Software:The Matrix: Path of Neo

From HandWiki
Short description: 2005 action-adventure video game
The Matrix: Path of Neo
North American PlayStation 2 cover art
Developer(s)Shiny Entertainment
Publisher(s)Atari
Director(s)
  • The Wachowskis
  • Michael "Saxs" Persson
Producer(s)Todd Morgan
Designer(s)Shawn Berryhill
Programmer(s)Søren Hannibal
Artist(s)Chandana "Eka" Ekanayake
Writer(s)The Wachowskis
Composer(s)
  • Tobias Enhus
  • Machine Head
SeriesThe Matrix
Platform(s)
ReleasePlayStation 2, Xbox
  • NA: November 8, 2005[1]
  • EU: November 11, 2005
Microsoft Windows
  • NA: November 8, 2005[1]
  • EU: November 25, 2005
Genre(s)Action-adventure
Mode(s)Single-player

The Matrix: Path of Neo is a 2005 action-adventure video game developed by Shiny Entertainment and published by Atari. The game was written and co-directed by the Wachowskis, who wrote and directed the first three The Matrix films and the 2003 video game Enter the Matrix, also developed by Shiny Entertainment. Players control the character Neo, participating in scenes from the films.

The game received mixed reviews from critics.

Gameplay

Players, as Neo, use a variety of combat styles and weapons to defeat enemies.

Players assume the role of Neo, with the objective of guiding the character through the events of The Matrix trilogy,[2] supported by montages of edited cutscenes sourced from the films.[3][4][5] Some levels imitate the scenes of the films, other extend them, or take entirely different directions.[4][3] In some sequences, players can make choices to diverge from the events of the film; for instance, guiding Neo to escape an office building instead of surrendering to police, or choosing the blue pill instead of the red pill.[5][6]

Path of Neo is a action video game featuring melee and ranged combat,[4] with players able to punch and kick, use guns, hatchets, swords, guns and explosives to defeat enemies.[6] Players undertake a series of opening tutorials to introduce melee, sword fighting and shooting mechanics, including an action sequence that dynamically sets the game's difficulty level based on their performance.[7] Melee attacks are controlled with an attack and a stun button, which can be combined to create different combinations of moves.[4] Controllers can be used to select a target for ranged combat, or a single button press can switch between targeted enemies.[7] A Focus meter, once filled, allows players to use enter a Focus mode, which unlocks the use of more powerful combinations.[6] Players unlock additional upgrades in between missions.[4]

Development and release

Development

Path of Neo was the second The Matrix title released by developer Shiny Entertainment following Enter the Matrix, and was released following the completion of the original trilogy of the film series.[8] The commercial success of Enter The Matrix prompted publisher Atari to acquire the studio from their parent company Interplay Entertainment for $47 million.[9] However, Enter the Matrix was a critical disappointment despite its commercial performance;[10][8][11] animation director Gabriel Rountree stated the studio was rushed to complete the first title, and the development process of Path of Neo started with "figuring out what went wrong" to "make it the game we really wanted".[11] Studio founder David Perry stated a key area of feedback from players was the desire to play as Neo and use his abilities, prompting an idea to change the plot of The Matrix series to "see it from the perspective" of the character.[12] Perry and several developers recounted to Polygon that the scope of the game was less restricted, with the design objective to make "something cool" or "fun" and allowing the developers to realise creative goals.[13]

Development of Path of Neo took place over a two-year development cycle involving a team of 60 to 80 staff, involving most of the team that created Enter the Matrix.[13][14][11] Developers recounted that the pace of development was more relaxed than Enter the Matrix,[13] with the final six months dedicated to testing and refining the game.[11] Path of Neo was developed using an enhanced version of the engine from Enter The Matrix,[15] featuring the Havok 2 Physics engine allowing for destructible environments,[16] with a scene featuring 1,500 copies of Agent Smith showcased to demonstrate the capabilities of the engine.[8][15] Rountree stated 4,000 animations were designed for the game's combat, mostly choreographed using motion capture and then manually edited to make moves feel "superhuman" and "fun to play", using techniques such as real-time inverse kinematics to create the illusion of realistic blocks.[11]

