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Rolling (video game)

Topic: Software

 From HandWiki - Reading time: 8 min

Rolling
Cover art
Developer(s)Rage Software
Publisher(s)SCi
EngineRenderWare
Platform(s)PlayStation 2
Xbox
Release
  • EU: 24 October 2003
Genre(s)Sports
Mode(s)Single-player
Multiplayer

Rolling is a 2003 extreme sports video game developed by Rage Software and published by SCi for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox. The game is a simulation of aggressive inline skating in which players skate as one of twenty professional skaters and complete various goals across fourteen levels. Described by the publisher as "the world's most realistic in-line skating game",[1] the game was developed with a realistic design approach, using the input of professional skaters and basing several levels on international skate parks. Production of Rolling was troubled, with the game's release endangered following the financial troubles and collapse of developer Rage Software. SCi acquired and published the game in Europe, with plans for a Game Boy Advance and GameCube release abandoned. Upon release, Rolling received mixed reviews, with several reviewers critiquing the game's linear and dated design compared to the innovations in more recent extreme sports titles, including the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater series.

Gameplay

A screenshot of gameplay in Rolling.

Rolling is an extreme sports video game in which the player completes aggressive inline skating challenges across self-contained levels, and earns points for various tricks performed by pressing the controller's face buttons, including grabs, flips and grinds, while in the air or near edges of objects. While skating normally, the user can also "cess slide" by using the shoulder buttons, and 'manual' by pressing the Up and Down directional buttons in quick succession. In the game's main 'Career' mode, players choose a professional or custom skater and skate across time-limited runs across ten street levels and four competition levels. Street level objectives include earning a certain number of points in a run, collecting various objects, and earning enough points or performing a certain trick in front of a cameraman. Competition level objectives consist of completing three runs to earn the highest overall score, based on points accumulated, with the first run being a qualifier and the second runs being judged. As the player progresses in objectives, they earn reputation, which allows them to unlock new levels, sponsors, and tricks. Completing tricks across the game improves the player's statistics in ten areas, allowing them to improve their speed, air, and performance of tricks.

in 'Practice' mode, players can freely skate in levels unlocked in the Career mode without a time limit, although there are no objectives and statistics cannot be improved. Rolling features a multiplayer mode supporting two-player co-operative play across several challenge types, including to get the highest score in 'High Score', collecting pickups dropped by completing high scoring tricks in 'Stealing Scores', passing a bomb in 'Time Bomb', following or avoiding players in 'Close Up', performing tricks in certain zones in 'In the Zone', and tagging a logo in as many zones as possible in 'Tagging'. The game also features a player editor that allows the user to assign biographical details, different hair, skin, tattoos and clothing items unlocked in career mode, and a level editor that allows the player to create their own skatepark for use in practice and multiplayer modes.[1]

Development

Rolling was created by Rage Software, a Liverpool based studio who developed several sports video games including the Striker series of association football video games. Originally announced under several working titles, including Cesar and Fabiola's Inline Skate and SK8,[2] the title was announced for the Xbox and PlayStation 2 at E3 2001,[3] with the game featuring inline skaters including Cesar Mora and Fabiola da Silva, described as an "athletic, fast and exciting" aggressive inline skating title.[4] Majesco Entertainment originally was slated to publish the title in North America, with ports of the game planned for the GameCube[5] and independent developer Fluid Studios to port the game to the Game Boy Advance.[6] The game was developed with the intent of being an "authentic" representation of aggressive inline skating, engaging regular input from professional skaters and representing several international skate parks, including Rampworx Skatepark in Liverpool, Escondido Skatepark in California and G-Skates Skatepark in Kobe.[7]

Rolling experienced a troubled publication due to the collapse of developer Rage Software. In 2002, the developer entered financial problems following a decision to engage in heavy investment in a transition towards publishing games, leading to a sharp fall in the company's share prices.[8] Following the collapse of the company in January 2003,[9] plans to publish the game with Majesco Entertainment in North America were abandoned, with SCi acquiring the title for a planned release in Europe.[10] SCi development director Darren Barnet noted the publisher was "extremely impressed" with the title, and hired members of the original development team to finalize the final touches on the "very complete" game.[11]

