Software:Thrasher Presents Skate and Destroy

From HandWiki
Short description: 1999 video game
Thrasher Presents Skate and Destroy
Developer(s)Z-Axis
Publisher(s)Rockstar Games
Platform(s)PlayStation
Release
Genre(s)Sports
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Thrasher Presents Skate and Destroy, also known as Thrasher: Skate and Destroy, is a skateboard video game developed by Z-Axis and published by Rockstar Games for the PlayStation. The game was later published in Japan by UEP Systems on March 4, 2000 under the name Thrasher SK8.[3] A Game Boy Color version was also developed, but was later cancelled.[4]

Despite having less recognition, it received high scores from both IGN and GameSpot, being seen as "technically superior to Tony Hawk"[5] and an "almost sim-like approach to the sport".[6] Aside from less advanced graphics, this was one of the reasons Thrasher was ignored, as the learning curve (due to unconventional controls) is fairly steep compared to the 'pick up and play' style of the Tony Hawk games. It is also one of the first games to have ragdoll physics.

The objective of the game is to take one of the six fictional skaters and work through a total of 12 levels across the globe, gaining sponsors, decks and clothing, and eventually appearing on the front of Thrasher magazine - from which the game takes its name.

Gameplay

Reviewers noted the more realistic style and different control layout, compared to Tony Hawk, which added to the overall difficulty of the game. Because it is more of a simulation of skateboarding as a whole, the focus of the game is mostly on technical tricks and to perform tricks efficiently, a formula that the future skateboarding Skate series of video games would build on, whereas the Tony Hawk series, even from its outset, had a focus on arcade style gameplay and is rather more forgiving.

Like the other Z-Axis developed sports titles, the game features ragdoll physics. In keeping with the realistic nature of the game, players can break their skateboard and even bones if they crash hard enough (especially if the player does so into moving vehicles). Breaking their skateboard will mean the player has to restart their run and will lose their score, so it is in their best interest to use the 'bail' button combination (L2 + R2), as well as the 'tuck' button (Circle/O), while in the air to minimize the damage.

Skate Mode

This is the main gameplay mode, where the player advances through 12 different levels in a series of two-minute runs. When the player enters a level, there is no time limit so they are free to explore the whole area before starting their run with the Select button. The player then has two minutes to get the high score necessary to complete the level without breaking their board or getting caught by ether a Police Officer, a Guard Dog, or a Street Mugger; this occurs when the time limit reaches ten seconds. The player is seen from behind, with said chasers arm or (in case of the dog) head in view ready to attack the skater, who then must leave the level through one of the designated exit doors. If the skater is caught, then their score is annulled and the run must be done again.

In the competition levels (last level of each zone), the player's objective is also to gain score, except this time they are being judged on "high difficulty, risk and style". Repeating the same tricks in the same areas devalues their point score, so the player must use a wide selection of different tricks and objects in the level, as well as avoiding bails (sometimes almost completely) to progress.

At certain points in the game, the player is also offered choices of sponsors. Three are available at once, but only one can be chosen, which then gives the player new decks, shirts, pants and shoes to outfit their skater with.

Once the player has completed the game on the Expert setting, they are classified as a 'Pro Skater'. However, to fully complete the game and to feature on the cover of Thrasher Magazine, the player must go back through the levels and once again complete them. At the end of the runs, the player is able to take a photo of any tricks performed in that run to feature on the cover. Completing all of this lets the player feature in the 'Skater of the Year' issue of the magazine, which marks the end of the game.

Multiplayer Mode

There are seven total multiplayer game types available for two players. In the same way as Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX, the players do not skate simultaneously, instead they take turns. The game types are identical to Dave Mirra, just renamed. Each game takes place on a different level associated with the specific challenge. The game types are follows:

  • Sessions: Each player has a two-minute run to beat the other player's score.
  • Nickel Bag: Players take turns doing single tricks. The highest scoring single trick wins.
  • H.O.R.S.E.: One player does a trick, then the other must match it. If they do not, they are assigned one of the letters of 'HORSE'. The first player to get all the letters, spelling out the whole word, loses.
  • Top Dog: Each player takes turns doing different tricks at five different spots. The highest total point score wins.
  • Sick Fix: Taking advantage of the ragdoll physics, the players take turns inflicting the most damage to the player by crashing into different objects in the level. The highest score wins.
  • Long Grind: Longest grind in the level wins.
  • Big Wallride: The highest wallride in the level wins.

