Software:Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3

From HandWiki
Short description: 2001 video game
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3
North American cover art
Developer(s)Neversoft[lower-alpha 1]
Publisher(s)Activision[lower-alpha 2][lower-alpha 3]
Programmer(s)Mick West
SeriesTony Hawk's
Platform(s)
Release
Genre(s)Sports
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 is a 2001 skateboarding video game and the third installment in the Tony Hawk's series. It was developed by Neversoft and published by Activision under the Activision O2 label in 2001 for the PlayStation, PlayStation 2, Game Boy Color and GameCube. In 2002, it was published for the Xbox, Game Boy Advance, Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, and the Nintendo 64. It was the final official release for the Nintendo 64 (having been discontinued 3 months prior), the first game released for the PlayStation 2 supporting online play and was a launch title for the GameCube in North America.

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 received critical acclaim, with the PlayStation 2 version being tied for highest-rated PlayStation 2 game on Metacritic alongside Grand Theft Auto III,[9] and selling over 2.1 million copies in the United States by July 2006. Pro Skater 3 is also considered to be one of the greatest video games ever made.

Gameplay

The Microsoft Windows version of Pro Skater 3

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 saw the introduction of the revert, a trick that enabled vert combos to be tied together with a manual, by tapping a button when landing in a quarterpipe; it allows for much longer combos than in the previous two games, where landing in a quarterpipe would finish a combo. It also added hidden combos. These were variations on standard tricks that could be performed as grab, flip, lip, or grind tricks. For example, double-tapping the kickflip button would make the character perform a double kickflip. This system would later be refined in Pro Skater 4.

The game stood out in the franchise for being the first title to have online capabilities. Users could connect directly to other players online on the PlayStation 2 version—even prior to the launch of the network adapter, with a USB Ethernet adapter. Due to the shut down of most Sony servers the game is no longer playable with others online, except for via programs like XLink Kai or through websites that allow users to play online through a DNS. The PlayStation and Nintendo 64 versions run on the Pro Skater 2 engine, with a different revert animation that is the same as the PlayStation version of Pro Skater 4.

The game features thirteen professional skateboarders, along with several unlockable original characters, depending on the version.[10] Furthermore, the game features Darth Maul, Doomguy and Wolverine via licensing deals,[11] as well as professional surfer Kelly Slater (to coincide with Kelly Slater's Pro Surfer). Additionally, the Japanese and other Asian versions feature three Japanese pro skaters.

In both the Nintendo 64 and PlayStation versions, the wooden sides on the board (around the grip tape) has colors (except Bam Margera, Jamie Thomas, and the custom skater's decks), and the game has new tricks such as the Cannonball, Wrap Around, Fingerflip, Del Mar Indy and a new animation for the Airwalk. The Xbox version has an improved frame rate over the PlayStation 2 and GameCube version, as well as an additional level, the Oil Rig.

Development

Shortly prior to release, Neversoft quickly amended some of the objectives in the Airport level due to sensitivity reasons in light of the September 11, 2001 attacks, where terrorist non-player characters were instead reskinned into pickpockets. Series producer Ralph D'Amato recalled: "When 9/11 happened, we were almost finished with Pro Skater 3. We had an airport level where the goal was to stop terrorists bombing the plane. We had to scramble and change it to stopping pickpockets".[12]

Reception

Chester Barber of Next Generation gave five stars out of five for PlayStation 2 version, highly praising the gameplay, new tricks to perform, graphics and controls.[13]

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic(PS) 87/100[14]
(PC) 90/100[15]
(PS2) 97/100[16]
(GCN) 91/100[17]
(XBOX) 93/100[18]
(GBA) 90/100[19]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Eurogamer(PS2) 8/10[33]
(XBOX) 8/10[34]
(GBA) 9/10[35]
GameRevolution(GCN) StarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStar[37]
GameSpot(PS) 9/10[20]
(N64) 8.1/10[21]
(PC) 9/10[22]
(PS2) 10/10[23]
(GCN) 9/10[24]
(XBOX) 9.6/10[25]
(GBA) 9.5/10[26]
IGN(PS) 9.6/10[27]
(PC) 9.3/10[28]
(PS2) 9.7/10[29]
(GCN) 9.1/10[30]
(XBOX) 9.5/10[31]
(GBA) 9.6/10[32]
Nintendo World Report(GCN) 9/10[36]

By July 2006, the PlayStation 2 version of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 had sold 2.1 million copies and earned $77 million in the United States. Next Generation ranked it as the 14th highest-selling game launched for the PlayStation 2, Xbox or GameCube between January 2000 and July 2006 in the country. Combined sales of Tony Hawk console games released in the 2000s reached 10.7 million units in the U.S. by July 2006.[38] Its PlayStation 2 version also received a "Platinum" sales award from the British Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA),[39] indicating sales of at least 300,000 copies in the country.[40]

The PS2 version earned a rare perfect 10 score from Jeff Gerstmann of GameSpot (one of only 20 titles to earn this award in GameSpot's history), who stated that the game "makes everything before it almost unplayable by comparison".[41][42] GameSpot named Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 the best PlayStation game, best alternative sports console game and overall second-best console game of 2001. It was also nominated for the publication's annual "Best GameCube Game" and "Best PlayStation 2 Game" awards.[43] It was also awarded the best sports game award at E3 2001. IGN rated the game 9.7/10, stating that the game "should go down in history as one of the best twitch-fests on PlayStation 2".[44] The game is currently the top rated PS2 game on the review aggregate website Metacritic, with an average score of 97/100, tying with Grand Theft Auto III.[45] Famitsu gave the game a 30/40.[46]

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 was a runner-up for GameSpot's 2002 "Best Sports Game on PC" award, which went to Madden NFL 2003.[47] It won the publication's 2002 "Best Sports Game on Game Boy Advance" award, and was a runner-up for "Game of the Year on Game Boy Advance".[47] During the 5th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 was honored with the "Console Sports" award by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences; it also received nominations for outstanding achievement in "Animation" and "Visual Engineering".[48]

Awards

  • E3 2001 Game Critics Awards: Best Sports Game[49]
  • 2002 Interactive Achievement Awards: Console Sports Game of the Year[50]

Sequel

Main article: Software:Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4

A fourth game in the series, titled Pro Skater 4, was released the following year in October 2002.[51]

Notes

  1. ↑ Ported to PlayStation by Shaba Games, ported to Game Boy Color by HotGen, ported to Game Boy Advance by Vicarious Visions, ported to Microsoft Windows by Gearbox Software, ported to Nintendo 64 by Edge of Reality and ported to Mac OS by Beenox.[1]
  2. ↑ Released under the Activision O2 Brand.
  3. ↑ Mac OS version published by Aspyr.

