MobyGames

MobyGames

Logo since March 2014
Screenshot Frontpage as of April 2012^[update]
Type of site	Gaming
Available in	English
Owner	Atari SA
Founder(s)	Jim Leonard Brian Hirt[1]
URL	mobygames.com
Commercial	Yes
Registration	Optional
Launched	March 1, 1999; 25 years ago (1999-03-01)[1]
Current status	Online

MobyGames is a commercial website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes nearly 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.^[2] The site is supported by banner ads and a small number of people paying to become patrons.^[3] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It is currently owned by Atari SA.

Overview

The database began with games for IBM PC compatibles. After two years, home consoles started being added. Coverage of arcade video games was added in January 2014 and mainframe computer games in June 2017.^[4]

Edits and submissions go through a leisurely verification process by volunteer "approvers". The approval process can range from immediate (minutes) to gradual (days or months).^[5] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copyediting.^[6]

Registered users can rate and review any video game. 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 subforum.

History

Logo used until March 11, 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999 by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, then joined by David Berk 18 months later, three friends since high school.^[7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience.

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.^[8] This was announced to the community post factum and a few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.

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]

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]

See also

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

References

1. Yarwood, Jack (March 1, 2024). "Video Game Database MobyGames Celebrates 25 Years". Time Extension. Hookshot Media. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
2. "MobyGames Stats". MobyGames. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
3. "MobyGames Patrons". MobyGames. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
4. "New(ish!) on MobyGames – the Mainframe platform". MobyGames.com. Blue Flame Labs. June 18, 2017. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
5. "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". MobyGames.com. Blue Flame Labs. March 30, 2014. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
6. "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". MobyGames.com. Blue Flame Labs. January 6, 2016. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
7. "20 Years of MobyGames". Oldskooler Ramblings. February 28, 2019. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
8. "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. February 7, 2011. Archived from the original on February 9, 2011.
9. Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". Polygon. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
10. Wawro, Alex (December 31, 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
11. "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021.
12. "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. Retrieved March 8, 2022.
13. "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million". VGC. March 9, 2022. Retrieved May 11, 2022.

External links

• Official website