Software:Touch My Katamari

From HandWiki
Short description: 2011 video game

Touch My Katamari
Developer(s)Namco Bandai Games
Publisher(s)Namco Bandai Games
Director(s)Fumihiro Suzuki
SeriesKatamari
Platform(s)PlayStation Vita
Release
  • JP: December 17, 2011
  • WW: February 22, 2012
Genre(s)Puzzle, action
Mode(s)Single-player

Touch My Katamari, known in Japan as Script error: The function "nihongo_foot" does not exist. is an action-puzzle video game developed and published by Namco Bandai Games for the PlayStation Vita. An installment in the Katamari series, it was released as a launch game in Japan on December 17, 2011 and in Europe and North America on February 22, 2012.[1] It received mixed reviews from critics, with strong criticism for its constant reuse of assets and levels from previous games and stale nature; it led to a hiatus for the Katamari series (excluding spin-offs for mobile devices and remasters) until 2025.

Gameplay

The game carries on the gameplay of previous Katamari games in which players must roll a sticky ball, known as a Katamari, over hundreds of objects, allowing it to grow in size and reach a desired size within a time limit. This iteration adds new gameplay mechanics that makes use of the PlayStation Vita's features. Along with the analogue controls, players can move their fingers across the touch screen in order to move their Katamari in the desired direction. By moving fingers along the back touch panel, players can squash and stretch their Katamari, stretching it lengthwise in order to roll over more objects or squashing it upwards to fit into tighter areas.[2]

Plot

One day, a boy asks his Dad "Who is more awesome, the King of All Cosmos or his principal?" When the dad is trying to make up his mind, the mom says they are both equally awesome. The king overhears the conversation. Distraught by this, he becomes an utter train-wreck. Somewhere else, a slacker named Goro, who puts off studying for video games, television and the Internet, sees a news broadcast telling of the King's apparent depression. Goro believes that this is his moment to start his life anew, so he starts to make a new lifestyle for himself.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic69/100[3]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Destructoid7.5/10[5]
EGM6/10[6]
Eurogamer6/10[7]
Famitsu32/40[8]
Game Informer7.5/10[9]
GameSpot7/10[10]
GameTrailers7.8/10[11]
Giant BombStarStarStar[12]
IGN6/10[13]
Pocket GamerStarStarStarHalf star[14]
Polygon5/10[15]
PSM8/10[16]
Push SquareStarStarStarStarStarStar[17]
The Digital Fix6/10[18]

The game received "average" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[3] In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of one eight, one seven, one nine, and one eight for a total of 32 out of 40.[8]

Media Create reports did not have the game in the top 50 selling games in the week after its debut.[19] On PlayStation LifeStyle, Heath Hindman's review claimed the game was better for series newcomers than veterans, because longtime fans were likely to find the recycled stages somewhat stale.[20] In a hands-on preview, 1Up.com's Jeremy Parish had similar comments, saying that the series now "continues to miss the point".[21]

