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Dropsy (video game)

Topic: Software

 From HandWiki - Reading time: 7 min

Dropsy
Developer(s)
  • Tendershoot
  • A Jolly Corpse
Publisher(s)Devolver Digital
Director(s)
  • Jay Tholen
  • Jesse Bull
Designer(s)
  • Jay Tholen
  • Jesse Bull
Programmer(s)David Walton
Artist(s)
  • Jay Tholen
  • Jesse Bull
Writer(s)
  • Jay Tholen
  • Jesse Bull
Composer(s)
  • Jay Tholen
  • Chris Schlarb
EngineUnity
Platform(s)
Release
  • Windows, OS X, Linux
  • September 10, 2015
  • iOS
  • December 17, 2015
  • Android
  • December 20, 2017
  • Switch
  • September 29, 2022
Genre(s)Point-and-click adventure
Mode(s)Single-player

Dropsy is a 2015 point-and-click adventure video game developed by US-based indie developer Tendershoot (pseudonym of Jay Tholen) and indie development studio A Jolly Corpse, and published by Devolver Digital. The game was released on September 10, 2015 for Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux. The iOS port of Dropsy was released on December 17, 2015. The Nintendo Switch version was released on September 29, 2022.

Gameplay and plot

Dropsy is a point-and-click adventure centered on a clown named Dropsy. Players control Dropsy while exploring an open world in which they can interact with the environment, solve puzzles, and talk to non-player characters. In the game, Dropsy becomes an outcast after a fire at his family's circus and must work to discover the truth behind it in order to clear his name.[1] The game contains no text, so dialogue is represented by visual icons.[2][3] The game features over 50 minutes of live music composed and performed by Chris Schlarb.[citation needed]

Development

Dropsy began on the Something Awful forums in 2008 as a choose-your-own adventure game illustrated by Jay Tholen about a clown named Dropsy; forum commentators would suggest what the character would do and the choices would be illustrated and added to the story. The character originated from a platform game created by Tholen in 2004.[4] Demand for a playable version of the story increased and so Tholen began designing a game based around the story with the help of some members of the forum.[4] Tholen cites games such as EarthBound, Grim Fandango, and The Neverhood as inspirations for the game.[5] In 2011 a Kickstarter campaign raised $225 USD to fund a software package to help development, followed by another campaign in July 2013 which did not reach its $25,000 USD goal.[2][6] A third campaign, started in October 2013, asked for $14,000 USD and finished with nearly $25,000 USD raised.[citation needed] On October 31, 2013, Tholen released a short horror-themed side game titled Dropsy and the Black Lodge.[7] In November it was announced that Devolver Digital would be publishing the game, providing quality assurance and marketing, but not directing where the Kickstarter funds would be spent.[2] On September 17, 2014, indie studio A Jolly Corpse joined the team.[8] One year later on September 10, 2015, the game was released for Microsoft Windows, OS X and Linux.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic(PC) 80/100[9]
(NS) 70/100[10]
Review scores
PublicationScore
4Players78%[11]
Adventure GamersStarStarHalf star[12]
Destructoid9.5/10[13]
GameRevolution9/10[14]
GameSpot(Mac) 7/10[15]
Hardcore Gamer3.5/5[16]
PC Gamer (UK)78%[17]
TouchArcade(NS) StarStarStarHalf star[18]
VentureBeat80/100[19]
VideoGamer.com8/10[20]
National Post9/10[21]

