Software:Thrillville

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Thrillville
European cover art
Developer(s)Frontier Developments
Publisher(s)LucasArts (North America)
Atari Europe (Europe)
Composer(s)Alistair Lindsay
David Collins
Jesse Harlin
Platform(s)PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Xbox
Release
  • NA: November 21, 2006
  • PAL: December 1, 2006 (PS2)
  • AU: February 2, 2007 (PSP)
  • EU: February 9, 2007 (PSP)
Genre(s)Strategy, action, party
Mode(s)Single-player, Multiplayer

Thrillville is a simulation and strategy video game developed by Frontier Developments that depicts theme park management, similar to RollerCoaster Tycoon. Thrillville is available for PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable and, in North America, Xbox.

The original Xbox version of Thrillville was made backwards compatible on Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S on November 15, 2021.[1]

The PlayStation Portable version of the game was made available on PlayStation Store for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 on December 19, 2023.[2]

Plot

The player is left a voice message by their Uncle Mortimer (Brian Greene), an eccentric inventor and theme park owner with a voice and personality similar to Doc Emmett Brown, who has reviewed the player's roller coaster designs. Enamored with the designs, he tasks the player with managing his theme park, Thrillville. After successfully managing Thrillville, a competitor, billionaire Vernon Garrison, enters the theme-park market with his brand Globo-Joy to challenge Mortimer and Thrillville. The player is then assigned to manage Thrillville Timewarp, a park with many rides and attractions that are old or broken down. Additionally, it is discovered that Globo-Joy is sabotaging the park. After restoring Timewarp and undoing Globo-Joy's sabotage, the player is sent to manage Thrillville Paradise, where Globo-Joy is using bugs to commit corporate espionage and steal Mortimer's ideas. After discovering the bugs, Mortimer designs a fake flea-themed park, which Mortimer allows Garrison to think is a real idea. Meanwhile, the player must manage Thrillville Adventures to compete with the increasing popularity of Globo-Joy parks. Finally, Garrison is tricked into stealing Mortimer's idea and creating Lice Land, whose catastrophic failure leads Garrison to file for bankruptcy. The player is then given access to Treasures of Thrillville, the fifth and final park.

Gameplay

The concept of the game is to design and build a theme park that will satisfy tourists looking for a thrill. Park guests must be kept happy by use of roller coasters and race tracks, carnival rides, and games like bumper cars and arcade games. In party play mode, players can play all the minigames available against the computer or friends. The player can build facilities that would be available in amusement parks, such as bathrooms, food stalls, drink stalls, and even hat and balloon stalls. The player may also talk and interact with their guests to become friends. If using a teen character, the player may also flirt with the opposite sex. The player can play minigames to gain money, make loans, and hire staff to clean, entertain, and fix rides. Keeping park guests happy will increase publicity and money.

The game provides missions to the players, divided into five categories: upkeep, which involves taking control of staff to keep the park in working order; build, which involves building and upgrading attractions; games, which involves playing and winning games throughout the park; business, which involves managing the park's finances, advertisement campaigns, etc.; and guests, which involves interacting with the park's guests. After completing enough missions, the player is allowed to move onto another theme park.

There are five parks in total: Thrillville, Thrillville Timewarp, Thrillville Paradise, Thrillville Adventures, and Treasures of Thrillville; each park is divided into three sections with their own unique theme.

Development

The game was announced by Frontier on June 5, 2006, where they confirmed they would self-publish the game in Europe and Asia, while LucasArts would publish in North America.[3] On June 8, Atari announced they would distribute the game in the former two territories.[lower-alpha 1][4]

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
PS2PSPXbox
Edge7/10[5]N/AN/A
EGM4.5/10[6]N/A4.5/10[6]
Eurogamer6/10[7]N/AN/A
Game Informer7.75/10[8]N/A7.75/10[8]
GameProStarStarHalf star[9]N/AStarStarHalf star[9]
GameRevolutionB[10]N/AB[10]
GameSpot7.6/10[11]7.7/10[12]7.7/10[12]
GameSpyStarStarStarHalf star[13]StarStarStarHalf star[13]StarStarStarHalf star[13]
GameZone7.9/10[14]7.9/10[15]8.1/10[16]
IGN7.5/10[17]7.5/10[17]7.5/10[17]
OPM (US)7/10[18]7/10[18]N/A
OXM (US)N/AN/A8/10[19]
The A.V. ClubB[20]N/AB[20]
The TimesStarStarStar[21]StarStarStar[21]N/A
Aggregate score
Metacritic69/100[22]72/100[23]71/100[24]

The game received "average" reviews on all platforms according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[22][23][24]

The A.V. Club gave the PlayStation 2 and Xbox versions a B, saying: "You'll be extremely busy when you get started. Luckily, the game is forgiving, so you don't have to worry about going out of business if you'd rather go off and train cheerleaders. It's your park; have fun with it."[20] However, The Times gave the PS2 and PSP versions three stars out of five, saying: "There is plenty to do in the management of the park and great rewards for success. However, all this is undermined because it is much more fun to play one of the driving, mini-golf, shooting or football games than do all the menial things."[21] The Sydney Morning Herald gave the PS2 version two stars out of five, saying that "A trip to Thrillville takes you on a long, unnecessary detour through Dullsville."[25]

Sequel

Main articles: Software:Thrillville: Off the Rails and Software:Planet Coaster

A sequel, Thrillville, was released on October 16, 2007, for PSP, Wii, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2, Xbox 360, and Nintendo DS.

