Software:The Terminator: Dawn of Fate

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Short description: 2002 video game
The Terminator: Dawn of Fate
PlayStation 2 cover art
Developer(s)Paradigm Entertainment
Publisher(s)Infogrames[lower-alpha 1]
Designer(s)Craig Bolin
Composer(s)Bob Daspit
SeriesTerminator
Platform(s)PlayStation 2, Xbox
Release
  • NA: September 17, 2002
  • EU: October 25, 2002[1]
  • AU: October 2002 (PS2)[2]
  • AU: November 2002 (Xbox)[3]
Genre(s)Action
Mode(s)Single-player

The Terminator: Dawn of Fate is a 2002 action video game developed by Paradigm Entertainment and published by Infogrames for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox. It is based on the Terminator film series, serving as a prequel to the first two films.

The Terminator: Dawn of Fate received "mixed or average reviews" according to Metacritic. It was largely criticized for its preset camera angles and voice acting, although the music and sound effects were praised.

Gameplay

The Terminator: Dawn of Fate is a prequel to the first two films. It is set in the future during a post-apocalyptic war between humans and machines. John Connor leads the human resistance against the Terminator machines, which are led by Skynet. The game features three playable members of the resistance: Kyle Reese, Catherine Luna, and Justin Perry. The game ends with Kyle Reese being sent back in time to prevent a Terminator from killing John's mother, Sarah Connor, before he is born. The ending precedes the events depicted in the 1984 film The Terminator.[4][5][6][7]

The Terminator: Dawn of Fate is a third-person shooter game. The camera angles are preset to fixed positions, and they change with each new area that the player enters. The player can also enter a first-person perspective for easier aiming, but cannot move while in this mode. The game features 10 levels, each one tasking the player with various mission objectives. The player can use a variety of weapons, including pistols, assault rifles, rocket launchers, canister bombs, C4 explosives, and a plasma baton. Gun turrets are also located throughout the game. The player can also engage in hand-to-hand combat, and an adrenaline boost can be activated for increased effectiveness of such attacks.[4][5][6][7]

Development and release

The game was announced in January 2002,[8][9] and was already six or seven months into development.[10] Infogrames devised the idea for a Terminator prequel game approximately one year prior to the game's announcement.[8] The future war setting was featured briefly in scenes from the first two films.[11]

The game supports various sound modes, including Dolby Pro Logic II.[11][7] In March 2002, two songs were recorded for the game by industrial metal band Fear Factory. This would be the band's final work before temporarily breaking up that same month.[12] Songs include "Full Metal Contact," "Terminate," and "Hi-Tech Hate" from the albums Obsolete and "Digimortal".

The game was originally scheduled for release in May 2002,[7][10] although it was delayed to allow for more fine-tuning.[7] Respectively, the PS2 and Xbox versions were later expected for release in June and August 2002.[13] In the United States, the game was ultimately released in September 2002.[14][6][15]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic(PS2) 58/100[16]
(Xbox) 53/100[17]
Review scores
PublicationScore
CVG(PS2) 4/10[18]
EGM4.83/10[19]
Game Informer6/10[20][21]
GamePro(PS2) StarStarStar[4]
(Xbox) StarStar[5]
GameSpot(Xbox) 6.6/10[22]
(PS2) 6.1/10[23]
GameSpyStarStarHalf star[24][6]
GameZone(Xbox) 6.7/10[25]
(PS2) 6.1/10[11]
IGN(PS2) 5.6/10[7]
(Xbox) 5.3/10[26]
OPM (US)StarStarHalf star[27]
Entertainment WeeklyC−[28]
MaximStarStarStarStar[15]

The Terminator: Dawn of Fate received "mixed or average reviews" according to Metacritic.[16][17] Some critics believed that the game made a poor use of the Terminator license,[18][20][21][7] while others believed the game would have appeal for Terminator fans.[4][5][22] GamePro wrote, "Between the killer license and a story line that leads right up to the first film, it was hard not to have high hopes for The Terminator: Dawn of Fate, but unfortunately, this game pummels those expectations into rubble."[5] Andrew Reiner of Game Informer stated that the game "wallows in mediocrity," calling it "another highly respected, licensed product that had the potential to thrive in the gaming world, but didn't receive the development treatment that it truly deserved."[20] Sam Kennedy of Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine wrote that the game "gets gradually better as you go, and it turns out to be a somewhat solid adventure."[27] Tom Ham of GameSpy opined that the game felt rushed.[6] Reviewers for Game Informer gave differing opinions on the quality of the game's storyline.[20][21] Ryan MacDonald of GameSpot opined that the story "isn't especially compelling even for die-hard Terminator fans".[22] Some critics believed that the game adequately captured the atmosphere of the Terminator films.[18][7][6]

