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Twisted Metal

Topic: Software

 From HandWiki - Reading time: 10 min

Short description: 2001 video game
Twisted Metal: Black
North American box art
Developer(s)Incog Inc. Entertainment[lower-alpha 1]
Publisher(s)Sony Computer Entertainment
Director(s)David Jaffe
Producer(s)Scott Campbell
Designer(s)David Jaffe
Programmer(s)Steve Poulson
Composer(s)Michael Reagan
Gregory Hainer
Kevin Riepl
Kevin Manthei
SeriesTwisted Metal
Platform(s)PlayStation 2
Release
  • NA: June 19, 2001[1]
  • EU: December 7, 2001
Genre(s)Vehicular combat
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Twisted Metal: Black is a 2001 vehicular combat video game developed by Incog Inc. Entertainment and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 2.[2] It is the first game to be developed by Incog Inc. Entertainment, formed by SingleTrac alumni. The fifth title of the Twisted Metal series following Twisted Metal 4 (1999), it serves as a reboot of the franchise. An online enabled multiplayer-only variant, Twisted Metal: Black Online, was released later as a free send-away. The game received acclaim from critics and was nominated for several gaming awards.

It was also the first Twisted Metal released in PAL territories since Twisted Metal 2. Both Twisted Metal: Black and Twisted Metal: Black Online were reissued as part of Sony Greatest Hits program. A standard downloadable version of Twisted Metal: Black is included in the first batch of copies of Twisted Metal for PlayStation 3, discernible by the "Limited Edition" tab near the top of the cover art. In December 2015, the game was made available for the PlayStation 4 through the PlayStation Network.

Overview

Sweet Tooth on Snowy Roads, colliding with Yellow Jacket, while Crazy 8 (on the right) launches a fire missile towards Axel

In concept, Twisted Metal: Black is a demolition derby that permits the usage of ballistic projectiles. Players choose a vehicle and an arena—or a series of arenas in the story mode—to engage in battle with opposing drivers. A variety of weapons and upgrades are obtainable by pick-ups scattered throughout the stage. The objective of the game is to be the last one standing.

The basis of the plot follows the same structure as in all the previous games: Calypso runs a car-based contest called Twisted Metal (though in the game the contest is never called that), in which the various characters compete risking their lives to win the prize: a single wish granted. There are different endings for each drivers, with characters who have malicious wishes generally seeing their wishes straightforwardly granted, while those with beneficent wishes (such as Outlaw's driver Agent Stone) typically seeing their wishes manipulated and misinterpreted.

Each of the game's characters has their own story, which they narrate from their own point of view. Each of them starts with them being visited by Calypso, who knows what they desire and offers them the chance to receive their wish via winning his contest. Each member of the main cast also has a mid-story cutscene presenting more of their backstory through a dream sequence and an epilogue cutscene showing the consequences of their wish.

The game instead takes place within a single city known as "Midtown", with most competitors coming from the city's mental asylum, "Blackfield".

Twisted Metal: Black has a cast made up from both new and returning characters, some of which have changed drastically from their previous appearances. There are a total of fifteen selectable characters, in which ten of them are selectable from the very beginning and the other five must be found and unlocked.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic91/100[3]
Review scores
PublicationScore
AllGame4.5/5[4]
Edge6/10[5]
EGM8.5/10[6][lower-alpha 2]
Eurogamer9/10[8]
Game Informer9.5/10[9]
GameRevolutionA−[10]
GameSpot9.5/10[11]
GameSpy94%[12]
GameZone9.5/10[13]
IGN9.6/10[14]
Next Generation5/5[15]
OPM (US)5/5[16]
X-Play5/5[17]
The Cincinnati Enquirer4/5[18]
Playboy90%[19]

Twisted Metal: Black received "universal acclaim" according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[3] Daniel Erickson of NextGen said, "The best car combat game in history is also the most creative. Go get it."[15] Dan Elektro of GamePro said, "If you've lost your taste for Twisted Metal, this is the game that will bring back your appetite. Twisted Metal: Black is car combat action at its best."[20][lower-alpha 3]

Many critics praised its dark and outstanding storylines for each character and its variety of weapons and unlockables, but its hover style controls for not changing much from the previous installments and its unbalanced difficulty were noted criticisms. Maxim gave the game all five stars and called it "a road rager's dream come true".[21] Playboy gave it 90% and called it "fun for the whole family!"[19] The Cincinnati Enquirer gave it four stars out of five and called it "a fight to the finish, so it's important to keep moving and to quickly learn how and when to use each of the weapons".[18]