Notes


References

  1. ↑ Egan Loo (2011-11-22). "Touch My Katamari PS Vita Game's English Trailer Posted". https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2011-11-22/touch-my-katamari-ps-vita-game-english-trailer-posted. 
  2. ↑ Crystalyn Hodgkins (2011-11-17). "Katamari Damacy No-Vita to Roll into Otaku's Room". Archived from the original on 2019-04-25. https://web.archive.org/web/20190425115651/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2011-11-17/katamari-damacy-no-vita-to-roll-into-otaku-room. Retrieved 2024-08-03. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Touch My Katamari". Fandom. Archived from the original on 2024-04-24. https://web.archive.org/web/20240424110129/https://www.metacritic.com/game/touch-my-katamari/. Retrieved 2024-08-03. 
  4. ↑ John Teti (2012-02-20). "PlayStation Vita Launch Games". G/O Media. Archived from the original on 2023-01-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20230120192224/https://www.avclub.com/playstation-vita-launch-games-1798230498. Retrieved 2024-08-03. 
  5. ↑ Dale North (2012-02-14). "Review: Touch My Katamari". Gamurs. Archived from the original on 2023-03-28. https://web.archive.org/web/20230328001822/https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-touch-my-katamari/. Retrieved 2024-08-03. 
  6. ↑ Andrew Fitch (2012-02-22). "EGM Review: Touch My Katamari". EGMNow (EGM Media LLC). Archived from the original on 2014-12-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20141220225101/https://www.egmnow.com/platforms/egm-review-touch-my-katamari/. Retrieved 2023-06-16. 
  7. ↑ Tom Bramwell (2012-01-11). "Touch My Katamari Review [JP Import"]. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on 2014-02-26. https://web.archive.org/web/20140226074546/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-01-10-touch-my-katamari-review. Retrieved 2024-08-04. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "塊魂 ノ・ビ〜タ" (in ja). Famitsu (Kadokawa Game Linkage). Archived from the original on 2023-02-01. https://web.archive.org/web/20230201150853/https://www.famitsu.com/games/t/24687/reviews/. Retrieved 2024-08-03. 
  9. ↑ Jeff Cork (2012-02-14). "Touch My Katamari". Game Informer (GameStop). https://www.gameinformer.com/games/touch_my_katamari/b/playstation_vita/archive/2012/02/14/touch-my-katamari-review-namco-proves-the-franchise-is-still-malleable.aspx. Retrieved 2024-08-03. 
  10. ↑ Jason Venter (2012-02-17). "Touch My Katamari Review". Fandom. Archived from the original on 2021-05-16. https://web.archive.org/web/20210516004638/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/touch-my-katamari-review/1900-6350661/. Retrieved 2024-08-03. 
  11. ↑ "Touch My Katamari". Defy Media. 2012-02-17. Archived from the original on 2014-10-26. https://web.archive.org/web/20141026083835/http://www.gametrailers.com/reviews/9x4i3i/touch-my-katamari-review. Retrieved 2024-08-03. 
  12. ↑ Alex Navarro (2012-02-21). "Touch My Katamari Review". Fandom. Archived from the original on 2020-06-03. https://web.archive.org/web/20200603211844/https://www.giantbomb.com/reviews/touch-my-katamari-review/1900-472/. Retrieved 2024-08-03. 
  13. ↑ Tristan Ogilvie (2012-02-14). "Touch My Katamari Review". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on 2023-01-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20230118162759/https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/02/14/touch-my-katamari-review. Retrieved 2024-08-03. 
  14. ↑ Alan Purvis (2012-01-31). "Touch My Katamari (Import)". Steel Media Ltd. Archived from the original on 2022-07-01. https://web.archive.org/web/20220701140527/https://www.pocketgamer.com/touch-my-katamari/touch-my-katamari-import/. Retrieved 2024-08-03. 
  15. ↑ Griffin McElroy (2012-03-08). "Touch My Katamari review: Slow your roll". Vox Media. Archived from the original on 2023-10-04. https://web.archive.org/web/20231004201633/https://www.polygon.com/2013/1/24/3699194/touch-my-katamari-review-slow-your-roll. Retrieved 2024-08-03. 
  16. ↑ "Review: Touch My Katamari". PlayStation: The Official Magazine (Future plc) (57): 58. April 2012. 
  17. ↑ Mike Mason (2012-03-16). "Touch My Katamari Review". Hookshot Media. Archived from the original on 2023-09-25. https://web.archive.org/web/20230925200601/https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/psvita/touch_my_katamari. Retrieved 2024-08-04. 
  18. ↑ James Harvey (2012-03-20). "Touch My Katamari [author mislabeled as "Andrew Phillips""]. Poisonous Monkey Ltd. Archived from the original on 2016-04-29. https://web.archive.org/web/20160429064410/http://gaming.thedigitalfix.com/content/id/766/touch-my-katamari.html. Retrieved 2024-08-04. 
  19. ↑ Anoop Gantayat (2011-12-29). "PlayStation Vita Lives in the Media Create Top 50". Archived from the original on 2016-04-13. https://web.archive.org/web/20160413213208/http://andriasang.com/comzjh/vita_top_50/. Retrieved 2024-08-03. 
  20. ↑ Heath Hindman (2012-01-09). "PS Vita Review – Touch My Katamari". CraveOnline. Archived from the original on 2018-03-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20180320202432/https://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2012/01/10/ps-vita-import-review-touch-my-katamari/. Retrieved 2024-08-03. 
  21. ↑ Jeremy Parish (2011-12-30). "Katamari's Vita Debut Continues to Miss the Point". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304234747/http://www.1up.com/previews/katamari-vita-debut-continues-miss-point. Retrieved 2024-08-03. 
  • 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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