Characters

There are six fictional characters to choose from in Thrasher. Players can rename and re-clothe (when new clothes are unlocked) any skater if so desired. Each player has different statistics, meaning that some tricks will be performed more easily. Also, each character also has a special move that is executed with a specific combination.

Soundtrack

The game is unique for its soundtrack as it only features early rap and hip-hop songs from the late 1980s to early 1990s as compared to other skate punk video game soundtracks in the genre.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
GameRankings73%[7]
Review scores
PublicationScore
AllGameStarStar[8]
Edge6/10[9]
EGM6.75/10[10][lower-alpha 1]
Game Informer8/10[11]
GameProStarStarStarStar[12]
GameSpot8.1/10[6]
IGN8.5/10[5]
Jeuxvideo.com17/20[13]
Next GenerationStarStar[14]
OPM (US)StarStarStarHalf star[15]

The game received above-average reviews according to the review aggregation website GameRankings.[7] Blake Fischer of NextGen called it "a sim that's tedious, not fun".[14]

Notes

  1. ↑ Two critics of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the game each a score of 7/10, and the other two gave it 6.5/10.

References

  1. ↑ "Thrasher - Skate and Destroy". http://chipsworld.co.uk/detProd.asp?ProductCode=1498. 
  2. ↑ Sato, Yukiyoshi Ike (November 23, 1999). "Take-Two Releases Thrasher for PS [date mislalebed as "April 27, 2000""]. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on October 21, 2000. https://web.archive.org/web/20001021162010/http://headline.gamespot.com/news/99_11/23_vg_thras/index.html. Retrieved September 19, 2022. 
  3. ↑ "Thrasher Presents Skate and Destroy Releases". Blue Flame Labs. https://www.mobygames.com/game/playstation/thrasher-presents-skate-and-destroy/release-info. Retrieved January 15, 2020. 
  4. ↑ Harris, Craig (September 17, 1999). "Thrasher: Skate and Destroy (GBC Preview)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/09/17/thrasher-skate-and-destroy-3. Retrieved January 5, 2014. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Perry, Douglass C. (December 6, 1999). "Thrasher: Skate and Destroy". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/12/07/thrasher-skate-and-destroy. Retrieved January 15, 2020. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Gerstmann, Jeff (November 15, 1999). "Thrasher: Skate and Destroy Review [date mislabeled as "May 2, 2000""]. Red Ventures. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/thrasher-skate-and-destroy-review/1900-2549747/. Retrieved January 15, 2020. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Thrasher Presents: Skate and Destroy for PlayStation". CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 4, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190504002307/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps/199001-thrasher-presents-skate-and-destroy/index.html. Retrieved January 15, 2020. 
  8. ↑ Kanarick, Mark. "Thrasher: Skate & Destroy - Review". All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 15, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141115233932/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=20419&tab=review. Retrieved January 15, 2020. 
  9. ↑ Edge staff (January 2000). "Thrasher: Skate & Destroy". Edge (Future Publishing) (80): 96. https://retrocdn.net/images/6/64/Edge_UK_080.pdf. Retrieved September 19, 2022. 
  10. ↑ Chou, Che; Johnston, Chris; Hager, Dean; Davison, John (February 2000). "Thrasher: Skate and Destroy". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (127): 184. https://retrocdn.net/images/3/37/EGM_US_127.pdf. Retrieved September 19, 2022. 
  11. ↑ "Thrasher [Skate and Destroy]". Game Informer (FuncoLand) (81). January 2000. 
  12. ↑ iBot (December 17, 1999). "Thrasher: Skate and Destroy Review for PlayStation on GamePro.com". GamePro (IDG Entertainment). Archived from the original on February 7, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050207173256/http://gamepro.com/sony/psx/games/reviews/3697.shtml. Retrieved January 16, 2020. 
  13. ↑ Kornifex (March 10, 2000). "Test: Thrasher: Skate And Destroy" (in fr). Webedia. Archived from the original on January 16, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200116040118/https://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0000/00000554_test.htm. Retrieved September 19, 2022. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Fischer, Blake (January 2000). "Thrasher [Presents: Skate and Destroy"]. NextGen (Imagine Media) (61): 100. https://archive.org/details/NextGen61Jan2000/page/n101/mode/2up. Retrieved May 15, 2020. 
  15. ↑ Rybicki, Joe (February 2000). "Thrasher [Presents: Skate and Destroy"]. Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine (Ziff Davis) 3 (5): 94. https://archive.org/details/Official_U.S._Playstation_Magazine_Issue_29_February_2000/page/n93/mode/2up. Retrieved November 10, 2020. 
  • 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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