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Kiss

Topic: Software

 From HandWiki - Reading time: 10 min
Short description: 2000 video game
Kiss: Psycho Circus - The Nightmare Child
Developer(s)Third Law Interactive (PC)
Tremor Entertainment (DC conversion)
Publisher(s)Gathering of Developers (PC)
Take-Two Interactive (DC)
EngineLithtech 1.5
Platform(s)Windows
Dreamcast
ReleaseWindows
Collector's Edition
Dreamcast
  • NA: November 1, 2000[4]
  • PAL: January 19, 2001
Genre(s)First-person shooter
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer (PC version only)

Kiss: Psycho Circus - The Nightmare Child is a first-person shooter video game developed by American studio Third Law Interactive and published by Gathering of Developers for Microsoft Windows in July 2000. It was also released later that year for Dreamcast (using Windows CE) following a port by Tremor Entertainment.

Gameplay

Kiss: Psycho Circus - The Nightmare Child unfolds as a first‑person shooter in which the player moves through a long series of levels filled with large groups of hostile creatures that must be defeated to progress. Weapons are collected over time, and most obstacles take the form of locked doors that require finding keys after clearing additional enemies. The structure repeats across corridors, hallways, and passages, with each stage following the same pattern of combat and item collection.[5]

Development

Kiss: Psycho Circus was the first game to be developed by Third Law Interactive, themselves having recently formed in December 1998 after a widely publicized mass walkout from Ion Storm.[6] Versions for PlayStation[7] and Game Boy Color[8] were planned, but were later canceled. The PC version of the game was done on an enhanced version of the Lithtech engine, licensed from Monolith Productions. The PC version was also distributed with the November edition of Computer Buyer in 2000.

The game was exhibited during E3 1999 at Gathering of Developers' booth across the street from the event; alongside booth babes and live music, dwarves dressed as members of Kiss promoted the game.[9]

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
DreamcastPC
AllGame2/5[5]3.5/5[12]
CGSPN/A4/5[15]
CGWN/A3/5[16]
EGM2/10[17]N/A
EurogamerN/A9/10[18]
Game Informer4.5/10[19]N/A
GameProN/A3/5[20]
GameRevolutionN/AC[21]
GameSpot4.5/10[22]6.6/10[23]
GameSpyN/A70%[24]
IGN6.2/10[25]7/10[26]
Next GenerationN/A2/5[27]
PC Gamer (US)N/A70%[28]
Aggregate score
Metacritic59/100[10]71/100[11]

The game received "mixed or average reviews" on both platforms according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[10][11] However, Jeff Lundrigan of NextGen said of the PC version, "To be fair, this title accomplishes what it set its sights to do. Trouble is, those sights weren't set very high. This will seem interesting only if the last game you ever played was Doom."[27]

Kevin "BIFF" Giacobbi of GameZone gave the PC version nine out of ten, saying:[29]

This game rocks! What I am most pleased with is the support that the web site offers. Not only is there a forum where gamers can post games and ask questions that the KPC staff can answer as well as fellow gamers. But let's go one step further. There is a live chat session between certain hours where you can ask questions via chat with some of the KPC staff ... Way impressed! Other games should follow this idea!

However, Edge gave it three out of ten, saying, "A lot like Kiss themselves, The Nightmare Child is comically frightening and utterly over the top. Just as aptly, underneath all the irony, make-up and gothic ramblings, it isn't really worth the effort."[30]

The PC version and its Collector's Edition sold 42,000 units in the U.S. by October 2001.[31] The Dreamcast version in the U.S. sold 34,453 units.[32]

