Software:Ultima: Runes of Virtue

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Short description: 1990s video game series
Ultima: Runes of Virtue
North American cover art for the first game
Developer(s)Origin Systems
Publisher(s)
  • JP: Pony Canyon
  • NA: FCI
  • JP: Electronic Arts Victor (SNES)
Producer(s)Jeff Johannigman (I)
Alan Gardner (II)
Designer(s)David Shapiro (I)
Gary Scott Smith (I & II)
Artist(s)Amanda Dee, Denis Loubet (I)
Terry Manderfeld (II')
Composer(s)Amanda Dee, George Sanger (I)
Marc Schafgen, Martin Galway (II)
SeriesUltima
Platform(s)Game Boy (I, II), SNES (II)
ReleaseGame Boy
  • JP: December 14, 1991 (I)
  • NA: April 1992 (I)[1]
  • JP: November 19, 1993 (II)
  • NA: March 1994 (II)
SNES
  • JP: June 17, 1994
  • NA: 1994
Genre(s)Role-playing
Mode(s)Single-player
Multiplayer (GB only)

Ultima: Runes of Virtue is a two-part video game series. It is a spin-off from the Ultima series. Ultima: Runes of Virtue was released for the Game Boy in 1991 and Ultima: Runes of Virtue II was released for the Game Boy in 1993 and the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in 1994. Runes of Virtue is Richard Garriott's favorite non-PC Ultima game because it was built from the ground up as a Game Boy game, unlike previous console Ultima games which were ports from the PC.[2]

Gameplay

The player character can be chosen from four different ones: Mariah the Mage, Iolo the Bard, Dupre the Fighter, or Shamino the Ranger.[3] The player's objective is to recover the eight Runes of Virtue that were stolen by the Black Knight. These runes are hidden in caves scattered across Britannia, filled with various monsters and puzzles. The game is depicted from a top-down perspective similar to Gauntlet.[1] The sequel tasks the player to rescue eight mayors kidnapped by the Black Knight, each of whom possess a rune. Two player multiplayer is available via Game Link Cable in the Game Boy versions.[4]

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
GB Action79% (I)[6]
Amiga Joker (de)84% (II, GB)[7]
Play Time (magazine) (de)50% (I)[8]
Power Play (magazine) (de)54% (I)[9]
Total! (magazine) (de)4.25/6[10]
Video Games (magazine) (de)79% (II, GB)[11]

GamePro said that "Runes is a standard fantasy scavenger hunt with some virtue, but no surprises."[1] In a review of the Game Boy version of the sequel they noted that "RoV II doesn’t play particularly fast, and the controls are only a bit above average. However, the puzzles are solid, and this cart plays better than its predecessor."[4] In a review for the SNES version they wrote: "An experienced adventurer will undoubtedly find Runes of Virtue rather too basic to enjoy as a full-fledged Ultima but will probably still be charmed by the graphics and straightforwardness of its quests."[12]

Nintendo Power said that Runes of Virtue rivals the scope and excitement of The Legend of Zelda.[13] GB Action called the game "[p]unishing but compelling".[6]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 The Great McGillicuty (April 1992). "Game Boy Pro Review - Ultima: Runes of Virtue". GamePro (IDG) (33): 72. https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_033_April_1992/page/n73/mode/2up. "Graphics: 3/5, Sound: 2/5, Gameplay: 4/5, Fun factor: 3/5, Challenge: 4/5". 
  2. ↑ "The Ultima Legacy - In Garriot's Own Words; Worlds of Ultima, the Role of the GameBoy, and More". GameSpot Inc.. http://www.gamespot.com/features/ultima/g15.html. 
  3. ↑ "Ultima Runes of Virtue [advertisement"]. Electronic Gaming Monthly (Sendai Publishing Group, Inc.) 5 (9): 125. September 1992. https://archive.org/details/Electronic_Gaming_Monthly_038/page/n123/mode/2up. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 The Wizard of Awe (February 1994). "Role-Player's Realm - Ultima: Runes of Virtue II [Game Boy"]. GamePro (IDG) (55): 142. https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_055_February_1994/page/n143/mode/2up. "Graphics: 3.0/5, Sound: 3.0/5, Control: 3.5/5, Fun factor: 4.5/5, Challenge: Intermediate". 
  5. ↑ Stiller, Heinrich (November 1992). "Game Boy Corner - Ultima - Runes of Virtue" (in German). Aktueller Software Markt (Tronic-Verlag) (11/92): 148. https://www.kultboy.com/index.php?site=t&id=13360. "Gesamtnote: 10/12". 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Buyer's Guide - Ultima: Runes of Virtue". GB Action (Europress) (16): 63. September 1993. https://archive.org/details/gb-action-16/page/62/mode/2up. 
  7. ↑ "Nintendo Game Boy - Ultima Runes of Virtue II" (in German). Megablast (Joker-Verlag) (3/94): 76. June 1994. https://retrocdn.net/images/a/af/Megablast_DE_1994-03.pdf. 
  8. ↑ Borovskis, Thomas (January 1993). "Ultima Runes of Virtue" (in German). Play Time (Computec Verlag) (1/93). https://www.kultboy.com/index.php?site=t&id=2364. 
  9. ↑ "Power tests videospele - Rache für Ultima" (in German). Power Play (Markt+Technik) (4/91): 133. April 1991. https://www.kultpower.de/archiv/heft_powerplay_1991-04_seite132. 
  10. ↑ "[Review, SNES"] (in German). Total! (1/95). January 1995. https://www.mobygames.com/game/5631/ultima-runes-of-virtue-ii/reviews/. 
  11. ↑ "Game Boy Rom Check - Runes of Virtue Ultima II" (in German). Video Games (Magna Media) (8/94): 108. August 1994. https://archive.org/details/video-games-de-1994-08/page/108/mode/2up. 
  12. ↑ Peteroo (August 1994). "Role-Player's Realm - Ultima: Runes of Virtue II [SNES"]. GamePro (IDG) (61): 110. https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_061_August_1994/page/n111/mode/2up. "Graphics: 4.5/5, Sound: 4.0/5, Control: 4.5/5, Fun factor: 4.5/5, Challenge: Adjustable". 
  13. ↑ "Special Feature - Game Boy - Ultima". Nintendo Power (Nintendo of America) (23): 56–59, 69. April 1991. https://archive.org/details/NintendoPower1988-2004/Nintendo%20Power%20Issue%20023%20%28April%201991%29/page/n61/mode/2up. "Graphics and sound: 3.0/5, Play control: 3.0/5, Challenge: 3.0/5, Theme and fun: 3.0/5". 
  • 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. 
  • No URL found. Please specify a URL here or add one to Wikidata.



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





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