Software:Starlancer

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Starlancer
Windows cover art
Developer(s)Warthog Games
Digital Anvil
Publisher(s)
Dreamcast
Producer(s)Erin D. Roberts
Designer(s)Nick Elms
Philip Meller
Erin D. Roberts
Rob Taylor-Hendry
Programmer(s)Paul Hughes
Derek Senior
Artist(s)Nick Elms
Philip Meller
Composer(s)David Blinston
Ian Livingstone
Platform(s)Windows, Dreamcast
Release
Genre(s)Space simulator
Mode(s)Single player, multiplayer

Starlancer is a space-based science fiction flight simulator computer game, created by Erin and Chris Roberts, and developed by Warthog Games under the auspices of Digital Anvil.

Plot

It is the year 2160. Mankind has colonized the solar system and two political entities have emerged: the Alliance consisting of American, Australian, France , Spain , Italian, Japan ese, British and Germany forces, and The Coalition of Russia n, China and Middle-Eastern interests. The game begins with a surprise attack on Fort Kennedy, where a peace treaty turns into a bloodbath: all of the inner four planets are overrun, including Terra herself, and the Italian and French fleets are utterly lost. The Alliance fleet regroups at Triton, Neptune's moon, and attempts to regain lost territory. The player takes the role of a rookie pilot in the international 45th Volunteers squadron, under the command of Captain Robert Foster and Wing Commander Maria Enriquez, aboard the re-commissioned British carrier ANS Reliant.

Gameplay

As with Wing Commander, the pilot's flying ability is the only measure by which success and failure are defined, though Starlancer does not feature as many branching mission paths. As in Wing Commander I the pilot may be promoted throughout the course of the campaign; unlike WCI, their rank determines which fighters and missiles they may choose to employ during each mission. The game provides a "virtual carrier" through which to navigate, including nearby crewmembers whose reaction to you depends on your current rank and standing. The game uses textual and video news broadcasts to keep the player informed as to the status of the rest of the war. Players frequently find themselves flying alongside squadrons and pilots they have heard about on the news just recently, providing a dose of "celebrity exposure" and this gives the sense that the player is just one part of a much larger war effort.

Starlancer's story is continued in Chris Roberts' Freelancer project, though the two belong to different subgenres (the first is purely focused on action, the latter also features trading and the player can freely move through the game's universe when they are not on a mission).

The game allows the player to take control of 12 fighter-class ships, advancing in different areas, such as top speed, agility, armor, and shield power. Each have a number of hard points which can be used to mount weapons like guided missiles and dumb rockets. Ships are issued to the player as his or her achievements increase.

Starlancer was also available on the Dreamcast console. GameSpy hosted its online play with up to six players at once. Although most of the graphics and frame rate were intact, the game did not include the intricate menu system and options that the PC had. The Dreamcast supported eight players online and can still be played online today via private servers.[5][6]

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
DreamcastPC
AllGameStarStarStar[9]StarStarStarStar[10]
CGSPN/AStarStarStarHalf star[12]
CGWN/AStarStarStarHalf star[13]
EGM7.33/10[14][lower-alpha 1]N/A
Eurogamer7/10[17]7/10[18]
Game Informer7/10[19]N/A
GameRevolutionB+[20]B+[21]
GameSpot7.1/10[22]7.7/10[23]
GameSpy6/10[24]92%[25]
IGN8.8/10[26]9.2/10[27]
Next GenerationStarStarStar[28]StarStarStarStar[29]
PC Gamer (US)N/A75%[30]
Aggregate score
Metacritic79/100[7]78/100[8]

The game received "generally favorable reviews" on both platforms according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[7][8] Chris Kramer of NextGen said of the PC version in its July 2000 issue, "You'll definitely love StarLancer on its own, and as an appetite for next year's FreeLancer [sic], we're already salivating."[29] (Ironically, Freelancer was not released until 2003.) Seven issues later, however, Kevin Rice said that the Dreamcast version "doesn't give the same intense experience as its big brother on PC, but it's still OK. Just be prepared to wrestle with controls beyond movement and weapons."[28]

