Pen Pen TriIcelon

Short description: 1998 video game

Pen Pen Trilcelon

European boxart

Developer(s)| Land Ho!
General Entertainment
Publisher(s)|

* JP: General Entertainment
* NA: Infogrames North America
* EU: Infogrames Multimedia

Director(s)| Kyoichi Mori
Producer(s)| Hironori Miyagawa
Composer(s)| DogStarMan (Hiroyuki Nagashima, Hisahiko Horiuchi, Yuki Osaka)
Platform(s)| Dreamcast
Release|

* JP: November 27, 1998
* NA: September 9, 1999[1]
* EU: October 14, 1999

Genre(s)| Racing
Mode(s)| Single player, multiplayer

Pen Pen TriIcelon (ペンペントライアイスロン, Pen Pen ToraiAisuron), known simply as Pen Pen in Europe, is a video game created by one of the first Japanese companies to reveal Dreamcast development, General Entertainment, otherwise known as Team Land Ho! It was released in Japan as one of four launch titles, as well as all other regions.

## Contents

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

## Development

Pen Pen Trilceon was developed by Land Ho!, a former internal team at General Entertainment that later became its own company. The studio was still newly founded by the time development began. General Entertainment had been developing two titles, Pen Pen and Godzilla Generations, for the Dreamcast's launch. As a result, Pen Pen had a rushed development which likely explains its short length and lack of promised unlockables.[2]

The soundtrack was composed by Hiroyuki Nagashima, