Software:Tail of the Sun

From HandWiki
Tail of the Sun
Developer(s)Artdink
Publisher(s)
Director(s)Kazutoshi Iida
Platform(s)PlayStation
Release
  • JP: April 26, 1996
  • NA: April 22, 1997[1]
Genre(s)Action role-playing
Mode(s)Single-player

Tail of the Sun, known in Japan as Taiyō no Shippo: Wild, Pure, Simple Life (太陽のしっぽ WILD・PURE・SIMPLE LIFE, Taiyō no Shippo Wairudo, Pyua, Shinpuru Raifu), is an action role-playing video game developed by Artdink for the PlayStation. It was released in Japan in 1996 by Artdink and North America in 1997 by Sony Computer Entertainment. It was created by Kazutoshi Iida, who worked on Aquanaut's Holiday and would later work with Nintendo on Doshin the Giant.[2]

The player's ultimate objective is to build a tower of mammoth tusks that reaches the sun. To this end, a large map full of various creatures and oddities must be traversed in an effort to locate and gather sufficient food for the tribe to thrive and multiply.

The game was re-released in Japan on PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable as a PSone Classic in 2006,[citation needed] and on the PlayStation Network the same year.

Gameplay

When the game begins, the player is situated at the home village with no goals, objectives, or guidance. The protagonist is free, from the outset, to go nearly anywhere and do basically anything. The landscape the player character inhabits is not only shared by a variety of polygonal fauna, but by flora rendered in the form of Mochi of various shapes and colors, which have varying effects on one's health and various stats.

While exploring the landscape, the player's character will need to sleep, and will often choose to do so while in the middle of hunting or swimming. The North American release allows the player to wake the caveman up when this occurs.[1]

Development

Tail of the Sun was developed by Artdink and directed by Kazutoshi Iida. When developing this game, Iida wanted to make the "anti-Mario game," explaining that the enjoyment of Super Mario Bros. derives from the action rather than the premise of saving Princess Peach. Iida was wowed by Super Mario 64, as the exploration of a 3D space was what they were aiming for with this, and using the same methods. However, he felt that a character like Mario, it's "impossible to imagine a game without a happy end," wanting to make a game without a happy ending.[3]

Iida designed the game with a "counter-intuitive approach" at times, citing how the player-character would intermittently fall asleep during the action. Iida believed that this made the parts where the character was awake more entertaining as a result. Iida discussed how he feels "suspicious" about claims that a game must be fun to be a game, arguing that games like Crazy Climber and Frogger were not really fun, and exaggeratedly expressing a desire to create an "un-fun game."[3]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
GameRankings61%[4]
Review scores
PublicationScore
AllGameStarStarStarHalf star[5]
Edge5/10[7]
EGM2.875/10[8]
Famitsu29/40[9]
Game Informer7.25/10[10]
GameFan91%[11][lower-alpha 1]
GameProStarStarStarStar[12][lower-alpha 2]
GameRevolutionB−[13]
GameSpot4.4/10[14]
IGN7/10[15]
Next GenerationStarStarStarStar[16]
Entertainment WeeklyB[17]

The game received mixed reviews. In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of 29 out of 40.[9]

The game has been called a spiritual successor to Artdink's earlier 'non-game' Aquanaut's Holiday.[18] As with Aquanaut's Holiday, its relaxed gameplay style polarized reviewers. On one end, Next Generation said, Tail of the Sun "doesn't fit neatly into any one genre but still gives gamers most everything they want - challenge, tension, humor, and fun - in a way that hasn't been done before." The reviewer also praised the combination of ludicrous and serious concepts and the graphical style.[16] On the other end, the four reviewers of Electronic Gaming Monthly judged the game to be innovative but impenetrable and dull. They were irritated by the player character's falling asleep, and found the game world "surprisingly barren", the graphics primitive, and the premise excessively high concept.[8]

Like EGM, GameSpot contested the idea that the minimalist graphics are stylistically appropriate rather than simply crude ("Tail of the Sun's prehistoric schtick ... seems like an excuse for its often lackluster presentation"), and found both the static camera and the player character's passing out when sleep-deprived irritating. They did praise the way the graphics reflect the passage of time and seasons, but concluded that "there just isn't enough variety here to keep the attention of the upright-walking."[14] Entertainment Weekly had a more mixed response: "Slower than a woolly mammoth, Tail of the Sun won’t likely leave you hollering 'Yabba-dabba-doo,' but it will provide a tranquil alternative to the usual hyperactive videogame fare."[17] GamePro similarly commented that while the slow pace (particularly the player character's slow walking speed and tendency to fall asleep) would not be for everyone, the sheer weirdness, crude yet appealing graphics, and "simple but engrossing strategy" of gameplay mechanics such as eating specific foods to increase stats make it enjoyable.[12]

