Software:Warblade

From HandWiki

Warblade is a shareware computer game for Microsoft Windows and OS X, written by Norwegian developer Edgar M. Vigdal. The Windows version runs well on Linux under Wine. It is also available for retail in the App Store for iOS devices (in iPhone/iPod Touch and iPad versions). The game is a 2D space shooter in the vein of the perennial classic Galaga. It is a rewrite and modernization of a popular Amiga shareware game, Deluxe Galaga, which was written by the same author back in the mid-1990s. Where technically possible, the graphics and sounds are respectful to their Amiga origins.

Gameplay

The player controls a small ship, which moves along the bottom of the screen. An assembly of bug-like alien creatures fly onto the screen and shoot at the player's ship. The player must defeat all the aliens on the screen by shooting at them from the ship to advance to the next level. On defeating some aliens, random bonuses will be dropped for the player to collect, such as money, improved weaponry, or mini games.

Levels

Levels are made in packs of four, with each pack introducing a new alien design. The first two levels of a pack are levels containing only small aliens. The third level introduces larger versions of the aliens. When defeating a larger alien, there is the opportunity to collect a rank marker. When six different rank markers have been collected, the player advances a rank. The fourth and final level of the pack, alternates between a kamikaze level, in which aliens dive from above the screen, and a bonus level, in which the player earns a bonus if all aliens are defeated before they leave the screen area. Every 25 levels there is a boss level.

Shop

At the end of each pack, the player is taken to the shop where there is the option to purchase upgrades, such as extra lives and improved weapons.

Memorystation

A memorystation is one of two mini games that can be entered by collecting a falling bonus from an alien. The object of memorystation is to find pairs by turning over grid-like squares. If all pairs in a memorystation are found, the player receives bonus points and the next time a memorystation is entered there are more squares.

Meteor Storm

A meteor storm is the second mini game that can be entered by collecting a falling bonus from an alien. During a meteor storm, the player must navigate through falling rocks. Occasionally, money, points or gems can be collected that are also falling from the top of the screen. If the player reaches the end of the meteor storm, they are rewarded with a large number of points and amount of money.

Gem Drop

A gem drop is a third mini game that cannot be entered by collecting a bonus. The only way to enter a gem drop is to collect 100 gems, through the use of gem bombs, or collecting gems in memorystations and meteor storms. A gem drop is much like a meteor storm, however only gems fall, and they are worth large numbers of points. If the player collects 1000 gems in one game, a super gem drop is entered, where gems are worth 20 times what they are worth in usual gem drops.

Legacy

In May 2007 it was revealed that Vigdal had begun planning a sequel to Warblade, dubbed Warblade II.[1] On 19 December 2011, Vidgal revealed the new main screen design for the sequel, now titled Warblade MK II.[2] The new game was to include a level editor, as well as completely redesigned graphics and levels.[3] It was to be released for Windows, OS X, iOS and Android.

It was announced on the sequel's official Facebook page that on April 1, 2015, the creator of Warblade, Edgar Vigdal had died, casting the future of the sequel into doubt.[4] It was later stated in the comment section to that post, that "as Edgar died and no-one can follow his code, yes, the project is not continuing."

  • The official Warblade website
  • 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.[5] 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".[6] This lengthy approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[7] 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.[8] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[9]

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.[10][11] 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.[9] 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.[9]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[12] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[11] 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).[13] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[14] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[11]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[15] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[16][17][18] 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.[5] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[19]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[20] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[21]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ "EMV Software forum". http://www.emv-software.com/forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=2631. 
  2. ↑ New main screen
  3. ↑ Deep space
  4. ↑ Death announcement
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 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/. 
  6. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  8. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  10. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  12. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  13. ↑ 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. 
  14. ↑ 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. 
  15. ↑ "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. 
  16. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  17. ↑ "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/. 
  18. ↑ "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/. 
  19. ↑ 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/. 
  20. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  21. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
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References



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