Championship Surfer

Short description: 2000 video game

Championship Surfer

European Dreamcast cover art

Developer(s)| Krome Studios
Publisher(s)| Mattel Interactive (North America)
GAME Studios (Europe)
Platform(s)| Microsoft Windows, PlayStation, Dreamcast
Release| Windows

* NA: November 20, 2000[1]

Dreamcast, PlayStation

* NA: December 4, 2000[3]
* EU: August 10, 2001 (DC)[2]
* EU: October 19, 2001 (PS)

Genre(s)| Sports
Mode(s)| Single-player, multiplayer

Championship Surfer is an extreme sports video game developed by Krome Studios, published by Mattel Interactive in North American and GAME Studios in Europe, and released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation and Dreamcast in 2000.

## Contents

* 1 Gameplay
* 2 Development
* 3 Reception
* 4 Notes
* 5 References
* 6 External links
* 7 Features
* 8 History
* 9 See also
* 10 References
* 11 External links

## Gameplay

The title offers various modes including Arcade, Championship, Free Surf, Time Attack, King of the Waves and Rumble, and supports up to four players.[4] The Championship mode uses scoring methods compliant with the Association of Surfing Professionals methodology.[5]

Players can select from one of eight real-life surfers including Cory Lopez, Shane Beschen, Jason Collins and Rochelle Ballard, with the game taking place on a fictional South Pacific Island with ten selectable beach locations, each with waves possessing their own unique breaking style and size, as well as varying weather conditions.[5]

## Development

Brisbane-based company Krome Studios led development of the title, and claimed to be "staffed with avid surfers, including current Australian national champion Mark "Richo" Richardson" who informed "development and implementation of wave dynamics, board dynamics, and the moves of the featured surfers in the game".[5]

The game was originally announced in April 2000 as Billabong Pro Surfing, but would ultimately release with the endorsement of rival surfwear company O'Neill.[6][5]

## Reception

Reception

| Review scores

Publication| Score
Dreamcast| PC| PS
CGSP| N/A| [11]| N/A
EGM| N/A| N/A| 4/10[12]
Game Informer| 5/10[14]| N/A| 7/10[15]
GameRevolution| C[16]| N/A| N/A
GameSpot| 7.2/10[17]| 5.3/10[18]| 7.3/10[19]
GameSpy| 8/10[20]| N/A| N/A
GameZone| N/A| 8.5/10[21]| N/A
IGN| 3.4/10[22]| 7.1/10[23]| 7.3/10[24]
Next Generation| [25]| N/A| N/A
OPM (US)| N/A| N/A| [26]
PC Gamer (US)| N/A| 69%[27]| N/A
Aggregate score
Metacritic| 61/100[7]| 47/100[8]| 57/100[9]

The Dreamcast and PlayStation versions received "mixed" reviews, while the PC version received "generally unfavorable reviews", according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[7][8][9] Daniel Erickson of NextGen said that the Dreamcast version was "Easily the best next-generation surfing game so far."[25] Atomic Dawg of GamePro said that the same console version "trades on the strength of an impressive game engine that truly makes you feel like you're gliding across the waves. While the game promises a lot, however, it doesn't quite deliver."[28][lower-alpha 1]

## Notes

1. ↑ GamePro gave the Dreamcast version 4.5/5 for graphics, two 3.5/5 scores for sound and fun factor, and 4/5 for control.

