Software:TNA Impact! (video game)

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TNA Impact!
NTSC Cover art featuring (clockwise from middle) Kurt Angle, Samoa Joe, Booker T, AJ Styles and Sting
Developer(s)Midway Studios Los Angeles
Point of View (Wii/PS2)
Publisher(s)Midway Games
Director(s)Sal DiVita
Designer(s)Mark Turmell
Programmer(s)Brock Feldman
Artist(s)Paul Interrante
Composer(s)Dale Oliver
EngineUnreal Engine 3 (PS3/Xbox 360)
Platform(s)
ReleasePlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
  • NA: September 9, 2008
  • PAL: September 12, 2008
Wii
  • NA: September 16, 2008
  • PAL: October 3, 2008
Genre(s)Sports[1]
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

TNA Impact! (stylized as TNA iMPACT!) is a professional wrestling video game based on the professional wrestling promotion, Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA).[2] The console versions of the game were developed by Midway Studios Los Angeles and published by Midway Games. Although the game sold 1.5 million units,[3] financial issues at Midway Games prevented the planned development and release of a sequel. The game was ported to Nintendo DS and PlayStation Portable handset consoles in August 2010 under the title TNA Impact!: Cross the Line, published by SouthPeak Games, who had acquired the TNA license and assets following the collapse of Midway.

Gameplay

Jeff Jarrett drops an elbow on Sting in a pre-release screen shot.

TNA Impact! is geared towards a quick-paced, high-impact style of play, with less emphasis on submission maneuvers. It supports up to four players at once on a console, with online support—which includes tournaments—currently standing at one-on-one.[4][5][6] Online play is, however, limited to the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions.[7] Scans of the actual wrestlers were used for the game in place of hand-painted textures to include small details, such as skin texture and specific scars.[8] Finishers are accessed by building up the "Impact!" meter displayed on the screen. In the same area a color-coded damage indicator shows the condition of characters. The game also features mini-games for escaping pin attempts and submission holds.[7]

TNA's signature match, Ultimate X, is a playable match type, alongside the more standard Singles, Tag team and Fatal Four Way matches.[4][6][9][10] Submission and Falls Count Anywhere matches are also included.[10] Eight different venues—including TNA's main home; Florida's Impact! Zone, and arenas set in Japan , Mexico, England , Las Vegas, and locations designed to evoke the independent circuit feel—are available to house matches, with the Impact! Zone having an increased ringside area for play and hot spots for player interaction.[6][7][8] Liverpool Olympia is also a playable arena in the game.[11]

Midway introduced downloadable content which enabled players to expand the game, making TNA Impact! the first professional wrestling video game in history to offer this service. The first downloadable content was in the form of new wrestlers that players could add to the game, these being Curry Man and Petey Williams. These were bought for 100 Microsoft points from the Xbox Live Marketplace and as an extra gift the player could download Mike Tenay free of charge.[12] This feature was only available for Xbox 360 and started on November 6, 2008, but the content was initially glitched and made Curry Man come out as Christopher Daniels in his entrance and Petey Williams comes out as A.J. Styles and have the model of Senshi in the ring. These glitches were later fixed.

The story mode's main character is a wrestler named Suicide. During every iMPACT! episode after the August 2008 version of iMPACT!, the words "whoissuicide.com" flashed on the screen for less than a second. On the website, it shows that Suicide is being taken from the game to real life television.[13] At the Final Resolution pay-per-view in December 2008, Suicide first appeared on TNA programming.[14] At Destination X 2009, Suicide competed in his debut match in TNA, which was an Ultimate X match, and became the new X Division Champion.

Development

After periods of negotiation with Electronic Arts[citation needed] and Rockstar Games,[15] TNA signed a multi-year agreement with Midway Games in November 2005.[16] Midway announced their intentions to release Impact!, the first game in TNA's history, for each of the seventh generation consoles, which were released in 2008.

Several TNA wrestlers were involved in the game's production. The self described "hardcore gamers" Samoa Joe and A.J. Styles both took part in meetings with Midway staff to brainstorm gameplay ideas, and Joe, Styles, Christopher Daniels, Senshi, Sonjay Dutt, and Jeff Jarrett were all a part of the motion capture sessions.[4][17] During the October 2006 tapings of the weekly TNA Impact! program, members of the TNA roster were "scanned" for the game and audio samples of the Impact! Zone crowd were recorded.[18] The Liverpool Olympia in Liverpool, England was used for reference photos, used to inspire the unlockable 'London' venue in the game.[citation needed]

Other features

Classic TNA highlight matches were featured in the video game as TNA Extras with two matches being filmed as Midway games exclusive matches being a Knockouts Gauntlet Match and a Six Way X Division Match.

