Software:The Showdown Effect

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Short description: 2013 video game
The Showdown Effect
Developer(s)Arrowhead Game Studios, Pixeldiet Entertainment
Publisher(s)Paradox Interactive
Director(s)Johan Pilestedt
Producer(s)Axel Lindberg (Arrowhead)
Mats Anderson (Pixeldiet)
Designer(s)Emil Englund
Johan Pilestedt
Artist(s)Carl Brännström
Malin Hedström
EngineAutodesk Stingray
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X
Release5 March 2013
Genre(s)Action
Mode(s)Multiplayer

The Showdown Effect is an action game developed by Arrowhead Game Studios in cooperation with Pixeldiet Entertainment and published by Paradox Interactive for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X. The game was released on 5 March 2013 via digital distribution on Steam.

An enhanced version of the game, The Showdown Effect: Reloaded was developed by GIII Holdings and released on 5 March 2024 via Steam.[1]

The game was inspired by exploitation films of the 1980s and 1990s, with characters being one of multiple protagonists of these films. Most of the interaction between the characters of the game consists of "one-liners". These one-liners are part of the game's mechanics.[2] The game is set in a futuristic Tokyo in 2027.

Development

The game was announced in February 2012 under the codename "Project JFK", and was unveiled during the Game Developers Conference 2012. The Showdown Effect was developed by Arrowhead Game Studios and co-developed by Pixeldiet Entertainment, their first commercially released game.[3] The Showdown Effect was created with the BitSquid video game engine. Production began in late 2011, with a small part of the Arrowhead team working on it.[4] In January 2012 the rest of the team joined the production of The Showdown Effect.

On 8 February 2012, Paradox Interactive has announced that three new games would be revealed at GDC that year, including code name "Project JFK", which would later become The Showdown Effect. On 6 March 2012, the game was revealed to be a "2.5D multiplayer action game where players will participate in deadly battles to win fame."

In an interview with Joystiq, Emil Englund, the game designer of Arrowhead Game Studios, said the idea for The Showdown Effect came when they were working together with Paradox Interactive in creating a game similar to Super Smash Bros.. Moreover, the designer Johan Pilestedt, of The Escapist, said he considered the game a mix between Super Smash Bros. and GoldenEye 007. Pilestedt continued, commenting on some movies that were used for inspiration during the creation of the game, especially in the graphics: "It is close to the work of Tarantino. His films are so violent, but are exaggerated. The blood is not real blood, it's just red water. These exploitation films are a major influence on the violence present in Showdown. " Pilestedt also mentioned to the interviewer that animations in the film Ghost in the Machine and in Team Fortress 2 served as inspiration.

Englund explained the significance of the name of the game, The Showdown Effect: "[...] is the moment where two people meet and they just know they have the look and know they have to battle."[5] Speaking with Kotaku Australia, Fredrik Wester, CEO of Paradox Interactive, commented on the characters of the game, saying that they are all based on characters from action films of the 1980s such as John McClane in Die Hard, Roger Murtaugh in Lethal Weapon or "any movie 1980 with Arnold Schwarzenegger." Each character was created to resemble an archetype of the time, but never tried to imitate a single character.

During development, it was decided to not produce a console version or gamepad support for computers.[6] According to Pilestedt, after testing several different mechanical controls, decided to stay only with the keyboard and mouse because "if you have high damage and you hit all the bullets, the game goes to be about who pulled the trigger first." The version presented during the PAX East of 2012 had full support gamepad, which was removed after discussions about the game focus more on quick reflexes.[7]

Those who registered through the official website, or those who pre-purchased the game, gained access to the closed beta on 1 February 2013.[8]

The game was delisted from Steam on 14 August 2018.[9][better source needed]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic67/100[10]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Destructoid8.5/10[11]
Edge5/10[12]
Eurogamer6/10[13]
GameStar72%[14]
Hardcore Gamer3/5[15]
IGN6/10[16]
PC Gamer (UK)70%[17]
PC Games64%[18]
Digital SpyStarStarStar[19]

