Software:The Mark of Kri

From HandWiki
Short description: 2002 video game

The Mark of Kri
Developer(s)San Diego Studio
Publisher(s)Sony Computer Entertainment
Director(s)Jeff Merghart
Producer(s)Tim Neveu
Programmer(s)
  • Richard Karpp
  • Haesuk Pak
Artist(s)Jeff Remmer
Composer(s)Jack Wall
Platform(s)PlayStation 2
Release
Genre(s)Action-adventure
Mode(s)Single-player

The Mark of Kri is a 2002 action-adventure game developed by San Diego Studio and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 2. It is the first game developed with the San Diego Studio name, which was formed through a merger between Red Zone Interactive and 989 Sports. The game was followed by Rise of the Kasai in 2005, which was developed by BottleRocket Entertainment, where the original team had relocated.

Background

With an art team consisting mostly of former 2D animators, The Mark of Kri offered a juxtaposition of cartoonish character designs and graphic violence while employing a unique visual style influenced by various Polynesian cultures and art, as well as a plot set in a Polynesian-influenced fantasy world incorporating elements of Maori mythology.[4]

The game also featured elements of adaptive music, with techniques developed specifically for it, providing "incredibly tight synchronization [with] on-screen state changes."[5]

Plot

The story begins with Rau Utu, a great and noble warrior of a new generation of protectors known as the Rakus, trained to safeguard the bearers of the Marks of Kri by his mentor, adopted father, and the last of the older generation of Rakus, Baumusu.

Accompanied during his adventure by a raven, Kuzo, who serves as his scout, spirit guide, chronicler, and narrator, Rau was trained in stealth and exceptional swordsmanship. He was also taught to be a hero who helps those in need rather than act as a mercenary. Rau is initially asked for a favor by the village innkeeper, Rongo, and an elderly cleric, Maoruku, from the north of Tapuroku. They report that bandits are disrupting local trade and request Rau's assistance. After Rau deals with the bandits, news of his prowess and heroics spreads far and wide.

This leads to a mysterious man appearing at the tavern, offering Rau payment for his services. Despite feeling uneasy about the man and Baumusu's suspicions regarding the necromancer, Rau accepts the offer. He travels to the forest of Heiadoko, where he retrieves a piece of parchment from the tomb of Sambu-usu. This parchment, however, is actually one of the Marks of Kri—human skin. Rau returns home only to realize he has been manipulated by the mysterious man, known as the "Dark One," later revealed to be a necromancer and Ganguun Priest devoted to the Kasai, an evil organization seeking world domination and attempting to subvert Rau's true destiny.

An elderly fortune teller named Simka informs Rau that the money he received from the Dark One is counterfeit and cursed by the Kasai. She instructs him to travel north to a place called Vaitaku, find a tree, and eat its fruit, revealing the tree as an oracle. After consuming the sacred fruit, Rau learns both about the Mark of Kri and his destiny to protect a captured boy who possesses the fifth mark, which the Dark One will soon claim. The oracle also reveals that Rau has a great destiny: his name will be whispered to children on stormy nights, songs will be sung and written in his honor, and the sixth and final mark is well protected.

Rau then travels to the heavily guarded temple of Meifiti to save the boy from being sacrificed. However, the boy has already been killed by the Dark One, leading Rau into a trap designed by the necromancer. Upon returning to the inn, Rau discovers that his village has been attacked and destroyed. Baumusu, witnessing the carnage, tells Rau of his path in life: he must find his sister, Tati, who possesses the final Mark of Kri and was taken during the village attack, before dying as a noble warrior and Rakus.

Driven by vengeance for Baumusu's death and the destruction of his village, Rau travels to Rahtutusai and confronts the Dark One. After defeating the necromancer's horde of zombies and Kasai troops, the Dark One attempts to recruit Rau to his quest for world domination. Rau refuses and kills the Dark One by throwing an axe at his head, avenging Baumusu, the innkeeper, and the village, and succeeds in rescuing Tati.

