Software:Wizorb

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Wizorb
Developer(s)Tribute Games
Publisher(s)Tribute Games
Designer(s)Jonathan Lavigne
Programmer(s)Jean‑François Major
Artist(s)Jonathan Lavigne
Paul Robertson
Justin Cyr
Composer(s)Jean Chan
EngineXNA
Platform(s)Windows, Xbox 360, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation Vita, Linux, Mac OS X, iOS, Ouya, Nintendo Switch
ReleaseXBLIG
September 29, 2011
Windows
November 7, 2011
Linux, Mac OS X
December 19, 2011
PS Minis
July 25, 2012
iOS
August 3, 2012
OUYA
March 28, 2013
Nintendo Switch
October 6, 2022
Genre(s)Breakout clone
Mode(s)Single-player

Wizorb is a video game created and published by Tribute Games. It was released on the Xbox 360 Xbox Live Marketplace on September 29, 2011. The gameplay is a cross between a Breakout clone and a role-playing video game. Wizorb was ported to Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux. It was released for Windows through Steam on March 14, 2012, with added achievements and cloud storage.[citation needed] Upon release, Wizorb saw favorable reviews from critics, with VentureBeat's Jacob Siegal listing it as one of the top 10 independent video games of 2011.[1]

Gameplay

Wizorb is a cross between Breakout and a role-playing game.[2] The core of the game takes place in a Breakout clone where the player can use magic to control the ball and help destroy the bricks and enemies.[3] The RPG elements concern rebuilding a town, restoring its citizens and leadership, and fighting mini-bosses and bosses within the primary block-breaking gameplay.[4]

Development

Wizorb was developed by Tribute Games and first released for the Xbox 360 through the Xbox Live Marketplace's Xbox Live Indie Games section on September 29, 2011.[5] The game is the first title by the independent developer Tribute Games.[6] Destructoid's Jordan Devore noted that high quality Xbox 360 indie games are often ported to the PC, praising, "Wizorb is one such game".[7] A port for Microsoft Windows was released on November 7, 2011, through the digital distribution website GamersGate.[6] The computer version can be controlled by a gamepad, keyboard, or mouse.[4][6] The entire game can be played using only a mouse, and the developer recommends this method as it "makes Wizorb rely even more on reflexes which feels great and makes the game a tad easier."[6]

Even before the Windows release, the developers were working on porting the game to Mac OS X and Linux.[6] On October 29, 2011, the developers stated they were considering porting the game to a smartphone platform, to which GameSetWatch's Eric Caoili exclaimed, "This thing needs to be on every device ever!"[2] Using the MonoGame programming library, ports were released for OS X and Linux.[8] The Windows version was made available through the Steam digital distribution platform on March 14, 2012.[9] The game was later released for the Nintendo Switch on October 6, 2022.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate scores
AggregatorScore
GameRankings(X360) 93%[10]
(PC) 83%[11]
(PSP) 81%[12]
(iOS) 80%[13]
Metacritic(PC) 81/100[14]
(iOS) 80/100[15]
(PSP) 79/100[16]
(NS) 76/100[17]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Destructoid(X360) 8.5/10[18]
GamesMaster(PSP) 80%[19]
Gamezebo(PC) StarStarStarStar[20]
Jeuxvideo.com(PC) 12/20[21]
OPM (UK)(PSP) 8/10[22]
PC Gamer (UK)(PC) 88%[23]
PC PowerPlay(PC) 8/10[3]
Pocket GamerStarStarStarStar[24][25]
Push Square(PSP) StarStarStarStarStarStarStarStar[26]
TouchArcade(iOS) StarStarStarStar[27]
Digital Spy(iOS) StarStarStarStar[28]

The game received "favorable" reviews on all platforms according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[14][15][16][17]

The Xbox 360 and PC versions were rated as one of the top 10 independent video games of 2011 by VentureBeat's Jacob Siegal.[1]

