Software:Stuntman (video game)

From HandWiki
Stuntman
Early European cover art (the actual release has Atari's logo instead of Infogrames)
Developer(s)Reflections Interactive[lower-alpha 1]
Publisher(s)Infogrames[lower-alpha 2]
Composer(s)Marc Canham[1]
Platform(s)PlayStation 2, Game Boy Advance
ReleasePlayStation 2
  • NA: 25 June 2002
  • EU: 6 September 2002
Game Boy Advance
  • NA: 24 June 2003
  • EU: 4 July 2003
Genre(s)Action-adventure, racing
Mode(s)Single-player

Stuntman is the name of two action-adventure racing video games; one was developed by Reflections Interactive for the PlayStation 2, and the other by Velez & Dubail for the Game Boy Advance, with both being published by Infogrames under the Atari brand name. The games focus around the career of a motion-picture stuntman. It takes the player through various movies in which they perform dangerous stunts as called by the game.

Critical reaction to Stuntman varied. The game was hailed for its innovative gameplay and physics, but was criticised for being linear and its difficulty level requiring too many retries of levels. The game was followed up with a sequel titled Stuntman, in 2007.

Gameplay

Stuntman has three single-player modes: Stuntman Career, Stunt Construction and Driving Games. In Stuntman Career, the player must attempt a series of car chase stunt scenes. Each track has several stunts, which are indicated with visual cues and in voice. The player must complete each track in a limited time and with a specified accuracy of the stunts to be able to proceed to the next scene.[2] After all the scenes of the film are completed, a theatrical trailer of the film is shown that combines pre-rendered scenes with highlights from the car scenes based on the actual performance of the player. After succeeding in a scene, the player is rewarded with money based on accuracy and time, and the unlocking of vehicles and tools for the construction mode. After completing a scene, the player can watch playback and optionally save it.[3]

The career mode allows the player to participate in six films, each filmed in a different location and a different genre. Toothless in Wapping is a gangster film made in London (mainly set within the docks and smaller parts of the downtown area) and resembles Snatch and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (both of which were directed by Guy Ritchie and starring Jason Statham). A Whoopin' and a Hollerin' is inspired by Dukes of Hazzard set in rural Louisiana. Blood Oath is filmed in Bangkok and is inspired by John Woo-films. Conspiracy is a Tom Clancy-type thriller where the player uses a snowmobile in Switzerland . The Scarab of Lost Souls is based on the Indiana Jones films where the player uses a jeep and troop carrier in Egypt. Live Twice for Tomorrow is a parody of James Bond where the player uses sports cars in Monaco. Between films, the player must perform stunts in front of crowds at a stadium.[2][3]

The Stunt Construction mode allows the player to create their own stunts by placing equipment in an arena and then perform the stunts.[3] The Driving Games mode involves tests of vehicle control, such as manoeuvrability, precision and timing.[4]

Development

The game was first announced by Reflections on 1 May 2001.[5] and was fully showcased at E3 2001 a week later although no release date was planned at the time. It was rumoured by an Infogrames employee to an IGN reporter that an Xbox version would be planned.[6] Stuntman was also shown off during Infogrames' "Gamers Day" event on 8 November 2001,[7] and was later revealed by the company in December that it would be released within the second quarter of 2002.[8]

It was showcased at E3 2002 a month prior to its release in June.[9] The game's soundtrack contains two songs by Overseer: "Basstrap" and "Velocity Shift".[2]

In April 2003, Infogrames announced a version of the game would be released for the Game Boy Advance, developed by Velez and Dubail, on a modified version of the game engine used for their V-Rally 3 port, and would be released in Europe in June.[10] A North American release was soon confirmed for June as well, with the game finally shipping on June 25.[11][12] In the same month, Infogrames announced that Stuntman and Test Drive would be re-released under Sony's Greatest Hits range, with Stuntman releasing in June, a year after its initial release.[13]

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
GBAPS2
AllGameN/AStarStarHalf star[14]
EdgeN/A5/10[15]
EGMN/A7/10[16]
Eurogamer7/10[17]N/A
FamitsuN/A28/40[18]
Game Informer8.75/10[19]9.25/10[20]
GameProN/AStarStarStar[21]
GameRevolutionN/AB−[22]
GameSpot7.9/10[23]8/10[3]
GameSpyStarStar[24]StarStarHalf star[25]
GameZoneN/A8.3/10[26]
IGN8.5/10[27]8.6/10[4]
Nintendo Power3.8/5[28]N/A
OPM (US)N/AStarStarStar[29]
Entertainment WeeklyN/AC[30]
MaximN/A8/10[31]
Aggregate score
Metacritic77/100[32]71/100[33]

The Game Boy Advance version received "favorable" reviews, while the PlayStation 2 version received "mixed or average" reviews according to video game review aggregator Metacritic.[33][32] GameSpot named Stuntman the third-best video game of June 2002.[34]

Maxim gave the PS2 version a score of eight out of ten and said, "If you think the best parts of movies involve explosions, car chases, and death-defying leaps (is there anything else?), then this homage to Hollywood’s unsung lunatics is just the thing for you."[31] However, FHM gave the same version a score of three stars out of five and called it a "Genuinely great idea, but incredibly frustrating."[35] Entertainment Weekly gave said version a C and advised players to "Wear a helmet while playing, because you'll be banging your head against the TV in frustration."[30] In Japan, Famitsu gave the same version a score of all four sevens for a total of 28 out of 40.[18]