The PC version received "favorable" reviews, while the Switch version received "average" reviews, according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[9][10]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Kelly, Andy (December 30, 2013). "Dropsy first-look: the surreal adventure game that wants you to love the unlovable". Future plc. https://www.pcgamer.com/dropsy-first-look-the-surreal-adventure-game-that-wants-you-to-love-the-unlovable/. Retrieved December 2, 2022. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Matulef, Jeffrey (November 21, 2013). "Devolver Digital to publish horrifying, adorable clown-based adventure Dropsy". Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/devolver-digital-to-publish-horrifying-adorable-clown-based-adventure-dropsy. Retrieved December 2, 2022. 
  3. ↑ Grayson, Nathan (October 25, 2013). "Dropsy Is An Adorable, Grotesque Open-World Adventure". Gamer Network. https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/dropsy-is-an-adorable-grotesque-open-world-adventure. Retrieved December 2, 2022. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Gera, Emily (July 17, 2013). "Dropsy: The surreal adventure game the Internet made". Vox Media. https://www.polygon.com/2013/7/17/4526662/dropsy-the-surreal-adventure-game-the-internet-made. Retrieved July 4, 2015. 
  5. ↑ Sullivan, Lucas (July 13, 2013). "Dropsy is weird to the power of clown…in a good way". Future plc. https://www.gamesradar.com/dropsy-weird-power-clown-good-way/. Retrieved July 4, 2015. 
  6. ↑ Polson, John (July 3, 2013). "Dropsy: a dialogue-free adventure game about a carefree, hands-free clown". UBM plc. Archived from the original on July 7, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130707144835/http://indiegames.com/2013/07/dropsy_a_carefree_hands-free_c.html. Retrieved December 2, 2022. 
  7. ↑ Tholen, Jay (October 31, 2013). "Dropsy and the Black Lodge". moon coop. http://jay-tholen.itch.io/dropsy-and-the-black-lodge. Retrieved July 4, 2015. 
  8. ↑ "A Jolly Corpse and Devolver Digital bringing you the Love of a Handless Clown". Tumblr. September 17, 2014. https://ajollycorpse.tumblr.com/post/97707151800/a-jolly-corpse-and-devolver-digital-bringing-you. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Dropsy for PC Reviews". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/dropsy/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. Retrieved October 28, 2015. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Dropsy for Switch Reviews". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/dropsy/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch. Retrieved December 3, 2022. 
  11. ↑ Wilczynski, Alice (September 21, 2015). "Test: Dropsy (PC)" (in de). 4Players GmbH. https://www.4players.de/4players.php/dispbericht/PC-CDROM/Test/37092/81433/0/Dropsy.html. Retrieved December 3, 2022. 
  12. ↑ Allin, Jack (November 16, 2015). "Dropsy review (PC)". https://adventuregamers.com/articles/view/29570. Retrieved November 3, 2022. 
  13. ↑ Furniss, Zack (September 15, 2015). "Review: Dropsy (PC)". Gamurs. https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-dropsy/. Retrieved November 3, 2022. 
  14. ↑ Almogi, Gil (September 16, 2015). "Dropsy Review (PC)". CraveOnline. https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/68983-dropsy-review. Retrieved November 3, 2022. 
  15. ↑ Espineli, Matt (September 25, 2015). "Dropsy Review (Mac) [date mislabeled as "June 20, 2016""]. Fandom. Archived from the original on September 27, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150927180116/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/dropsy-review/1900-6416256/. Retrieved December 3, 2022. 
  16. ↑ Estrada, Marcus (September 13, 2015). "Review: Dropsy (PC)". https://hardcoregamer.com/reviews/review-dropsy/166680/. Retrieved November 3, 2022. 
  17. ↑ Morrison, Angus (September 14, 2015). "Dropsy review". Future plc. https://www.pcgamer.com/dropsy-review/. Retrieved November 3, 2022. 
  18. ↑ Musgrave, Shaun (October 4, 2022). "SwitchArcade Round-Up: Reviews Featuring 'Dorfromantik' and 'Dropsy', Plus the Latest Reviews and Sales". TouchArcade.com, LLC. https://toucharcade.com/2022/10/04/dorfromantik-review-dropsy-nintendo-switch-eshop-discounts-pqube-sale-nobody-saves-the-world/. Retrieved November 3, 2022. 
  19. ↑ Greene, Gavin (September 9, 2015). "Dropsy is lovable despite some ugliness (PC)". https://venturebeat.com/games/dropsy-is-lovable-despite-some-ugliness/. Retrieved November 3, 2022. 
  20. ↑ Orry, Tom (September 15, 2015). "Dropsy Review (PC)". Recero Network. Archived from the original on May 15, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210515135246/http://www.videogamer.com/reviews/dropsy_review.html. Retrieved December 3, 2022. 
  21. ↑ O'Mara, Matthew (September 22, 2015). "Dropsy Review: Don't judge this clown by his makeup (PC)". National Post (Postmedia Network). https://financialpost.com/technology/dropsy-review-dont-judge-this-clown-by-his-makeup?r. Retrieved December 3, 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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