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Evolva

Topic: Software

 From HandWiki - Reading time: 7 min

Evolva is a third-person action game created by British computer artist William Latham and game designer/programmer Mark Atkinson,[1][2] and released in 2000.

Gameplay

The player leads a team of four "GenoHunters" exploring a planet; each of the GenoHunters can develop new abilities by incorporating and altering the DNA they've absorbed from the creatures they have killed.[2] The GenoHunters change their physical appearance (change colors, develop spikes or horns) based on the DNA they've used to mutate themselves. Genohunters can punch, jump, super jump, breathe fire, vomit flammable liquids, shoot explosives, scramble enemies' brains, and spawn small alien offspring that injure enemies. Prior to the game's release, publisher Interplay Entertainment advertised that there are over one billion possible variations on the basic Genohunter.

The game has 12 large, linear levels populated with alien insect-like creatures known as the "parasite guardians". There are different types of these alien creatures. In some of the levels there are "Bosses" at the end which your team of GenoHunters must defeat.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
GameRankings75%[3]
Review scores
PublicationScore
CGSPStarStarStarHalf star[5]
CGWStarStarStarStar[6]
Edge6/10[7]
Eurogamer9/10[9]
Game Informer5.75/10[10]
GameFan97%[11]
GameRevolutionB+[12]
GameSpot7.3/10[13]
GameSpy78%[14]
IGN7.2/10[15]
Next GenerationStarStarStar[16]
PC Gamer (US)79%[17]

The game received favorable reviews according to the review aggregation website GameRankings.[3] The game was praised by critics as very innovative, without any major criticisms, other than the high hardware requirements (for the time) and weak multiplayer support. Jim Preston of NextGen said of the game, "The gorgeous graphics and beautiful sound conceal some rather ordinary, if mostly fun, gameplay."[16]

Nick Woods of AllGame gave it a score of four stars out of five, saying, "A strong point of Evolva is the quality of the environments created by Interplay. The sense that you're on another planet is apparent and adds to the enjoyment of the game. I'd recommend this game to just about anyone as, overall, Evolva is a good, solid game that will provide many hours of enjoyment."[18] Michael Lafferty of GameZone gave it 8.5/10, calling it "a well-designed action-adventure game that demands intellect and reflexive skill."[19] Barry Brenesal of GamePro said, "Evolva has its distinctive elements-good team AI and great pathing, a wonderful variety of exotic creatures, and a novel application of color over a 3D terrain. But much of the game is simply traditional shooter material with an alien overlay. I kept hoping for something more creative, given the 3D possibilities-perhaps abilities that included flight. Evolva doesn't disappoint, but it doesn't raise much enthusiasm, either."[20][lower-alpha 1]

Based upon Evolva, Universal Interactive invited Computer Artworks to make a pitch for The Thing, a game based on the 1982 film of the same name. For the pitch, Computer Artworks reskinned a level from Evolva with an Antarctic theme and a Thing-like creature as a boss fight. The pitch impressed Universal sufficiently, and the deal was signed.[21]

Notes

  1. ↑ GamePro gave the game 3.5/5 for graphics, 2/5 for sound, 4/5 for control, and 3/5 for fun factor.

References

  1. ↑ Kushner, David (May 2000). "Mutations". Spin (Next Management Partners) 16 (5): 88. ISSN 0886-3032. https://books.google.com/books?id=Lupf_ZdXF98C&q=david+kushner&pg=PA89. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "NG Alphas: Computer Artworks". Next Generation (Imagine Media) (33): 64–66. September 1997. https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_33/page/n65. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Evolva for PC". CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 29, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190529190648/https://www.gamerankings.com/pc/197250-evolva/index.html. Retrieved April 23, 2021. 
  4. ↑ Bub, Andrew S. (June 13, 2000). "Evolva". CNET. Archived from the original on August 16, 2000. https://web.archive.org/web/20000816091532/http://www.gamecenter.com/Reviews/Item/0,6,0-4301,00.html. Retrieved April 23, 2021. 
  5. ↑ Perkins, Dave (June 19, 2000). "Evolva". Strategy Plus, Inc.. Archived from the original on May 30, 2003. https://web.archive.org/web/20030530121742/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/028/104/evolva_review.html. Retrieved April 23, 2021. 
  6. ↑ Bailey, Joe (September 2000). "You Say You Wanna [sic Evolution? (Evolva Review)"]. Computer Gaming World (Ziff Davis) (194): 112. Archived from the original on November 23, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221123064618/https://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_194.pdf. Retrieved April 21, 2024. 
  7. ↑ Edge staff (May 2000). "Evolva". Edge (Publishing) (84): 84–85. Archived from the original on April 8, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230408015914/https://retrocdn.net/images/4/4d/Edge_UK_084.pdf. Retrieved April 21, 2024. 
  8. ↑ McEnery, Paul (September 30, 2000). "Evolva". Greedy Productions Ltd.. Archived from the original on July 12, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20040712052613/http://www.elecplay.com/reviews_article.php?article=3201. Retrieved April 21, 2024. 
  9. ↑ Bye, John "Gestalt" (May 11, 2000). "Evolva". Gamer Network. Archived from the original on January 7, 2001. https://web.archive.org/web/20010107212300/http://www.eurogamer.net/content/evolva. Retrieved April 23, 2021. 
  10. ↑ "Evolva". Game Informer (FuncoLand) (88). August 2000. 
  11. ↑ "REVIEW for Evolva [Incomplete"]. Shinno Media. May 30, 2000. Archived from the original on June 19, 2000. https://web.archive.org/web/20000619144710/http://www.gamefan.com/repre.asp?g=1074&t=r. Retrieved April 23, 2021. 
  12. ↑ Sparks, Shawn (July 2000). "Evolva Review". CraveOnline. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150924044716/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/evolva. Retrieved April 23, 2021. 
  13. ↑ Parker, Sam (June 7, 2000). "Evolva". Fandom. Archived from the original on December 27, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191227234502/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/evolva-review/1900-2584078/. Retrieved April 21, 2024. 
  14. ↑ Madigan, Jamie (June 12, 2000). "Evolva". IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on June 1, 2002. https://web.archive.org/web/20020601214716/http://www.gamespy.com/legacy/reviews/evolva_a.shtm. Retrieved April 23, 2021. 
  15. ↑ Lopez, Vincent (June 13, 2000). "Evolva". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on December 27, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191227234502/https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/06/14/evolva. Retrieved April 21, 2024. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Preston, Jim (August 2000). "Evolva". NextGen (Imagine Media) (68): 96. https://archive.org/details/NextGen68Aug2000/page/n97/mode/2up. Retrieved April 23, 2021. 
  17. ↑ "Evolva". PC Gamer (Imagine Media) 7 (9). September 2000. 
  18. ↑ Woods, Nick. "Evolva - Review". All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 15, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141115150923/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=23668&tab=review. Retrieved April 23, 2021. 
  19. ↑ Lafferty, Michael (June 7, 2000). "Evolva Review". Archived from the original on September 30, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080930205225/http://pc.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r13034.htm. Retrieved April 23, 2021. 
  20. ↑ Brenesal, Barry (June 22, 2000). "Evolva Review for PC on GamePro.com". GamePro (IDG). Archived from the original on January 20, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050120213252/http://www.gamepro.com/computer/pc/games/reviews/5946.shtml. Retrieved April 23, 2021. 
  21. ↑ Mason, Graeme (May 4, 2014). "The making of The Thing". Archived from the original on July 6, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140706084535/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-05-04-the-making-of-the-thing. Retrieved July 6, 2014. 
  • 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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