Software:Whiplash (video game)

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Whiplash
US box art for PS2 version
Developer(s)Crystal Dynamics[lower-alpha 1]
Publisher(s)Eidos Interactive
Director(s)Noah Hughes
Producer(s)Alex Jones
Programmer(s)Paul Taylor
Artist(s)Scott Anderson
Writer(s)Richard Gaubert
Composer(s)Kurt Harland[2]
Platform(s)PlayStation 2, Xbox
Release
  • NA: November 18, 2003
  • EU: March 5, 2004
Genre(s)Platform, action-adventure
Mode(s)Single-player

Whiplash is a 2003 platform video game for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox where a long-tailed weasel named Spanx and a rabbit called Redmond find themselves chained to one another and follows their adventures as the pair endeavor to find a way out of the warehouse of the product testing corporation known as Genron, run by the animal-hating CEO Franklin D. Mann. The game is a 3D platformer, with Spanx being controlled by the player for the majority of the game, and Redmond used more in combat or as a means of traversing the world.[3]

The game was featured on the cover of PSE2.[citation needed] There was also some controversy over the game's depiction of animal cruelty.[4]

Gameplay

The chain can be used in a variety of ways.

Although Redmond (the rabbit) and Spanx (the weasel) are two animals chained together, the gameplay is much like any other platformer. The player controls only Spanx, using Redmond as a weapon or tool as the situation requires. Spanx has most standard platforming abilities, while Redmond is completely indestructible as a result of cosmetics testing conducted upon him by Genron. Redmond can be hurled into security guards, jammed into machinery, and used as a grappling hook, among other uses. Redmond can also be inserted into special "Fusion Outlets" to be set on fire, frozen, electrified, inflated with helium, or drenched in radioactive waste.[3]

Defeating human enemies found in the levels allows special "Hypersnacks" to be looted that the team can eat to increase both animals' levels, which increases Spanx' health or Redmond's rage. The player is also rewarded for freeing the other animals trapped and caged by Genron.[3]

Many objects are breakable and are assigned a dollar amount; if the player completes the game with more than $6 million in damage, Genron will be bankrupted and special content will be unlocked.[3]

Development

Spanx the Weasel first appeared in the game Mad Dash Racing in 2001. The music for Whiplash was composed by Kurt Harland of Information Society.[2] The music features a unique interactivity scheme: it responds to player input on the controller; the more input received through the controller buttons, the more the music does. The music also expands in response to successful hits of breakable objects and enemies.

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
PS2Xbox
Edge5/10[5]N/A
EGM7/10[6]7/10[6]
Eurogamer5/10[7]N/A
Game Informer4/10[8]4/10[9]
GameProN/AStarStarStarStarHalf star[10]
GameRevolutionC−[11]C−[11]
GameSpot6.4/10[12]6.6/10[13]
GameSpyStarStar[14]StarStar[15]
GameZone7/10[16]7.2/10[17]
IGN7/10[18]7/10[18]
OPM (US)StarStarStarHalf star[19]N/A
OXM (US)N/A6.8/10[20]
The TimesStarStarStar[21]N/A
Aggregate score
Metacritic66/100[22]68/100[23]

Whiplash received "average" reviews according to video game review aggregator Metacritic.[23][22]

Before the game was released in the United Kingdom , the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), the Research Defence Society, the chairman of the British House of Commons and the Police Federation of England and Wales were deeply shocked at the level of cartoonish cruelty in animal product testing, despite the whole premise of the game as being against this. They thought it condoned violence and made a joke of animal suffering, but Eidos claimed that it would raise positive awareness among children with this issue.[4]

Notes

  1. ↑ Additional work by Nixxes Software.[1]

