Software:Song of the Deep

From HandWiki
Short description: 2016 video game by Insomniac Games
Song of the Deep
Developer(s)Insomniac Games
Publisher(s)GameTrust Games
Writer(s)Brian Hastings[1]
Composer(s)Jonathan Wandag
EngineUnity
Platform(s)
Release
Genre(s)Action-adventure, Metroidvania
Mode(s)Single-player

Song of the Deep is an action-adventure video game developed by Insomniac Games and published by GameTrust Games. In the game, the player controls Merryn, a young girl who crafts a makeshift submarine to search for her father who went missing while fishing. The game was released in July 2016 on PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One. The retail chain GameStop published the game, under the brand of GameTrust Games, the chain's first foray into such distribution.

Plot and gameplay

Song of the Deep has the player control Merryn, a 12-year-old girl who loves her father, a fisherman, especially when he tells her tall tales of his adventures. When her father goes missing at sea one day, she has a vision of him being trapped at the depths of the ocean. Determined to find him, she crafts a submarine and gear to explore the ocean, and is startled to see that many of her father's tales were actually true.[3]

The game plays as a two-dimensional side-scroller in the style of a Metroidvania game. Areas of the game's world require the player to locate special improvements for Merryn and her equipment to surpass obstacles and explore further. While there are enemies in the game that can harm Merryn, the game is aimed less towards combat and more on exploration and puzzle solving, with some emphasis on the nature of how objects behave underwater.[4][3]

Throughout the gameplay, a narrator tells players Merryn's progress and things seen in Merryn's point of view. The narration is performed by Siobhan Hewlett.

Development

Insomniac's chief creative officer, Brian Hastings, considered Song of the Deep as a "passion project",[3][4] wanting to create a heroine that his daughter could look up to.[5] Hastings wanted this heroine to be different from the typical female hero found in video games, which tend to be "pretty", "sexy" or "badass", and instead give the heroine attributes that would reinforce positive qualities about his own daughter, "intelligence, creativity, kindness and resilience".[5] A further influence for the heroine was the favorable feedback that Insomniac has received over the years from fans, praising with how the developers were able to create characters they could identify with.[3][4]

Song of the Deep was developed by a small, fifteen-person team at Insomniac Games. Hastings compared this team to the original Insomniac team when they were developing the Spyro series, capturing the same enthusiasm and commitment from the team for Song of the Deep as they had before.[5] Hastings found that with the smaller team, working on a new genre and gameplay space than previous titles, developers were often forced out of their comfort zone and would develop novel solution or work closer together as a team to resolve problems, making the group much more cohesive and effective.[5]

Song of the Deep's narrative was inspired by Irish mythology, and its visual appearance from the Cliffs of Moher.[3][4] The choice of a Metroidvania-style game, according to Hastings, is "just something we've never done and we wanted to",[4] noting that the team are fans of this genre and makes a perfect approach for a game about exploring and finding secrets.[5] The approach to the game, focusing more on the exploration of the world rather than combat, was to make the game more like a "children's science museum on an alien planet".[4] The game is presented interspersed with artbook as if from a children's book, and Insomniac worked with Sterling Publishing to release a companion children's book for the title.[4]