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
PS2PS3WiiXbox 360
EurogamerN/AN/AN/A7/10[27]
Game InformerN/A6.5/10[28]N/A6.5/10[28]
GameProN/AN/AN/AStarStarHalf star[1]
GameRevolutionN/AN/AN/AC+[29]
GameSpot6/10[30]7/10[31]N/A7/10[31]
GameSpyStarStarStar[32]StarStarStar[33]StarStarStar[34]StarStarStar[33]
GameTrailersN/A6.6/10[35]N/AN/A
GameZoneN/A6.5/10[36]N/A6.5/10[37]
Giant BombN/AN/AN/AStarStarStar[38]
IGN5.3/10[39]6.4/10[40]4.5/10[41]6.7/10[42]
Nintendo PowerN/AN/A5/10[43]N/A
OXM (US)N/AN/AN/A7/10[44]
PSMN/AStarStarHalf star[45]N/AN/A
411Mania(1) 6.2/10[46]
(2) 4.5/10[47]
4.9/10[48]N/A6.9/10[49]
The A.V. ClubN/AN/AN/AC+[50]
Aggregate scores
GameRankings63.17%[19]63.33%[20]44.43%[22]64.73%[23]
Metacritic58/100[21]64/100[24]43/100[25]62/100[26]

TNA Impact! received "mixed or average" reviews, while the Wii version received "generally unfavorable" reviews, according to review aggregator Metacritic.[21][24][25][26]

The game was praised for its realistic graphics and simple control scheme but criticized for its limited and repetitive movesets, poor entrances, lack of championship belts, and inconsistent AI.[42][51] GameSpot was generally positive to the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360,[31] and PlayStation 2 versions.[30]

As of February 2009, TNA iMPACT! had shipped approximately 1.5 million units.[citation needed]

Mobile tie-in

In 2008, Longtail Studios created the game TNA Wrestling for Verizon Wireless mobile devices to coincide with this release. The game was re-released in 2009 for iOS.

In 2011, Namco Networks released TNA Wrestling Impact! for mobile devices.

Cancelled sequel

Midway Games originally announced a sequel to the game, but was later cancelled after Midway Games filed for bankruptcy in February 2009.[52][53] In July 2009, Time Warner (through its subsidiary Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment) purchased the majority of Midway. The TNA license was not included with the purchase.[54] Later in September, TNA president Dixie Carter said that TNA was looking for a new video game partner.[55] In November, SouthPeak Games acquired Midway Games' TNA video game license in its quarterly report.[56] The company later published TNA Impact!: Cross the Line for Nintendo DS and PSP, releasing it in June 2010.[57] The game was essentially the same as the 2008 release, with the addition of several new characters and the removal of older ones, such as Christian Cage who departed TNA in 2008.