Kevin "BIFF" Giacobbi of GameZone gave the PC version nine out of ten, calling it "a beautiful game in which one will find hours of entertainment."[31] Brian Wright of GamePro said called the same PC version "a solid game that action fans are sure to enjoy."[32][lower-alpha 2] Later, Air Hendrix said, "If you've played the PC version of StarLancer, the Dreamcast version offers nothing new—the missions are identical. But StarLancer's thrilling space combat gives Dreamcast pilots a lot to get pumped about."[33][lower-alpha 3]

The PC version was commercially unsuccessful.[34][35] PC Data reported its sales at 28,685 units and revenues at $1.21 million in the U.S. by July 2000, which Mark Asher of CNET Gamecenter described as a "major disappointment". He cited this performance as part of a trend of falling sales for space flight simulators and the wider flight simulator genre.[35] According to designer Eric Peterson, the game ultimately sold around 400,000 units by late 2001—below expectations at Digital Anvil.[34]

The PC version was a runner-up for "Best Game No One Played" at IGN's Best of 2000 Awards.[36] It was also a finalist for the "Sci-fi Simulation of the Year" award at GameSpot's Best and Worst of 2000 Awards, which went to MechWarrior 4.[37]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ In Electronic Gaming Monthly's review of the Dreamcast version, two critics gave it each a score of 7/10, and the other 8/10.
  2. ↑ GamePro gave the PC version two 4.5/5 scores for graphics and sound, and two 4/5 scores for control and fun factor.
  3. ↑ GamePro gave the Dreamcast version all 4.5/5 scores for graphics, sound, control, and fun factor.

