Software:Test Drive Le Mans

From HandWiki
Test Drive Le Mans
North American Dreamcast cover art
Developer(s)Eutechnyx (PS & first PC version)
Velez & Dubail (GBC)
Infogrames Melbourne House (DC, PS2)
Torus Games (Second PC version)
Publisher(s)Infogrames[lower-alpha 1]
Platform(s)PlayStation, Microsoft Windows, Game Boy Color, Dreamcast, PlayStation 2
ReleasePlayStation & Microsoft Windows
  • NA: March 31, 2000
  • EU: 2000
  • EU: May 24, 2002 (PC, as Le Mans 24 Hours)
  • NA: June 1, 2002 (PC, as Le Mans 24 Hours)
Game Boy Color
  • EU: June 2, 2000
  • NA: June 2000
Dreamcast
  • NA: November 13, 2000
  • EU: November 17, 2000
  • JP: March 15, 2001
PlayStation 2
  • EU: June 15, 2001
  • NA: August 13, 2001
  • JP: June 13, 2002
Genre(s)Racing
Mode(s)Single-player video game, multiplayer

Test Drive Le Mans (known as Le Mans 24 Hours in Europe, and for the PlayStation 2 and the second PC release) is a video game released for the PlayStation, Game Boy Color, Dreamcast, PlayStation 2, and Microsoft Windows (in two versions of the latter, one developed by Eutechnyx, like with the PlayStation version and the second version being a port of the Melbourne House version ported by Torus Games). Based on the famous 24 hours of Le Mans race in France , the player is invited to race the entire 24-hour endurance course or take part in a simpler arcade mode. The game also featured tracks such as Suzuka Circuit, Donington Park and Circuit de Catalunya, as well as a weather and night system.

The intro of the Playstation version features "Bohemian Like You", by The Dandy Warhols.[citation needed]

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
DreamcastGBCPCPSPS2
AllGameStarStarStarHalf star[2](1) StarStarStarStar[1]StarStarHalf star[3]
EGM9.17/10[4]7/10[6]8/10[5]
Eurogamer(1) 8/10[7]
Game Informer4.75/10[9]8.5/10[8]
GameProStarStarHalf star[11]StarStarStar[10]
GameRevolutionB+[12]B−[13]
GameSpot9.6/10[14]8.1/10[16](1) 6.7/10[17]
(2) 6.1/10[18]		6.2/10[19]8.2/10[15]
GameSpy9/10[20]65%[21]
GameZone7/10[25](2) 7.5/10[23]
(1) 6/10[24]		7.8/10[22]
IGN9.4/10[26]7/10[30](1) 7.5/10[28]
(2) 6/10[29]		6.5/10[31]8/10[27]
Nintendo Power6.6/10[32]
OPM (US)StarStarHalf star[34]StarStarHalf star[33]
PC Gamer (US)(2) 55%[35]
(1) 53%[36]
X-PlayStarStarStarStarStar[37]
Aggregate scores
GameRankings89.50%[38]75.43%[40](1) 68.05%[42]
(2) 66.56%[43]		69.59%[41]75.56%[39]
Metacritic93/100[44](2) 60/100[46]75/100[45]

All versions of Test Drive Le Mans and Le Mans 24 Hours (Except for the Dreamcast version, which received critical acclaim) were met with mixed to positive reviews. GameRankings and Metacritic gave the Dreamcast version 89.50% and 93 out of 100,[38][44] the PlayStation 2 version 75.56% and 75 out of 100;[39][45] the Game Boy Color version 75.43%,[40] the PlayStation version 69.59%[41] and the two PC versions each 68.05% for the first one,[42] and 66.56% and 60 out of 100 for Le Mans 24 Hours.[43][46]

Edge gave the Dreamcast version a score of seven out of ten,[47] and GameFan gave the PC version of Test Drive Le Mans 85%.[48]

