Software:The Incredible Machine

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For the original video game, see The Incredible Machine (1993 video game). For other uses, see The Incredible Machine (disambiguation).
The Incredible Machine
File:250px
The Incredible Machine 3.0
Genre(s)Puzzle
Developer(s)Kevin Ryan
Dynamix
Publisher(s)Dynamix
Sierra On-Line
Creator(s)Kevin Ryan
Platform(s)MS-DOS, 3DO, FM Towns,[1] Windows, Macintosh, iOS
First releaseThe Incredible Machine
1993
Latest releaseThe Incredible Machine
2011

The Incredible Machine (TIM) is a series of computer games in which players create a series of Rube Goldberg devices. They were originally designed and coded by Kevin Ryan and produced by Jeff Tunnell, the now-defunct Jeff Tunnell Productions, and published by Dynamix; the 1993 through 1995 versions had the same development team, but the later 2000–2001 games have different designers. All versions were published by Sierra Entertainment. The entire series and intellectual property were acquired by Jeff Tunnell-founded PushButton Labs in October 2009.[2] PushButton Labs was later acquired by Playdom, itself a division of Disney Interactive, so as of now the rights are held by The Walt Disney Company.

A new game by Jeff Tunnell, called Contraption Maker, is the spiritual successor to the Incredible Machine series. It was produced by Spotkin Games, a company founded by Jeff Tunnell, and features the same developers of the original Incredible Machine. The game was released through Steam for Windows and OS X on July 7, 2014.[3]

Gameplay

The general goal of the games is to create a series of Rube Goldberg devices: arrange a given collection of objects in a needlessly complex fashion so as to perform some simple task, such as "put the ball into a box" or "start a mixer and turn on a fan". Available objects range from simple ropes and pulleys to electrical generators, bowling balls, and even cats and mice to humans, most of which have specific interactions with or reactions to other objects: for example, mice will run towards nearby cheese, and light sources placed next to a magnifying glass will ignite wicks. Levels have a set of fixed objects that cannot be moved by the player, and the player must solve the puzzle by carefully arranging a provided set of objects around the fixed items. There is also a "freeform" option that allows the user to "play" with all the objects with no set goal or to also build their own puzzles with goals for other players to attempt to solve.

Notably, the games simulate not only the physical interactions between objects but also ambient effects like varying air pressure and gravity. The engine does not use a random number generator in its physics simulation, ensuring that the results for any given machine are deterministic.

Games

The series includes four core games and a "Toon" spin-off, with multiple iterations published of the earliest titles:

A compilation called The Incredible Machine Mega Pack was released in 2009 on GOG.com for Windows. It included The Even More Incredible Machine, The Incredible Machine Version 3.0, Return of the Incredible Machine: Contraptions, and The Incredible Machine: Even More Contraptions.

The Incredible Machine and Even More Incredible Machine

Main article: Software:The Incredible Machine (1993 video game)

The Incredible Machine, the first game in the series, was originally going to be developed by Electronic Arts for the Commodore 64 in 1984, but Dynamix worked on Arcticfox for the Amiga instead and work did not start on The Incredible Machine until early 1993. Kevin Ryan programmed The Incredible Machine, in nine months, on a budget of US$36,000 (equivalent to about $78,361 in 2024).[4] The Even More Incredible Machine is an extended version with 160 levels, about twice the original, and has more parts.

The Incredible Machine 2 and 3.0

Main article: Software:The Incredible Machine 2

The Incredible Machine 2 introduced new levels, an extended assortment of parts, a new interface, significantly improved graphics, sounds, and music, and two player hotseat play. It improved on the "freeform" mode, allowing players to create completely playable puzzles by defining not only the participating parts, but also the set of circumstances under which the puzzle will be considered "solved". In terms of gameplay, this version provided the biggest addition to the series, and subsequent updates were basically only ports of the game to newer operating systems with updated graphics/sounds and sometimes new puzzles, but no new parts.

The Incredible Machine Version 3.0 (1995), on some releases titled Professor Tim's Incredible Machines, contains the same levels as The Incredible Machine 2, but with an improved interface and extra features like CD music tracks.

Return of the Incredible Machine: Contraptions and Even More Contraptions

Main article: Software:Return of the Incredible Machine: Contraptions

Return of the Incredible Machine: Contraptions was released in 2000. As a full 32-bit Windows 95 game, it has new 800x600 resolution graphics.[5] Although it has a few new levels, the majority of them are levels from The Incredible Machine 2.[6]

Even More Contraptions (2001) started a service allowing players to share their homemade puzzles using a service called "WonSwap". Even More Contraptions also came with a Palm Pilot version of the game that contained its own unique set of parts and puzzles suited for a small screen.

