Software:Star Wars: Demolition

From HandWiki
Short description: 2000 video game
Star Wars: Demolition
North American Dreamcast box art
Developer(s)Luxoflux
Publisher(s)
Designer(s)Adrian Stephens
Peter Moraweic
Cary Hara
Edvard Toth
David Goodrich
Justin Rasch
Micah A. Linton
Trong Khang Pham
Writer(s)Haden Blackman
Composer(s)David Levison
SeriesStar Wars
EngineVigilante 8
Platform(s)PlayStation, Dreamcast
Release
  • NA: November 16, 2000 (PS)[2]
  • NA: November 20, 2000 (DC)[1]
  • EU: December 15, 2000
Genre(s)Vehicular combat
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Star Wars: Demolition is a 2000 vehicular combat game developed by Luxoflux and published by LucasArts for the PlayStation and Dreamcast. It is set in the Star Wars universe, where the Galactic Empire has banned Jabba the Hutt's podraces, so Jabba creates a more life-threatening vehicular combat contest.

The game received mixed reviews upon release. Critics felt that while the game was fun in short bursts it lost its appeal with extended gameplay.

Gameplay

Star Wars: Demolition features familiar Star Wars characters and locales in a vehicular combat competition.

Star Wars: Demolition is a vehicular combat game set in the Star Wars universe. The objective is to be the last vehicle standing by destroying all other combatants. Several powerups can be found on the battlefield which enhance a player's vehicle. These include weaponry, such as thermal detonators, concussion missiles and proton torpedoes, and boost items, which include additional shielding, cloaking, and increasing the fire rate of weapons. Eight playable stages and 13 combatants are included in the game.[3]

Four game modes are offered to players. In Tournament mode players compete in successively harder rounds at a given location. The first round has one enemy combatant, the second has two, and so on. Here players can unlock new characters by completing the mode with at least 10,000 points. Battle Mode is a free-for-all in which players can practice their skills. High Stakes mode adds a gambling aspect to gameplay. Prior to the round start players are given their odds of winning, a bet is then placed, and the player either receives a payout or has credits deducted based on whether they win or lose. Finally, Hunt-a-Droid mode provides only roaming Imperial probe droids to shoot for target practice and is limited to three minutes. Each mode can be played with one or two players on the PlayStation, while the Dreamcast version supports up to four players.[3][4]

Setting

The backstory of Star Wars: Demolition is that the Empire declares a ban on Jabba the Hutt's sport of podracing. To replace this lucrative enterprise, Jabba creates a more life-threatening contest where combatants fight to the death in or on vehicles. Several combatants enter the competition. Boba Fett enters, opting to use only his jetpack. Fellow bounty hunter and occasional partner Aurra Sing also enters, a swoop bike her vehicle of choice. Other opponents mount various forms of tanks, landspeeders, and even a rancor to compete in this battle to the death.[4]

Development

Demolition was announced on April 14, 2000 via StarWars.com.[5] Luxoflux would develop the game while LucasArts would publish it, while in Europe the game would be co-published and distributed by Activision.[6] Before its release it was known as Star Wars: Demolition Racer. This would later be shortened to Star Wars: Demolition.[7] Luxoflux used the same game engine that was used in Vigilante 8 and its sequel Vigilante 8: Second Offense.[8] It was initially announced as a PlayStation exclusive;[9] in July 2000 it was rumoured that the game would come to Dreamcast.[10] This was confirmed the following month.[11] It was released in November 2000 in North America on both systems. A European release followed in December 2000.

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
DreamcastPS
AllGameStarStarStar[14]StarStarStar[15]
EGM7.5/10[17]6.33/10[18][lower-alpha 1]
Eurogamer4/10[21]N/A
Game Informer7/10[22]7/10[23]
GameFan45%[24]N/A
GameRevolutionB−[25]B−[25]
GameSpot7.4/10[3]6.7/10[26]
GameSpy6/10[27]N/A
IGN7.6/10[28]8/10[8]
Next GenerationStarStar[29]N/A
OPM (US)N/AStarStarStarHalf star[30]
The Cincinnati EnquirerStarStarStar[31]N/A
Aggregate score
Metacritic67/100[12]63/100[13]

Star Wars: Demolition received "mixed or average reviews" on both platforms according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[12][13]