References

  1. ↑ Woods, Nick. "Test Drive Le Mans (PC) - Review". AllGame. Archived from the original on 2014-11-15. https://web.archive.org/web/20141115232846/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=23781&tab=review. Retrieved 2014-12-21. 
  2. ↑ Woods, Nick. "Test Drive Le Mans (GBC) - Review". AllGame. Archived from the original on 2014-11-15. https://web.archive.org/web/20141115211722/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=24683&tab=review. Retrieved 2014-12-21. 
  3. ↑ Melville, Bryan. "Test Drive Le Mans (PS) - Review". AllGame. Archived from the original on 2014-11-17. https://web.archive.org/web/20141117102247/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=22381&tab=review. Retrieved 2014-12-21. 
  4. ↑ EGM staff (January 2001). "Test Drive Le Mans (DC)". Electronic Gaming Monthly. Archived from the original on 2001-01-29. https://web.archive.org/web/20010129002800/http://www.zdnet.com/egm/stories/main/0,11589,2658637,00.html. Retrieved 2014-12-21. 
  5. ↑ EGM staff (September 2001). "Le Mans 24 Hours (PS2)". Electronic Gaming Monthly (147): 145. 
  6. ↑ "Test Drive Le Mans (PS)". Electronic Gaming Monthly. 2000. 
  7. ↑ Richards, Jeff (2000-02-03). "LeMans 24 Hours (PC)". Eurogamer. http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/lemans. Retrieved 2014-12-21. 
  8. ↑ Leeper, Justin (September 2001). "Lemans 24 Hour Racing [sic] (PS2)". Game Informer (101). Archived from the original on 2008-01-30. https://web.archive.org/web/20080130064635/http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200109/R03.0805.1518.36964.htm. Retrieved 2014-12-21. 
  9. ↑ Anderson, Paul (January 2001). "Test Drive Le Mans (DC)". Game Informer (93): 123. 
  10. ↑ Four-Eyed Dragon (2001-09-04). "Le Mans 24 Hours Review for PS2 on GamePro.com". GamePro. Archived from the original on 2005-02-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20050212141334/http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/16520.shtml. Retrieved 2014-12-21. 
  11. ↑ Cheat Monkey (2000-05-05). "Test Drive Le Mans Review for PlayStation on GamePro.com". GamePro. Archived from the original on 2005-03-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20050318025811/http://www.gamepro.com/sony/psx/games/reviews/5466.shtml. Retrieved 2014-12-21. 
  12. ↑ Liu, Johnny (January 2001). "Test Drive: Le Mans Review (DC)". Game Revolution. http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/test-drive-le-mans. Retrieved 2014-12-21. 
  13. ↑ Liu, Johnny (September 2001). "Le Mans 24 Hours Review (PS2)". Game Revolution. http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/le-mans-24-hours. Retrieved 2014-12-21. 
  14. ↑ Provo, Frank (2000-12-06). "Test Drive Le Mans Review (DC)". GameSpot. http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/test-drive-le-mans-review/1900-2662084/. Retrieved 2014-12-21. 
  15. ↑ Lopez, Miguel (2001-07-06). "Le Mans 24 Hours Review (PS2)". GameSpot. http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/le-mans-24-hours-review/1900-2783160/. Retrieved 2014-12-21. 
  16. ↑ Provo, Frank (2000-06-14). "Test Drive Le Mans Review (GBC)". GameSpot. http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/test-drive-le-mans-review/1900-2588249/. Retrieved 2014-12-21. 
  17. ↑ Poole, Stephen (2000-04-13). "Test Drive Le Mans Review (PC)". GameSpot. http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/test-drive-le-mans-review/1900-2558857/. Retrieved 2014-12-21. 
  18. ↑ Goble, Gord (2002-06-25). "Le Mans 24 Hours (PC)". GameSpot. http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/le-mans-24-hours/1900-2872170/. Retrieved 2014-12-21. 
  19. ↑ Lopez, Miguel (2000-04-25). "Test Drive Le Mans Review (PS)". GameSpot. http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/test-drive-le-mans-review/1900-2558169/. Retrieved 2014-12-21. 
  20. ↑ Holy Hand Grenade (2000-09-15). "Test Drive: Le Mans". PlanetDreamcast. Archived from the original on 2009-01-25. https://web.archive.org/web/20090125093302/http://www.planetdreamcast.com/games/reviews/testdrivelemans/. Retrieved 2014-12-21. 
  21. ↑ Carlock, Jamie (2001-08-28). "Le Mans 24 Hours". PlanetPS2. Archived from the original on 2001-10-29. https://web.archive.org/web/20011029112725/http://www.planetps2.com/features/reviews/2001/lemans24hours/. Retrieved 2014-12-21. 
  22. ↑ Krause, Kevin (2001-08-31). "Le Mans 24 Hours Review - PlayStation 2". GameZone. Archived from the original on 2009-02-19. https://web.archive.org/web/20090219135926/http://ps2.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r18092.htm. Retrieved 2014-12-21. 
  23. ↑ Ovaldog (2002-06-27). "Le Mans 24 Hours Review - PC". GameZone. Archived from the original on 2008-09-30. https://web.archive.org/web/20080930205547/http://pc.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r18092.htm. Retrieved 2014-12-21. 