## References

1. ↑ IGN staff (November 20, 2000). "News Briefs". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on December 14, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211214225413/https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/11/21/news-briefs-20. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
2. ↑ "August DC line-up". July 27, 2001. Archived from the original on August 1, 2001. https://web.archive.org/web/20010801160251/http://www.sega-europe.com/english/news/000063/000063.php. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
3. ↑ "Dreamcast [game mislabeled as "Champ Pro Surf""]. Archived from the original on December 13, 2000. https://web.archive.org/web/20001213172300/http://www.ebworld.com/ebx/categories/homepages/dreamcast.asp. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
4. ↑ Randall, Neil (March 2001). "Championship Surfer". DC-UK (Future Publishing) (20): 62–63. https://retrocdn.net/images/5/53/DCUK_UK_20.pdf. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 "Mattel Interactive Announces Lineup for Championship Surfer". August 23, 2000. Archived from the original on July 7, 2001. https://web.archive.org/web/20010707085151/http://www.gamezone.com/news/8_28_00_02_19pm.htm. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
6. ↑ Justice, Brandon (April 7, 2000). "Surf's Up on Dreamcast?". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on December 30, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221230101635/https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/04/08/surfs-up-on-dreamcast.
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Championship Surfer critic reviews (DC)". Fandom. Archived from the original on January 19, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190119143708/https://www.metacritic.com/game/dreamcast/championship-surfer. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Championship Surfer critic reviews (PC)". Fandom. Archived from the original on August 5, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150805000622/https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/championship-surfer. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Championship Surfer critic reviews (PS)". Fandom. Archived from the original on April 23, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150423170701/https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation/championship-surfer. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
10. ↑ Bub, Andrew S. (January 8, 2001). "Championship Surfer - PC Review". CNET. Archived from the original on January 25, 2001. https://web.archive.org/web/20010125085000/http://www.gamecenter.com/Reviews/Item/0,6,0-5149,00.html. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
11. ↑ Abner, William (November 25, 2000). "Championship Surfer". Strategy Plus, Inc.. Archived from the original on May 25, 2003. https://web.archive.org/web/20030525184343/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/030/186/surf_review.html. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
12. ↑ Einhorn, Ethan (February 2001). "Championship Surfer (PS)". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (139): 135. Archived from the original on February 11, 2001. https://web.archive.org/web/20010211031156/http://www.zdnet.com/egm/stories/main/0,11589,2668352,00.html. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
13. ↑ Nash, Jeff (January 23, 2001). "Championship Surfer (DC)". Greedy Productions Ltd.. Archived from the original on March 24, 2003. https://web.archive.org/web/20030324023358/http://www.elecplay.com/review.html?article=5117&full=1#mr_toppy. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
14. ↑ "Championship Surfer (DC)". Game Informer (FuncoLand) (95). March 2001.
15. ↑ Anderson, Paul (January 2001). "Championship Surfer (PS)". Game Informer (FuncoLand) (93): 105.
16. ↑ Archer, Erik (January 2001). "Championship Surfer Review (DC)". CraveOnline. Archived from the original on September 6, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150906041704/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/xxxxxxxxx. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
17. ↑ Davis, Ryan (December 13, 2000). "Championship Surfer Review (DC)". Fandom. Archived from the original on January 23, 2001. https://web.archive.org/web/20010123221300/http://www.zdnet.com/gamespot/stories/reviews/0,10867,2664665,00.html. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
18. ↑ Varanini, Giancarlo (November 29, 2000). "Championship Surfer Review (PC)". Fandom. Archived from the original on January 24, 2001. https://web.archive.org/web/20010124100900/http://www.zdnet.com/gamespot/stories/reviews/0,10867,2659258,00.html. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
19. ↑ Davis, Ryan (November 30, 2000). "Championship Surfer Review (PS)". Fandom. Archived from the original on January 24, 2001. https://web.archive.org/web/20010124102500/http://www.zdnet.com/gamespot/stories/reviews/0,10867,2659745,00.html. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
20. ↑ Mr. Domino (March 19, 2001). "Championship Surfer". IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on January 25, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090125092235/http://www.planetdreamcast.com/games/reviews/championshipsurfer/. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
21. ↑ Lafferty, Michael (November 13, 2000). "Championship Surfer Review - PC". Archived from the original on November 6, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20081106021844/http://pc.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r15988.htm. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
22. ↑ Dunham, Jeremy (December 12, 2000). "Championship Surfer (DC)". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on December 13, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141213080940/https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/12/13/championship-surfer. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
23. ↑ Blevins, Tal (November 21, 2000). "Championship Surfer (PC)". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on December 13, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141213073453/https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/11/22/championship-surfer-3. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
24. ↑ Perry, Douglass C. (November 27, 2000). "Championship Surfer (PS)". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on March 9, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160309183802/https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/11/28/championship-surfer-2. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 Erickson, Daniel (February 2001). "Championship Surfer (DC)". NextGen (Imagine Media) (74): 75. https://archive.org/details/NextGen74Feb2001/page/n75/mode/2up. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
26. ↑ Kennedy, Sam (February 2001). "Championship Surfer". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine (Ziff Davis) (41): 94. Archived from the original on April 18, 2001. https://web.archive.org/web/20010418223109/http://www.zdnet.com/opm/stories/main/0,11891,2667599,00.html. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
27. ↑ Hachisu, Chiaki (February 2001). "Champion Surfer [sic"]. PC Gamer (Imagine Media) 8 (2). Archived from the original on September 2, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20040902023012/http://www.pcgamer.com/reviews/archives/review_2001-02-13ad.html. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
28. ↑ Atomic Dawg (February 2001). "Championship Surfer (DC)". GamePro (IDG) (149): 81. Archived from the original on July 25, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230725112243/https://retrocdn.net/images/1/1f/GamePro_US_149.pdf. Retrieved January 6, 2024.

## External links

* 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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