References

  1. ↑ Cohen, Peter (October 23, 2002). "Aspyr announces Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3". Macworld. https://www.macworld.com/article/1007591/tonyhawk.html. 
  2. ↑ Ahmed, Shahed (October 16, 2001). "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 release date confirmed". GameSpot. https://www.gamespot.com/articles/tony-hawks-pro-skater-3-release-date-confirmed/1100-2818158/. 
  3. ↑ "Tony Hawk 3 for the GameCube at retailers [date mislabeled as "May 17, 2006""] (in en-US). https://www.gamespot.com/articles/tony-hawk-3-for-the-gamecube-at-retailers/1100-2825320/. 
  4. ↑ "GameCube Sunday" (in en-gb). Eurogamer.net. 2001-11-19. https://www.eurogamer.net/article-31441. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Activision : Corporate Info : Press Releases : TONY HAWK'S PRO SKATER 3 SHIPS TO XBOX & GBA". 2002-06-02. http://www.activision.com/investor/pressreleases/522.html. 
  6. ↑ "Xbox launch line-up finalised" (in en-gb). Eurogamer.net. 2002-02-28. https://www.eurogamer.net/article-45554. 
  7. ↑ "Activision: Corporate Info: Press Releases: TONY HAWK'S PRO SKATER 3 PC SHIPS". 2002-04-03. http://www.activision.com/investor/pressreleases/525.html. 
  8. ↑ "Aspyr ships Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3" (in en). https://www.macworld.com/article/157771/tony.html. 
  9. ↑ "Highest and Lowest Scoring Games". http://www.metacritic.com/browse/games/score/metascore/all/all?view=condensed&sort=desc. 
  10. ↑ Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 (PS version), instruction manual, p. 4-10)
  11. ↑ King, Austin (September 14, 2020). "Why Spider-Man Isn't In Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2". Screen Rant. https://screenrant.com/spider-man-thps-2-secret-character-skater-unlock/. 
  12. ↑ Lipscombe, Daniel (2020-09-03). "Tony Hawk and Neversoft tell the story of making Tony Hawk's Pro Skater" (in en). https://www.vg247.com/the-making-of-tony-hawks-pro-skater. 
  13. ↑ Barber, Chester (December 2001). "Finals". Next Generation (Imagine Media) 4 (12): 94–95. 
  14. ↑ "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 for PlayStation Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/tony-hawks-pro-skater-3/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation. Retrieved 2019-10-16. 
  15. ↑ "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 for PC Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/tony-hawks-pro-skater-3/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. Retrieved 2019-10-16. 
  16. ↑ "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 for PlayStation 2 Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/tony-hawks-pro-skater-3/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2. Retrieved 2019-10-16. 
  17. ↑ "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 for GameCube Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/tony-hawks-pro-skater-3/critic-reviews/?platform=gamecube. Retrieved 2019-10-16. 
  18. ↑ "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 for Xbox Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/tony-hawks-pro-skater-3/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox. Retrieved 2019-10-16. 
  19. ↑ "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 for Game Boy Advance Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/tony-hawks-pro-skater-3/critic-reviews/?platform=game-boy-advance. Retrieved 2019-10-16. 
  20. ↑ Davis, Ryan (17 May 2006). "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 Review". https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/tony-hawks-pro-skater-3-review/1900-2821292/. 
  21. ↑ Davis, Ryan (18 October 2002). "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 Review". https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/tony-hawks-pro-skater-3-review/1900-2880523/. 
  22. ↑ Kasavin, Greg (17 May 2006). "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 Review". https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/tony-hawks-pro-skater-3-review/1900-2860082/. 
  23. ↑ Gerstmann, Jeff (29 October 2001). "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 Review". https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/tony-hawks-pro-skater-3-review/1900-2820972/. 
  24. ↑ Gerstmann, Jeff (16 November 2001). "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 Review". https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/tony-hawks-pro-skater-3-review/1900-2825357/. 
  25. ↑ Gerstmann, Jeff (7 March 2002). "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 Review". https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/tony-hawks-pro-skater-3-review/1900-2853588/. 
  26. ↑ Davis, Ryan (17 May 2006). "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 Review". https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/tony-hawks-pro-skater-3-review/1900-2853831/. 
  27. ↑ Fujita, Mark (9 November 2001). "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 [Past-Gen Version"]. https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/11/10/tony-hawks-pro-skater-3-5. 