The Matrix directors The Wachowskis were actively involved in the development of the game as creative directors and writers, developing new story elements for its narrative, re-editing scenes from the film and providing feedback through the game's development.[11][8] Laurence Fishburne was also recruited to provide new lines of dialogue for the game as Morpheus.[8] The Wachowskis also sought to develop an alternate ending to the narrative to contrast with the pessimistic ending of The Matrix Revolutions.[14][11][13] Prompted by the suggestion of the studio to introduce a boss fight, the Wachowskis responded by proposing to end the game with a Godzilla-inspired hulk of Agent Smith clones. The sisters also suggested the sequence where they would make a cameo appearance as pixellated avatars to explain the reasons for deviating from the film's ending. Art director Chandana Ekanayake stated it was intended as a light-hearted "creative reaction" by the sisters to the film trilogy, and director Saxs Persson speculated their decisions to end the game by breaking the fourth wall intended to "send off" the series by having their view heard directly.[13]

Release

Atari announced Path of Neo in February 2005,[17][10] and showcased it at E3 in May 2005[18][19] and the Tokyo Games Show in September.[20][21] Preview coverage of the game was mixed: IGN described it as one of the best games previewed at E3 for 'Technological Excellence', finding its effects "incredibly convincing" and its engine featuring "impressive real-time performance" and "some of the best depth of field effects we've seen in this generation".[22] GameSpot considered its action sequences were "extremely fun", but felt the visuals of the PC version were dated and inconsistent in quality.[23] PlayStation 2 Magazine staff were "split" on the preview, writing the game "looks sensational" and featured "cooler characters, scenes and moves", although experienced camera and performance issues, and felt the game was "two years too late".[24]

Path of Neo was released in the United States on 8 November 2005.[25][26]

Reception

Sales

Path of Neo shipped 1.5 million copies,[27] and sold 500,000 units in the United States by October 2006 according to NPD Group sales figures.[28] Atari, who had experienced a downturn in revenue in 2006,[29] cited poor retail performances from the game among reasons for its financial losses.[30] The company announced reductions in its workforce and a turn away from internal development, and that its internal studios including Shiny Entertainment would be sold.[30][31][32] The company was sold to Foundation 9 Entertainment for an estimated $20 million.[28]

Critical reviews

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
PCPS2Xbox
EdgeN/A5/10[39]N/A
EGMN/A6.5/10[40]6.5/10[40]
EurogamerN/A7/10[5]N/A
FamitsuN/A26/40[41]N/A
Game InformerN/A7.25/10[3]7.25/10[3]
GameProN/A4/5[42]4/5[42]
GameSpot6.8/10[2]7.3/10[4]7.3/10[4]
GameSpyN/A2/5[7]2.5/5[43]
GameZone6.7/10[44]7.9/10[45]8/10[46]
IGN6.5/10[6]7.8/10[47]7.8/10[47]
OPM (US)N/A3/5[48]N/A
OXM (US)N/AN/A7/10[49]
PC Gamer (US)67%[50]N/AN/A
Aggregate scores
GameRankings64%[33]71%[34]72%[35]
Metacritic64/100[36]69/100[37]73/100[38]

The Matrix: Path of Neo received "mixed or average reviews" on all platforms according to video game review aggregator Metacritic.[36][37][38][51][52][53][54][55][56][57][58]

In Japan, Famitsu gave the PlayStation 2 version a score of one seven, two sixes, and one seven, for a total of 26 out of 40.[41] The New York Times gave it a positive review and stated: "After spawning two mediocre sequels, a collection of dull cartoon shorts and a couple of forgettable video games, there is some life left in the Matrix franchise after all, as this game proves."[59] USA Today, however, gave it six stars out of ten and stated that the game "underwhelms, failing to convey the spark and visual appeal of the films."[52]

Retrospective reception

Retrospectively assessing Path of Neo as the "best Matrix game we have", Rock Paper Shotgun considered it was "bags of fun" to play and featured "a lot to like", although found its live-action cutscenes "trashy".[60] Retro Gamer also wrote that whilst it failed to meet audience expectations upon release, its criticism was "a tad unjust" and felt it was "innovative, captured the spirit of the filme brilliantly and offered a silly amount of fan service".[9] Screen Rant praised the game as a "solid experience" for players seeking to imitate the "grandiose" fights in the film series.[61]

