Software:Strike Force Bowling

From HandWiki
Short description: 2004 video game
Strike Force Bowling
PAL region cover art
Developer(s)LAB Rats Games
Publisher(s)Enlight Software
EngineRenderWare
Platform(s)Windows, GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox
ReleaseWindows
  • NA: January 7, 2004 (Fast Lanes)
PlayStation 2, Xbox
  • NA: May 10, 2004
  • PAL: March 25, 2005 (PS2)
GameCube
Genre(s)Sports
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Strike Force Bowling is a video game of the sports genre released in 2004 by LAB Rats. A previous game, Fast Lanes Bowling, was published by Enlight Software for Microsoft Windows. The two games are similar as they share the same physics engine and graphics, although Strike Force featured more locations as well as left-handed, and reverse-hook bowlers. LAB Rats assisted in the development of Brunswick Pro Bowling so the game has the same physics engine, but has a more fantasy-oriented theme. Strike Force features 14 places to Bowl (12 in Fast Lanes) and 8 Playable characters. There are only 7 locations, but each has its own "nighttime" variant which is unlocked as a secret stage. It also features Golf Mode, Challenge Mode, Skins, and Tournaments. There are also 14 different bowling balls to use, such as the Lightning, and level specific ones like the Bone Crasher and Pharaoh's Magic.

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
GCPCPS2Xbox
CGMN/AStarStarHalf star[2]N/AN/A
Game InformerN/AN/A5/10[3]5/10[3]
GameSpot5.2/10[4]5.2/10[5]5.2/10[6]5.2/10[6]
GameZone4/10[7]N/A6.5/10[8]6.5/10[9]
IGN4/10[1]N/A4/10[10]4/10[11]
Nintendo Power2.6/5[12]N/AN/AN/A
OPM (US)N/AN/AStarHalf star[13]N/A
PC Gamer (US)N/A45%[14]N/AN/A
TeamXboxN/AN/AN/A5.6/10[15]
X-PlayN/AN/AStarStar[16]N/A
Aggregate score
Metacritic47/100[17]51/100[18]48/100[19]54/100[20]

The Xbox version and Fast Lanes Bowling received "mixed" reviews, while the PlayStation 2 and GameCube versions received "generally unfavorable reviews", according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[17][18][19][20] TeamXbox gave the game a mixed review about two months before its U.S. release date.[15]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sulic, Ivan (May 5, 2005). "Strike Force Bowling (GCN)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/05/05/strike-force-bowling. Retrieved October 25, 2018. 
  2. ↑ "Fast Lanes Bowling". Computer Games Magazine (theGlobe.com): 75. April 2004. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Juba, Joe (July 2004). "Strike Force Bowling (PS2, Xbox)". Game Informer (GameStop) (135): 112. 
  4. ↑ Gerstmann, Jeff (June 3, 2005). "Strike Force Bowling Review (GC)". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/strike-force-bowling-review/1900-6126932/. Retrieved October 25, 2018. 
  5. ↑ Gerstmann, Jeff (January 27, 2004). "Fast Lanes Bowling Review". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/fast-lanes-bowling-review/1900-6087078/. Retrieved October 27, 2018. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Gerstmann, Jeff (May 28, 2004). "Strike Force Bowling Review (PS2, Xbox)". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/strike-force-bowling-review/1900-6099572/. Retrieved October 25, 2018. 
  7. ↑ Romano, Natalie (June 10, 2005). "Strike Force Bowling - GC - Review". https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/strike_force_bowling_gc_review/. 
  8. ↑ Lafferty, Michael (May 7, 2004). "Strike Force Bowling - PS2 - Review". https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/strike_force_bowling_ps2_review/. 
  9. ↑ Lafferty, Michael (May 7, 2004). "Strike Force Bowling - XB - Review". https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/strike_force_bowling_xb_review/. 
  10. ↑ Sulic, Ivan (April 29, 2004). "Strike Force Bowling (PS2)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/04/29/strike-force-bowling-3. Retrieved October 25, 2018. 
  11. ↑ Sulic, Ivan (April 30, 2004). "Strike Force Bowling (Xbox)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/04/30/strike-force-bowling-2. Retrieved October 25, 2018. 
  12. ↑ "Strike Force Bowling". Nintendo Power (Nintendo of America) 180: 100. April 2005. 
  13. ↑ "Strike Force Bowling". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine (Ziff Davis): 97. July 2004. 
  14. ↑ Chandra, Omeed (April 2004). "Fast Lanes Bowling". PC Gamer (Future US) 11 (4): 78. http://www.pcgamer.com/archives/2005/07/fast_lanes_bowl.html. Retrieved October 27, 2018. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Nardozzi, Dale (March 7, 2004). "Strike Force Bowling Review (Xbox)". IGN Entertainment. http://reviews.teamxbox.com/xbox/742/Strike-Force-Bowling/p1. 
  16. ↑ Marriott, Scott Alan (July 6, 2004). "Strike Force Bowling (PS2) Review". G4techTV. http://www.g4techtv.com/xplay/features/47675/Strike_Force_Bowling_PS2_Review.html. 
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 "Strike Force Bowling for GameCube Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/strike-force-bowling/critic-reviews/?platform=gamecube. Retrieved October 25, 2018. 
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 "Fast Lanes Bowling for PC Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/fast-lanes-bowling/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. Retrieved October 27, 2018. 
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 "Strike Force Bowling for PlayStation 2 Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/strike-force-bowling/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2. Retrieved October 25, 2018. 
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 "Strike Force Bowling for Xbox Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/strike-force-bowling/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox. Retrieved October 25, 2018. 
  • 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



  • 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




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