References

  1. ↑ "Marc Canham". https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2169909/. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Atari (2002). Stuntman. https://www.gamesdatabase.org/Media/SYSTEM/Sony_Playstation_2/manual/Formated/Stuntman_-_2002_-_Infogrames.pdf. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 MacDonald, Ryan (24 June 2002). "Stuntman Review (PS2)". http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/stuntman-review/1900-2872044/. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Dunham, Jeremy (19 June 2002). "Stuntman (PS2)". http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/06/19/stuntman. 
  5. ↑ "First Screens: Stuntman". 30 April 2001. https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/04/30/first-screens-stuntman. 
  6. ↑ "E3 2001: Stuntman Heads to Xbox?". 18 May 2001. https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/05/18/e3-2001-stuntman-heads-to-xbox. 
  7. ↑ "Stuntman". 8 November 2001. https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/11/08/stuntman-5. 
  8. ↑ "Infogrames Updates Lineup". 18 December 2001. https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/12/18/infogrames-updates-lineup. 
  9. ↑ "E3 2002: Stuntman Impressions". 23 May 2002. https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/05/23/e3-2002-stuntman-impressions. 
  10. ↑ "Stuntman Revealed". 10 April 2003. https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/04/10/stuntman-revealed. 
  11. ↑ "Stuntman". 28 April 2003. https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/04/28/stuntman-4. 
  12. ↑ "Infogrames Ships Stuntman for Playstation 2". June 25, 2002. http://ps2.gamezone.com/news/06_25_02_01_32PM.htm. 
  13. ↑ "Infogrames' New Hits". 21 April 2003. https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/04/21/infogrames-new-hits. 
  14. ↑ Marriott, Scott Alan. "Stuntman (PS2) - Review". AllGame. http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=34822&tab=review. 
  15. ↑ Edge staff (September 2002). "Stuntman (PS2)". Edge (114). 
  16. ↑ EGM staff (August 2002). "Stuntman (PS2)". Electronic Gaming Monthly: 128. 
  17. ↑ Reed, Kristan (22 July 2003). "Stuntman (GBA)". http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_stuntman_gba. 
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 "Famitsu review scores". Green Hill Zone Forums. 24 August 2005. http://www.greenhillzone.co.uk/forums/index.php?showtopic=1526. 
  19. ↑ Helgeson, Matt (September 2003). "Stuntman (GBA)". Game Informer (125): 125. http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200309/R03.0821.1136.25910.htm. Retrieved 10 April 2015. 
  20. ↑ McNamara, Andy (July 2002). "Stuntman (PS2)". Game Informer (111): 78. http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200207/R03.0731.1520.25452.htm. Retrieved 10 April 2015. 
  21. ↑ Air Hendrix (25 June 2002). "Stuntman Review for PS2 on GamePro.com". GamePro. http://gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/24544.shtml. Retrieved 10 April 2015. 
  22. ↑ Sanders, Shawn (July 2002). "Stuntman Review (PS2)". Game Revolution. http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/stuntman. 
  23. ↑ Provo, Frank (12 August 2003). "Stuntman Review (GBA)". http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/stuntman-review/1900-6073314/. 
  24. ↑ Fisher, Russ (6 August 2003). "GameSpy: Stuntman (GBA)". GameSpy. http://gba.gamespy.com/gameboy-advance/stuntman/6075p1.html. 
  25. ↑ Turner, Benjamin (24 June 2002). "GameSpy: Stuntman (PS2)". GameSpy. http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/stuntman/605210p1.html. 
  26. ↑ Bedigian, Louis (30 June 2002). "Stuntman - PS2 - Review". GameZone. http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/stuntman_ps2_review. 
  27. ↑ Harris, Craig (1 August 2003). "Stuntman (GBA)". http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/08/01/stuntman-2. 
  28. ↑ "Stuntman". Nintendo Power 172: 141. October 2003. 
  29. ↑ "Stuntman". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine: 106. August 2002. 
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 Robischon, Noah (28 June 2002). "Stuntman (PS2)". Entertainment Weekly (660–61): 146. http://www.ew.com/article/2002/06/28/stuntman. Retrieved 10 April 2015. 
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 Boyce, Ryan (28 June 2002). "Stuntman (PS2)". Maxim. http://www.maximonline.com/entertainment/reviews/review_games_3504.html. Retrieved 10 April 2015. 
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 "Stuntman for Game Boy Advance Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/stuntman/critic-reviews/?platform=game-boy-advance. 
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 "Stuntman for PlayStation 2 Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/stuntman/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2. 
  34. ↑ ((The Editors of GameSpot VG)) (July 5, 2002). "Video Game of the Month, June 2002". GameSpot. http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/gotm/070502/. 
  35. ↑ Moynihan, David (8 September 2002). "Stuntman (PS2)". FHM. http://www.fhm.com/games/reviews/gamereview.asp?intID=1981. Retrieved 10 April 2015. 
  1. ↑ Velez & Dubail developed the Game Boy Advance version.
  2. ↑ Released under the Atari brand name
  • 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.

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