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The Sims 2

Topic: Software

 From HandWiki - Reading time: 13 min

Short description: 2007 video game
The Sims 2: Castaway
Developer(s)EA Redwood Shores
Full Fat (NDS)
Publisher(s)Electronic Arts
SeriesThe Sims
Platform(s)Keypad-based mobile phones
Nintendo DS
PlayStation 2
PlayStation Portable
Wii
Release
Genre(s)Life simulation, survival
Mode(s)Single-player

The Sims 2: Castaway is the third console spin-off of the life simulation video game The Sims 2 for the Wii, Nintendo DS (NDS), PlayStation 2 (PS2) and PlayStation Portable (PSP).[1] It is also available on mobile phones; Nokia offered Castaway on the Ovi Store.[2] A roughly similar game, The Sims Castaway Stories, is available for personal computers, but is not a direct port of Castaway.

Story

The game begins on a boat after the player creates a crew of characters. The crew can consist of one to six Sims. After the crew's creation, a slide-show starts of some mobile phone pictures that are taken showing the trip and also showing the storm that wrecks the ship. The player's starting Sim wakes up on First Beach on Shipwreck Island. The Sim finds books detailing the goals the Sim must follow to survive on the islands and escape. Shortly after exploring Shipwreck Island, the Sim discovers a second island, Airplane Island, this one considerably larger and more interesting than the first, and builds a raft to reach the new location. After arriving on the island, the Sim is reunited with some of their lost crew. The player then has the option to form a tribe of Sims if the relationship is strong enough. While exploring Airplane Island, the player finds radio parts that are required to complete a goal later in the game. A third island, Volcano Island, can be reached once the player finds the second beach on Airplane Island and builds a canoe. On Volcano Island, the player will discover the remains of the llama people. The player has the option to return to civilization on this island. They can either build a boat or travel to the volcano's summit and use the radio parts to send an SOS signal to a nearby ship. The player can also repair a broken ceremonial forge on Volcano Island that will cause a fourth island, Crystal Island, to rise out of the sea, however this is optional and is not required for the player to escape the island. The game contains many discoverable secrets, including secret areas such as Hidden Lagoon and the Secret Pirate's Cove. These areas can only be accessed once the player has gathered objects such as hieroglyphics and treasure map pieces, however this is a relatively extensive process.

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
DSmobilePS2PSPWii
1Up.comC+[7]N/AC+[8]C+[8]N/A
EurogamerN/AN/A5/10[9]N/AN/A
Famitsu28/40[10]N/AN/AN/AN/A
Game InformerN/AN/AN/AN/A7.25/10[11]
GameRevolutionN/AN/AN/AN/AD[12]
GameSpotN/AN/A7.5/10[13]N/A8/10[14]
GameSpyN/AN/A4/5[15]N/A4/5[15]
GameZoneN/AN/A7/10[16]N/A7.5/10[17]
IGN7/10[18]7/10[19]7.5/10[20]5.9/10[21]7.5/10[20]
NGamer70%[22]N/AN/AN/A75%[22]
Nintendo Life4/10[23]N/AN/AN/A7/10[24]
Pocket Gamer3/5[25]4/5[26]N/AN/AN/A
PSMN/AN/A3/5[27]N/AN/A
Aggregate score
Metacritic66/100[3]N/A71/100[4]64/100[5]73/100[6]

The game received "mixed or average reviews" on all platforms according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[3][4][5][6] IGN said of the PlayStation 2 and Wii versions, "Designed for everyone's inner Gilligan, The Sims 2: Castaway is an amusing, if somewhat flawed exploration of island life. While it gives an interesting twist on the standard shipwreck concept, the hampered nature of the guidebooks, strange placement of plans in menus and continual micromanagement does hamper some of the fun of the title. However, Sims fans will find this to be a good break from the traditional Sims formula, and one that will keep them entertained for a while."[20] In Japan, where the DS version was ported for release under the name The Sims 2: Survival (ザ・シムズ2 サバイバル, Za Shimuzu 2 Sabaibaru) on January 24, 2008,[28] Famitsu gave it a score of all four sevens for a total of 28 out of 40.[10]

