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Physicus

Topic: Software

 From HandWiki - Reading time: 6 min

Short description: 1999 educational adventure video game
Physicus
Developer(s)Ruske & Pühretmaier
Publisher(s)Heureka-Klett, Tivola Publishing
Platform(s)Windows, Macintosh
Release1999
Genre(s)Adventure, Educational
Mode(s)Single-player

Physicus: Save the World with Science! is a 1999 educational adventure video game developed by Ruske & Pühretmaier Edutainment and published by Heureka-Klett-Softwareverlag and Tivola Entertainment. It aims to teach players about physics concepts. It is part of a series that includes the chemistry-themed Chemicus and biology-themed sequel[1] Bioscopia.[2] It was the second learning adventure game by Ruske & Pühretmaier after the music-based Opera Fatal. The game's website had a minigame called "PHYSICO DriveIn" that players could download and complete in to get the highscore, which would win them a free copy of a game by the studio.[3] A sequel entitled Physicus: The Return was later released,[4] and was remade for the iOS.[5]

Gameplay

Gameplay is similar to Myst, in which players traverse through a series of computer generated static screens. Players can investigate physical locations, manipulate items, and complete puzzles to progress through the game.

The educational content covered four areas: Optics, Mechanics, Acoustics, and Electricity.[6]

Plot

When a meteorite collides with Earth, its planetary rotation ceases causing one hemisphere to be plunged into heat and the other into coldness. The player is tasked with using science to save the planet.

Reception

Tap Repeatedly thought the game was made in the same vein as Myst, and complimented its "charming... lighthearted" design philosophy that effectively taught players in an engaging manner.[7] Allgame noted that the game's use of the metric system and British accent of the narrator could act as barriers to North American players.[8][9] Adventure Spiele wrote that the game would be able to teach some physics concepts to even the uninitiated.[10] Quandaryland thought it would be a shame if the game's educational nature turned people off an experience as enjoyable as many non-educational titles.[11] Adventure Gamers noted the game's potential application within schools.[12]

Awards and nominations

  • 1999 Padi seal of approval (6 mice rating)[13]
  • 2000 Comenius seal[14]

References

  1. ↑ "Bioscopia. (Software: focus on science).(and Answer This: Whales and Dolphins! from Tivola Publishing)(Product Announcement)". T H e Journal (Technological Horizons in Education). 2002-03-01. https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-84969897.html. 
  2. ↑ "Mystery Manor Physicus Review". 2013-01-20. Archived from the original on 2013-01-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20130120050628/http://www.mysterymanor.net/reviewphysicus.htm. 
  3. ↑ "Physikus PC-Version Download". 2000-06-06. Archived from the original on 2000-06-06. https://web.archive.org/web/20000606161136/http://www.physikus.de/main.htm. 
  4. ↑ "…und Physik wird zum Abenteuer". 2004-01-16. Archived from the original on 2004-01-16. https://web.archive.org/web/20040116171801/http://www.klett-verlag.de/heureka/lernadventure/physicus2/set01.htm. 
  5. ↑ Gouscos, Dimitris (in en). ECGBL2011-Proceedings of the 5th European Conference on Games Based Learning: ECGBL2011. Academic Conferences and Publishing International. ISBN 9781908272195. https://books.google.com/books?id=EKMDBAAAQBAJ&q=geograficus&pg=PA329. 
  6. ↑ "Physikus PC-Version Download". 2000-06-06. Archived from the original on 2000-06-06. https://web.archive.org/web/20000606161136/http://www.physikus.de/main.htm. 
  7. ↑ "Four Fat Chicks -- Physicus Review". 2015-11-20. Archived from the original on 2015-11-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20151120134943/http://www.tap-repeatedly.com/Reviews/Physicus/Physicus.shtml. 
  8. ↑ "Physicus - Review - allgame". 2014-11-16. Archived from the original on 2014-11-16. https://web.archive.org/web/20141116222954/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=28772&tab=review. 
  9. ↑ "Physicus - Overview - allgame". 2014-11-15. Archived from the original on 2014-11-15. https://web.archive.org/web/20141115090041/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=28772. 
  10. ↑ "avsn.de Heureka - Physikus 1 - Und Physik wird zum Abenteuer Review". 2016-03-09. Archived from the original on 2016-03-09. https://web.archive.org/web/20160309081954/http://www.adventurespiele.net/reviews-req-showcontent-id-151.htm. 
  11. ↑ "Physicus Review by Quandary". 2006-01-09. Archived from the original on 2006-01-09. https://web.archive.org/web/20060109081618/http://www.quandaryland.com/jsp/dispArticle.jsp?index=483. 
  12. ↑ "Adventure Gamers : Physicus". 2006-01-03. Archived from the original on 2006-01-03. https://web.archive.org/web/20060103201654/http://www.adventuregamers.com/display.php?id=250. 
  13. ↑ "Beste Lernspiele für Kinder ab 12 Jahre (und andere Altersgruppen)". https://www.mediengewalt.de/spiele/beste-lernspiele-kinder-12-jahre.shtml. 
  14. ↑ "Beste Lernspiele für Kinder ab 12 Jahre (und andere Altersgruppen)". https://www.mediengewalt.de/spiele/beste-lernspiele-kinder-12-jahre.shtml. 
  • Main page
  • 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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