Dan Elektro of GamePro's January 2001 issue felt that the PlayStation version's charm runs out quickly, providing little replay value.[32][lower-alpha 2] In the same issue, The Bamboo Carabao said of the Dreamcast version, "After a few hours of Demoltion, fun is the only thing that gets demolished."[33][lower-alpha 3] The reviewer of GameRevolution stated that gameplay is "definitely fun", but that with prolonged play it becomes easier notice the imbalance in gameplay.[25] The game was critically panned in retrospective playthroughs and reviews of the game. Game Informer staff members Andrew Reiner, Jeff Cork, Jeff Marchiafava, and Kyle Hilliard found the game appalling in a replay. During the gameplay one staff member asked "How does it feel?" "Oh, it's awful!" was the reply.[34] The staff felt the battles were too long, gameplay was confusing, and that it was too difficult to damage enemies.[34] It also made Game Informer's list of Six Games We Don't Mind Being Ejected From Star Wars Canon.[35]

In a somewhat more positive review IGN's Anthony Chau, who reviewed the Dreamcast version, noted that despite the game's flaws he enjoyed playing Demolition "in small amounts of time."[28] Chau's colleague David Smith, who reviewed the PlayStation version, said that the game was a "very well-done spiritual successor to the first Vigilante 8, though, fixing many of the problems with Second Offense."[8] Joe Fielder of GameSpot said that the game can seem like "some half-baked attempt to cash in on the Star Wars license, though it's actually a competently executed game."[3] Eric Bratcher of NextGen compared the Dreamcast version to the video game adaptation of Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, saying, "All the pieces are there, but they just don't amount to anything."[29]

Notes

  1. ↑ Two critics of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the PlayStation version each a score of 6.5/10, and the other gave it 6/10.
  2. ↑ GamePro gave the PlayStation version 4/5 for graphics, two 3.5/5 scores for sound and control, and 3/5 for fun factor.
  3. ↑ GamePro gave the Dreamcast version three 3/5 scores for graphics, control, and fun factor, and 4/5 for sound.