The retail chain GameStop published and distributed the game through its stores and on Steam, under the GameTrust Games division.[6] The partnership between GameStop and Insomniac grew from a conversation about a year prior to the game's announcement, between Insomniac's Ted Price and GameStop's Mark Stanley, in charge of the company's development of new ventures. Stanley has spoken to Price about GameStop reaching more directly to players. Price had shown Stanley Song of the Deep, which had already been in development for some time, and their approach to the game's world. The two saw opportunities to work together to promote the title favorably for both companies, and formed the distribution agreement. Price notes that while GameStop has been fully supportive of the effort, Insomniac has full creative control on the title.[4] Stanley affirmed that GameStop is staying out of the creative process, and decisions such as GameStop branding would be made to make sure Insomniac and the game are successful.[7] GameStop also considered using its ThinkGeek marketing division to produce tie-in merchandise for the game.[8] Stanley considers this their first foray into working this closely with a developer directly, and used the experience to explore other potential options for GameStop.[4]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic(PC) 71/100[9]
(PS4) 69/100[10]
(XOne) 66/100[11]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Destructoid(PS4) 7/10[12]
Easy Allies(PS4) StarStarStarHalf star[13]
Edge(PS4) 4/10[14]
EGM(XOne) 5.5/10[15]
Game Informer(PS4) 7/10[16]
GameSpot(PS4) 6/10[17]
GamesRadar+(PS4) StarStarHalf star[18]
Hardcore Gamer(PS4) 3.5/5[19]
IGN(PS4) 6/10[20]
OXM (UK)(XOne) 4/10[21]
Polygon(XOne) 7/10[22]
Push Square(PS4) StarStarStarStarStarStarStar[23]
Shacknews(PS4) 6/10[24]
USgamer(PS4) 4.5/5[25]
Digital Spy(XOne) StarStarStarHalf star[26]
Slant Magazine(PS4) StarStarStarStar[27]

Song of the Deep received "mixed or average" reviews, according to video game review aggregator Metacritic.[9][10][11] Slant Magazine gave the PlayStation 4 version four stars out of five, saying that it was "uninspired only when it comes to its boss encounters, which end up being repetitive gauntlets of angry anglerfish enemies. Everywhere else, the game overflows with detail and creativity."[27] Digital Spy gave the Xbox One version three-and-a-half stars out of five, saying, "If you like your Metroidvanias it's well worth diving in."[26] However, Metro gave the same console version six out of ten, calling it "A different take on the usual Metroidvania formula, but while the story and setting are charming the puzzles are rarely anything other than frustrating."[28]

GameStop reported that 120,000 units of the game had sold by August 2016, with about 80% of these from retail sales.[29]

