Predator (video game)

Predator
Cover artwork
Developer(s)	Software Studios System 3 Pack-In-Video (NES) Klon (MSX) Source GlenHills Graphics
Publisher(s)	Activision Superior Software The Hit Squad Pack-In-Video
Platform(s)	Acorn Electron, Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, BBC Micro, Commodore 64, NES, MSX, ZX Spectrum
Release	1987, 1988
Genre(s)	Action game
Mode(s)	Single-player

Predator is a 1987 side-scrolling action game based on the 1987 film Predator, and the first game based on the franchise.

The player starts with no weapons and must collect them as the game progresses.^{[citation needed]}

The MSX version was developed by Klon and is an action-platformer. The player takes the role of Dutch Schaefer. He can use his fists, a submachine gun, or mines as weapons, with each weapon containing a limited supply of ammunition Every time the player exits a level, a map screen appears, in which they may enter levels adjacent to their current level.

The NES version was developed by Pack-In-Video, and is based loosely on the MSX version, even borrowing most of its graphics and music. The player takes on the role of "Dutch" Schaefer and must make it from the beginning to the end of the level. The player starts out with his fists, but can also collect a machine gun, laser gun (the only weapon that can do damage to the Predator), and fragmentation grenades. Unlike the MSX version, the player has infinite ammo for each weapon he carries, but unlike the MSX version, can only carry one weapon at a time. Also unlike the MSX version, the player loses any weapons they carry from the previous level into the next. The laser and grenades can be used to break certain walls and ground. Some levels have two exits, one of which will warp the player ahead several levels. At the end of every few levels, a Predator will appear, which the player must neutralize before proceeding to the next level.

Exclusive to the NES version is the "Big Mode", named after the larger sprites than in the normal action stages. Here, the game takes place in an auto-scrolling environment where the screen scrolls to the right. Dutch must shoot blue and red bubbles to collect weapon powerups, whilst avoiding touching them and getting damaged. At the end of each level, he must fight the Predator in a boss battle to proceed to the next level. These levels also act as checkpoints, as after the player loses all their lives, they may continue from the last Big Mode.

The Japanese version has some gameplay differences from the USA/AUS release. The levels have been either completely redesigned or are in a different order. For example, the Japanese version starts on a Big Mode level, whereas the USA version starts on a normal action stage.

Predator received mixed but largely positive reviews across all the platforms, including the accolades of CU Screen Star from Commodore User for the Commodore 64 version and C+VG Hit! from Computer + Video Games for the ZX Spectrum version.^[1][2] Rachael Smith of Your Sinclair scored the ZX Spectrum version at 7/10, opining it has "great graphics, but too tough to get to grips with when sudden death sneaks up at every opportunity".^[3] In Germany, Predator was put on the "Index" by the Bundesprüfstelle für jugendgefährdende Medien (BPjM),^[4] which made it illegal to sell or make the game available to minors in Germany, and to advertise the game in any form.^{[citation needed]}

The NES version was negatively received by critics, due to several flaws with the graphics (Dutch wearing a pink outfit instead of blue like in the MSX version), and the enemies (except the Predator) and the gameplay having nothing to do with the movie, and poor controls.

• 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.

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.

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]

• IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

Wikidata has the property: NO LABEL (P1933) (see uses)

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

Template:Atari

0.00 (0 votes) Original source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MobyGames. Read more

• 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.

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.

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]

• IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

Wikidata has the property: NO LABEL (P1933) (see uses)

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

Template:Atari

0.00 (0 votes) Original source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MobyGames. Read more

• Predator at SpectrumComputing.co.uk*
• Predator at Lemon Amiga
• Predator at HOL Amiga database

0.00 (0 votes) Original source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Predator (video game). Read more