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Neighbours from Hell

Topic: Software

 From HandWiki - Reading time: 11 min

Short description: 2003 video game
For the animated series, see Neighbors from Hell. For the American Horror Story: Cult episode, see Neighbors from Hell (American Horror Story).
Neighbours from Hell
Windows PAL region cover art
Developer(s)JoWooD Vienna
Big Moon Entertainment (iOS, Android)
Farbworks (Back from Hell compilation)
Publisher(s)
Director(s)Michael Paeck
Producer(s)Michael Paeck
Jurie Horneman
Designer(s)Michael Paeck
Gerhard E. Kodys
Programmer(s)Andreas Meissl
Bernhard Gruber
Artist(s)Stefan M. Halegger
Writer(s)Gerhard E. Kodys
Composer(s)Wolfgang Tockner
Robbie Ost
EngineUnity (remastered)
Platform(s)
ReleaseWindows
  • PAL: June 20, 2003
  • NA: September 22, 2003
GameCube & Xbox
  • PAL: March 4, 2005
iOS, Android
  • WW: May 25, 2017
macOS
  • WW: June 22, 2017
Switch, PS4, Xbox One
  • WW: October 8, 2020
Genre(s)Puzzle, strategy
Mode(s)Single-player

Neighbours from Hell[lower-alpha 2] is a puzzle strategy game developed and published by JoWood Productions. It was originally released for Windows in 2003, with later releases for GameCube, Xbox, Android and iOS.

A remastered compilation of the first two games titled Neighbours Back from Hell was released on Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Android and iOS by THQ Nordic in October 2020. It features increased frame rate and HD visuals.

Gameplay

In Neighbours from Hell, the player takes control of Woody, an average man who seeks revenge on his neighbour Mr. Rottweiler by performing tricks on him, all of which is secretly caught on camera for a reality TV show of the same name. In each level, the aim is to complete a set amount of pranks on Rottweiler, whilst keep out of sight of him; if Rottweiler spots and catches Woody, the level ends in failure and the player must restart it. The game itself sees players moving between various rooms in the house, such as the kitchen and hallway, via their doors, with levels grouped into "seasons"; as the player progresses to new seasons, the player gains access to more rooms with more challenging prank puzzles to complete.

In order to prank Rottweiler, the player must interact with objects, some of which Woody will sabotage, while others require him to find items that are appropriate for the object (i.e. using a saw to sabotage a chair). While moving around the house, players must observe the routine that Rottweiler undertakes between various objects in the level and the path he uses, in order to plan how to avoid being seen and when to set up a prank. His routine can be disrupted in different ways; two of these involve his pets, a parrot and a guard dog, which will make noise if Woody fails to sneak around them and cause Rottweiler to check on them. To hide out of sight, players can make use of a wardrobe, and later slip under a bed to avoid being seen by Rottweiler.

Once a level's required number of pranks is completed, the player can continue to complete any additional pranks available, and eventually they must finish the level by bringing Woody to the neighbour's front door, whereupon they are scored on their performance.

Plot

Woody is an average man who has a happy life, until his neighbor Mr. Rottweiler makes his life miserable. Woody decides to take full revenge on Mr. Rottweiler and calls up a TV crew, which produces the self-titled reality show that shows the neighbor's relations from worst sight.

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
GCPCXbox
CGMN/AStarStarStar[4]N/A
CGWN/AStarStarStarHalf star[5]N/A
EurogamerN/A6/10[6]N/A
GameSpotN/A6.7/10[7]N/A
GameSpyN/AStarStarStar[8]N/A
GameZoneN/A7/10[9]N/A
IGNN/A7/10[10]N/A
Jeuxvideo.com11/20[11]13/20[12]11/20[13]
PC Gamer (US)N/A70%[14]N/A
X-PlayN/AStarStar[15]N/A
Cube8.2/10[16]N/AN/A
The Cincinnati EnquirerN/AStarStarStarStar[17]N/A
Aggregate score
Metacritic41/100[1]69/100[2]49/100[3]

The PC version received "average" reviews, while the GameCube and Xbox versions received "generally unfavorable reviews", according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[1][2][3]

Legacy

Ports and re-releases

On 4 March 2005, JoWooD released the game for the GameCube and Xbox exclusively in European territories. These versions of the game are not straight ports of the original and feature a selection of levels from the original game and its sequel.[18]

The original Microsoft Windows version was digitally re-released on GOG.com with its sequel by JoWood on June 9, 2009.[19] It was released on Steam by Nordic Games on November 7, 2013 after successfully getting Greenlit by the community.[20][21]

A Nintendo DS game simply titled Neighbors from Hell was released exclusively in Europe on June 30, 2009. While it reuses the cover art from the first game, it is actually a port of On Vacation.[22]

A mobile port of the game was released worldwide by THQ Nordic for iOS and Android on May 25, 2017 on the App Store and Google Play, respectively.[23] A port for macOS was released on the App Store on June 22 of the same year.[24]

Neighbours Back from Hell

A remaster, named Neighbours back From Hell, was released on October 8, 2020 for consoles and PC by Vienna-based developer FarbWorks and HandyGames (a publishing division owned by THQ Nordic), and contains both the first game and the sequel, remastered and reworked in HD and at high framerates. It received mixed-to-positive reviews from critics and fans.[25][26]

Sequel

Main article: Software:Neighbours from Hell 2: On Vacation

In 2004 a sequel was released, called Software:Neighbours from Hell 2: On Vacation. In this game, instead of being in a house, the player travels to various locations around the world. This time the player must have their caution turned to the mom of the Neighbour as well, if they do not want to be caught.