The game was nominated at The Electric Playground's 2001 Blister Awards for the "Best Multiplayer Console Game" and "Best Console Driving Game" awards, but lost to Software:Halo: Combat Evolved and Grand Theft Auto III, respectively.[22] It was also nominated for the "Best Shooting Game" award at GameSpot's Best and Worst of 2001 Awards, which also went to Halo.[23] The game also came in ninth in their list of the Top 10 Overall.[24] A year later, the Online version was nominated for the "Best Online Game on PlayStation 2" award at their Best and Worst of 2002 Awards, which went to SOCOM U.S. Navy SEALs.[25] During the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences' 6th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, the latter online version received a nomination for the "Online Gameplay of the Year" award, which went to Battlefield 1942.[26]

By July 2006, the game had sold 950,000 units and earned $31 million in the U.S. NextGen ranked it as the 61st highest-selling game launched for the PlayStation 2, Xbox or GameCube between October 2000 and July 2006 in that country.[27]

Twisted Metal: Harbor City

Screenshot of Twisted Metal: Harbor City

A sequel project,Twisted Metal: Harbor City, was planned but never officially announced. It was later scrapped.

Details on the game were revealed in the PlayStation 2 port of Software:Twisted Metal: Head-On, Extra Twisted Edition. Harbor City was meant to feature interconnected levels to offer a sense of a continuous world as opposed to the discrete stages of the main game. The four completed levels were included in the game as a bonus feature entitled Twisted Metal: Lost.

Webisodes

Animation S4, a producer of 3D and Flash animations, created a series of six original Flash "Webisodes" to promote the release of Twisted Metal: Black, beginning with No-Face, and including Billy Ray Stillwell, Sweet Tooth, Dollface, Bloody Mary and Mr. Grimm.[28]

Notes

  1. ↑ Santa Monica Studio assisted on development.
  2. ↑ Three critics of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the game each a score of 8/10, 9/10, and 8.5/10.
  3. ↑ GamePro gave the game two 5/5 scores for graphics and sound, and two 4.5/5 scores for control and fun factor.