The Incredible Machine Mega Pack

Released on GOG.com, The Incredible Machine Mega Pack includes Even More Incredible Machine, The Incredible Machine 3 (contains all levels from The Incredible Machine 2), Contraptions, and Even More Contraptions.[7]

The Incredible Machine (2011)

Released on the iPad in 2011, the game has 64 levels (and 45 more as in-app purchases). It features a similar three-star system as Cut the Rope.[8]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate scores
AggregatorScore
GameRankingsThe Incredible Machine Version 3.0
70.00%[9]
Return of the Incredible Machine Contraptions
78.33%[10]
The Incredible Machine: Even More Contraptions
76.00%[11]
The Incredible Machine (2011)
65.00% (iOS)[12]
Metacritic
71/100 (iOS)[13]
Review scores
PublicationScore
IGN8.4/10 (Return of the Incredible Machine: Contraptions)[14]
PC Gamer (US)90%[15]
GamezeboStarStarStarStar (iOS)[16]

Neil Harris reported in Computer Gaming World in 1994 that showing The Incredible Machine to an engineer friend caused "a chain reaction that brought productive work to a halt at a major naval yard".[17]

IGN described Return of the Incredible Machine: Contraptions as "a vintage blend of educational and entertainment software at their finest".[14]

By 2000, the series had sold over one million copies.[18]

During the 4th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences honored Return of the Incredible Machine: Contraptions with the "PC Family" award.[19]

Legacy

The Incredible Machine: Even More Contraptions was included in the 2005 edition of Hoyle Puzzle Games as a bonus game.

A mobile phone version was developed by Mobile Interactions Group and published by Vivendi Games Mobile[20] in 2006.

A new game was announced for a download release on Xbox Live Arcade, but was later canceled.[21]

The Incredible Machine Mega Pack (which includes Even More Incredible Machine, The Incredible Machine 3, Return of the Incredible Machine: Contraptions, and The Incredible Machine: Even More Contraptions) was published by Playdom and released on GOG.com on October 1, 2009.[22]

iOS

The Incredible Machine for iOS is the first version in the series to be developed and released by Disney for the AppStore. This revamped version contains new art, sounds, and levels, as well as a redesigned user interface. Disney released The Incredible Machine on June 8, 2011, at E3 in Los Angeles, CA. The app has been retired from the app store as a decision made by Disney.[23]

Contraption Maker

In 2013, Tunnell began the work on a new game, called Contraption Maker, which is billed as a "spiritual successor" to the Incredible Machine series. Kevin Ryan and Brian Hahn, the other two developers on the original game, worked on Contraption Maker as well, along with other developers at Spotkin, a video game development company started by Tunnell.[24][25][26]

Contraption Maker features improved "HD" graphics, and has a robust physics engine. The game features over 200 official puzzles and over 100 different parts. It also has Steam Workshop support, so users can create and share their own puzzles.[27][28]