See also

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Noble, McKinley (September 18, 2008). "TNA Impact! (X360)". GamePro (IDG Entertainment). http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/207153/tna-impact-350/. 
  2. "Midway Announces Diverse And High-Powered Lineup For 2007 E3 Business & Media Summit". July 9, 2007. http://www.midway.com/rxpage/mpr_11944.html. 
  3. "Indiantelevision.com's interview with TNA Entertainment president Dixie Carter". September 15, 2009. http://www.indiantelevision.com/interviews/y2k9/executive/dixie_carter.php. 
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Banks, Bill (October 12, 2007). "New Footage Of The TNA Video Game!". http://www.tnawrestling.com/content/view/296/84/. 
  5. Lane, Scot (April 18, 2008). "TNA iMPACT! Midway Gamers' Day 2008 Interview" (Video). Red Ventures. https://www.gamespot.com/videos/tna-impact-midway-gamers-day-2008-interview/2300-6189603/. 
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 WUVideo (April 13, 2008). "TNA iMPACT: Exclusive Features". Google. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5ljqNXjD0A. 
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 Ekberg, Brian (October 13, 2007). "TNA iMPACT! Hands-On [date mislabeled as "October 15, 2007""]. Red Ventures. https://www.gamespot.com/articles/tna-impact-hands-on/1100-6180962/. 
  8. 8.0 8.1 Lane, Scot (October 14, 2007). "TNA iMPACT! Interview 2" (Video). Red Ventures. https://www.gamespot.com/videos/tna-impact-interview-2/2300-6180963/. 
  9. Regan, Mike (March 30, 2008). "TNA Impact Detailed Hands On Impressions". http://gamingring.com/news/?p=269. 
  10. 10.0 10.1 Regan, Mike (April 1, 2008). "New TNA Impact Information". http://gamingring.com/news/?p=289. 
  11. Jones, Neal (March 1, 2008). "Interview Recap — Traci Brooks". https://www.inyourheadonline.com/viewnews.php?autoid=1362. 
  12. "Midway To Release Curry Man & Petey Williams As Downloadable Characters For TNA Impact Next Week". Gray Internet Technologies, LLC. October 31, 2008. http://www.wrestlingnewsworld.com/tna-news/midway-to-release-curry-man-petey-williams.php. 
  13. "Who Is Suicide?". http://www.whoissuicide.com. 
  14. Johnson, Mike (December 8, 2008). "TNA UPDATES ON AL SNOW, SUICIDE, SPIN CYCLE AND MORE". https://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=35137&p=1. 
  15. Robinson, Jon (October 25, 2005). "Mr. Robinson's Neighborhood". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/10/25/mr-robinsons-neighborhood-7. 
  16. Martin, Adam (November 7, 2005). "Midway Games issues press release on TNA video game, Rhino, D'Amore". http://www.wrestleview.com/news2005/1131410794.shtml. 
  17. Sinclair, Brendan (June 7, 2006). "TNA Wrestling updates game debut". Red Ventures. https://www.gamespot.com/articles/tna-wrestling-updates-game-debut/1100-6152439/. 
  18. Flannagan, Jay (October 25, 2006). "A Busy Day At The Impact! Tapings, Midway Games At the Tapings, More". http://www.wrestleview.com/news2006/1161823867.shtml. 
  19. "TNA iMPACT! - PS2". GameRankings. http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/944423.asp. Retrieved 2008-09-18. 
  20. "TNA iMPACT! - PS3". GameRankings. http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/933907.asp. Retrieved 2008-09-18. 
  21. 21.0 21.1 "TNA iMPACT! for PlayStation 2 Reviews". Red Ventures. https://www.metacritic.com/game/tna-impact/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2. 
  22. "TNA iMPACT! - WII". GameRankings. http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/933906.asp. Retrieved 2008-09-18. 
  23. "TNA iMPACT! - X360". GameRankings. http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/933905.asp. Retrieved 2008-09-18. 
  24. 24.0 24.1 "TNA iMPACT! for PlayStation 3 Reviews". Red Ventures. https://www.metacritic.com/game/tna-impact/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-3. 
  25. 25.0 25.1 "TNA iMPACT! for Wii Reviews". Red Ventures. https://www.metacritic.com/game/tna-impact/critic-reviews/?platform=wii. 
  26. 26.0 26.1 "TNA iMPACT! for Xbox 360 Reviews". Red Ventures. https://www.metacritic.com/game/tna-impact/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360. 
  27. Whitehead, Dan (October 30, 2008). "Xbox 360 Roundup". Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/xbox-360-roundup-1. 
  28. 28.0 28.1 Reeves, Ben (November 2008). "TNA Impact! Review (PS3, X360)". Game Informer (GameStop) (187). https://www.gameinformer.com/games/tna_impact/b/ps3/archive/2009/09/22/review.aspx. Retrieved June 16, 2022. 