References

  1. ↑ Cornea, Alexa (January 28, 2016). "Insomniac Dares to Dive Deep". Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/articles/insomniac-dares-to-dive-deep/1100-6434229/. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Insomniac Games' Song of the Deep Launches Today". July 12, 2016. https://www.globenewswire.com/en/news-release/2016/07/12/960822/0/en/Insomniac-Games-Song-of-the-Deep-Launches-Today.html. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Muncy, Julie (January 29, 2016). "Enchanting Game Song of the Deep Wants You to Feel Tiny". Wired (Condé Nast). https://www.wired.com/2016/01/song-deep-insonmiac/. Retrieved November 19, 2024. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 McWhertor, Michael (January 28, 2016). "Insomniac Games Reveals Song of the Deep". Vox Media. https://www.polygon.com/2016/1/28/10854186/song-of-the-deep-insomniac-games-gamestop. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Couture, Joel (June 28, 2016). "Insomniac gets personal with undersea game Song of the Deep". Informa. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/insomniac-gets-personal-with-undersea-game-i-song-of-the-deep-i-. 
  6. ↑ Francis, Bryant (April 17, 2016). "GameStop announces publishing division GameTrust". Informa. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/gamestop-announces-publishing-division-gametrust. 
  7. ↑ Gaudiosi, John (January 28, 2016). "GameStop Dives Into Publishing With 'Song of the Deep'". Fortune (Fortune Media Group Holdings). https://fortune.com/2016/01/28/gamestop-insomniac-partner-on-game/. Retrieved November 19, 2024. 
  8. ↑ Dring, Christopher (February 4, 2016). "GameStop: 'We're not trying to be a publisher'". MCV/Develop (Biz Media). https://mcvuk.com/business-news/gamestop-were-not-trying-to-be-a-publisher/. Retrieved November 19, 2024. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Song of the Deep critic reviews (PC)". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/song-of-the-deep/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Song of the Deep critic reviews (PS4)". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/song-of-the-deep/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Song of the Deep critic reviews (XOne)". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/song-of-the-deep/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-one. 
  12. ↑ Carter, Chris (July 8, 2016). "Review: Song of the Deep (PS4)". Gamurs. https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-song-of-the-deep/. 
  13. ↑ Bloodworth, Daniel (July 17, 2016). Song of the Deep - Easy Allies Review (PS4). YouTube. Google. Archived from the original on November 20, 2024. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  14. ↑ Edge staff (October 2016). "Song of the Deep (PS4)". Edge (Future plc) (297): 119. 
  15. ↑ Carsillo, Ray (July 14, 2016). "Song of the Deep review (XOne)". EGMNow (EGM Media LLC). https://www.egmnow.com/articles/reviews/song-of-the-deep-review/. Retrieved November 19, 2024. 
  16. ↑ Gwaltney, Javy (July 8, 2016). "Song of the Deep Review (PS4)". Game Informer (GameStop). https://www.gameinformer.com/games/song_of_the_deep/b/playstation4/archive/2016/07/08/song-of-the-deep-review.aspx. Retrieved November 19, 2024. 
  17. ↑ Butterworth, Scott (July 8, 2016). "Song of the Deep Review (PS4)". Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/song-of-the-deep-review/1900-6416471/. 
  18. ↑ Arif, Shabana (July 8, 2016). "Song of the Deep review (PS4)". Future plc. https://www.gamesradar.com/song-of-the-deep-review/. 
  19. ↑ Whittaker, Matt (July 10, 2016). "Review: Song of the Deep (PS4)". Hardcore Gamer. https://hardcoregamer.com/reviews/review-song-of-the-deep/216304/. Retrieved November 20, 2024. 
  20. ↑ Sliva, Marty (July 11, 2016). "Song of the Deep Review (PS4)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2016/07/12/song-of-the-deep-review. 
  21. ↑ "Review: Song of the Deep". Official Xbox Magazine UK (Future plc): 79. September 2016. 
  22. ↑ Gies, Arthur (July 8, 2016). "Song of the Deep review (XOne)". Vox Media. https://www.polygon.com/2016/7/8/12133016/song-of-the-deep-review. 
  23. ↑ Tailby, Stephen (July 17, 2016). "Song of the Deep Review". Hookshot Media. https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps4/song_of_the_deep. 
  24. ↑ Watts, Steve (July 11, 2016). "Song of the Deep Review: Anchored Down (PS4)". Shacknews LTD. https://www.shacknews.com/article/95790/song-of-the-deep-review-anchored-down. 
  25. ↑ Rignall, Julian "Jaz" (July 8, 2016). "Song of the Deep PS4 Review: Sub-Aquatic Metroidvania". Gamer Network. https://www.vg247.com/song-of-the-deep-ps4-review-sub-aquatic-metroidvania. 
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 Andrews, Stuart (July 11, 2016). "Song of the Deep review: a pseudo-Irish steampunk fairytale (XOne)". Hearst Communications. https://www.digitalspy.com/videogames/a800885/song-of-the-deep-review-insomniac-ps4-xbox-one-pc/. 
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 Riccio, Aaron (July 8, 2016). "Review: Song of the Deep (PS4)". https://www.slantmagazine.com/games/song-of-the-deep/. 
  28. ↑ GameCentral (July 13, 2016). "Song Of The Deep review – Metroidvania to a different tune (XOne)". Metro (DMG Media). https://metro.co.uk/2016/07/13/song-of-the-deep-review-metroidvania-to-a-different-tune-6003284/. 
  29. ↑ Wawro, Alex (August 25, 2016). "GameStop-published Song of the Deep surpasses 120k copies sold, mostly at retail". Informa. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/gamestop-published-i-song-of-the-deep-i-surpasses-120k-copies-sold-mostly-at-retail. 
  • 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. 
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