  24. ↑ Lupos (2000-06-03). "Test Drive Le Mans Review - PC". GameZone. Archived from the original on 2007-10-06. https://web.archive.org/web/20071006074030/http://pc.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r13596.htm. Retrieved 2014-12-21. 
  25. ↑ Courtney, Rita (2001-03-02). "Test Drive Le Mans Review - Dreamcast". GameZone. Archived from the original on 2005-03-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20050312101503/http://dreamcast.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r13596.htm. Retrieved 2014-12-21. 
  26. ↑ Schneider, Peer (2000-11-06). "Test Drive Le Mans (DC)". IGN. http://www.ign.com/articles/2000/11/07/test-drive-le-mans. Retrieved 2014-12-21. 
  27. ↑ Perry, Douglass C. (2001-08-24). "Le Mans 24 Hours (PS2)". IGN. http://www.ign.com/articles/2001/08/24/le-mans-24-hours-2. Retrieved 2014-12-21. 
  28. ↑ Shoults, Jeff (2000-05-05). "Test Drive: Le Mans (PC)". IGN. http://www.ign.com/articles/2000/05/06/test-drive-le-mans-5. Retrieved 2014-12-21. 
  29. ↑ Magruder, Randy (2002-07-01). "Le Mans 24 Hours (PC)". IGN. http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/07/01/le-mans-24-hours. Retrieved 2014-12-21. 
  30. ↑ Harris, Craig (2000-07-07). "Test Drive Le Mans (GBC)". IGN. http://www.ign.com/articles/2000/07/08/test-drive-le-mans-3. Retrieved 2014-12-21. 
  31. ↑ Smith, David (2000-05-23). "Test Drive Le Mans (PS)". IGN. http://www.ign.com/articles/2000/05/24/test-drive-le-mans-4. Retrieved 2014-12-21. 
  32. ↑ "Test Drive Le Mans". Nintendo Power 134. July 2000. 
  33. ↑ "Le Mans 24 Hours". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. October 2001. 
  34. ↑ "Test Drive Le Mans". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. 2000. 
  35. ↑ Mahood, Andy (September 2002). "Le Mans 24 Hours". PC Gamer: 72. Archived from the original on 2006-03-15. https://web.archive.org/web/20060315132555/http://www.pcgamer.com/archives/2005/07/le_mans_24_hour.html. Retrieved 2014-12-21. 
  36. ↑ Goble, Gordon (August 2000). "Test Drive Le Mans". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on 2006-03-15. https://web.archive.org/web/20060315144241/http://www.pcgamer.com/archives/2005/06/test_drive_le_m.html. Retrieved 2014-12-21. 
  37. ↑ Urbanek, AM (2001-01-27). "Test Drive Le Mans Review (DC)". X-Play. Archived from the original on 2001-06-06. https://web.archive.org/web/20010606023925/http://www.techtv.com/extendedplay/reviews/story/0,23008,3308406,00.html. Retrieved 2014-12-21. 
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 "Test Drive Le Mans for Dreamcast". GameRankings. http://www.gamerankings.com/dreamcast/256227-test-drive-le-mans/index.html. Retrieved 2013-05-04. 
  39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 "Le Mans 24 Hours for PlayStation 2". GameRankings. http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/467980-le-mans-24-hours/index.html. Retrieved 2014-12-21. 
  40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 "Test Drive Le Mans for Game Boy Color". GameRankings. http://www.gamerankings.com/gbc/257408-test-drive-le-mans/index.html. Retrieved 2013-05-04. 
  41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 "Test Drive Le Mans for PlayStation". GameRankings. http://www.gamerankings.com/ps/198928-test-drive-le-mans/index.html. Retrieved 2013-05-04. 
  42. ↑ 42.0 42.1 "Test Drive Le Mans for PC". GameRankings. http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/198929-test-drive-le-mans/index.html. Retrieved 2013-05-04. 
  43. ↑ 43.0 43.1 "Le Mans 24 Hours for PC". GameRankings. http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/561235-le-mans-24-hours/index.html. Retrieved 2014-12-21. 
  44. ↑ 44.0 44.1 "Test Drive Le Mans for Dreamcast Reviews". Metacritic. http://www.metacritic.com/game/dreamcast/test-drive-le-mans. Retrieved 2014-12-21. 
  45. ↑ 45.0 45.1 "Le Mans 24 Hours for PlayStation 2 Reviews". Metacritic. http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/le-mans-24-hours. Retrieved 2014-12-21. 
  46. ↑ 46.0 46.1 "Le Mans 24 Hours for PC Reviews". Metacritic. http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/le-mans-24-hours. Retrieved 2014-12-21. 
  47. ↑ Edge staff (December 2000). "Le Mans 24 Hours (DC)". Edge (91). 
  48. ↑ Howarth, Robert (2000-04-17). "REVIEW for Test Drive: Le Mans (PC)". GameFan. Archived from the original on 2000-05-10. https://web.archive.org/web/20000510152741/http://www.gamefan.com/repre.asp?g=1114&t=r. Retrieved 2014-12-21. 
  1. ↑ The 2002 PC version was 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.

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.

Template:Atari






Retrieved from "https://handwiki.org/wiki/index.php?title=Software:Test_Drive_Le_Mans&oldid=688814"