References

  1. ↑ "Whiplash" (in en). Nixxes. http://www.nixxes.com/projects/19-uk/projects/140-whiplash. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Harland, Kurt. "Kurt Harland Larson - Audio director, Game audio" (in en-US). https://soundlister.com/portfolio/kurt-harland-larson/. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 (in en) Whiplash Instruction Manual (PS2 version). Crystal Dynamics and Eidos Interactive. 2003 (published 5 February 2007). pp. 4–22. http://www.replacementdocs.com/download.php?view.4749. Retrieved 27 November 2022. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 McComb, Richard; Mickleburgh, Renee (15 February 2004). "Free the animals, smash up the lab and chain-whip policemen - this is the latest video game for children" (in en). The Daily Telegraph (London, England). ISSN 0307-1235. OCLC 49632006. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1454393/Free-the-animals-smash-up-the-lab-and-chain-whip-policemen-this-is-the-latest-video-game-for-children.html. 
  5. ↑ "Whiplash (PS2)" (in en). Edge (Bath, England: Future Publishing) (134): 109. March 2004. ISSN 1350-1593. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Whiplash" (in en). Electronic Gaming Monthly (Lombard, Illinois, USA: EGM Media) (174): 128. January 2004. 11 June 2021. ISSN 1058-918X. https://archive.org/details/electronic-gaming-monthly-issue-174-january-2004/page/128/mode/2up. Retrieved 17 November 2022. 
  7. ↑ Bramwell, Tom (8 March 2004). "Whiplash (PS2)" (in en). http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_whiplash_ps2. 
  8. ↑ Mason, Lisa (January 2004). "Whiplash (PS2)" (in en). Game Informer (Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA: GameStop) (129): 134. ISSN 1067-6392. http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/F8DAAA62-D95A-4883-BBBC-1E0E052DF32A.htm. Retrieved 27 February 2015. 
  9. ↑ Zoss, Jeremy (January 2004). "Whiplash (Xbox)" (in en). Game Informer (Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA: GameStop) (129): 151. ISSN 1067-6392. http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/9B1E0F79-59FD-4173-A00B-6690021BA624.htm. Retrieved 27 February 2015. 
  10. ↑ THED-PADDESTROYER (17 November 2003). "Review: Whiplash" (in en). GamePro (Oakland, California, USA: International Data Group). ISSN 1042-8658. http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox/games/reviews/31749.shtml. Retrieved 28 February 2015. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Dodson, Joe (January 2004). "Whiplash Review" (in en). http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/whiplash. 
  12. ↑ Davis, Ryan (26 November 2003). "Whiplash Review (PS2)" (in en). http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/whiplash-review/1900-6084794/. 
  13. ↑ Davis, Ryan (November 26, 2003). "Whiplash Review (Xbox)" (in en). http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/whiplash-review/1900-6084795/. 
  14. ↑ Freeman, Matthew (30 November 2003). "GameSpy: Whiplash (PS2)" (in en). http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/whiplash/497889p1.html. 
  15. ↑ Freeman, Matthew (November 30, 2003). "GameSpy: Whiplash (Xbox)" (in en). http://xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/whiplash/498487p1.html. 
  16. ↑ Bedigian, Louis (December 2, 2003). "Whiplash - PS2 - Review" (in en). http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/whiplash_ps2_review. 
  17. ↑ Zacarias, Eduardo (6 December 2003). "Whiplash - XB - Review" (in en). http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/whiplash_xb_review. 
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Lewis, Ed (November 19, 2003). "Whiplash" (in en). http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/11/20/whiplash. 
  19. ↑ Steinman, Gary (January 2004). "Whiplash" (in en). Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine (San Francisco, California, USA: Ziff Davis Media): 113. http://www.playstationmagazine.com/article2/0,4364,1399698,00.asp. Retrieved 28 February 2015. 
  20. ↑ Lopez, Vincent (January 2004). "Whiplash" (in en). Official Xbox Magazine (Future plc) (27): 74. ISSN 1534-7850. 
  21. ↑ "Whiplash (PS2)". The Times (London, England). 10 April 2004. ISSN 0140-0460. http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/technology/article1861403.ece. 
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 "Whiplash for PlayStation 2 Reviews" (in en). https://www.metacritic.com/game/whiplash/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2. 
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 "Whiplash for Xbox Reviews" (in en). https://www.metacritic.com/game/whiplash/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox. 
  • 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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