Software:Super Stardust Delta

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Short description: 2012 video game
Super Stardust Delta
PlayStation Store icon
Developer(s)Housemarque
Publisher(s)Sony Computer Entertainment
Director(s)Harri Tikkanen
Producer(s)Mark O'Connor
Designer(s)Amar Djouad
Henri Mustonen
Programmer(s)Jere "XMunkki" Sanisalo
Markku Velinen
Composer(s)Ari Pulkkinen
SeriesStardust
Platform(s)PlayStation Vita
Release
  • JP: 19 January 2012
  • NA: 15 February 2012
  • PAL: 22 February 2012
Genre(s)Multidirectional shooter
Mode(s)Single-player

Super Stardust Delta is a 2012 multidirectional shooter video game developed by Housemarque and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation Vita. It is part of Housemarque's Stardust series and a sequel to Super Stardust HD.[1]

Gameplay

Using the PlayStation Vita's dual analog sticks, players control a starship orbiting a generic planet. The planet's orbit acts as the playfield, filled with asteroids, lasers, and enemies for the player to destroy or avoid. In the main arcade mode, there are 5 planets, consisting of 5 phases each. At the end of each planet, the player encounters a boss, as in a traditional platform or adventure game.

The ship is equipped with a wide variety of weapons, smart bombs, a temporary shield, and a speed booster system to defend or attack. The ship has two projectile weapons of opposite polarities (Ice and Fire) that can be switched between on-the-fly. While one is effective against a certain type of enemy, it can be almost useless against another so players must quickly adapt to situations, constantly choosing which weapon to use against what. Each weapon can be powered up over the course of the game by collecting tokens as in "space invaders" (dropped onto orbit from destroyed enemy craft/asteroids). The ship is also able to collect and deploy smart bombs, which usually clear most of the playfield. When deploying a smart bomb players can choose the desired effect: Black Hole, Missile Strike, or EMP bomb. The PlayStation Vita's touch-screen controls Missile Strike, rear touch opens Black Hole, and motion control (shaking) deploys the EMP Bomb.

Other unique features of Super Stardust Delta are that the view can be tilted to see around the planet, and the ship's speed boost system has a slow-motion feature that enables players to navigate the ship with more precision while boosting. Super Stardust Delta also has 11 unique game modes, more than in any of the preceding titles in the series. Each game mode has its own unique challenges and scenarios. The different game modes are "Arcade", "Planets", "Endless", "Bomber", "Impact", "Twin-Gun", "Crush!", "Disc Slide", "Orbit Bomber", "Rock & Roll", and "Trucker". The main game modes have three difficulty levels to choose from: "Casual", "Normal", or "Hardcore". Many of the game modes let players choose whether to play the game with the "Delta" or "Pure" control configuration. The "Delta" configuration allows gameplay with new features, with players using the touchscreen, motion controls, as well as button controls to play the game, enabling the Black Hole and Missile Strike smart bombs, as well as the speed boost getting the slow-motion feature. The "Pure" configuration features simple button controls only, and does not include the latter features.

Super Stardust Delta has global leaderboards accessible via PlayStation Network.

Downloadable content

The "Blast Pack" was available on launch day on the PlayStation Network. It gives players four new game modes. "Endless" provides ever-increasing waves of enemies and asteroids. "Bomber" tests how long players can survive when armed only with bombs. "Impact" tests how long players can keep their boost up; boosting through objects increases the boost meter. In "Twin-Gun" mode the player's ship two cannons which can be controlled simultaneously using the control sticks while motion controls are used for steering.

Development

Housemarque encountered two problems during the development which caused lowered FPS. The problems were poor rendering performance on the GPU and poor simulation speeds on the CPU.

To solve these issues Housemarque changed to lighter and more efficient shaders. They optimized the GPU performance through small tweaks like they rendered the Black Hole effect on the same shader as the "game grid" (planet orbit/playfield).