References

  1. ↑ "Today's UK releases" (in en-gb). Eurogamer.net. 2000-07-28. https://www.eurogamer.net/article-28697. 
  2. ↑ "GodGames". 2001-04-17. http://www.godgames.com/main.php?section=news&page=press&pr=KISS_In_Stores. 
  3. ↑ Fudge, James (2000-07-20). "KISS: Psycho Circus Collector's Edition Ships". Strategy Plus, Inc.. http://www.cdmag.com/articles/028/183/kiss_special.html. 
  4. ↑ Justice, Brandon (2000-11-01). "Take 2 Sneaks Out KISS: Psycho Circus". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/11/02/take-2-sneaks-out-kiss-psycho-circus. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Thompson, Jon. "Kiss Psycho Circus: The Nightmare Child (DC) - Review". All Media Network. http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=22718&tab=review. 
  6. ↑ IGN staff (1998-11-19). "Eight Quit Ion Storm". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/1998/11/20/eight-quit-ion-storm. 
  7. ↑ "KISS Psycho Circus: The Nightmare Child - PlayStation". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/games/kiss-psycho-circus-the-nightmare-child/ps-11106. 
  8. ↑ "KISS Psycho Circus: The Nightmare Child - Game Boy Color". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/games/kiss-psycho-circus-the-nightmare-child/gbc-12932. 
  9. ↑ Brenda Brathwaite (2013). Sex in video games. CreateSpace. p. 28. ISBN 9781491079263. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "KISS: Psycho Circus Critic Reviews for Dreamcast". Red Ventures. https://www.metacritic.com/game/kiss-psycho-circus-the-nightmare-child/critic-reviews/?platform=dreamcast. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "KISS: Psycho Circus - The Nightmare Child Critic Reviews for PC". Red Ventures. https://www.metacritic.com/game/kiss-psycho-circus-the-nightmare-child/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. 
  12. ↑ House, Matthew. "Kiss Psycho Circus: The Nightmare Child (PC) - Review". All Media Network. http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=20853&tab=review. 
  13. ↑ Mahood, Andy (2001-01-16). "KISS: Psycho Circus--The Nightmare Child - Dreamcast Review". CNET. http://www.gamecenter.com/Dreamcast/Reviews/Kpc/. 
  14. ↑ Rubenstein, Glenn (2000-07-27). "KISS: Psycho Circus--The Nightmare Child (PC)". CNET. http://www.gamecenter.com/Reviews/Item/0,6,0-4528,00.html. 
  15. ↑ Cross, Jason (2000-08-02). "KISS Psycho Circus: The Nightmare Child". Strategy Plus, Inc.. http://www.cdmag.com/articles/029/006/kiss_review.html. 
  16. ↑ Babler, Jason (October 2000). "It's Not Part of My Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy (KISS Psycho Circus: The Nightmare Child Review)". Computer Gaming World (Ziff Davis) (195): 130–31. http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_195.pdf. Retrieved 2018-11-26. 
  17. ↑ "KISS: Psycho Circus (DC)". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis). February 2001. 
  18. ↑ Bye, John "Gestalt" (2000-07-22). "KISS: Psycho Circus - The Nightmare Child Review (PC)". Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/kiss. 
  19. ↑ "KISS: Psycho Circus (DC)". Game Informer (FuncoLand) (94). February 2001. 
  20. ↑ Wight, Brian (2000-07-29). "KISS Psycho Circus: The Nightmare Child Review for PC on GamePro.com". GamePro (IDG Entertainment). http://gamepro.com/computer/pc/games/reviews/6236.shtml. Retrieved 2014-02-07. 
  21. ↑ Archer, Erik (August 2000). "KISS: Psycho Circus Review (PC)". CraveOnline. https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/32753-kiss-psycho-circus-review. 
  22. ↑ Wolpaw, Erik (2000-11-16). "KISS: Psycho Circus Review (DC)". Red Ventures. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/kiss-psycho-circus-review/1900-2655154/. 
  23. ↑ Wolpaw, Erik (2000-07-28). "KISS: Psycho Circus Review (PC)". Red Ventures. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/kiss-psycho-circus-review/1900-2609155/. 
  24. ↑ Law, Caryn "Hellchick" (2000-07-25). "Kiss: Psycho Circus (PC)". IGN Entertainment. http://www.gamespy.com/legacy/reviews/kiss_a.shtm. 
  25. ↑ Nix, Marc (2000-11-03). "KISS Psycho Circus: The Nightmare Child (DC)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/11/04/kiss-psycho-circus-the-nightmare-child. 
  26. ↑ Lopez, Vincent (2000-07-27). "KISS Psycho Circus: The Nightmare Child (PC)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/07/28/kiss-psycho-circus-the-nightmare-child-3. 
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 Lundrigan, Jeff (October 2000). "KISS Psycho Circus: The Nightmare Child (PC)". Imagine Media (70): 125. https://archive.org/details/NextGen70Oct2000/page/n125/mode/2up. Retrieved 2021-12-21. 
  28. ↑ "KISS: Psycho Circus - The Nightmare Child". PC Gamer (Imagine Media) 7 (10): 114. October 2000. 
  29. ↑ Giacobbi, Kevin "BIFF" (2000-07-25). "KISS Psycho Circus: The Nightmare Child (PC)". http://www.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r13044.htm. 
  30. ↑ Edge staff (September 2000). "Kiss Psycho Circus: The Nightmare Child (PC)". Edge (Future Publishing) (88): 109. https://retrocdn.net/images/8/86/Edge_UK_088.pdf. Retrieved 2021-12-21. 
  31. ↑ "GOD's Games". Computer Gaming World (Ziff Davis) (207): 31. October 2001. http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_207.pdf. Retrieved 2018-11-26. 
  32. ↑ "Gaming Age Forums - Sega Dreamcast sales (Console and Software)". http://www.goodcowfilms.com/farm/basement/ga-archive/sega-dc-sales-03-04-2003.htm. 
  • 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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