References

  1. ↑ Fudge, James (May 3, 2000). "StarLancer Ships". Strategy Plus, Inc.. http://www.cdmag.com/articles/027/141/starlancer_ships.html. 
  2. ↑ Bye, John "Gestalt" (April 28, 2000). "UK releases". Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/article-27283. 
  3. ↑ Bramwell, Tom (March 23, 2001). "PS2 welcomes software boost". Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/article-30393. 
  4. ↑ GameSpot staff (December 6, 2000). "Starlancer [sic ships"]. Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/articles/starlancer-ships/1100-2661992/. 
  5. ↑ pcwzrd13 (May 2, 2017). Game Night Highlights: Starlancer | 4/26/2017 | Dreamcast Online Multiplayer. YouTube. Google. Archived from the original on December 11, 2021.{{cite AV media}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  6. ↑ "Games". https://dreamcastlive.net/games/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "StarLancer critic reviews (DC)". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/starlancer/critic-reviews/?platform=dreamcast. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "StarLancer critic reviews (PC)". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/starlancer/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. 
  9. ↑ Thompson, Jon. "StarLancer (DC) - Review". All Media Network. http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=25390&tab=review. 
  10. ↑ Woods, Nick. "StarLancer (PC) - Review". All Media Network. http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=19518&tab=review. 
  11. ↑ Chick, Tom (April 27, 2000). "StarLancer (PC)". CNET. http://www.gamecenter.com/Reviews/Item/0,6,0-4052,00.html. 
  12. ↑ Sones, Benjamin E. (June 5, 2000). "Starlancer". Strategy Plus, Inc.. http://www.cdmag.com/articles/028/068/starlancer_review.html. 
  13. ↑ McDonald, Thomas L. (August 2000). "StarLost (StarLancer Review)". Computer Gaming World (Ziff Davis) (193): 100–1. https://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_193.pdf. Retrieved July 15, 2023. 
  14. ↑ Sewart, Greg; Kujawa, Kraig; Boyer, Crispin (January 2001). "StarLancer". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (138): 195. https://archive.org/details/Electronic_Gaming_Monthly_138_January_2001_U/page/n193/mode/2up. Retrieved December 14, 2021. 
  15. ↑ Grant, Jules (March 8, 2001). "Starlancer (DC)". Greedy Productions Ltd.. http://www.elecplay.com/reviews_article.php?article=5305. 
  16. ↑ Harris, Neil (June 12, 2000). "Starlancer (PC)". Greedy Productions Ltd.. http://www.elecplay.com/review.html?article=2598&full=1#mr_toppy. 
  17. ↑ Bramwell, Tom (February 28, 2001). "Starlancer (Dreamcast)". Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/r-starlancer-dc. 
  18. ↑ Bye, John "Gestalt" (May 30, 2000). "Starlancer (PC)". Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/starlancer. 
  19. ↑ Brogger, Kristian (December 2000). "Starlancer (DC)". Game Informer (FuncoLand) (92): 117. 
  20. ↑ Archer, Erik (January 2001). "Starlancer Review (DC)". CraveOnline. https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/32241-starlancer-review. 
  21. ↑ Johnny B. (May 2000). "StarLancer - PC Review". CraveOnline. https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/32826-starlancer-review-2. 
  22. ↑ Gerstmann, Jeff (December 6, 2000). "StarLancer Review (DC) [date mislabeled as "May 17, 2006""]. Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/starlancer-review/1900-2662018/. 
  23. ↑ Janicki, P. Stefan "Desslock" (May 19, 2000). "StarLancer Review (PC) [date mislabeled as "May 8, 2000""]. Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/starlancer-review/1900-2565290/. 
  24. ↑ Mr. Domino (February 12, 2001). "Starlancer". IGN Entertainment. http://www.planetdreamcast.com/games/reviews/starlancer/. 
  25. ↑ McConnaughy, Tim (May 4, 2000). "Starlancer". IGN Entertainment. http://www.gamespy.com/legacy/reviews/starlancer_a.shtm. 
  26. ↑ Butts, Steve (November 27, 2000). "Starlancer (DC)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/11/28/starlancer. 
  27. ↑ Butts, Steve (April 28, 2000). "Starlancer (PC)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/04/29/starlancer-3. 
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 Rice, Kevin (February 2001). "StarLancer (DC)". NextGen (Imagine Media) (74): 76. https://archive.org/details/NextGen74Feb2001/page/n77/mode/2up. Retrieved December 13, 2021. 
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 Kramer, Chris (July 2000). "StarLancer (PC)". NextGen (Imagine Media) (67): 95. https://archive.org/details/NextGen67Jul2000/page/n95/mode/2up. Retrieved December 13, 2021. 
  30. ↑ Kuo, Li C. (July 2000). "StarLancer". PC Gamer (Imagine Media) 7 (7): 84. http://www.pcgamer.com/archives/2005/06/starlancer.html. Retrieved December 13, 2021. 
  31. ↑ Giacobbi, Kevin "BIFF" (May 1, 2000). "StarLancer (PC)". http://www.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r12353.htm. 
  32. ↑ Wright, Brian (June 6, 2000). "StarLancer Review for PC on GamePro.com". GamePro (IDG). http://www.gamepro.com/computer/pc/games/reviews/5805.shtml. Retrieved December 14, 2021. 
  33. ↑ Air Hendrix (January 2001). "StarLancer Review for Dreamcast on GamePro.com". GamePro (IDG) (148): 98. https://retrocdn.net/images/e/e6/GamePro_US_148.pdf. Retrieved January 9, 2024. 
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 Korda, Martin (December 2001). "Talking Heads". PC Zone (Dennis Publishing) (109): 132–34. https://archive.org/details/PC_Zone_Issue_109_2001-12_Dennis_Publishing_GB/page/n131/mode/2up. Retrieved December 13, 2021. 
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 Asher, Mark (July 14, 2000). "Game Spin: Crunching Diablo II Numbers". CNET. http://www.gamecenter.com/News/Item/0,3,0-4466,00.html. 
  36. ↑ IGN staff (January 26, 2001). "Best of 2000 Awards (PC: Best Game No One Played)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/01/27/best-of-2000-awards-2. 
  37. ↑ GameSpot staff (2001). "Best and Worst of 2000 (Sci-fi Simulation of the Year, Nominees)". Ziff Davis. http://www.zdnet.com/gamespot/features/pc/bestof_2000/p3_11.html. 
  • 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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