Impire

Short description: 2013 video game

Impire

Developer(s)| Cyanide Studios
Publisher(s)| Paradox Interactive
Platform(s)| Microsoft Windows
Release| February 14, 2013
Genre(s)| Strategy,[1] dungeon management game

Impire is a real-time strategy video game developed by Cyanide Studios and published by Paradox Interactive, and released for Microsoft Windows via Steam on February 14, 2013.[2][3][4]

## Contents

* 1 Gameplay
* 2 Setting
* 3 Development
* 4 Reception
* 5 References
* 6 External links
* 7 Features
* 8 History
* 9 See also
* 10 References
* 11 External links

## Gameplay

Initial press reactions to Impire drew comparisons with Bullfrog Productions's Dungeon Keeper, a real-time strategy game released in 1997 that received widespread critical acclaim. Alongside Dungeon Keeper, Impire similarly grants the player command over a subterranean empire, with the ability to construct buildings, recruit monsters, and engage minions in combat.[5]

## Setting

Within the fictional universe of Impire, the player assumes the persona of Baʿal-Abaddon, a primordial evil summoned from Tartarus and imprisoned in the physical form of a demonic imp, initially forced to serve the incompetent sorcerer Oscar van Fairweather. During the course of Impire, Baal-Abaddon escapes van Fairweather's control and attempts to reconstruct his ancient, nefarious empire under the continent of Ardania.[6]

## Development

Shortly after announcing the project on July 26, 2012, Yves Bordeleau, the Studio Director of Cyanide Montreal indicated that Impire was in 'pre-pre-alpha' during his presentation to GameSpot staff. Throughout Bordeleau's demonstration, he frequently referenced the 'scenarios' in the single-player and co-operative campaign setting of Impire, suggesting that the structure of the game is predominantly mission-based.[7]

## Reception

Reception

| Aggregate score

Aggregator| Score
Metacritic| 45/100[8]
Review scores
Publication| Score
4Players| 65%[9]
Destructoid| 3.5/10[10]
Eurogamer| 3/10[11]
Game Informer| 5/10[12]
GameSpot| 4.5/10[13]
GameSpy| [14]
GameStar| 47%[15]
Jeuxvideo.com| 14/20[16]
PC Gamer (UK)| 63%[17]
PC PowerPlay| 3/10[18]
The Escapist| [19]

Impire received "unfavorable" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[8]

## References

1. ↑ Matulef, Jeffrey (July 27, 2012). "Game of Thrones dev announces new strategy title Impire". Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/game-of-thrones-dev-announces-new-strategy-title-impire. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
2. ↑ "Impire Announced". Stephen Heaslip. July 27, 2012. https://www.bluesnews.com/s/134079/impire-announced. Retrieved July 29, 2012.
3. ↑ Mudgal, Kartik (July 28, 2012). "Paradox announces Impire, a new strategy game". GamingBolt.com. https://gamingbolt.com/paradox-announces-impire-a-new-strategy-game. Retrieved July 28, 2012.
4. ↑ Smith, Blaine (July 27, 2012). "Paradox Interactive Announce New Strategy MMO, Impire". Archived from the original on August 17, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120817112436/http://mmogamecentral.com/paradox-interactive-announce-new-strategy-mmo-impire/. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
5. ↑ Booker, Logan (July 28, 2012). "Impire Is A Dungeon Keeper-Inspired PC Game From Paradox And Cyanide". Pedestrian Group. https://www.kotaku.com.au/2012/07/impire-is-a-dungeon-keeper-inspired-pc-game-from-paradox-and-cyanide/. Retrieved July 28, 2012.
6. ↑ "Impire". Strategy Informer. July 26, 2012. http://www.strategyinformer.com/pc/impire/. Retrieved July 28, 2012.
7. ↑ GameSpot (July 27, 2012). "Impire - Demo". Google. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NwFJ0NbChc. Retrieved July 28, 2012. "The main character needs to evolve to regain power over... well, to gain control of Ardania. Basically, he's been summoned by Oscar, and he's been reduced to that little size of an imp, and he wants to regain his power to become the Lord of Ardania. That's his motive, but right now, in that particular scenario, we want to help... help out Oscar van Fairweather, which is the one that summoned you to get the Dust of Broken Hearts, a thing specific to that scenario."
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Impire for PC Reviews". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/impire/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
9. ↑ Oertel, Mathias (February 19, 2013). "Test: Impire" (in de). 4Players GmbH. https://www.4players.de/4players.php/dispbericht/PC-CDROM/Test/32107/79467/0/Impire.html. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
10. ↑ Brown, Fraser (February 27, 2013). "Review: Impire". Gamurs. https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-impire/. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
11. ↑ Harman, Stace (March 8, 2013). "Impire review". Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/impire-review. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
12. ↑ Biessener, Adam (March 5, 2013). "Impire Review". Game Informer (GameStop). https://www.gameinformer.com/games/impire/b/pc/archive/2013/03/05/a-dungeon-not-worth-keeping.aspx. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
13. ↑ Meunier, Nathan (March 7, 2013). "Impire Review". Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/impire-review/1900-6405003/. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
14. ↑ Johnson, Leif (February 20, 2013). "Impire Review". IGN Entertainment. http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/impire/1227455p1.html. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
15. ↑ Schäfer, Benjamin (March 1, 2013). "Impire im Test - Die Leiden des jungen Wärters" (in de). Webedia. https://www.gamestar.de/artikel/impire_im_test,3009836.html. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
16. ↑ Sylhas (February 18, 2013). "Test: Impire" (in fr). Webedia. Archived from the original on January 27, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180127021450/https://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0001/00018361-impire-test.htm. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
17. ↑ Khaw, Cassandra (March 3, 2013). "Impire review". Future plc. https://www.pcgamer.com/impire-review/. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
18. ↑ "Review: Impire". PC PowerPlay (Next Media Pty Ltd) (214): 88. April 2013.
19. ↑ Lashani, Ma'idah (February 27, 2013). "Impire Review - Hellish in Every Way". Gamurs. https://www.escapistmagazine.com/impire-review-hellish-in-every-way/. Retrieved October 26, 2022.

## External links

* 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 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]

On February 13, 2025, Freyholtz stepped down as the site lead to move onto new projects, leaving operations to Tracy Poff, a veteran coder on the site, and Atari staff.[18]

## 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.
18. ↑ "An update on MobyGames leadership". 2025-02-13. https://www.mobygames.com/forum/3/thread/269628/an-update-on-mobygames-leadership/#post-269628.

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