References

  1. ↑ "New Releases". http://www.ebworld.com/ebx/categories/newReleases/morenr-DC.asp. 
  2. ↑ "Star Wars: Demolition". http://psx.ign.com/games/14634.html. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Fielder, Joe (November 21, 2000). "Star Wars Demolition Review (DC)". Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/star-wars-demolition-review/1900-2657003/. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Star Wars: Demolition - Dreamcast. LucasArts. November 19, 2000. https://www.gamesdatabase.org/Media/SYSTEM/Sega_Dreamcast/manual/Formated/Star_Wars-_Demolition_-_2000_-_LucasArts_-_Lucasfilm.pdf. Retrieved January 14, 2024. 
  5. ↑ "The Demolition Starts This Fall". April 21, 2000. http://www.starwars.com/gaming/videogames/news/news20000421.html. 
  6. ↑ "Star Wars Demolition Comes Exclusively to PlayStation". 20 April 2000. https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/04/20/star-wars-demolition-comes-exclusively-to-playstation. 
  7. ↑ Stahl, Ben (August 15, 2000). "Star Wars: Demolition Racer Preview". Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/articles/star-wars-demolition-racer-preview/1100-2616089/. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Smith, David (November 17, 2000). "Star Wars: Demolition (PS)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/11/18/star-wars-demolition-2. 
  9. ↑ IGN staff (April 19, 2000). "Star Wars Demolition Comes Exclusively to PlayStation". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/04/20/star-wars-demolition-comes-exclusively-to-playstation. 
  10. ↑ Justice, Brandon (July 28, 2000). "Star Wars Demolition Ready to Wreck on Dreamcast". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/07/29/star-wars-demolition-ready-to-wreck-on-dreamcast. 
  11. ↑ Musgrave, Shawn (August 15, 2000). "Star Wars Demolition Prepares to Crash Into Dreamcast". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/08/16/star-wars-demolition-prepares-to-crash-into-dreamcast. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 "Star Wars: Demolition critic reviews (DC)". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/star-wars-demolition/critic-reviews/?platform=dreamcast. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Star Wars: Demolition critic reviews (PS)". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/star-wars-demolition/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation. 
  14. ↑ Thompson, Jon. "Star Wars: Demolition (DC) - Review". All Media Network. http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=26577&tab=review. 
  15. ↑ Barnes, J.C.. "Star Wars: Demolition (PS) - Review". All Media Network. http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=25400&tab=review. 
  16. ↑ Hicks, Cliff (December 11, 2000). "Star Wars: Demolition - PlayStation Review". CNET. http://www.gamecenter.com/Psx/Reviews/Swd/. 
  17. ↑ Kujawa, Kraig (February 2001). "Star Wars Demolition (DS)". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (139): 132. https://retrocdn.net/images/e/e5/EGM_US_139.pdf. Retrieved January 14, 2024. 
  18. ↑ Davison, John; Hager, Dean; Kujawa, Kraig (February 2001). "Star Wars Demolition (PS)". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (139): 139. http://www.zdnet.com/egm/stories/main/0,11589,2668362,00.html. Retrieved August 24, 2014. 
  19. ↑ Koval, Rob (December 27, 2000). "Star Wars Demolition (DC)". Greedy Productions Ltd.. http://www.elecplay.com/review.html?article=4779&full=1#mr_toppy. 
  20. ↑ Koval, Rob (December 21, 2000). "Star Wars Demolition (PSX)". Greedy Productions Ltd.. http://www.elecplay.com/review.html?article=4780&full=1#mr_toppy. 
  21. ↑ Rich Self (January 12, 2001). "Star Wars: Demolition (DC)". Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_swdemolition_dc. 
  22. ↑ Reiner, Andrew (January 2001). "Star Wars: Demolition (DC)". Game Informer (FuncoLand) (93): 118. 
  23. ↑ Reiner, Andrew (January 2001). "Star Wars: Demolition (PS)". Game Informer (FuncoLand) (93): 105. http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200101/R03.0805.1023.31949.htm. Retrieved August 24, 2014. 
  24. ↑ "REVIEW for Star Wars: Demolition (DC)". GameFan (BPA International). November 29, 2000. 
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 G-Wok (November 2000). "Star Wars: Demolition Review". CraveOnline. https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/32242-star-wars-demolition-review. 
  26. ↑ Fielder, Joe (November 21, 2000). "Star Wars Demolition Review (PS)". Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/star-wars-demolition-review/1900-2657018/. 
  27. ↑ digitaltaco (December 19, 2000). "Star Wars Demolition". IGN Entertainment. http://www.planetdreamcast.com/games/reviews/starwarsdemolition/. 
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 Chau, Anthony (November 21, 2000). "Star Wars Demolition (DC)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/11/22/star-wars-demolition. 
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 Bratcher, Eric (March 2001). "Star Wars Demolition (DC)". NextGen (Imagine Media) (75): 86. https://archive.org/details/NextGen75Mar2001/page/n87/mode/2up. Retrieved May 12, 2022. 
  30. ↑ Davison, John (February 2001). "Star Wars Demolition". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine (Ziff Davis) (41): 94–95. https://archive.org/details/official-u.-s.-playstation-magazine-issue-41-february-2001/page/94/mode/2up. Retrieved January 14, 2024. 
  31. ↑ Saltzman, Marc (January 10, 2001). "Star Wars Demolition (DC)". The Cincinnati Enquirer. http://www.cincinnati.com/freetime/games/reviews/011001_swdemolition.html. 
  32. ↑ Dan Elektro (January 2001). "Star Wars Demolition (PS)". GamePro (IDG) (148): 85. http://www.gamepro.com/sony/psx/games/reviews/10400.shtml. Retrieved January 14, 2024. 
  33. ↑ The Bamboo Carabao (January 2001). "Star Wars: Demolition (DC)". GamePro (IDG) (148): 105. https://retrocdn.net/images/e/e6/GamePro_US_148.pdf. Retrieved January 14, 2024. 
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 Hilliard, Kyle (September 23, 2016). "Replay – Star Wars: Demolition". Game Informer (GameStop). https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2016/09/23/replay-star-wars-demolition.aspx. Retrieved January 14, 2024. 
  35. ↑ Hilliard, Kyle (April 27, 2014). "Six Games We Don't Mind Seeing Ejected From Star Wars Canon". Game Informer (GameStop). https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2014/04/27/six-games-we-don-t-mind-seeing-ejected-from-star-wars-canon.aspx. Retrieved January 14, 2024. 
  • Official website archived via the Wayback Machine
  • 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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