However, according to Kuzo, Rau and Tati still have more work ahead. They vow to confront an old enemy long forgotten and save the Three Kingdoms from Kasai domination. "But all of this is a different story, for another time," Kuzo says before flying away.

Gameplay

The game makes use of the DualShock 2's analog sticks. The left is used for movement and the right for locking on to surrounding enemies.[6]

Development

The game was developed by San Diego Studio, using team members from the former development team of Twisted Metal III and Twisted Metal 4. The game development was led by Jay Beard, who was also producer on the Twisted Metal series.[7][8][9]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic80/100[10]
Review scores
PublicationScore
AllGame3.5/5[11]
Edge7/10[12]
EGM8.5/10[13]
Eurogamer7/10[14]
Famitsu32/40[15]
Game Informer9/10[16]
GamePro4.5/5[17]
GameRevolutionB+[18]
GameSpot7.5/10[19]
GameSpy3.5/5[20]
GameZone8.9/10[21]
IGN8.8/10[22]
OPM (US)3/5[23]
The Cincinnati Enquirer3.5/5[24]
Entertainment WeeklyA[25]

The Mark of Kri received favorable reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[10] The game was given a score of 8.5 out of 10 and was awarded Game of the Month in the August 2002 issue of Electronic Gaming Monthly.[13] In Japan, where the game was ported and published by Capcom on October 23, 2003, Famitsu gave it a score of 32 out of 40.[15]

Entertainment Weekly gave the game an A and called it "the most surprising, and visionary, action-adventure game of the summer."[25] Maxim awarded it a score of 8 out of 10 and stated that "As an engrossing adventure, Kri doesn't cut very deep, but where quick, visceral payoffs are concerned, it goes straight for the jugular."[26] However, The Cincinnati Enquirer gave it three-and-a-half stars out of five, stating the game was "a little on the short side (about 10 hours to complete or so) but does prove to be a fun fantasy romp for those who prefer action, stealth and attractive visuals."[24]

The Mark of Kri was nominated for the outstanding achievement in "Character or Story Development" and "Animation" awards at the AIAS' 6th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, which ultimately went to Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem and Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus, respectively.[27] It was also a runner-up for the "Outstanding Animation in a Game Engine," "Outstanding Art Direction in a Game Engine," and "Outstanding Costume Design" awards by the National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers, which went to Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus, Metroid Prime, and Kingdom Hearts, respectively.[28]

The Mark of Kri sparked some controversy in New Zealand, where some regarded Sony as having made culturally insensitive use of elements of Māori culture in the game's design.[29][30]