References

  1. ↑ Enrico S. (August 18, 2007). "The Sims 2 Castaway packshots". Content Holdings, LLC. http://pspupdates.qj.net/The-Sims-2-Castaway-packshots/pg/49/aid/100226. 
  2. ↑ "The Sims 2 Castaway". Nokia. http://store.ovi.com/content/6CF44C10C3AC6ECCE040050A85327D61?clickSource=related%2Bcontent. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "The Sims 2: Castaway for DS Reviews". Red Ventures. https://www.metacritic.com/game/the-sims-2-castaway/critic-reviews/?platform=ds. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "The Sims 2: Castaway for PlayStation 2 Reviews". Red Ventures. https://www.metacritic.com/game/the-sims-2-castaway/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "The Sims 2: Castaway for PSP Reviews". Red Ventures. https://www.metacritic.com/game/the-sims-2-castaway/critic-reviews/?platform=psp. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "The Sims 2: Castaway for Wii Reviews". Red Ventures. https://www.metacritic.com/game/the-sims-2-castaway/critic-reviews/?platform=wii. 
  7. ↑ Nick Suttner (December 14, 2007). "[The Sims 2 Castaway (NintendoDS)"]. Ziff Davis. http://www.1up.com/reviews/sims-2-castaway_3. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Anthony Gallegos (January 5, 2008). "[The Sims 2 Castaway (PS2, PSP)"]. Ziff Davis. http://www.1up.com/reviews/sims-2-castaway. 
  9. ↑ Dan Whitehead (October 24, 2007). "The Sims 2: Castaway (PlayStation 2)". Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/the-sims-2-castaway-review. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Brian Valay (January 16, 2008). "Famitsu review scores". https://nintendoeverything.com/famitsu-review-scores/. 
  11. ↑ Bryan Vore (November 2007). "The Sims 2: Castaway (Wii)". Game Informer (GameStop) (175): 148. http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/C85FFCEA-8EA5-4EA5-8246-FE374751E3BB.htm. Retrieved March 21, 2022. 
  12. ↑ Greg Damiano (November 29, 2007). "The Sims 2: Castaway Review (Wii)". CraveOnline. https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/39485-sims-2-castaway-review. 
  13. ↑ Andrew Seyoon Park (October 24, 2007). "The Sims 2: Castaway Review (PS2)". Red Ventures. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/the-sims-2-castaway-review/1900-6181665/. 
  14. ↑ Andrew Seyoon Park (October 24, 2007). "The Sims 2: Castaway Review (Wii)". Red Ventures. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/the-sims-2-castaway-review/1900-6181659/. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Elisa Di Fiore (October 25, 2007). "GameSpy: The Sims 2: Castaway (PS2, Wii)". IGN Entertainment. http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/the-sims-2-castaway/830430p1.html. 
  16. ↑ Michael Lafferty (October 29, 2007). "The Sims 2 Castaway - PS2 - Review". https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/the_sims_2_castaway_ps2_review/. 
  17. ↑ Louis Bedigian (October 24, 2007). "The Sims 2: Castaway - WII - Review". https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/the_sims_2_castaway_wii_review/. 
  18. ↑ Jack DeVries (October 23, 2007). "The Sims 2: Castwaway Review (NDS)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/10/24/the-sims-2-castaway-review-5. 
  19. ↑ George Roush (April 8, 2008). "The Sims 2: Castaway Review (Cell)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/04/08/the-sims-2-castaway-review. 
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 Jeff Haynes (October 24, 2007). "The Sims 2: Castaway Review (PS2, Wii)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/10/24/the-sims-2-castaway-review-4. 
  21. ↑ Jeff Haynes (October 30, 2007). "The Sims 2: Castaway Review (PSP)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/10/30/the-sims-2-castaway-review-2. 
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 "The Sims 2: Castaway". NGamer (Future plc): 50. Christmas 2007. 
  23. ↑ McFerran, Damien (October 30, 2007). "The Sims 2: Castaway Review (DS)". Gamer Network. https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/2007/10/sims_2_castaway_ds. 
  24. ↑ Barker, Sammy (November 9, 2007). "The Sims 2: Castaway Review (Wii)". Gamer Network. https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/2007/11/sims_2_castaway_wii. 
  25. ↑ Kath Brice (October 26, 2007). "The Sims 2 Castaway (DS)". Steel Media Ltd. https://www.pocketgamer.com/the-sims-2-castaway/the-sims-2-castaway-ds-review/. 
  26. ↑ Kath Brice (January 17, 2008). "The Sims 2 Castaway (Mobile)". Steel Media Ltd. https://www.pocketgamer.com/the-sims-2-castaway/the-sims-2-castaway-mobile-review/. 
  27. ↑ "Review: The Sims 2: Castaway (PS2)". PlayStation: The Official Magazine (Future plc) (1): 77. Christmas 2007. 
  28. ↑ "ザ・シムズ2 サバイバル [DS"] (in ja). Famitsu (Enterbrain). https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=2870&redirect=no. Retrieved March 21, 2022. 
  • 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



  • 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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