Software:X-Squad

From HandWiki

X-Squad, known in Japan as X-Fire/Crossfire (XFIRE ~クロスファイア~, XFIRE ~Kurosufaia~), is a 2000 third-person shooter video game developed and published by Electronic Arts Square under the EA Games label for the PlayStation 2.[1] It was released on August 3, 2000 in Japan, October 26 in North America (as a launch title for the console),[2] and on December 8 in Europe.

Gameplay

The player is prompted to use commands for Ash to give to his teammates.

X-Squad takes the form of a third-person shooter, with the two analog sticks moving the character and camera respectively. In the game the player leads a group of up to three soldiers through nine levels, giving them commands to perform helpful actions.[3][4] The player can also use the R1 and L1 buttons to strafe.[5]

Plot

In the year 2037, W-Squad has been defeated. Doctor Bianca Noble has been kidnapped and her experiment Project Medusa has been stolen. Ash, the leader of X-Squad, along with teammates Maya, Melinda and Judd, is deployed to rescue Dr. Noble and take down her kidnappers.

Development

EA partnered with Animation Science Corp. for developing the game's 3D animation.[6] An early preview reported the game used 30 fps with a huge amount of motion capture sequences.[7]

The game was formerly known as X-Shooter[8] prior to being known as X-Fire.[9] X-Squad was first shown in Japan in 1999 during the TGS convention.[10] EA showcased the game during the 2000 E3 convention.[11]

According to an interview with Mike Jeffress of Electronic Arts, the changes made for the non-Japanese version include English voiceovers, AI improvement, and changes to the story's plot to suit North American audiences.[12] He mentioned that plans were considered to add multiplayer, but it was later discarded due to time constraints and feedback that most players didn't want to fight each other in the game.[12]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic64/100[13]
Review scores
PublicationScore
AllGameStarStarHalf star[3]
Edge6/10[15]
EGM6.67/10[16][lower-alpha 1]
Famitsu30/40[18]
Game Informer7.5/10[19]
GameFan(J.W.) 80%[20]
75%[21][lower-alpha 2]
GameRevolutionC−[22]
GameSpot5.3/10[23]
IGN6.8/10[24]
Next GenerationStarStar[25]
OPM (US)StarStarStarHalf star[26]
Maxim8/10[27]

The game received "mixed" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[13] Randy Nelson of NextGen called it "A concept game that unfortunately doesn't even get its concept right."[25] In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of 30 out of 40.[18]

In one review, Human Tornado of GamePro called it "a great game for the action gamer who longs for a little more to chew on. The graphics are fast and nimble, and the action can be very challenging especially on the higher difficulty level. Even though it doesn't push the envelope, X Squad is a unique and very entertaining ride."[28][lower-alpha 3] In another GamePro review, Jake the Snake said, "If you can't get enough of third-person shooters, X Squad gives you plenty of trigger time, but nothing especially innovative or new."[29][lower-alpha 4]

Notes

  1. ↑ Three critics of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the game each a score of 6.5/10, 7.5/10, and 6/10.
  2. ↑ In GameFan's viewpoint of the game, three critics gave it each a score of 65, 82, and 77.
  3. ↑ GamePro gave the game two 3.5/5 scores for graphics and sound, 4.5/5 for control, and 4/5 for fun factor in one review.
  4. ↑ GamePro gave the game two 4/5 scores for graphics and control, and two 3.5/5 scores for sound and fun factor in another review.

