Software:Soul Fighter

From HandWiki
Soul Fighter
North American cover art
Developer(s)Toka
Publisher(s)Red Orb Entertainment (NA)
Mindscape (EU)
Platform(s)Dreamcast
Release
Genre(s)Beat 'em up
Mode(s)Single-player

Soul Fighter is a 3D beat 'em up video game developed by Toka and published by TLC Multimedia for the Sega Dreamcast in 1999.

Gameplay

The gameplay centers around martial art styles of combat and using a small selection of weapons.

Plot

An evil spell of Queen Antea has fallen on the Kingdom of Gomar. As a mysterious mist envelops the kingdom, the inhabitants turn into vicious creatures. A fearless warrior (Altus), a female spy (Sayomi), and a powerful wizard (Orion) have escaped the fate of their fellow villagers. They must now search for and capture souls in order to reverse the curse.

Development

Soul Fighter was developed by the French company Toka with help from upstart company Piggyback Interactive.[3] The 15-person team at Toka created the game using the 3dfx Interactive Glide API for PC hardware in the same fashion as Midway Games' San Francisco Rush, NFL Blitz, and NBA Showtime. Although Soul Fighter cannot be run with Glide on the Dreamcast, the software allowed Toka to port the game from the PC to console in less than three weeks.[4]

Production on Soul Fighter was originally set to be finished in July 1999 with the game slated for release at the North American launch of the Dreamcast.[4] A delay set its release back to an October ship date.[3] After settling on a publisher in Mindscape, Soul Fighter was delayed again from an October 1999 release to the following month.[5] Piggyback consulted with a Japanese publisher at one point to transform Soul Fighter into an arcade game; the company had also considered a version for the PlayStation 2.[4] A planned port of the game for the GameCube was announced but eventually cancelled.[6]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
GameRankings46%[7]
Review scores
PublicationScore
AllGameStar[8]
Edge3/10[10]
EGM3.125/10[11][lower-alpha 1]
Game Informer5.5/10[13]
GameFan63%[14]
GameRevolutionC+[15]
GameSpot4.8/10[16]
GameSpy1.5/10[17]
IGN2.5/10[18]
Next GenerationStar[19]

Soul Fighter received unfavorable reviews according to the review aggregation website GameRankings.[7] Blake Fischer of NextGen called it the first spinning-world simulator to run at 60fps.[19] GamePro, however, said, "Even with all of its faults, Soul Fighter might be worth a weekend rental if you enjoy a straight, no-brains brawling quest - you Dynamite Cop fans should take note. But with better Dreamcast games in its own genre like Draconus coming along, it might be better just to let the kingdom of Gomar go all to hell."[20][lower-alpha 2]

Notes

  1. ↑ Four critics of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the game each a score of 2/10, 4.5/10, 2.5/10, and 3.5/10.
  2. ↑ GamePro gave the game 4/5 for graphics, 2.5/5 for sound, 2/5 for control, and 3/5 for fun factor.