To increase simulation speed on the CPU, the development team created a custom gameplay architecture where all gameplay code runs multithreaded. This architecture uses a fiber based system to switch between active simulations, ensuring that all of the CPU cores are utilized efficiently. This allows most of the CPU cores to calculate collisions and frame updates for the whole frame duration.[2]

Soundtrack

The game has four soundtracks. Three of the soundtracks are made by Ari Pulkkinen, who also provided the soundtracks for Super Stardust HD and Super Stardust Portable. The soundtracks are: "Delta" (the new PlayStation Vita soundtrack), "Arcade" (original Super Stardust HD soundtrack), "Orchestral" (a DLC soundtrack for Super Stardust HD), and "Retro" (old retro music from Stardust games of the 90's, composed by Risto Vuori). For the Arcade and Orchestral soundtrack, new tracks are unlocked each time the game is started. The Retro soundtrack required the Near app and is no longer unlockable after its closure in 2017.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic82/100[3]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Destructoid7.5/10[4]
Edge8/10[5]
Eurogamer8/10[6]
Game Informer8/10[7]
GameRevolutionStarStarStarStar[8]
GameSpot7/10[9]
GameZone8.5/10[10]
Giant BombStarStarStarStar[11]
IGN9.5/10[12]
PSM8/10[13]
Digital SpyStarStarStar[14]
Metro7/10[15]

The game was reviewed on Metacritic.[3]

Carolyn Petit of GameSpot said the game is a "fitting launch game for the Vita's download store" due to its abundant use of color and flash that emphasizes the display capabilities of the PlayStation Vita, but Petit added that the gameplay was unoriginal and similar to other dual-stick shooters in the genre.[16]

References

  1. ↑ Square, Push (2012-03-11). "Review: Super Stardust Delta (PlayStation Vita)" (in en-GB). https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/psnvita/super_stardust_delta. 
  2. ↑ Chubin, Nathalia (6 March 2012). "Super Stardust Delta Q&A". Sony Interactive Entertainment. https://blog.eu.playstation.com/2012/03/06/super-stardust-delta-qa-2/. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Super Stardust Delta for PlayStation Vita Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/super-stardust-delta/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-vita. Retrieved 8 March 2012. 
  4. ↑ Sterling, Jim (13 February 2012). "Review: Super Stardust Delta". Enthusiast Gaming. https://www.destructoid.com/review-super-stardust-delta-221639.phtml. 
  5. ↑ Edge staff (5 March 2012). "Super Stardust Delta review". Edge (Future plc). http://www.edge-online.com/reviews/super-stardust-delta-review. Retrieved 6 December 2018. 
  6. ↑ Matulef, Jeffrey (29 February 2012). "Super Stardust Delta Review". Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-02-28-super-stardust-delta-review. Retrieved 6 December 2018. 
  7. ↑ Cork, Jeff (13 February 2012). "Super Stardust Delta". Game Informer (GameStop). https://www.gameinformer.com/games/super_stardust_delta/b/playstation_vita/archive/2012/02/13/super-stardust-delta-review-the-frantic-formula-is-still-a-blast.aspx. 
  8. ↑ Severino, Anthony (22 February 2012). "Super StarDust Delta Review". CraveOnline. https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/54492-super-stardust-delta-review. Retrieved 6 December 2018. 
  9. ↑ Petit, Carolyn (17 February 2012). "Super Stardust Delta Review". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/super-stardust-delta-review/1900-6350683/. Retrieved 6 December 2018. 
  10. ↑ Workman, Robert (16 February 2012). "super Stardust Delta Review". https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/super-stardust-delta-review/. 
  11. ↑ Gerstmann, Jeff (13 February 2012). "Super Stardust Delta Review". CBS Interactive. https://www.giantbomb.com/reviews/super-stardust-delta-review/1900-465/. Retrieved 6 December 2018. 
  12. ↑ Moriarty, Colin (13 February 2012). "Super Stardust Delta Review". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/02/13/super-stardust-delta-review. Retrieved 6 December 2018. 
  13. ↑ "Review: Super Stardust Delta". PlayStation: The Official Magazine (Future plc) (58): 81. May 2012. 
  14. ↑ Langshaw, Mark (24 February 2012). "'Super Stardust Delta' review (Vita)". Hearst Communications. https://www.digitalspy.com/gaming/a367689/super-stardust-delta-review-vita/. 
  15. ↑ Hargreaves, Roger (28 February 2012). "Super Stardust Delta review - asteroid collision". Metro (DMG Media). https://metro.co.uk/2012/02/28/super-stardust-delta-review-asteroid-collision-333507/. Retrieved 6 December 2018. 
  16. ↑ Petit, Carolyn. "Super Stardust Delta Review". https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/super-stardust-delta-review/1900-6350683/. 
  • Super Stardust Delta at the Housemarque website
  • 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 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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