References

  1. ↑ Bramwell, Tom (March 14, 2003). "What's New?". https://www.eurogamer.net/article-47562. 
  2. ↑ Lopez, Miguel (April 30, 2002). "New details: The Mark of Kri". https://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-details-the-mark-of-kri/1100-2863288/. 
  3. ↑ "The Mark of Kri". http://www.gpstore.com.au/product.x?1457356. 
  4. ↑ Perry, Douglass C. (July 18, 2002). "Interview with Jeff Merghart". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/07/18/interview-with-jeff-merghart. Retrieved May 24, 2014. 
  5. ↑ Clark, Andrew (April 17, 2007). "Defining Adaptive Music". Informa. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/audio/defining-adaptive-music. 
  6. ↑ The Mark of Kri Instruction Manual
  7. ↑ Perry, Douglass C. (2002-07-19). "The Mark of Kri Review" (in en). https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/07/19/the-mark-of-kri-review. 
  8. ↑ Perry, Douglass C. (2002-07-17). "Interview With Jay Beard" (in en). https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/07/17/interview-with-jay-beard. 
  9. ↑ Staff, I. G. N. (2002-04-11). "The Mark of Kri" (in en). https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/04/11/the-mark-of-kri-3. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "The Mark of Kri for PlayStation 2 Reviews". Red Ventures. https://www.metacritic.com/game/the-mark-of-kri/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2. Retrieved May 24, 2014. 
  11. ↑ Marriott, Scott Alan. "The Mark of Kri - Review". All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 14, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141114204209/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=38769&tab=review. Retrieved July 22, 2015. 
  12. ↑ Edge staff (March 2003). "The Mark of Kri". Edge (Future Publishing) (121): 90. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 EGM staff (August 2002). "[The] Mark of Kri". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (157): 126. 
  14. ↑ Bramwell, Tom (March 11, 2003). "The Mark of Kri". Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/r-markofkri-ps2. Retrieved May 24, 2022. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 "マーク・オブ・クリィ" (in ja). Famitsu (Enterbrain). https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=10280&redirect=no. Retrieved February 4, 2022. 
  16. ↑ Kato, Matthew (August 2002). "The Mark of Kri". Game Informer (FuncoLand) (112): 76. http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200208/R03.0801.1517.09305.htm. Retrieved May 24, 2014. 
  17. ↑ Four-Eyed Dragon (July 30, 2002). "The Mark of Kri Review for PS2 on GamePro.com". GamePro (IDG Entertainment). Archived from the original on February 6, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050206201955/http://gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/25341.shtml. Retrieved May 24, 2014. 
  18. ↑ Gee, Brian (August 2002). "[The Mark of Kri Review"]. CraveOnline. Archived from the original on May 24, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140524191322/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/mark-of-kri. Retrieved February 4, 2022. 
  19. ↑ Gerstmann, Jeff (July 19, 2002). "The Mark of Kri Review". Red Ventures. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/the-mark-of-kri-review/1900-2875070/. Retrieved May 24, 2014. 
  20. ↑ Turner, Benjamin (July 31, 2002). "GameSpy: The Mark of Kri". IGN Entertainment. http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/the-mark-of-kri/603735p1.html. Retrieved May 24, 2014. 
  21. ↑ Bedigian, Louis (August 9, 2002). "The Mark of Kri Review - PlayStation 2". Archived from the original on August 12, 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20070812185145/http://ps2.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r20206.htm. Retrieved May 24, 2014. 
  22. ↑ Perry, Douglass C. (July 19, 2002). "The Mark of Kri Review". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/07/19/the-mark-of-kri-review. Retrieved May 24, 2014. 
  23. ↑ "[The] Mark of Kri". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine (Ziff Davis) (59): 108. August 2002. 
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 Saltzman, Marc (August 20, 2002). "The Mark of Kri". The Cincinnati Enquirer (Gannett Company). Archived from the original on October 1, 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20071001113629/http://www.cincinnati.com/freetime/games/reviews/082002_kri.html. Retrieved May 24, 2014. 
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 Robischon, Noah (August 23–30, 2002). "The Mark of Kri Review". Entertainment Weekly (Time Inc.) (668–669): 145. https://ew.com/article/2002/08/23/mark-kri. Retrieved May 24, 2014. 
  26. ↑ Steinberg, Scott (August 2, 2002). "The Mark of Kri". MaximNet, Inc.. Archived from the original on May 25, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140525023316/http://www.maxim.com/gaming/the-mark-of-kri. Retrieved October 24, 2014. 
  27. ↑ "6th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards: Winners". Archived from the original on June 3, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20040603024454/http://www.interactive.org/awards/IAA-6/winners.asp. Retrieved February 4, 2022. 
  28. ↑ "2002 Awards". July 18, 2003. https://navgtr.org/2002-awards/. Retrieved May 23, 2022. 
  29. ↑ Mahuta, Dean (2012). "Māori in video games - A digital identity". Te Kaharoa: The e-Journal on Indigenous Pacific Issues 5 (1): 126–134. doi:10.24135/tekaharoa.v5i1.101. ISSN 1178-6035. Archived from the original on February 8, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130208145708/http://tekaharoa.com/index.php/tekaharoa/article/view/122/. Retrieved February 4, 2022. 
  30. ↑ Gilbert, Kingi (May 1, 2003). "New Zealand's Intellectual Property Concerns". Scoop Media Limited. https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0305/S00012/new-zealands-intellectual-property-concerns.htm. Retrieved June 21, 2016. 
  • 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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