Critical reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
PS2Xbox
GamesMaster55%[13]55%[13]
OPM (UK)6/10[15]N/A
OXM (UK)N/A5.9/10[14]
Game Power Australia6.5/10[16]N/A
Aggregate score
GameRankings57%[12]57%[12]

Rolling received mixed reviews, with an average review score of 57% according to review aggregator GameRankings.[12] Several reviewers assessed the game as a poorer imitation of the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater series of extreme sports games.[13][15] Describing the game as "playable" but "mediocre", Official Xbox Magazine UK described the game as "dated and derivative" due to its resemblance to earlier Tony Hawk's Pro Skater titles, writing "had this been released two years ago, it might have felt quite ordinary. Now, it's almost bordering on the retro."[14] Game Power Australia similarly critiqued the game, citing its "seemingly pointless goals" and absence of innovations in newer extreme sports titles, such as the removal of time limits, manual tricks, and reverts, writing "if you've played a Tony Hawk's Pro Skater game, you really have seen everything Rolling has to offer.[16] GamesMaster critiqued the game as a "step backwards compared to practically every other extreme sports game around", citing the "dull" backgrounds, lack of depth, and "dodgy controls".[13] However, whilst noting that the game "copies Tony Hawk's but can't match (its) gnarled greatness", Official PlayStation Magazine UK stated that the game "defies expectations" and praised the game's animation, career mode, and soundtrack.[15]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Rolling". Archived from the original on 26 September 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20070926233930/http://games.sci.co.uk/games/basic.asp?version_id=65. 
  2. ↑ "ECTS Fallout: SK8". 6 September 2001. https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/09/05/ects-fallout-sk8. Retrieved 14 August 2023. 
  3. ↑ "Rage Software E3 Lineup". 9 May 2001. https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/05/08/rage-software-e3-lineup. Retrieved 14 August 2023. 
  4. ↑ "Rolling (Sk8)". 31 January 2002. https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/01/31/rolling-sk8. Retrieved 14 August 2023. 
  5. ↑ "Rocky Comes to Cube". 5 April 2002. https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/04/05/rocky-comes-to-cube. Retrieved 14 August 2023. 
  6. ↑ Varanini, Giancarlo (10 April 2002). "Rage enters into developer agreement". https://www.gamespot.com/articles/rage-enters-into-developer-agreement/1100-2860331/. 
  7. ↑ "Get Yer Skates On". G-Force (7): 11. November 2002. https://archive.org/details/g-force-07/page/n9/mode/2up?q=rolling+%22rage+software%22. Retrieved 14 August 2023. 
  8. ↑ Wray, Richard (14 January 2003). "Rage looks for new backer or faces collapse". https://www.theguardian.com/business/2003/jan/14/citynews.newmedia1. Retrieved 14 August 2023. 
  9. ↑ Calvert, Justin (14 January 2003). "Rage Software shares suspended". https://www.gamespot.com/articles/rage-software-shares-suspended/1100-2908704/. Retrieved 14 August 2023. 
  10. ↑ Calvert, Justin (4 June 2003). "SCi to publish Rolling in Europe". https://www.gamespot.com/articles/sci-to-publish-rolling-in-europe/1100-6029463/. Retrieved 14 August 2023. 
  11. ↑ Minkley, Johnny (4 June 2003). "Exclusive: SCi snaps up Rage's Rolling". Archived from the original on 8 February 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120208024612/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/92061/exclusive-sci-snaps-up-rages-rolling/. Retrieved 14 August 2023. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 "Rolling - PS2". Archived from the original on 6 January 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20040106204725/https://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages4/561789.asp. Retrieved 14 August 2023. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 "Rolling". GamesMaster (140): 124. December 2003. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Daultrey, Stephen (December 2003). "Rolling". Official Xbox Magazine UK (23): 116. https://retrocdn.net/images/a/ad/OXM_UK_023.pdf. Retrieved 14 August 2023. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 Hart, Lee (December 2003). "Rolling". Official PS2 Magazine UK (40): 104. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Washington, Adam (3 December 2003). "Rolling Review". Archived from the original on 2 July 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20040702150939if_/http://www.gamerankings.com:80/itemrankings/launchreview.asp?reviewid=356621. Retrieved 14 August 2023. 
  • 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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