The gameplay received criticism from some reviewers who considered it repetitive.[18][22][11][25][7] Nick Valentino of GameZone complained of "seemingly never-ending Terminator hordes."[11] The artificial intelligence also received criticism.[18][20][21][6][27] The changing camera angles were largely criticized, with some reviewers stating that it caused in-game disorientation.[20][21][4][5][22][6][11][25][7][27][28] The targeting system received some criticism as well.[21][4] Kristian Brogger of Game Informer stated that because of the changing camera perspectives, "Many times you'll find yourself firing at something you can't see, but which your targeting system has locked on to."[21] Kennedy stated that the camera angles "almost always lead to confusion—not to mention lots of walking into walls—and the targeting system is so haphazard that you never quite feel comfortable."[27] The controls were also criticized.[4][5][6][28] Ham stated, "Just when you think you're walking in one direction, the camera switches angles and you have to switch the way you were holding the analog stick because now you're facing an alternate direction. In a combat situation, this can prove fatal."[6]

Some reviewers praised the graphics,[22][7] while others considered them to be average.[21][6] GamePro, in its review of the PS2 version, wrote that the graphics have "moments of brilliance with cinematic FMVs and well-rendered environments; however, sometimes the animation is a bit clumsy as figures seem to just glide across the screen."[4] Valentino, also reviewing the PS2 version, gave a mixed opinion of the graphics: "Characters, for instance, aren't rendered as well as the wonderful environments. Yet in the cut scenes, the graphics improve greatly. The background details are plentiful".[11] IGN complained that Kyle Reese "looks like his head is about to burst. Understandable that they couldn't get the rights to the likeness, but does that mean he can't even look human?"[26] Some praise went to the lighting effects.[22][6][7] Critics considered the graphics of the Xbox version to be somewhat superior to the PS2 version.[6][25][7] MacDonald believed that the Xbox version had better lighting effects,[22] and Ham believed it had a better framerate.[6] GameZone's Eduardo Zacarias believed that the Xbox version could have had better graphics, while stating that it was better-looking than its PS2 counterpart.[25]

The sound effects and music were praised,[4][5][22][6][11][25][7] although criticism went to the voice acting, which some critics perceived as over-dramatic.[4][5][22][6][11][25][7] However, GamePro considered the voice acting decent,[4] while Brogger disliked the sound.[21] Ham was critical of the "cheesy guitar music".[6] IGN considered the voice acting average.[7]