Frontier Developments returned to create Off the Rails for all mentioned platforms, except for the DS version, which was developed by DC Studios instead. The game features over 20 rides and over 30 minigames, as well as new types of coasters called Whoa! Coasters.

Frontier Developments continued their development of theme park management games with the release of Planet Coaster in 2016.

References

  1. ↑ Warren, Tom (November 15, 2021). "Microsoft's Xbox backward compatibility program returns with 76 new games". https://www.theverge.com/2021/11/15/22782746/microsoft-xbox-backward-compatibility-76-new-games. 
  2. ↑ https://blog.playstation.com/2023/12/13/playstation-plus-game-catalog-for-december-grand-theft-auto-v-stranger-of-paradise-final-fantasy-origin-metal-hellsinger-and-more/
  3. ↑ "Frontier and LucasArts take you to 'Thrillville', a new kind of theme-ark experience for Christmas 2006". June 5, 2006. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/frontier-and-lucasarts-take-you-to-thrillville-a-new-kind-of-theme-ark-experience-for-christmas-2006. 
  4. ↑ "Atari to bring Thrillville to Europe". https://www.gamespot.com/articles/atari-to-bring-thrillville-to-europe/1100-6152488/. 
  5. ↑ Edge staff (January 2007). "Thrillville (PS2)". Edge (171): 85. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 EGM staff (January 2007). "Thrillville (PS2, Xbox)". Electronic Gaming Monthly (211): 106. 
  7. ↑ Parkin, Simon (December 12, 2006). "Thrillville (PlayStation 2)". http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_thrillville_ps2. Retrieved April 6, 2017. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Helgeson, Matt (December 2006). "Thrillville (PS2, Xbox)". Game Informer (164): 130. Archived from the original on March 9, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080309000404/http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/8F3F1A99-8695-4BF9-873F-37B03B68D1FB.htm. Retrieved April 6, 2017. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 World of Forms (November 22, 2006). "Review: Thrillville (PS2, Xbox)". GamePro. Archived from the original on January 17, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080117070957/http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox/games/reviews/87369.shtml. Retrieved April 6, 2017. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Parker, Tom (November 28, 2006). "Thrillville Review (PS2, Xbox)". Game Revolution. http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/thrillville. Retrieved April 6, 2017. 
  11. ↑ GameSpot staff (November 21, 2006). "Thrillville Review (PS2)". https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/thrillville-review/1900-6162186/. Retrieved April 6, 2017. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 GameSpot staff (November 21, 2006). "Thrillville Review (PSP, Xbox)". https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/thrillville-review/1900-6162188/. Retrieved April 6, 2017. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Theobald, Phil (November 21, 2006). "GameSpy: Thrillville". GameSpy. http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/thrillville/747156p1.html. Retrieved April 6, 2017. 
  14. ↑ Zacarias, Eduardo (November 28, 2006). "Thrillville - PS2 - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on February 5, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080205091215/http://ps2.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r29738.htm. Retrieved April 6, 2017. 
  15. ↑ Aceinet (November 19, 2006). "Thrillville - PSP - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on February 18, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080218053241/http://psp.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r29738.htm. Retrieved April 6, 2017. 
  16. ↑ Knutson, Michael (November 27, 2006). "Thrillville - XB - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on February 21, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080221222131/http://xbox.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r29738.htm. Retrieved April 6, 2017. 
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 Lewis, Ed (November 21, 2006). "Thrillville Review". http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/11/22/thrillville-review. Retrieved April 6, 2017. 
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 "Thrillville". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine: 78. January 2007. 
  19. ↑ "Thrillville". Official Xbox Magazine: 75. January 2007. 
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 Dahlen, Chris (January 3, 2007). "Thrillville (PS2, Xbox)". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on January 7, 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20070107140018/http://www.avclub.com/content/node/57200. Retrieved April 6, 2017. 
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 McNamara, John (December 9, 2006). "Thrillville (PS2, PSP)". The Times. Archived from the original on February 8, 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20070208115754/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,18589-2487679,00.html. Retrieved April 6, 2017. 
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 "Thrillville for PlayStation 2 Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/thrillville/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2. Retrieved April 6, 2017. 
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 "Thrillville for PSP Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/thrillville/critic-reviews/?platform=psp. Retrieved April 6, 2017. 
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 "Thrillville for Xbox Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/thrillville/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox. Retrieved April 6, 2017. 
  25. ↑ Fish, Eliot (December 18, 2006). "Thrillville (PS2)". The Sydney Morning Herald. https://www.smh.com.au/news/game-reviews/thrillville/2006/12/17/1166290406422.html. Retrieved April 6, 2017. 
  1. ↑ Although announcements say that Atari would only distribute, Atari are listed as the publisher on the packaging for both versions.

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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