Software:Sprung (video game)

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Sprung
various scenes from the game surrounding the title “SPRUNG” and the tagline “a game where everyone scores”
North American box art
Developer(s)Longtail Studios
Publisher(s)Ubisoft
Writer(s)
  • Colleen McGuinness
  • Sam Strachman
  • Edward Lee Murray
  • Desiree Cifre
  • A.J. Morales
Composer(s)Tom Salta
Platform(s)Nintendo DS
Release
Genre(s)Adventure
Dating sim
Visual novel
Mode(s)Single player

Sprung is a video game for the Nintendo DS. It was released in North America on December 7, 2004 as one of the launch titles for the system. In Europe, the game was released under the expanded title Sprung: The Dating Game. Sprung puts players in the shoes of either Becky or Brett in a conversation-based visual novel that mostly consists of dialogue. Sprung can be regarded as a dating sim, though the linearity and variety in the game (as well as its humor) also lend it to being an adventure game. The game was one of the first dating simulation games to have a wide commercial release in North America.[3][4]

The character treatments and overall plot in Sprung were conceived by Colleen McGuinness, who was the lead writer for the project.[3] Upon release, the game received mixed reviews for its gameplay, but was praised for its comedic writing. It was noted as a unique release for its time and for pushing "the limits of the Teen rating".[4] The working title for Sprung was Crush.[5] Two spin-off mobile games were later released featuring characters from Sprung; Love Triangle: Dating Challenge was released in 2005 followed by Heartbreakers in 2006.[6][7]

Gameplay

There are two distinct narratives in the game which allow the player to play as either Brett or Becky. Both stories take place at the same locations, but under different continuities. The game is split up by different "scenes" that contain a narrative consisting of dialogue, similar to a script of an episode of a sitcom. Each scene gives the player an objective to complete. During a scene, the player will appear on the bottom screen of the Nintendo DS and the person they are talking to will appear on the top. With nearly every interaction with characters within a scene, the player is given the option from a list of responses on how to respond. Different situations will require the player to use their wit and charm, in addition to a wide variety of collectible items, to progress through the scene. Many of the items can be used at will on any character; using the pepper spray and gasoline items will often end up with the player getting arrested or committed depending on their actions. There are multiple locations in the game, all of which feature their own theme music that is influenced by how characters react to choices.

Bonus scenes are unlocked through the collection of "golden lines", which are quotes that are deemed the most witty or absurd conversational options. Additional art pieces can be unlocked through the collection of various items throughout the game.

Plot

Becky and Brett's narratives establish them as having been friends since childhood. They go on a trip to a ski resort as an attempt to find love, have fun, and seek new work opportunities. Brett is torn between his long-standing crush on Becky and desire to explore his options and play the field. Brett tries to navigate love on the mountain with a zany cast of eligible bachelorettes while helping his close friends Danny and Lucas with their own mischief. Along the way, he has to deal with Elliot and Conor, two pretentious men who are richer, more charming, and more famous than him. Brett's story culminates with a competition with Conor where the prize is the chance to take one of three girls on a dream vacation.

In Becky's story, she uses the vacation as an escape from her recent ex-boyfriend Sean only to have him arrive at the same time. Her story gives the player the option of a split path in the careers of waitressing or modeling, which results in different scenes becoming available. Becky's story involves maintaining her relationships with her childhood friends - the promiscuous Kiki and the geeky Erica, among new friends that can help or hinder her situation based on their motives. The player also guides Becky in advancing her career path, finding love while on the mountain, and getting revenge on her ex-boyfriend.

Critical reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic48/100[8]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Game Informer6/10[9]
GameSpot6/10[10]
IGN4/10[4]
Nintendo World Report8/10[11]
eToychest84%[12]
The Sydney Morning HeraldStarStarHalf star[13]

Sprung received "generally unfavorable reviews" according to video game review aggregator Metacritic.[8] Praise was given for the game's comedic writing, with Nintendo World Report calling the game "bizarrely fun" and writing "only someone who hates comedy could dislike this game."[11] The Sydney Morning Herald called it "always entertaining and occasionally hilarious."[13] Sprung's subject matter was also applauded by critics, with GameSpot calling it a "bold move", praising the developers for a "willingness to tread some risqué ground which most games tend to sidestep."[10] IGN described the game as pushing "the limits of the Teen rating" and highlighted the "hint at homosexual and bisexual encounters in several of the game's dating missions."[4]