Notes

  1. ↑ Released under the Atari brand name

References

  1. ↑ "The Terminator : Un Autre Futur" (in fr). https://www.jeuxvideo.com/jeux/jeu-61496/. 
  2. ↑ "Terminator: Dawn Of Fate". http://gamenation.com.au/product/?action=view&id=865. 
  3. ↑ "Terminator: Dawn Of Fate". http://gamenation.com.au/product/?action=view&id=863. 
  4. ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 Dr. Zombie (September 18, 2002). "The Terminator: Dawn of Fate for PS2". GamePro. Archived from the original on February 12, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050212141354/http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/26241.shtml. Retrieved February 27, 2014. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.8 Pong Sifu (September 18, 2002). "Terminator: Dawn of Fate Review for Xbox". GamePro. Archived from the original on February 8, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050208012126/http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox/games/reviews/26244.shtml. Retrieved February 27, 2014. 
  6. ↑ 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 6.11 6.12 6.13 6.14 6.15 6.16 Ham, Tom (October 2, 2002). "GameSpy: Terminator: Dawn of Fate (Xbox)". GameSpy. Archived from the original on May 20, 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20070520203555/http://xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/terminator-dawn-of-fate/603711p1.html. Retrieved February 27, 2014. 
  7. ↑ 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 7.11 7.12 7.13 7.14 7.15 Dunham, Jeremy (September 18, 2002). "The Terminator: Dawn of Fate (PS2)". http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/09/18/the-terminator-dawn-of-fate. Retrieved February 26, 2014. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Terminator X". IGN. January 22, 2002. https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/01/23/terminator-x. Retrieved November 19, 2019. 
  9. ↑ Varanini, Giancarlo (January 23, 2002). "New Terminator details". GameSpot. https://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-terminator-details/1100-2841737/. Retrieved November 19, 2019. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Zdyrko, Dave (January 24, 2002). "Terminator: Dawn of Fate". IGN. https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/01/25/terminator-dawn-of-fate-4. Retrieved November 19, 2019. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 11.6 11.7 11.8 Valentino, Nick (October 12, 2002). "The Terminator: Dawn of Fate Review - PlayStation 2". GameZone. Archived from the original on May 27, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090527092412/http://ps2.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r19708.htm. Retrieved February 27, 2014. 
  12. ↑ Wiederhorn, Jon. "Fear Factory Shutting Down". MTV.com (March 7, 2002). Retrieved July 16, 2011.
  13. ↑ Fielder, Joe (May 22, 2002). "E3 2002: Terminator: Dawn of Fate screenshots". GameSpot. https://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-2002-terminator-dawn-of-fate-screenshots/1100-2867013/. Retrieved November 19, 2019. 
  14. ↑ Roper, Chris (September 11, 2002). "Terminator: Dawn of Fate Hands-on". IGN. https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/09/11/terminator-dawn-of-fate-hands-on. Retrieved November 19, 2019. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Porter, Alex (September 20, 2002). "Terminator: Dawn of Fate". Maxim. Archived from the original on October 2, 2002. https://web.archive.org/web/20021002055501/http://www.maximonline.com/entertainment/reviews/review_games_4006.html. Retrieved November 14, 2014. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 "The Terminator: Dawn of Fate Critic Reviews for PlayStation 2". https://www.metacritic.com/game/the-terminator-dawn-of-fate/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2. Retrieved February 26, 2014. 
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 "The Terminator: Dawn of Fate Critic Reviews for Xbox". https://www.metacritic.com/game/the-terminator-dawn-of-fate/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox. Retrieved February 26, 2014. 
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 18.4 Francis, Jimmy (November 12, 2002). "Terminator: Dawn of Fate". http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=83196. 
  19. ↑ EGM Staff (November 2002). "The Terminator: Dawn of Fate (Xbox)". Electronic Gaming Monthly (160): 304. 
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 20.4 20.5 Reiner, Andrew (October 2002). "The Terminator: Dawn of Fate (PS2)". Game Informer (114): 84. http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200210/R03.0731.1618.08918.htm?CS_pid=280385. Retrieved February 27, 2014. 
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 21.4 21.5 21.6 21.7 21.8 Brogger, Kristian (October 2002). "The Terminator: Dawn of Fate (Xbox)". Game Informer (114): 91. http://gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200210/R03.0731.1708.52426.htm. Retrieved February 27, 2014. 
  22. ↑ 22.00 22.01 22.02 22.03 22.04 22.05 22.06 22.07 22.08 22.09 MacDonald, Ryan (October 14, 2002). "The Terminator: Dawn of Fate Review (Xbox)". http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/the-terminator-dawn-of-fate-review/1900-2886111/. Retrieved February 26, 2014. 
  23. ↑ MacDonald, Ryan (September 19, 2002). "The Terminator: Dawn of Fate Review (PS2)". http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/the-terminator-dawn-of-fate-review/1900-2880829/. Retrieved February 26, 2014. 
  24. ↑ Ham, Tom (October 2, 2002). "GameSpy: Terminator: Dawn of Fate (PS2)". GameSpy. Archived from the original on November 2, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20051102111827/http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/terminator-dawn-of-fate/603702p1.html. Retrieved February 27, 2014. 
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 25.3 25.4 25.5 25.6 Zacarias, Eduardo (October 11, 2002). "The Terminator: Dawn of Fate Review - Xbox". GameZone. Archived from the original on February 3, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080203093854/http://xbox.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r19708.htm. Retrieved February 27, 2014. 
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 Goldstein, Hilary (September 19, 2002). "Terminator: Dawn of Fate (Xbox)". http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/09/19/terminator-dawn-of-fate. Retrieved February 26, 2014. 
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 27.2 27.3 27.4 Kennedy, Sam (December 2002). "The Terminator: Dawn of Fate". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine: 174. Archived from the original on June 15, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20040615084419/http://www.playstationmagazine.com/article2/0,2053,1495355,00.asp. Retrieved February 27, 2014. 
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 Bernardin, Marc (October 4, 2002). "Terminator: Dawn of Fate; Superman: Shadow of Apokolips". Entertainment Weekly (675–676): 157. http://www.ew.com/article/2002/10/04/terminator-dawn-fate-superman-shadow-apokolips. Retrieved February 27, 2014. 
  • 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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