Critics have also retrospectively expressed bemusement at the ending sequence of the game.[60] Polygon wrote they were unsure of whether it was intended as satire, a personal statement from the Wachowskis, or a "love letter to the ridiculousness of action games".[62] Comic Book assessed that Path of Neo served as a coda for the Matrix series and whilst its ending was "self-aware", it was "purposefully strange" and "one of the most memorably bizarre endings in gaming history".[63] EA and THQ creative producer Danny Bilson used the game's expansion of the narrative of The Matrix as an example of successful transmedia storytelling.[64]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Thorsen, Tor. "Path of Neo leads to stores" (in en-US). https://www.gamespot.com/articles/path-of-neo-leads-to-stores/1100-6139425/. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Navarro, Alex (2005-11-10). "The Matrix: Path of Neo Review (PC)". http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/the-matrix-path-of-neo-review/1900-6139602/. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Miller, Matt (December 2005). "The Matrix: Path of Neo". Game Informer (152): 161. http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/23D481FD-BBA4-443D-A336-F79DEA7D98F8.htm. Retrieved 2014-02-10. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 Navarro, Alex (2005-11-09). "The Matrix: Path of Neo Review". http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/the-matrix-path-of-neo-review/1900-6139522/. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Bramwell, Tom (2005-11-12). "The Matrix: Path of Neo Review (PS2)". http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_pathofneo_ps2. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Dunham, Jeremy (2005-11-17). "The Matrix: Path of Neo (PC)". http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/11/17/the-matrix-path-of-neo. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 McGarvey, Sterling (2005-11-11). "GameSpy: The Matrix: Path of Neo (PS2)". GameSpy. http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/enter-the-matrix-reloaded/666152p1.html. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 "The matrix: Path of Neo". Official PlayStation 2 Magazine (102): 30-5. October 2005. https://archive.org/details/psm-102-2005/page/n39/mode/2up?q=%22The+Matrix%3A+Path+of+Neo%22. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Developer Lookback: Shiny Entertainment (Part 2)". Retro Gamer (56): 92-3. 9 October 2007. https://archive.org/details/retro-gamer-ultimate-collection/Retro%20Gamer%20-%20Issue%20056/page/92/mode/2up?q=%22path+of+neo%22. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Surette, Tim (14 February 2005). "Neo-Matrix game named, detailed". Archived from the original on 16 February 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050216042226/http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/02/14/news_6118536.html. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 11.6 Aidou, Kou (December 2005). "The Matrix: Path of Neo". Hardcore Gamer Magazine (6): 34-41. https://archive.org/details/hardcore-gamer-magazine-v1i6/page/n17/mode/2up?q=%22The+Matrix%3A+Path+of+Neo%22. 
  12. ↑ "The Matrix: Path of Neo PlayStation 2 Interview - Dave Perry Video Interview". 10 May 2005. https://www.ign.com/videos/matrix-path-of-neo-ps2-dave-perry-video-interview. Retrieved 14 August 2026. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 Kane, Alex (26 December 2021). "An oral history of The Matrix video games and their bonkers alternate ending". https://www.polygon.com/features/22849946/enter-the-matrix-video-game-path-of-neo-oral-history-lana-lilly-wachowski/. Retrieved 14 August 2026. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "Shiny Boss Unveils Wachowski Matrix Trilogy". Gamefreaks (47). October 2005. https://archive.org/details/game-freaks-2005-10-47/page/n3/mode/2up?q=%22The+Matrix%3A+Path+of+Neo%22. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Park, Andrew (10 May 2005). "The Matrix: Path of Neo First Look". https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-matrix-path-of-neo-first-look/1100-6124072/. Retrieved 14 August 2026. 
  16. ↑ Dunham, Jeremy (21 July 2005). "Path of Neo: The Matrix Interview". https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/07/21/path-of-neo-the-matrix-interview. Retrieved 14 August 2026. 
  17. ↑ Dunham, Jeremy (15 February 2005). "Atari Re-Enters the Matrix". https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/02/14/atari-re-enters-the-matrix. Retrieved 14 August 2026. 