The game received "average" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[10]

References

  1. ↑ updated, Andy Chalk last (2022-09-01). "A fan-made revival of a long-dead action game gets the official green light from Paradox" (in en). PC Gamer. https://www.pcgamer.com/a-fan-made-revival-of-a-long-dead-action-game-gets-the-official-green-light-from-paradox/. 
  2. ↑ Joe Martin (5 February 2013). "The Showdown Effect preview". https://www.bit-tech.net/gaming/pc/2013/02/05/the-showdown-effect-preview/1. Retrieved 22 November 2013. 
  3. ↑ "The Showdown Effect". Archived from the original on 14 March 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130314215339/http://pixeldiet.se/the-games/. Retrieved 20 August 2013. 
  4. ↑ Malin Hedström (27 January 2013). "Arrowhead – A semi-brief history". https://www.arrowheadgamestudios.com/2013/01/arrowhead-a-semi-brief-history/. Retrieved 8 September 2022. 
  5. ↑ "The Showdown Effect PC Interview". 30 April 2012. https://www.gamewatcher.com/interviews/the-showdown-effect-interview/11293. Retrieved 8 September 2022. 
  6. ↑ Taylor Cocke (31 January 2013). "The Showdown Effect Beta Begins". IGN Entertainment. http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/the-showdown-effect/1227310p1.html. Retrieved 22 November 2013. 
  7. ↑ Mike Sharkey (7 February 2013). "The Showdown Effect Q&A with Director Johan Pilestedt". IGN Entertainment. http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/the-showdown-effect/1227364p1.html. Retrieved 22 November 2013. 
  8. ↑ David Hinkle (1 February 2013). "The Showdown Effect leaps into beta today". Yahoo. Archived from the original on 4 February 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130204024332/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/01/the-showdown-effect-leaps-into-beta-today/. Retrieved 8 September 2022. 
  9. ↑ "The Showdown Effect (App 204080)". Archived from the original on 21 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211121135200/https://steamdb.info/app/204080/. Retrieved 30 August 2022. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "The Showdown Effect for PC Reviews". Metacritic. https://www.metacritic.com/game/the-showdown-effect/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. Retrieved 8 September 2022. 
  11. ↑ Fraser Brown (14 March 2013). "Review: The Showdown Effect". Enthusiast Gaming. https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-the-showdown-effect/. Retrieved 9 September 2022. 
  12. ↑ Edge staff (15 March 2013). "The Showdown Effect review". Edge. Archived from the original on 20 March 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130320100824/http://www.edge-online.com/review/the-showdown-effect-review/. Retrieved 8 September 2022. 
  13. ↑ Dan Whitehead (11 March 2013). "The Showdown Effect review". Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/the-showdown-effect-review. Retrieved 8 September 2022. 
  14. ↑ Florian Heider (21 March 2013). "The Showdown Effect im Test – Rest in Pieces!" (in de). Webedia. https://www.gamestar.de/artikel/the_showdown_effect,3010399.html. Retrieved 9 September 2022. 
  15. ↑ Bradly Halestorm (13 March 2013). "Review: The Showdown Effect". https://hardcoregamer.com/reviews/review-the-showdown-effect/33319/. Retrieved 9 September 2022. 
  16. ↑ Nathan Grayson (18 March 2013). "The Showdown Effect Review". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2013/03/18/the-showdown-effect-review. Retrieved 8 September 2022. 
  17. ↑ James Archer (23 March 2013). "The Showdown Effect review". https://www.pcgamer.com/the-showdown-effect-review/. Retrieved 9 September 2022. 
  18. ↑ "The Showdown Effect" (in de). PC Games (Computec). March 2013. 
  19. ↑ Ben Lee (14 March 2013). "Downloadable game reviews: Runner2, Showdown Effect, Nano Assault EX". Digital Spy. https://www.digitalspy.com/videogames/a464769/downloadable-game-reviews-runner2-showdown-effect-nano-assault-ex/. Retrieved 8 September 2022. 
  • Official website
  • 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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