Notes

  1. ↑ Three critics of GameFan gave the game each a score of 88, 93, and 91.
  2. ↑ GamePro gave the game two 3.5/5 scores for graphics and sound, 3/5 for control, and 4/5 for overall fun factor.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 IGN staff (April 4, 1997). "Tail Of The Sun's Gameplay Boost". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/1997/04/05/tail-of-the-suns-gameplay-boost. Retrieved February 17, 2021. 
  2. ↑ "Bitsummit" (in en-US). http://bitsummit.org/2015/?page_id=3388. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Kazutoshi Iida – 1996 Developer Interview". Game Hihyou. 1996. https://shmuplations.com/iidakazutoshi/. Retrieved May 10, 2023. 
  4. ↑ "Tail of the Sun for PlayStation". CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 1, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190501020317/https://www.gamerankings.com/ps/198883-tail-of-the-sun/index.html. Retrieved February 17, 2021. 
  5. ↑ House, Michael L.. "Tail of the Sun - Review". All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 14, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141114205627/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=7975&tab=review. Retrieved February 17, 2021. 
  6. ↑ Chick, Tom (June 6, 1997). "Tail of the Sun". CNET. Archived from the original on August 23, 2000. https://web.archive.org/web/20000823213327/http://gamecenter.com/Consoles/Sony/Tailsun/. Retrieved February 17, 2021. 
  7. ↑ Edge staff (June 1997). "Tail of the Sun". Edge (Future Publishing) (46): 94. https://archive.org/details/edgeuk046/page/n79/mode/2up. Retrieved February 17, 2021. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 EGM staff (June 1997). "Tail of the Sun". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (95): 46. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "太陽のしっぽ WILD・PURE・SIMPLE LIFE [PS"] (in ja). Famitsu (Enterbrain). https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=8729&redirect=no. Retrieved February 17, 2021. 
  10. ↑ "Tail of the Sun". Game Informer (FuncoLand) (50). June 1997. Archived from the original on October 21, 1997. https://web.archive.org/web/19971021143124/http://www.gameinformer.com/june97/tail.html. Retrieved February 17, 2021. 
  11. ↑ Cockburn, Andrew "The Enquirer"; Hodgson, David "Chief Hambleton"; Halverson, Dave "E. Storm" (April 1997). "Tail of the Sun". GameFan (Metropolis Media) 5 (4): 23. https://archive.org/details/Gamefan_Vol_5_Issue_04/page/n23/mode/2up. Retrieved February 17, 2021. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Toxic Tommy (July 1997). "Tail of the Sun". GamePro (IDG) (106): 98. https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_106_Volume_09_Number_07_1997-07_IDG_Publishing_US/page/n99/mode/2up. Retrieved February 17, 2021. 
  13. ↑ Baldric (April 1997). "Tail of the Sun Review". CraveOnline. Archived from the original on February 19, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20040219012636/http://www.game-revolution.com/games/sony/tailofthesun.htm. Retrieved February 17, 2021. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 GameSpot staff (June 30, 1997). "Tail of the Sun Review [date mislabeled as "May 2, 2000""]. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on January 19, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050119200537/http://www.gamespot.com/ps/strategy/tailofthesun/review.html. Retrieved February 17, 2021. 
  15. ↑ IGN staff (May 9, 1997). "Tail of the Sun". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/1997/05/09/tail-of-the-sun. Retrieved February 17, 2021. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 "Tail of the Sun". Next Generation (Imagine Media) (31): 160, 163. July 1997. https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_31/page/n165/mode/2up. Retrieved February 17, 2021. 
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Walk, Gary Eng (June 13, 1997). "Tail of the Sun". Entertainment Weekly (Time Inc.) (383). https://ew.com/article/1997/06/13/tail-sun/. Retrieved October 9, 2018. 
  18. ↑ "NG Alphas: Tail of the Sun: Wild, Pure Simple Life". Next Generation (Imagine Media) (22): 139. October 1996. https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_22/page/n139/mode/2up. Retrieved February 17, 2021. 
  • 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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