References

  1. ↑ "Error: no |title= specified when using {{Cite web}}" (in ja). Electronic Arts Square. https://www.japan.ea.com/xfire/feature.html. 
  2. ↑ "The PS2 Launch Titles - IGN". 28 October 2000. https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/10/28/the-ps2-launch-titles. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Thompson, Jon. "X Squad - Review". All Media Network. http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=25246&tab=review. 
  4. ↑ Ahmed, Shahed (August 23, 2000). "Q&A: X-Squad". Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/articles/qanda-x-squad/1100-2618853/. 
  5. ↑ Stahl, Ben (May 18, 2000). "X-Squad Hands On". Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/articles/x-squad-hands-on/1100-2569348/. 
  6. ↑ "CrossFire Supported by Animation Science - IGN". 8 October 1999. https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/10/08/crossfire-supported-by-animation-science. 
  7. ↑ "Import Review: X-Fire - IGN". 9 August 2000. https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/08/09/import-review-x-fire. 
  8. ↑ "Now Playing in Japan, Vol. 3 - IGN". 10 September 1999. https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/09/10/now-playing-in-japan-vol-3. 
  9. ↑ "TGS 1999: Square Shows RPGs Instead of PS2 Product - IGN". 17 September 1999. https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/09/17/tgs-1999-square-shows-rpgs-instead-of-ps2-product. 
  10. ↑ "東京ゲームショウ '99秋 レポート". https://pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/article/990917/game01.htm. 
  11. ↑ "Pre-E3 2000: EA's Surprise Lineup - IGN". 5 May 2000. https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/05/05/pre-e3-2000-eas-surprise-lineup. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Q&A: X-Squad - GameSpot". https://www.gamespot.com/articles/qanda-x-squad/1100-2618853/. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "X-Squad". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/x-squad/. 
  14. ↑ Steinberg, Scott (December 13, 2000). "X Squad [sic"]. CNET. http://www.gamecenter.com/Ps2/Reviews/Xsquad/. 
  15. ↑ Edge staff (November 2000). "X-Fire". Edge (Future Publishing) (90): 88–89. https://retrocdn.net/images/c/cd/Edge_UK_090.pdf. Retrieved October 27, 2023. 
  16. ↑ Kujawa, Kraig; Mielke, James "Milkman"; Lockhart, Ryan (December 2000). "X-Squad". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (137): 236. https://retrocdn.net/images/6/62/EGM_US_137.pdf. Retrieved October 27, 2023. 
  17. ↑ Carroll, Tom (January 22, 2001). "X-Squad". Greedy Productions Ltd.. http://www.elecplay.com/review.html?article=5103&full=1. 
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 "プレイステーション2 - XFIRE ~クロスファイア~" (in ja). Famitsu (Enterbrain) 915: 86. June 30, 2006. https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=9358&redirect=no. Retrieved October 27, 2023. 
  19. ↑ Helgeson, Matt (November 2000). "X-Squad". Game Informer (FuncoLand) (91). https://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200011/R03.0806.1634.43316.htm. Retrieved March 28, 2020. 
  20. ↑ Weitzner, Jason "Fury" (November 2000). "X-Squad". GameFan (BPA International) 8 (11): 92. https://archive.org/details/Gamefan_Vol_8_Issue_11/page/n95/mode/2up. Retrieved September 10, 2020. 
  21. ↑ Mylonas, Eric "ECM"; Van Stone, Matt "Kodomo"; Ngo, George "Eggo" (November 2000). "X-Squad". GameFan (BPA International) 8 (11): 23. https://archive.org/details/Gamefan_Vol_8_Issue_11/page/n23/mode/2up. Retrieved September 10, 2020. 
  22. ↑ Liu, Johnny (November 2000). "X-Squad Review". CraveOnline. https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/33544-x-squad-review. 
  23. ↑ Gerstmann, Jeff (October 25, 2000). "X-Squad Review [date mislabeled as "May 17, 2006""]. Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/x-squad-review/1900-2644988/. 
  24. ↑ Zdyrko, David (October 24, 2000). "X-Squad". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/10/25/x-squad. 
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 Nelson, Randy (December 2000). "X Squad [sic"]. NextGen (Imagine Media) (72): 102. https://archive.org/details/NextGen72Dec2000/page/n103/mode/2up. Retrieved April 1, 2020. 
  26. ↑ Rybicki, Joe (November 2000). "X Squad [sic"]. Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine (Ziff Davis) (38): 159. https://archive.org/details/official-u.-s.-playstation-magazine-issue-38-november-2000/page/158/mode/2up. Retrieved October 27, 2023. 
  27. ↑ Fryman, Avi (October 26, 2000). "X Squad [sic"]. MaximNet, Inc.. http://www.maximonline.com/articles/review_videogames.asp?videogame_id=748. 
  28. ↑ Human Tornado (October 19, 2000). "X Squad [sic Review for PS2 on GamePro.com"]. GamePro (IDG). http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/7064.shtml. Retrieved March 28, 2020. 
  29. ↑ Jake The Snake (November 2000). "X Squad [sic"]. GamePro (IDG) (146): 120. https://retrocdn.net/images/3/36/GamePro_US_146.pdf. Retrieved October 27, 2023. 
  • 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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