  18. ↑ Park, Andrew (19 May 2005). "The Matrix: Path of Neo E3 2005 Hands-On". https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-matrix-path-of-neo-e3-2005-hands-on/1100-6125821/. Retrieved 14 August 2026. 
  19. ↑ "The Big E3 List: 2005 Edition". 12 April 2005. https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/04/11/the-big-e3-list-2005-edition. Retrieved 13 August 2026. 
  20. ↑ Shoemaker, Brad (18 September 2005). "TGS 2005: The Matrix: Path of Neo Updated Hands-On". https://www.gamespot.com/articles/tgs-2005-the-matrix-path-of-neo-updated-hands-on/1100-6133783/. Retrieved 14 August 2026. 
  21. ↑ Clayman, David (18 September 2005). "TGS 2005: Hands-On Path of Neo". https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/09/18/tgs-2005-hands-on-path-of-neo. Retrieved 14 August 2026. 
  22. ↑ Dunham, Jeremy; Lewis, Ed; Sulic, Ivan (28 May 2025). "IGNPS2's Best of E3 2005 Awards". https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/05/28/ignps2s-best-of-e3-2005-awards. Retrieved 14 August 2026. 
  23. ↑ Torres, Ricardo; Ocampo, Jason (1 November 2005). "The Matrix: Path of Neo Preview". https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-matrix-path-of-neo-preview/1100-6136985/. 
  24. ↑ "The Matrix: The Path of Neo". PlayStation 2 Magazine (64): 20. August 2005. https://archive.org/details/psm-2-issue-64-august-2005_202607/page/20/mode/2up?q=%22path+of+neo%22. 
  25. ↑ Thorsen, Tor (8 November 2005). "Path of Neo leads to stores" (in en-US). https://www.gamespot.com/articles/path-of-neo-leads-to-stores/1100-6139425/. Retrieved 14 August 2026. 
  26. ↑ "November 2K25". Official US PlayStation Magazine (99): 42. December 2025. https://archive.org/details/official-u.-s.-playstation-magazine-issue-099-december-2005/page/n43/mode/2up?q=%22path+of+neo%22. 
  27. ↑ Guider, Elizabeth (November 8, 2005). "Game biz plays to next level". https://variety.com/2005/digital/features/game-biz-plays-to-next-level-1117932634/. Retrieved August 14, 2026. 
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 Feldman, Curt (3 October 2006). "Atari polishes off Shiny". https://www.gamespot.com/articles/atari-polishes-off-shiny/1100-6159134/. 
  29. ↑ Surette, Tim (17 February 2006). "Atari’s Q3 revs sink more than a third". https://www.gamespot.com/articles/ataris-q3-revs-sink-more-than-a-third/1100-6144033/. 
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 Sinclair, Brendan (15 June 2006). "Infogrames to stay the course". https://www.gamespot.com/articles/infogrames-to-stay-the-course/1100-6152828/. 
  31. ↑ Thorsen, Tor (10 May 2006). "Atari to sell internal studios, cut workforce by 20 percent". https://www.gamespot.com/articles/atari-to-sell-internal-studios-cut-workforce-by-20-percent/1100-6144510/. 
  32. ↑ Thorsen, Tor (21 February 2006). "Enter the Matrix studio head exits". https://www.gamespot.com/articles/enter-the-matrix-studio-head-exits/1100-6144602/. 
  33. ↑ "The Matrix: Path of Neo for PC". CBS Interactive. http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/926491-the-matrix-path-of-neo/index.html. 
  34. ↑ "The Matrix: Path of Neo for PlayStation 2". CBS Interactive. http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/926493-the-matrix-path-of-neo/index.html. 
  35. ↑ "The Matrix: Path of Neo for Xbox". CBS Interactive. http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/926492-the-matrix-path-of-neo/index.html. 
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 "The Matrix: Path of Neo for PC Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/the-matrix-path-of-neo/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. 
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 "The Matrix: Path of Neo for PlayStation 2 Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/the-matrix-path-of-neo/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2. 
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 "The Matrix: Path of Neo for Xbox Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/the-matrix-path-of-neo/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox. 
  39. ↑ Edge staff (December 25, 2005). "The Matrix: Path of Neo (PS2)". Edge (157): 110. 
  40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 "The Matrix: Path of Neo". Electronic Gaming Monthly (199). January 2006. 
  41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 "Latest Famitsu Scores 14/12/05". GreenHillZone.uk. 2005-12-15. http://www.greenhillzone.co.uk/forums/index.php?showtopic=2584. 