Notes

  1. ↑ Android, iOS, macOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch and Back from Hell
  2. ↑ German: Böse Nachbarn, lit. 'Evil Neighbours'. Known in the United States as Neighbors from Hell

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Neighbors From Hell for GameCube Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/neighbors-from-hell/critic-reviews/?platform=gamecube. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Neighbors from Hell for PC Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/neighbors-from-hell/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Neighbours From Hell (xbx: 2005): Reviews". CNET. http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/xbx/neighborsfromhell. 
  4. ↑ "Review: Neighbors from Hell". Computer Games Magazine (theGlobe.com) (158): 76. January 2004. 
  5. ↑ Del Sol, Arcadian (January 2004). "Neighbors From Hell". Computer Gaming World (Ziff Davis) (234): 114. http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_234.pdf. Retrieved April 24, 2020. 
  6. ↑ Taylor, Martin (July 30, 2003). "Neighbours From Hell (PC)". Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_neighboursfromhell_pc. 
  7. ↑ Colayco, Bob (September 23, 2003). "Neighbors From Hell Review (PC)". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/neighbors-from-hell-review/1900-6075608/. 
  8. ↑ Harker, Carla (October 23, 2003). "GameSpy: Neighbors From Hell (PC)". IGN Entertainment. http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/neighbors-from-hell/6298p1.html. 
  9. ↑ Giacobbi, Kevin "BIFF" (August 13, 2003). "Neighbors from Hell - PC - Review". https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/neighbors_from_hell_pc_review/. 
  10. ↑ Blevins, Tal (October 1, 2003). "Neighbors from Hell Review (PC)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/10/02/neighbors-from-hell-review. 
  11. ↑ Dinowan (March 7, 2005). "Test: Un Voisin D'Enfer! (NGC)" (in French). Webedia. http://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0000/00005144_test.htm. 
  12. ↑ Jihem (June 18, 2003). "Test: Un Voisin D'Enfer! (PC)" (in French). Webedia. http://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0000/00003176_test.htm. 
  13. ↑ Dinowan (May 12, 2005). "Test: Un Voisin D'Enfer! (Xbox)" (in French). Webedia. http://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0000/00005362_test.htm. 
  14. ↑ Saltzman, Marc (November 2003). "Neighbors From Hell". PC Gamer (Imagine Media) 10 (11): 126. http://www.pcgamer.com/archives/2005/07/neighbors_from.html. Retrieved April 24, 2020. 
  15. ↑ Hudak, Chris (October 23, 2003). "'Neighbors From Hell' (PC) Review". TechTV. http://www.techtv.com/xplay/reviews/story/0,24330,3549000,00.html. 
  16. ↑ Martin (April 2005). "Neighbours from Hell". Cube (43): 70–71. https://archive.org/details/cube-43/page/n69/mode/2up?q=. Retrieved July 19, 2021. 
  17. ↑ Saltzman, Marc (September 2, 2003). "Neighbors from Hell (PC)". The Cincinnati Enquirer (Gannett Company). http://cincinnati.com/freetime/games/reviews/090203_nfh.html. 
  18. ↑ https://www.gamesindustry.biz/jowood-releases-neighbours-from-hell-on-console
  19. ↑ "New release: Neighbours From Hell Compilation". CD Projekt. 9 June 2009. https://www.gog.com/news/new_release_neighbours_from_hell_compilation. 
  20. ↑ "Now Available on Steam - Neighbours from Hell Compilation, 25% off!". Valve Corporation. 7 November 2013. https://store.steampowered.com/news/11808/. 
  21. ↑ Sykes, Tom (17 October 2013). "Steam Greenlight approves 37 more titles, including Ikaruga, TowerClimb, Steam Marines". PC Gamer (Future plc). https://www.pcgamer.com/steam-greenlight-approves-37-more-titles-including-ikaruga-towerclimb-steam-marines/. Retrieved 9 August 2020. 
  22. ↑ https://www.gamesindustry.biz/neighbours-from-hell-ds-version-coming-june-2009
  23. ↑ Hodapp, Eli (May 30, 2017). "THQ Releases a Free 'Neighbours from Hell' Port on the App Store". MacRumors.com, LLC. https://toucharcade.com/2017/05/30/thq-releases-a-free-neighbours-from-hell-port-on-the-app-store/. 
  24. ↑ "Neighbors from Hell 1 and 2 out now on Mac App Store". THQ Nordic. 22 June 2017. https://www.thqnordic.com/article/neighbors-hell-1-and-2-out-now-mac-app-store. 
  25. ↑ "Neighbours Back from Hell - PS4 Review". 25 October 2020. https://www.playstationcountry.com/neighbours-back-from-hell-ps4-review/#:~:text=It's%20a%20bit%20limited%20and,pass%20a%20couple%20of%20evenings.&text=Neighbours%20Back%20From%20Hell%20is,and%20doesn't%20drag%20on.. 
  26. ↑ "Neighbours back from Hell". https://www.metacritic.com/game/neighbours-back-from-hell/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. 

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. 
  • No URL found. Please specify a URL here or add one to Wikidata.

Template:Atari



  • 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. 
  • No URL found. Please specify a URL here or add one to Wikidata.

Template:Atari



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