References

  1. ↑ Gantayat, Anoop (November 9, 1999). "Soul Fighter Goes Gold". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on June 2, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230602144132/https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/11/10/soul-fighter-goes-gold. Retrieved September 18, 2023. 
  2. ↑ "Soul Fighter". Archived from the original on November 23, 2002. https://web.archive.org/web/20021123191545/http://www.sega.com/games/dreamcast/post_dreamcastgame.jhtml?PRODID=272. Retrieved June 2, 2023. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Justice, Brandon (August 12, 1999). "Soul Fighter Slips". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on October 16, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201016121644/https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/08/13/soul-fighter-slips. Retrieved September 18, 2023. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Kennedy, Sam (June 16, 1999). "Hands-on: Soul Fighter". Fandom. Archived from the original on March 23, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140323030548/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/hands-on-soul-fighter/1100-2451077/. Retrieved September 18, 2023. 
  5. ↑ Gantayat, Anoop (October 14, 1999). "Soul Fighter Bitten by the Delay Bug". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on October 17, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201017060634/https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/10/15/soul-fighter-bitten-by-the-delay-bug. Retrieved September 18, 2023. 
  6. ↑ IGN staff (February 6, 2002). "Soul Fighter, Hidden Invasion Announced". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on April 12, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190412142047/https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/02/06/soul-fighter-hidden-invasion-announced. Retrieved October 15, 2020. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Soul Fighter for Dreamcast". CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 5, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190505090358/https://www.gamerankings.com/dreamcast/198706-soul-fighter/index.html. Retrieved October 15, 2020. 
  8. ↑ Licata, Jonathan. "Soul Fighter - Review". All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 17, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141117075716/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=18670&tab=review. Retrieved October 15, 2020. 
  9. ↑ Franklin, Eric (December 17, 1999). "Soul Fighter". CNET. Archived from the original on August 23, 2000. https://web.archive.org/web/20000823204432/http://gamecenter.com/Consoles/Dreamcast/Soulfighter/. Retrieved September 18, 2023. 
  10. ↑ Edge staff (December 1999). "Soul Fighter". Edge (Future Publishing) (79): 86. Archived from the original on June 23, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230623102401/https://retrocdn.net/images/b/bb/Edge_UK_079.pdf. Retrieved September 18, 2023. 
  11. ↑ Hsu, Dan "Shoe"; Johnston, Chris; Davison, John; Chou, Che (February 2000). "Soul Fighter". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (127): 174. Archived from the original on March 16, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230316080953/https://retrocdn.net/images/3/37/EGM_US_127.pdf. Retrieved September 18, 2023. 
  12. ↑ Grant, Jules (January 4, 2000). "Soul Fighter". Greedy Productions Ltd.. Archived from the original on July 6, 2002. https://web.archive.org/web/20020706164410/http://www.elecplay.com/review.html?article=1826&full=1#mr_toppy. Retrieved September 18, 2023. 
  13. ↑ McNamara, Andy; Fitzloff, Jay; Anderson, Paul (January 2000). "Soul Fighter". Game Informer (FuncoLand) (81). Archived from the original on May 22, 2000. https://web.archive.org/web/20000522235613/http://www.gameinformer.com/reviews/review_detail.cfm?ITEM_ID=4273. Retrieved October 15, 2020. 
  14. ↑ Van Stone, Matt "Kodomo" (November 23, 1999). "REVIEW for Soul Fighter". GameFan (Shinno Media). Archived from the original on May 16, 2000. https://web.archive.org/web/20000516143732/http://gamefan.com/repre.asp?g=1209&t=r. Retrieved October 15, 2020. 
  15. ↑ Colin (January 2000). "Soul Fighter Review". CraveOnline. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150924053304/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/soul-fighter. Retrieved October 15, 2020. 
  16. ↑ Bartholow, Peter (November 24, 1999). "Soul Fighter Review". Fandom. Archived from the original on March 23, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140323030545/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/soul-fighter-review/1900-2540671/. Retrieved September 18, 2023. 
  17. ↑ Bowen, Kevin (December 30, 1999). "Soul Fighter". IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on February 25, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090225092921/http://www.planetdreamcast.com/games/reviews/soulfighter/. Retrieved October 15, 2020. 
  18. ↑ Justice, Brandon (November 23, 1999). "Soul Fighter". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on January 23, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210123144151/https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/11/24/soul-fighter. Retrieved September 18, 2023. 
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Fischer, Blake (March 2000). "Soul Fighter". NextGen (Imagine Media) (63): 87. https://archive.org/details/NextGen63Mar2000/page/n87/mode/2up. Retrieved October 15, 2020. 
  20. ↑ iBot (December 3, 1999). "Soul Fighter Review for Dreamcast on GamePro.com". GamePro (IDG Entertainment). Archived from the original on September 19, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20040919083728/http://www.gamepro.com/sega/dreamcast/games/reviews/3450.shtml. Retrieved October 15, 2020. 
  • 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:Soul_Fighter&oldid=2580508"