The game's dialogue-based gameplay received mixed reviews. Some reviewers compared it to a choose your own adventure novel. Game Informer noted: "There's good humor and writing to be had here, but it's not so much a game as an interactive comic."[9] eToychest called Sprung "surprisingly addictive" and described it as "amusing and well-written" but remarked that the gameplay could "alienate some gamers who do not have an affinity for games whose primary game mechanic is based around retention."[12] In a mixed review, GameSpot described the gameplay as "frustrating" but the art as "fairly smooth and effective."[10] IGN also praised the game's animation, calling it "incredibly well done, almost feature film quality".[4] The game was criticized for its minimal use of the Nintendo DS's touch screen.[11][14]

The game's wide array of collectible items (notably pepper spray) and the ability to use them on any character was praised by reviewers, though The Globe and Mail wrote that the feature was not used frequently enough.[15] Nintendo World Report wrote that "using pepper spray suddenly and for no reason usually creates some prime comedy" and GameSpot recommended "trying the pepper spray at least once, since it's fun to blind people and get arrested".[11][16]

In the years following its release, Sprung has been looked back on in a more positive light. In a retrospective review, Sprung was again praised for its writing and humor by Rice Digital. The publication described the game as a "movie plot turned interactive" and a unique release for its time.[14] In 2021, TheGamer described Sprung as a "hidden gem" and an "excellent game".[17]

See also

  • Visual novel

References

  1. ↑ "Late Night Consoling" (in en). 2004-12-07. https://www.shacknews.com/article/34789/late-night-consoling. 
  2. ↑ "Sprung - Nintendo DS - GameSpy". http://ds.gamespy.com/nintendo-ds/crush/. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Q&A: Sprung scriptwriter Colleen McGuinness". https://www.gamespot.com/articles/qanda-sprung-scriptwriter-colleen-mcguinness/1100-6116625/. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Harris, Craig (December 14, 2004). "Sprung". IGN. http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/12/15/sprung. 
  5. ↑ Harris, Craig (October 7, 2004). "First Info: Crush". IGN. http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/10/07/first-info-crush. 
  6. ↑ "Love Triangle: Dating Challenge". October 20, 2005. http://www.gameloft.com/product.php?product=74&game=10671&navigation=overview&product_name=Love+Triangle+%3A+Dating+Challenge&clid=39. 
  7. ↑ Buchanan, Levi (April 3, 2007). "Heartbreakers Review". https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/04/03/heartbreakers-review. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Sprung for DS Reviews". Metacritic. https://www.metacritic.com/game/sprung/critic-reviews/?platform=ds. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Mason, Lisa (January 2005). "Sprung". Game Informer (141): 149. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Davis, Ryan (December 14, 2004). "Sprung Review". GameSpot. http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/sprung-review/1900-6115060/. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 Shughart, Ty (December 27, 2004). "Sprung". Nintendo World Report. http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/4313/sprung-nintendo-ds. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Sprung". http://www.etoychest.org/content.php?review.906. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Hill, Jason (March 3, 2005). "Fast and fluid". The Sydney Morning Herald. http://www.smh.com.au/news/Games/Fast-and-fluid/2005/03/02/1109546881017.html. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "Sprung: The dating sim that has aged like fine wine?". 7 December 2020. https://ricedigital.co.uk/sprung-dating-sim-that-has-aged-like-fine-wine/. 
  15. ↑ Sapieha, Chad (15 February 2005). "Sprung". https://www.theglobeandmail.com/technology/sprung/article1113092/. 
  16. ↑ Torres, Ricardo (16 November 2004). "Sprung Updated Hands-On". https://www.gamespot.com/articles/sprung-updated-hands-on/1100-6113257/. 
  17. ↑ Womack, Lacey (February 27, 2021). "15 Hidden Gems On The Nintendo DS And 3DS". https://www.thegamer.com/hidden-gems-nintendo-3ds-ds/. 

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 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]

On February 13, 2025, Freyholtz stepped down as the site lead to move onto new projects, leaving operations to Tracy Poff, a veteran coder on the site, and Atari staff.[18]

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. 
  18. ↑ "An update on MobyGames leadership". 2025-02-13. https://www.mobygames.com/forum/3/thread/269628/an-update-on-mobygames-leadership/#post-269628. 
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