Legacy

Cyrus was supposed to appear as a playable cameo character in the then-upcoming Wii U and PC game Hex Heroes,[29] before the Wii U version was canceled, and there is no indication that the game will ever be completed.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Siegal, Jacob (December 24, 2011). "The best indie games of 2011". https://venturebeat.com/2011/12/24/the-best-indie-games-of-2011/view-all/. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Caoili, Eric (October 28, 2011). "Wizorb Releasing To Windows On Nov. 7 Through GamersGate". UBM plc. http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2011/10/wizorb_releasing_to_windows_on.php. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Lamotte, Sarah (January 18, 2012). "Wizorb Review". Next Media Pty Ltd. http://www.pcpowerplay.com.au/2012/01/wizorb-review/. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Podgorski, Daniel (September 9, 2015). "Through the Looking Orb: Wizorb and the Tradition of Short, High-quality, Arcade-style Games". http://thegemsbok.com/art-reviews-and-articles/video-game-reviews-mid-week-mission-wizorb-tribute-games/. 
  5. ↑ Mitchell, Richard (September 23, 2011). "Tribute Games' Wizorb paddling to XBLIG Sept. 29". Yahoo. https://www.engadget.com/2011-09-23-tribute-games-wizorb-paddling-to-xblig-sept-29.html. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Conditt, Jessica (October 30, 2011). "Wizorb smashing into PC on Nov.7, more ports to follow". Yahoo. https://www.engadget.com/2011-10-30-wizorb-smashing-into-pc-on-nov-7-more-ports-to-follow.html. 
  7. ↑ Devore, Jordan (October 29, 2011). "Wizorb prepped for a November release on PC". Gamurs. https://www.destructoid.com/wizorb-prepped-for-a-november-release-on-pc/. 
  8. ↑ Makeout (December 20, 2011). "Wizorb". http://monogame.codeplex.com/discussions/283620.  Note: Forum user Makeout is the creator of Wizorb.
  9. ↑ Hinkle, David (March 14, 2012). "Wizorb works its magic on Steam". Yahoo. https://www.engadget.com/2012-03-14-wizorb-works-its-magic-on-steam.html. 
  10. ↑ "Wizorb for Xbox 360". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamerankings.com/xbox360/644924-wizorb/index.html. 
  11. ↑ "Wizorb for PC". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamerankings.com/pc/649252-wizorb/index.html. 
  12. ↑ "Wizorb for PSP". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamerankings.com/psp/672266-wizorb/index.html. 
  13. ↑ "Wizorb for iOS (iPhone/iPad)". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamerankings.com/iphone/679298-wizorb/index.html. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "Wizorb for PC Reviews". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/wizorb/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 "Wizorb for iPhone/iPad Reviews". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/wizorb/critic-reviews/?platform=ios-iphoneipad. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 "Wizorb for PSP Reviews". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/wizorb/critic-reviews/?platform=psp. 
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 "Wizorb for Switch Reviews". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/wizorb/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch. 
  18. ↑ Devore, Jordan (October 19, 2011). "Review: Wizorb (X360)". Gamurs. https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-wizorb/. 
  19. ↑ "Review: Wizorb (PSP)". GamesMaster (Future plc): 83. November 2012. 
  20. ↑ Zuccarelli, Dan (March 23, 2012). "Wizorb Review". https://www.gamezebo.com/reviews/wizorb-review/. 
  21. ↑ Aurio (July 18, 2013). "Test: Wizorb (PC)" (in fr). Webedia. https://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0001/00018794-wizorb-test.htm. 
  22. ↑ "Wizorb". PlayStation Official Magazine – UK (Future plc): 117. November 2012. 
  23. ↑ "Wizorb". PC Gamer UK (Future plc): 101. June 2012. 
  24. ↑ Slater, Harry (August 9, 2012). "Wizorb (iOS)". Steel Media Ltd. https://www.pocketgamer.com/wizorb/wizorb-review/. 
  25. ↑ Willington, Peter (August 15, 2012). "Wizorb (PS Vita)". Steel Media Ltd. https://www.pocketgamer.com/wizorb/wizorb-ps-vita-review/. 
  26. ↑ Ingram, Christopher (August 3, 2012). "Wizorb Review [US Import"]. Gamer Network. https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/psminis/wizorb. 
  27. ↑ Ford, Eric (August 10, 2012). "'Wizorb' Review – Breaking Out of the Puzzle Mold". TouchArcade.com, LLC. https://toucharcade.com/2012/08/09/wizorb-review/. 
  28. ↑ Nichols, Scott (August 13, 2012). "Mobile review round-up: Pitfall, Organ Trail, Farming Simulator, more". Hearst Communications. https://www.digitalspy.com/videogames/a398989/mobile-review-round-up-pitfall-organ-trail-farming-simulator-more/. 
  29. ↑ Prismatic Games LLC (April 4, 2014). "Classes, Cameos, and Carousels". https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/prismaticgames/hex-heroes/posts/809020. 
  • Official 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.[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. 
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