The game was first released on Steam through its Early Access program on August 28, 2013.[29][30] Throughout its time in the program, Contraption Maker had 6 Alpha releases, adding features such as multiplayer and copy-and-paste, new parts, and new puzzles, followed by a Beta release in May 2014. The final (1.0) release was made in July the same year, and Contraption Maker left the Steam Early Access program.[3]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "FM Towns ROM Archive". https://archive.org/details/Neo_Kobe_Fujitsu_FM_Towns_2016-02-25.  The Incredible Machine FM Towns ROM.
  2. ↑ Breckon, Nick (1 October 2009). "PushButton Labs Acquires The Incredible Machine IP, Pushes Series onto GOG". Shacknews. http://www.shacknews.com/article/60702/pushbutton-labs-acquires-the-incredible. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Goodbye Early Access, Hello 1.0!". Contraption Maker Blog. 7 July 2014. http://contraptionmaker.com/goodbye-early-access-hello-1-0/. 
  4. ↑ Matt Barton (July 14, 2013). "Jeff Tunnell on Software Patents, Betrayal at Krondor, Incredible Machines". Armchair Arcade's Matt Chat. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXb30FDJqB0#t=156s. 
  5. ↑ "Return of the Incredible Machine: Contraptions (PC) System Requirements – VGRequirements Forums". Forums.vgrequirements.info. http://forums.vgrequirements.info/showthread.php?t=6476. 
  6. ↑ "The Incredible Machine". Hardcore Gaming 101. http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/incrediblemachine/incrediblemachine.htm. 
  7. ↑ "The Incredible Machine Mega Pack" (in en). https://www.gog.com/game/the_incredible_machine_mega_pack. 
  8. ↑ Wilson, Will (16 June 2011). "Game Reviews - The Incredible Machine". Steel Media Ltd. https://www.pocketgamer.com/the-incredible-machine/the-incredible-machine-ipad-review/. 
  9. ↑ "The Incredible Machine 3 for PC". GameRankings. http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/30270-the-incredible-machine-3/. 
  10. ↑ "Return of the Incredible Machine Contraptions for PC". GameRankings. http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/367120-return-of-the-incredible-machine-contraptions/. 
  11. ↑ "The Incredible Machine: Even More Contraptions for PC". GameRankings. http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/536228-the-incredible-machine-even-more-contraptions/. 
  12. ↑ "The Incredible Machine for iOS (iPhone/iPad)". GameRankings. http://www.gamerankings.com/iphone/633336-the-incredible-machine/. 
  13. ↑ "The Incredible Machine for iPhone/iPad Reviews". Metacritic. https://www.metacritic.com/game/the-incredible-machine/critic-reviews/?platform=ios-iphoneipad. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "Return of the Incredible Machine: Contraptions". 15 September 2000. http://www.ign.com/articles/2000/09/15/return-of-the-incredible-machine-contraptions. 
  15. ↑ Meredith, Gary (January 1995). "Incredible Machine 2". PC Gamer US. http://www.pcgamer.com:80/reviews/561.html. 
  16. ↑ Zuccarelli, Dan (13 June 2011). "The Incredible Machine Review". Gamezebo. https://www.gamezebo.com/reviews/the-incredible-machine-review/. 
  17. ↑ Harris, Neil (February 1994). "Saturday Morning Fever!". Computer Gaming World: 148–150. http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1994&pub=2&id=115. 
  18. ↑ "Return of the Incredible Machine: Contraptions (2000) box cover art". Blue Flame Labs. https://www.mobygames.com/game/return-of-the-incredible-machine-contraptions/cover-art/gameCoverId,52667/. 
  19. ↑ "D.I.C.E. Awards By Video Game Details Return of the Incredible Machine: Contraptions". Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. https://www.interactive.org/games/video_game_details.asp?idAward=2001&idGame=619. 
  20. ↑ "Vivendi Games Mobile - Incredible Machine". Vivendi Games Mobile. http://www.vgmobile.com/games/incredible.html. 
  21. ↑ "The Incredible Machine (2008)". http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/the-incredible-machine-2007/. 
  22. ↑ Carless, Simon (2006-08-31). "Vivendi Reveals Double Fine Deal, Crash Online, Incredible Machine For XBLA". http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=10713. 
  23. ↑ Holt, Chris (2011-06-08). "The Incredible Machine Preview from GamePro". GamePro. http://www.gamepro.com/article/previews/220216/e3-disney-shows-off-ipad-exclusive-version-of-the-incredible-machine/. Retrieved 2011-06-11. 
  24. ↑ "May « 2013 « Make It Big In Games". Makeitbigingames.com. http://makeitbigingames.com/2013/05. 
  25. ↑ Tunnell, Jeff (13 May 2013). "Old Team, Exciting New Product". Contraption Maker Blog. http://contraptionmaker.com/old-team-exciting-new-product/. 
  26. ↑ Pearson, Craig (13 May 2013). "The Incredible Machine Rebuilt: Contraption Maker". http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2013/05/13/the-incredible-machine-rebuilt-contraption-maker/. 
  27. ↑ "Contraption Maker". Spotkin Games. http://contraptionmaker.com/. 
  28. ↑ "Official Contraption Maker Teaser Trailer". Spotkin Games. 19 August 2013. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-juOTfcVHM. 
  29. ↑ "Early Access Release Date and Trailer". Contraption Maker Blog. 19 August 2013. http://contraptionmaker.com/early-access-release-date-and-trailer/. 
  30. ↑ Pearson, Craig (28 August 2013). "Contraption Maker Rolls Onto Steam Early Access". http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2013/08/28/contraption-maker-rolls-onto-steam-early-access/. 
  • 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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