  28. ↑ Goldstein, Hilary (5 April 2002). "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 Review". https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/04/05/tony-hawk-pro-skater-3-review. 
  29. ↑ Smith, David (30 October 2001). "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 Review". https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/10/31/tony-hawks-pro-skater-3-6. 
  30. ↑ Casamassina, Matt (16 November 2001). "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3". https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/11/16/tony-hawks-pro-skater-3-3. 
  31. ↑ Goldstein, Hilary (6 March 2002). "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 Review". https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/03/06/tony-hawks-pro-skater-3-review. 
  32. ↑ Harris, Craig (6 March 2002). "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3". https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/03/06/tony-hawks-pro-skater-3. 
  33. ↑ Taylor, Martin (13 December 2001). "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3". https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_thps3_ps2. 
  34. ↑ Bramwell, Tom (27 March 2002). "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3". https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_thps3_x. 
  35. ↑ Taylor, Martin (28 April 2002). "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3". https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_thps3_gba. 
  36. ↑ Trammell, David (2 December 2001). "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 Review". http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/3827/tony-hawks-pro-skater-3-gamecube. 
  37. ↑ Silverman, Ben (1 November 2001). "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 Review". https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/32462-tony-hawks-pro-skater-3-review. 
  38. ↑ Campbell, Colin; Keiser, Joe (July 29, 2006). "The Top 100 Games of the 21st Century". Next Generation. http://www.next-gen.biz/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3537&Itemid=2&pop=1&page=1. 
  39. ↑ "ELSPA Sales Awards: Platinum". Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association. http://www.elspa.com:80/?i=3944. 
  40. ↑ Caoili, Eric (November 26, 2008). "ELSPA: Wii Fit, Mario Kart Reach Diamond Status In UK". Gamasutra. https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/112220/ELSPA_Wii_Fit_Mario_Kart_Reach_Diamond_Status_In_UK.php. 
  41. ↑ Gerstmann, Jeff (October 29, 2001). "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 for PlayStation 2 Review". GameSpot. http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/tony-hawks-pro-skater-3-review/1900-2820972/. 
  42. ↑ "Game Reviews, Video Game Reviews – GameSpot". https://www.gamespot.com/games/reviews/?review_filter_type%5Bplatform%5D=&review_filter_type%5Bgenre%5D=&review_filter_type%5BtimeFrame%5D=&review_filter_type%5BstartDate%5D=&review_filter_type%5BendDate%5D=&review_filter_type%5BminRating%5D=10&review_filter_type%5Btheme%5D=&review_filter_type%5Bregion%5D=&___review_filter_type%5Bpublishers%5D=&___review_filter_type%5Bdevelopers%5D=&review_filter_type%5Bletter%5D=&sort=date. 
  43. ↑ GameSpot VG Staff (February 23, 2002). "GameSpot's Best and Worst Video Games of 2001". GameSpot. http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/bestof_2001/. 
  44. ↑ Smith, David (October 31, 2001). "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 Review". IGN. https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/10/31/tony-hawks-pro-skater-3-6. 
  45. ↑ "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 (ps2) reviews at Metacritic.com". Metacritic. http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ps2/tonyhawksproskater3. 
  46. ↑ プレイステーション2 – トニー・ホーク プロスケーター3. Weekly Famitsu. No.915 Pt.2. Pg.94. June 30, 2006.
  47. ↑ 47.0 47.1 GameSpot Staff (December 30, 2002). "GameSpot's Best and Worst of 2002". GameSpot. http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/. 
  48. ↑ "D.I.C.E. Awards By Video Game Details Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3". Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. https://www.interactive.org/games/video_game_details.asp?idAward=2002&idGame=360. 
  49. ↑ "Game Critics Awards 2001". http://www.gamecriticsawards.com/2001winners.html. 
  50. ↑ "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3". Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. http://www.interactive.org/games/video_game_details.asp?idAward=2002&idGame=360. 
  51. ↑ Parker, Sam (October 10, 2002). "Tony Hawk 4 release date set". GameSpot. https://www.gamespot.com/articles/tony-hawk-4-release-date-set/1100-2885197/. 
  • 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. 
  • No URL found. Please specify a URL here or add one to Wikidata.

Template:Atari



  • 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. 
  • No URL found. Please specify a URL here or add one to Wikidata.

Template:Atari



  • 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. 
  • No URL found. Please specify a URL here or add one to Wikidata.

Template:Atari





Retrieved from "https://handwiki.org/wiki/index.php?title=Software:Tony_Hawk%27s_Pro_Skater_3&oldid=701741"