features multiple game modes which are primarily focused on combat racing. Two downloadable content packs have been released which add additional planes and two new game modes. The game was well received, with aggregate scores ranging in the mid-to-high 70% range. Critics generally felt that the gameplay was strong, that the controls were responsive, and that the online multiplayer was excellent, though multiple reviewers cited disappointment in the lack of any local multiplayer.

A remaster of the game called SkyDrift Infinity was released by HandyGames on July 29, 2021.[2][3]

Gameplay

SkyDrift is an airplane racing game with a heavy emphasis on combat.

In SkyDrift players pilot one of several airplanes in a fictional racing competition. Gameplay is similar to other airplane racing games such as Plane Crazy and the flight mode of Diddy Kong Racing. The game features 33 single player challenge stages as well as online multiplayer. While the primary focus is racing, dogfights play a large part in some of SkyDrift's game modes. Players are rewarded with boost, which provides a temporary burst of speed, by flying acrobatically, low to the ground, or by taking down opponents. Planes and their separate liveries are unlocked as players progress and complete specified challenges. As players progress on a given course they are sometimes presented with progressing environment hazards such as falling rocks or an avalanche.[4]

Three game modes are included with the game, with two more available via downloadable content. The first game mode, Power Race, is a hybrid of both racing and combat. Players can collect powerups to give their planes different abilities.[5] These abilities include such things as missiles, machine guns, mines, or an EMP blast. The goal is to use whatever means necessary to achieve the highest finishing rank at the end of a given race. The second mode is focused solely on racing. Entitled Speed Race, this mode omits all weapons and powerups. In their place are rings scattered throughout the course. Flying through these rings provides the plane with an extra burst of speed, and flying through multiple in succession will multiply that speed. As with Power Race the goal is to finish the race in as high a rank as possible.[5]

The third mode included with the game is known as Survivor. Gameplay is similar to Power Race, however after a given time the racer in last place is eliminated.[5] Powerups are included in this mode and can be used to increase one's place, thus avoiding elimination. The race is over when all human players are eliminated or a human player is takes first place. The two downloadable modes, Deathmatch and Team Deathmatch, are focused solely on dogfights with other players. These modes are played in three new arenas and are limited to online gameplay.[6]

Development and marketing

The developers said that they wanted to keep a certain amount of realism to the setting of their game. Senior Game Designer Peter Petrekovits described the game's direction as "not a science fiction, but a racing on the most beautiful places on earth".[4] Development began with low polygon versions of the game's three settings to hone gameplay, which were later upgraded with details created from primitive shapes. Artists then took these settings and provided finalized environments while course designers laid out the specific elements to each race. Multiple routes were created in each setting allowing for several course configurations.[4] Some of the plane designs were inspired from real-world fighter planes, but each were evolved from initial concept art into their current designs. Petrekovits elaborated on their design: "These planes are not real life models. You might see some part[s] of them [that are] familiar, but these are whole new concepts".[7] Petrekovits further clarified that though the planes can be equipped with weaponry via powerups, they "are not military planes whatsoever, [they] are racing planes". Two members of the game's development team were graduate airplane technicians.[7]

Two downloadable content packs have been released, both of which are actually included in the main game but require premium unlock keys to be accessed. The first, entitled Extreme Fighters Pack, was released on September 21, 2011 and adds three additional planes, the Vanguard, Sparrow X1 and Triwing Vintage. The first two planes feature a design similar to modern day fighter jets, while the latter focuses on older, Red Baron-style planes such as the triplane.[8] The second pack, entitled Gladiator Pack brings six new combat arenas into the game. These new levels have a focus entirely on dogfights, and have all racing aspects removed.[6]

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
PCPS3Xbox 360
DestructoidN/AN/A7.5/10[9]
EurogamerN/AN/A7/10[10]
GameProN/AStarStarStarStar[11]StarStarStarStar[11]
GameSpotN/A7/10[12]7/10[13]
GameSpyStarStarStar[14]N/AN/A
GameZoneN/A8/10[15]8/10[15]
IGNN/A8/10[16]8/10[16]
OPM (AU)N/A8/10[18]N/A
OPM (UK)N/A7/10[17]N/A
OXM (US)N/AN/A8.5/10[19]
411ManiaN/AN/A7.5/10[20]
The Digital FixN/AN/A8/10[21]
Aggregate score
Metacritic73/100[22]76/100[23]77/100[24]

The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions of SkyDrift received "generally favorable reviews", while the PC version received "average" reviews, according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[22][23][24] According to Gamasutra's analysis SkyDrift moved over 5,100 units on the Xbox 360 and 4,700 units on the PlayStation 3 during the month of its release.[25][26] The Xbox 360 version moved over 7,500 units as of year-end 2011.[27]

The game's visuals were well received by critics. IGN reviewer Stephanie Lee lauded the visuals. She stated that the graphics are "beautiful detail and [have] a warm color palette".[16] Robert Workman of GameZone also gave high marks for SkyDrift's graphics. He felt that the planes were well modeled and that the environments provided "a smooth looking package".[15] GameSpot's Sean Evans called the graphics "visually striking, with impressive levels of detail". He did cite occasional issues with locating powerups, which he attributed to "overly saturated lighting effects".[12] The game's soundtrack was a point of mediocrity among critics. IGN's Lee stated that SkyDrift's soundtrack "doesn't stand out nor does it detract from the overall experience",[16] a sentiment shared with GameZone's Workman.[15]

