Software:Tao Feng: Fist of the Lotus

From HandWiki
Short description: 2003 video game
Tao Feng: Fist of the Lotus
Developer(s)Studio Gigante
Publisher(s)Microsoft Game Studios
Designer(s)John Tobias, Joshua Tsui, David Michicich (creators)
Chris Granner, Daniel Myer (music / sounds)
Platform(s)Xbox
Release
  • NA: March 18, 2003
  • EU: May 9, 2003
Genre(s)Fighting
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Tao Feng: Fist of the Lotus is a 2003 fighting game developed by Studio Gigante and published by Microsoft Game Studios for the Xbox. It was designed by Studio Gigante co-founder John Tobias, the co-creator of the Mortal Kombat fighting game series. Tao Feng was Studio Gigante's first project and Tobias' first after his departure from Midway.

Tobias envisioned Tao Feng with an emphasis on intensity and realism, including having damage effects on the fighters and interactive environments. Upon release, the game received mixed reviews.

Plot

Tao Feng takes place in Metro China, the largest population center in New China, a fictional country occupying the Pacific coast of North America. With Mexico to the south, Canada to the north, and the United States to the east, New China is a sovereign nation, independent from the People's Republic of China. The story is based upon years of conflict between two ancient Chinese sects: the Pale Lotus and the Black Mantis. The leader of the Pale Lotus has been known through the generations as the Master Sage, and for as long as there have been a Black Mantis sect, their leader has been called Wulong Goth.

The members of these sects have battled for centuries and now the fight has intensified over two tablets that contain riddles revealing the hiding places of the long lost treasures of the Pale Lotus temple. According to legend, these treasures may be used to bargain with the gods of immortality. One tablet, the Yang tablet, is rightfully still in the possession of the Pale Lotus. However, the Yin tablet was stolen by force and has fallen into the hands of the Black Mantis. Through use of the tablets, both sects hope to recover the lost treasures and achieve immortality. The Pale Lotus hope to defend truth and harmony, while the Black Mantis serve a much darker purpose.

The characters in this game are:

  • Master Sage - a wushu master, leader of the Pale Lotus sect.
  • Jade Dragon - a female dragon monk, member of the Pale Lotus sect.
  • Fiery Phoenix - a fiery male warrior, member of the Pale Lotus sect.
  • Fierce Tiger - a female warrior that has the spirit of the tiger, member of the Pale Lotus sect.
  • Iron Monk - a cybernetic robot fighter, member of the Pale Lotus sect.
  • Divine Fist - a Chinese martial artist, member of the Pale Lotus sect.
  • Wulong Goth - an alien-like creature, leader of the Black Mantis sect.
  • Divinity - a heavenly goddess, member of the Black Mantis sect.
  • The Fatalist - a ballistic serial killer, member of the Black Mantis sect.
  • Geist - a female cyborg character, member of the Black Mantis sect.
  • Vapor - a mysterious female exorcist, member of the Black Mantis sect.
  • Exile - a muscular, bulky mutant fighter, member of the Black Mantis sect.
  • Zhao Yen - the guardian of the Temple of Immortality, and final opponent in the game.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic65/100[1]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Edge5/10[2]
EGM4.5/10[3][lower-alpha 1]
Eurogamer4/10[4]
Famitsu24/40[5]
Game Informer7.25/10[6]
GameRevolutionC−[7]
GameSpot6.4/10[8]
GameSpyStar[9]
GameZone5.5/10[10]
IGN8.7/10[11]
OXM (US)7.4/10[12]
X-PlayStarStarStar[13]
MaximStarStarStarStarStar[14]
The Village Voice8/10[15]

The game received "mixed" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[1] In Japan, where the game was ported for release on October 23, 2003, Famitsu gave it a score of all four sixes for a total of 24 out of 40.[5] GamePro said that the game was "miles better than Kakuto Chojin, but it's still a few short steps behind Dead or Alive 3 and Software:Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance. Regardless, this is a game that fighting fans should check out."[16][lower-alpha 2]

Notes

  1. ↑ Three critics of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the game each a score of 4/10, 6/10, and 3.5/10.
  2. ↑ GamePro gave the game two 4.5/5 scores for graphics and sound, and two 4/5 scores for control and fun factor.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Tao Feng: Fist of the Lotus". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/tao-feng-fist-of-the-lotus/. 
  2. ↑ Edge staff (June 2003). "Tao Feng: Fist of the Lotus". Edge (Future Publishing) (124): 106. 
  3. ↑ Bettenhausen, Shane; Elliott, Shawn; Slead, Evan (May 2003). "Tao Feng: Fist of the Lotus". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (166): 134. https://retrocdn.net/images/3/35/EGM_US_166.pdf. Retrieved January 23, 2025. 
  4. ↑ Jennings, Ronan (May 29, 2003). "Tao Feng: Fist of the Lotus". Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/r-taofeng-x. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "October 16, 2003". October 16, 2003. http://www.the-magicbox.com/game101603.htm. 
  6. ↑ Leeper, Justin (April 2003). "Tao Feng: Fist of the Lotus". Game Informer (GameStop) (120): 92. https://archive.org/details/game-informer-issue-120-april-2003/page/92/mode/2up. Retrieved January 23, 2025. 
  7. ↑ Silverman, Ben (March 2003). "Tao Feng: Fist of the Lotus - Xbox Review". CraveOnline. https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/34334-tao-feng-fist-of-the-lotus-review. 
  8. ↑ Gerstmann, Jeff (March 17, 2003). "Tao Feng: Fist of the Lotus Review [date mislabeled as "April 3, 2003""]. Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/tao-feng-fist-of-the-lotus-review/1900-6023355/. 
  9. ↑ Turner, Benjamin (March 17, 2003). "GameSpy: Tao Feng: Fist of the Lotus". IGN Entertainment. http://xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/tao-feng-fist-of-the-lotus/5696p1.html. 
  10. ↑ Raymond, Justin (April 8, 2003). "Tao Feng: Fist of the Lotus - XB - Review". https://gamezone.com/reviews/tao_feng_fist_of_the_lotus_xb_review/. 
  11. ↑ Goldstein, Hilary (March 14, 2003). "Tao Feng [Fist of the Lotus Review"]. Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/03/14/tao-feng-review. 
  12. ↑ "Tao Feng: Fist of the Lotus". Official Xbox Magazine (Future US): 72. May 2003. 
  13. ↑ D'Aprile, Jason (April 28, 2003). "'Tao Feng: Fist of the Lotus' (Xbox) Review". TechTV. http://www.techtv.com/xplay/reviews/story/0%2C24330%2C3422503%2C00.html. 
  14. ↑ Porter, Alex (March 20, 2003). "Tao Feng: Fist of the Lotus". Maxim (MaximNet, Inc.). http://www.maximonline.com/entertainment/reviews/review_games_5283.html. Retrieved September 12, 2021. 
  15. ↑ Catucci, Nick (April 8, 2003). "Brainsucking Power". The Village Voice (Village Voice, LLC). https://www.villagevoice.com/brainsucking-power/. 
  16. ↑ Tokyo Drifter (May 2003). "Tao Feng: Fist of the Lotus". GamePro (IDG) (176): 74. https://retrocdn.net/images/0/07/GamePro_US_176.pdf. Retrieved January 23, 2025. 

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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