  42. ↑ 42.0 42.1 Ouroboros (2005-11-07). "The Matrix: Path of Neo". GamePro. http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/49653.shtml. Retrieved 2014-02-10. 
  43. ↑ McGarvey, Sterling (2005-11-11). "GameSpy: The Matrix: Path of Neo (Xbox)". GameSpy. http://xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/the-matrix-path-of-neo/666166p1.html. 
  44. ↑ Knutson, Michael (2005-12-08). "The Matrix: Path of Neo - PC - Review". GameZone. http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/the_matrix_path_of_neo_pc_review. 
  45. ↑ Boker, Gabe (2005-12-04). "The Matrix: Path of Neo - PS2 - Review". GameZone. http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/the_matrix_path_of_neo_ps2_review. 
  46. ↑ Bedigian, Louis (2005-11-27). "The Matrix: Path of Neo - XB - Review". GameZone. http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/the_matrix_path_of_neo_xb_review. 
  47. ↑ 47.0 47.1 Dunham, Jeremy (2005-11-09). "The Matrix: Path of Neo". http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/11/10/the-matrix-path-of-neo-3. 
  48. ↑ OPM Staff (January 2006). "The Matrix: Path of Neo". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. http://www.1up.com/reviews/matrix-path-neo. Retrieved 2014-02-10. 
  49. ↑ "The Matrix: Path of Neo". Official Xbox Magazine: 68. January 2006. 
  50. ↑ "The Matrix: Path of Neo". PC Gamer: 35. February 2006. 
  51. ↑ "The Matrix: Path of Neo". NAG: 80. February 2006. https://archive.org/details/002NAG-February-2006/page/80/mode/2up?q=%22The+Matrix%3A+Path+of+Neo%22. 
  52. ↑ 52.0 52.1 Molina, Brett (2005-12-16). "All it takes to be 'The One' is mindless button mashing". USA Today. http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/tech/gaming/2005-12-04-path-of-neo_x.htm. 
  53. ↑ Brancombes, Moesmars (January 2006). "The Matrix: Path of Neo". Hyper (147): 50. https://archive.org/details/hyper-147/page/50/mode/2up?q=%22The+Matrix%3A+Path+of+Neo%22. 
  54. ↑ Gladstone, Darren (February 2006). "The Matrix: Path of Neo". Computer Gaming World (259). https://archive.org/details/Computer_Gaming_World_Issue_259/page/n69/mode/2up?q=%22The+Matrix%3A+Path+of+Neo%22. 
  55. ↑ "The Matrix: Path of Neo". Play (48): 64. December 2005. https://archive.org/details/Play_048_Dec_2005/page/n65/mode/2up?q=%22The+Matrix%3A+Path+of+Neo%22. 
  56. ↑ Hwang, Kaiser (Christmas 2005). "The Matrix: Path of Neo". PlayStation 2 Magazine (105): 82. https://archive.org/details/psm-105-2005/page/n121/mode/2up?q=%22The+Matrix%3A+Path+of+Neo%22. 
  57. ↑ Pearson, Craig (January 2006). "The Matrix: Path of Neo". PC Format: 96. https://archive.org/details/pc-format-2007/PC%20Format%20183/page/n79/mode/2up?q=%22path+of+neo%22. 
  58. ↑ Kennedy, Declan (February 2006). "The Matrix: Path of Neo". APC: 128. https://archive.org/details/apc-2006-02/page/128/mode/2up?q=%22path+of+neo%22. 
  59. ↑ Herold, Charles (2005-12-10). "Chasing a Girl on Kong's Island, and Other Pursuits". The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/10/sports/othersports/10vide.html?pagewanted=1&_r=0&emc=eta1. 
  60. ↑ 60.0 60.1 Green, Jake (9 February 2021). "Have You Played... The Matrix: Path Of Neo?". https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/have-you-played-the-matrix-path-of-neo. 
  61. ↑ Varnson, Fletcher (28 April 2023). "Every Matrix Game You Can Play Right Now". https://screenrant.com/enter-matrix-awakens-path-neo-every-game/. 
  62. ↑ Plante, Chris (9 July 2014). "Stop whatever you're doing and watch the end of the Matrix video game". https://www.polygon.com/2014/7/9/5884687/stop-whatever-youre-doing-and-watch-the-end-of-the-matrix-video-game/. 
  63. ↑ Zachary, Brandon (7 November 2025). "20 Years Ago, The Matrix Got an Entirely New Ending That Many People Missed". https://comicbook.com/gaming/feature/the-matrix-path-of-neo-alternate-ending/. 
  64. ↑ Rosenberg, Adam. "The Transmedia Experience and a New Level of Gaming". Electronic Gaming Monthly (245): 11. https://archive.org/details/electronic-gaming-monthly-issue-245-march-2011/mode/2up?q=%22path+of+neo%22. 
  • 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. 
  • No URL found. Please specify a URL here or add one to Wikidata.



Template:The Wachowskis

Warning: Default sort key "Matrix, The: Path Of Neo" overrides earlier default sort key "Mobygames".



Retrieved from "https://handwiki.org/wiki/index.php?title=Software:The_Matrix:_Path_of_Neo&oldid=4626101"