  29. Tan, Nicholas (October 6, 2008). "TNA iMPACT! Review (X360)". CraveOnline. https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/41963-tna-impact-review. 
  30. 30.0 30.1 Watters, Chris (September 12, 2008). "TNA iMPACT! Review (PS2)". Red Ventures. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/tna-impact-review/1900-6197678/. 
  31. 31.0 31.1 31.2 Watters, Chris (September 10, 2008). "TNA iMPACT! Review (PS3, X360)". Red Ventures. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/tna-impact-review/1900-6197534/. 
  32. Villoria, Gerald (September 15, 2008). "GameSpy: TNA iMPACT! (PS2)". IGN Entertainment. http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/nwa-tna-wrestling/910360p1.html. 
  33. 33.0 33.1 Villoria, Gerald (September 12, 2008). "GameSpy: TNA iMPACT! (PS3, X360)". IGN Entertainment. http://ps3.gamespy.com/playstation-3/tna-impact/909971p1.html. 
  34. Villoria, Gerald (September 17, 2008). "GameSpy: TNA iMPACT! (Wii)". IGN Entertainment. http://wii.gamespy.com/wii/tna-impact/911269p1.html. 
  35. "TNA: iMPACT! [sic (PS3)"]. Viacom. September 30, 2008. http://www.gametrailers.com/gamereview.php?id=3586. 
  36. Romano, Natalie (October 3, 2008). "TNA iMPACT! - PS3 - Review". https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/tna_impact_ps3_review/. 
  37. Bedigian, Louis (September 22, 2008). "TNA iMPACT! - 360 - Review". https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/tna_impact_360_review/. 
  38. Gerstmann, Jeff (September 12, 2008). "TNA iMPACT! Review (X360)". Red Ventures. https://www.giantbomb.com/reviews/tna-impact-review/1900-55/. 
  39. Miller, Greg (September 9, 2008). "TNA Impact! Review (PS2)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/09/09/tna-impact-review-2. 
  40. Miller, Greg (September 8, 2008). "TNA Impact! Review (PS3)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/09/08/tna-impact-review-3. 
  41. Miller, Greg (September 16, 2008). "TNA Impact! Review (Wii)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/09/16/tna-impact-review. 
  42. 42.0 42.1 Miller, Greg (September 8, 2008). "TNA Impact! Review (X360)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/09/08/tna-impact-review-4. 
  43. "TNA Impact!". Nintendo Power (Future US) 235: 94. December 2008. 
  44. Dyer, Mitch (September 11, 2008). "TNA iMPACT!". Official Xbox Magazine (Future US). http://www.oxmonline.com/article/reviews/xbox-360/s-z/tna-impact. Retrieved June 16, 2022. 
  45. "Review: TNA Impact! (PS3)". PlayStation: The Official Magazine (Future plc) (13): 91. December 2008. 
  46. Campbell, Mike (September 16, 2008). "TNA iMPACT! (PS2) Review". http://www.411mania.com/games/reviews/85344. 
  47. Robbins, Drew (September 28, 2008). "TNA Impact! (PS2) Review". http://www.411mania.com/games/reviews/86417. 
  48. Robbins, Derek (October 27, 2008). "TNA Impact (PS3) Review". http://www.411mania.com/games/reviews/88779. 
  49. Lansdell, Chris (October 8, 2008). "TNA Impact! (Xbox 360) Review". http://www.411mania.com/games/reviews/87193. 
  50. Mastrapa, Gus (September 29, 2008). "TNA Impact! (X360)". G/O Media. https://www.avclub.com/tna-impact-1798214879. 
  51. DesertEagle (September 11, 2008). "An Upset by the Upstart: TNA Impact! Reviewed". http://tech-gaming.com/2008/09/11/tna-impact-reviewed.aspx. 
  52. "TNA iMPACT! 2 (Game)". Red Ventures. https://www.giantbomb.com/tna-impact-2/3030-24750/. 
  53. "IGN story: Midway files for bankruptcy". Uk.xbox360.ign.com. 12 February 2009. http://uk.xbox360.ign.com/articles/953/953782p1.html. 
  54. Wong, Wailin (July 1, 2009). "Court OKs Midway Games $33M asset sale to Warner Bros.". Chicago Tribune (Tribune Publishing). http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-biz-midway-july1-,0,7568945.story. 
  55. Caldwell, James (September 15, 2009). "TNA News: TNA expected to announce new video game partner soon". TDH Communications Inc.. https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TNA_News_1/article_35346.shtml. 
  56. McWhertor, Michael (November 12, 2009). "Southpeak Grabs TNA From Midway's Bankruptcy Sale". G/O Media. https://kotaku.com/southpeak-grabs-tna-from-midways-bankruptcy-sale-5403401/amp. 
  57. Gilbert, Ben (December 1, 2009). "SouthPeak publishing TNA Impact! on handhelds 'later this Winter'". Yahoo. https://www.engadget.com/2009-12-01-southpeak-publishing-tna-impact-on-handhelds-later-this-winter.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 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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