References

  1. ↑ IGN staff (2001-06-19). "Twisted Metal Black Ships to Stores (Go Get It)". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on 2023-04-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20230414104515/https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/06/19/twisted-metal-black-ships-to-stores-go-get-it. Retrieved 2024-04-08. 
  2. ↑ "Twisted Metal: Black Ships for the PS2". 2001-06-19. Archived from the original on 2007-04-29. https://web.archive.org/web/20070429020010/http://ps2.gamezone.com/news/06_19_01_01_02PM.htm. Retrieved 2024-04-08. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Twisted Metal: Black". Fandom. Archived from the original on 2023-12-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20231212233846/https://www.metacritic.com/game/twisted-metal-black/. Retrieved 2024-04-08. 
  4. ↑ J.C. Barnes. "Twisted Metal: Black - Review". All Media Network. Archived from the original on 2014-11-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20141114185214/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=28757&tab=review. Retrieved 2023-05-08. 
  5. ↑ Edge staff (September 2001). "Twisted Metal Black". Edge (Bath: Future Publishing) (101): 82. Archived from the original on 2023-06-13. https://web.archive.org/web/20230613000816/https://retrocdn.net/images/d/db/Edge_UK_101.pdf. Retrieved 2024-04-09. 
  6. ↑ Dan "Shoe" Hsu; Kraig Kujawa; Che Chou (August 2001). "Twisted Metal: Black". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (146): 110. Archived from the original on 2023-03-21. https://web.archive.org/web/20230321143447/https://retrocdn.net/images/d/da/EGM_US_145.pdf. Retrieved 2024-04-09. 
  7. ↑ Todd Mowatt (2001-06-21). "Twisted Metal: Black". Greedy Productions Ltd.. Archived from the original on 2003-01-09. https://web.archive.org/web/20030109164225/http://www.elecplay.com/review.html?article=6151&full=1. Retrieved 2024-04-09. 
  8. ↑ Tom Bramwell (2002-02-26). "Twisted Metal: Black Review". Gamer Network. Archived from the original on 2002-03-07. https://web.archive.org/web/20020307055247/https://www.eurogamer.net/content/r_twistedmetalblack_ps2. Retrieved 2024-04-08. 
  9. ↑ Andy McNamara (July 2001). "Twisted Metal: Black". Game Informer (FuncoLand) (99). http://gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200107/R03.0805.1806.54422.htm. Retrieved 2014-03-15. 
  10. ↑ Shawn Sanders (June 2001). "Twisted Metal: Black Review". CraveOnline. Archived from the original on 2015-10-01. https://web.archive.org/web/20151001130615/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/twisted-metal-black. Retrieved 2024-04-08. 
  11. ↑ Ryan MacDonald (2001-06-18). "Twisted Metal: Black Review". Fandom. Archived from the original on 2001-06-25. https://web.archive.org/web/20010625121534/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/reviews/0,10867,2776616,00.html. Retrieved 2024-04-08. 
  12. ↑ Russell Garbutt (2001-06-29). "Twisted Metal: Black". GameSpy Industries. Archived from the original on 2001-08-04. https://web.archive.org/web/20010804131703/http://www.planetps2.com/features/reviews/2001/twistedmetalblack/. Retrieved 2014-03-15. 
  13. ↑ The Badger (2001-07-06). "Twisted Metal: Black Review - PlayStation 2". Archived from the original on 2008-10-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20081005182130/http://ps2.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r17307.htm. Retrieved 2014-03-16. 
  14. ↑ Douglass C. Perry (2001-06-18). "Twisted Metal: Black". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on 2023-09-25. https://web.archive.org/web/20230925102845/https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/06/18/twisted-metal-black. Retrieved 2024-04-08. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Daniel Erickson (August 2001). "Twisted Metal Black". NextGen (Imagine Media) (80): 80-81. https://archive.org/details/NextGen80Aug2001/page/n81/mode/2up. Retrieved 2024-04-08. 
  16. ↑ Kennedy, Sam (August 2001). "Twisted Metal: Black". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine (Ziff Davis) (47): 102-03. https://archive.org/details/official-us-playstation-magazine-issue-47-august-2001/page/102/mode/2up. Retrieved 2024-04-09. 
  17. ↑ Emmett Schkloven (2001-07-06). "Twisted Metal: Black (PS2) Review". TechTV. Archived from the original on 2002-06-08. https://web.archive.org/web/20020608013700/http://www.techtv.com/extendedplay/reviews/story/0,24330,3335380,00.html. Retrieved 2024-04-09. 
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Marc Saltzman (2001-06-11). "Road rage rules in racing games". The Cincinnati Enquirer (Gannett Company). Archived from the original on 2008-05-21. https://web.archive.org/web/20080521235037/http://cincinnati.com/freetime/games/reviews/071101_roadrage.html. Retrieved 2014-03-16. 
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Marc Saltzman (2001-08-14). "Twisted Metal: Black". Playboy (Playboy Enterprises). Archived from the original on 2002-03-06. https://web.archive.org/web/20020306052954/http://www.playboy.com/sports/games/twisted/index.html. Retrieved 2014-03-16. 
  20. ↑ Dan Elektro (August 2001). "Twisted Metal: Black". GamePro (IDG) (155): 90-91. Archived from the original on 2005-02-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20050212134646/http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/14760.shtml. Retrieved 2024-04-09. 
  21. ↑ Ryan Boyce (2006-06-06). "Twisted Metal: Black". Maxim (MaximNet, Inc.). Archived from the original on 2001-08-07. https://web.archive.org/web/20010807175619/http://www.maximonline.com/articles/review_videogames.asp?videogame_id=1034. Retrieved 2014-11-16. 
  22. ↑ EP staff (2002). "Blister Awards 2001 (Console Games)". Greedy Productions Ltd.. Archived from the original on 2003-07-13. https://web.archive.org/web/20030713061607/http://www.elecplay.com/feature.html?id=8152&page=4. Retrieved 2024-04-09. 
  23. ↑ GameSpot staff (2002). "The Best and Worst of 2001 (Best Shooting Game Nominees)". CNET. Archived from the original on 2003-02-04. https://web.archive.org/web/20030204182035/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/bestof_2001/p3_17.html. Retrieved 2024-04-08. 
  24. ↑ GameSpot staff (2002). "The Best and Worst of 2001 (Top Ten Overall)". CNET. Archived from the original on 2003-04-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20030405074540/http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/bestof_2001/p6_01.html. Retrieved 2024-04-08. 
  25. ↑ GameSpot staff (2002). "GameSpot's Best and Worst of 2002 (Best Online Game on PlayStation 2)". CNET. Archived from the original on 2003-02-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20030212112019/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/ps26.html. Retrieved 2024-04-08. 
  26. ↑ "6th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards: Winners". Archived from the original on 2004-06-03. https://web.archive.org/web/20040603024454/http://www.interactive.org/awards/IAA-6/winners.asp. Retrieved 2024-04-08. 
  27. ↑ Campbell, Colin; Keiser, Joe (2006-07-29). "The Top 100 Games of the 21st Century". NextGen (Future US). Archived from the original on 2007-10-28. https://web.archive.org/web/20071028115051/http://www.next-gen.biz/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3537&Itemid=2&pop=1&page=1. 
  28. ↑ "TWISTED METAL: BLACK WEBISODES". Archived from the original on 2023-12-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20231205082318/https://s4studios.com/portfolio/twisted-metal-black-sweet-tooth/. Retrieved 2024-04-08. 
  • 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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