Gameplay was also well received. Eurogamer's Kristan Reed noted that the Xbox 360 version's "controls are spot-on, and it's easy to pick up". Reed, however, felt that the game can lose its luster for some players quickly due to the repeated environments used throughout the game.[10] Terry Terrones of GamePro stated that the game was "the definition of easy to play and tough to master".[11] GameSpot's Evans noted that the game's online multiplayer was "lag free" and was the game's "shining jewel", but expressed disappointment with the fact that it did not feature a local multiplayer.[12] IGN's Lee also praised the online multiplayer, but was disappointed in the lack of local play. She did concede, however, that during single player events "the A.I. still knows how to throw down".[16]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Digital Reality Publishing announces distribution agreement with Namco Bandai Partners S.A.S". Bandai Namco Partners. May 19, 2011. http://www.uk.namcobandaigames.eu/news/2011/05/19/digital-reality-publishing-announces-distribution-agreement-with-namco-bandai-partners-s-a-s/1642. 
  2. ↑ "Review: Skydrift Infinity - Arcade-Style Sky Racing That's Short But Sweet" (in en-GB). 2021-08-03. https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/skydrift_infinity. 
  3. ↑ Husameddin, Genghis "Solidus Kraken" (2021-09-03). "Review | SkyDrift Infinity" (in en-US). https://xboxera.com/2021/09/03/review-skydrift-infinity/. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 SkydriftGame (August 3, 2011). "SkyDrift - Official Development Diary part 1 (HD)". Digital Reality via YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjZlmKXgx7M. Retrieved December 12, 2011. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 SkydriftGame (November 22, 2011). "SkyDrift - Official Development Diary part 3 (HD)". Digital Reality via YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2y38Ju8ryY. Retrieved December 15, 2011. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Gladiator Pack". Xbox.com. http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/Product/Gladiator-Pack/81a7d569-1cff-4c06-bb1c-1ca46222979f. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 SkydriftGame (August 30, 2011). "SkyDrift - Official Development Diary part 2 (HD)". Digital Reality via YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upZn3MxUW4U. Retrieved December 15, 2011. 
  8. ↑ "Extreme Fighters Pack". Xbox.com. http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/Product/Extreme-Fighters-Pack/871dfa9f-3eaa-4408-bc64-b1fac233d7e7. 
  9. ↑ Devore, Jordan (September 14, 2011). "Review: SkyDrift (X360)". https://www.destructoid.com/review-skydrift-211394.phtml. Retrieved September 6, 2017. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Reed, Kristan (September 16, 2011). "Download Games Roundup (Page 3)". http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-09-16-download-games-roundup-review?page=3. Retrieved December 12, 2011. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Terrones, Terry (September 14, 2011). "Review: SkyDrift (360/PS3)". GamePro. http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/222917/review-skydrift-360-ps3/. Retrieved September 6, 2017. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Evans, Sean (September 13, 2011). "SkyDrift Review (PS3)". https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/skydrift-review/1900-6334176/. Retrieved September 6, 2017. 
  13. ↑ Evans, Sean (September 14, 2011). "SkyDrift Review (X360)". https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/skydrift-review/1900-6334364/. Retrieved September 6, 2017. 
  14. ↑ Nelson, Mike (December 12, 2011). "SkyDrift PC Review". GameSpy. http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/skydrift/1214621p1.html. Retrieved September 6, 2017. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 Workman, Robert (September 8, 2011). "Skydrift Review (PS3, X360)". GameZone. http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/skydrift_review. Retrieved September 6, 2017. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 Lee, Stephanie (September 9, 2011). "SkyDrift Review (PS3, X360)". http://www.ign.com/articles/2011/09/09/skydrift-review. Retrieved September 6, 2017. 
  17. ↑ "SkyDrift". PlayStation Official Magazine – UK: 91. December 2011. 
  18. ↑ "SkyDrift". PlayStation Official Magazine – Australia: 82. December 2011. 
  19. ↑ "SkyDrift". Official Xbox Magazine: 78. December 2011. 
  20. ↑ Chavez, Jimmy (October 4, 2011). "SkyDrift (XBLA) Review". 411Mania. http://www.411mania.com/games/reviews/204237/SkyDrift-(XBLA)-Review.htm. 
  21. ↑ Macdonald, John (January 9, 2012). "SkyDrift (X360)". The Digital Fix. https://www.thedigitalfix.com/gaming/content/562/skydrift/. 
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 "SkyDrift for PC Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/skydrift/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. Retrieved September 6, 2017. 
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 "SkyDrift for PlayStation 3 Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/skydrift/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-3. Retrieved December 12, 2011. 
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 "SkyDrift for Xbox 360 Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/skydrift/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360. Retrieved December 12, 2011. 
  25. ↑ Langley, Ryan (October 25, 2011). "In-Depth: Xbox Live Arcade Sales Analysis, September 2011". https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/38100/InDepth_Xbox_Live_Arcade_Sales_Analysis_September_2011.php. Retrieved December 12, 2011. 
  26. ↑ Langley, Ryan (October 26, 2011). "In-Depth: PlayStation Network Sales Analysis, September 2011". https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/38102/InDepth_PlayStation_Network_Analysis_September_2011.php. Retrieved December 12, 2011. 
  27. ↑ Langley, Ryan (January 20, 2012). "Xbox Live Arcade by the numbers - the 2011 year in review". https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/39713/Xbox_Live_Arcde_by_the_numbers__the_2011_year_in_review.php. Retrieved January 23, 2012. 
  • 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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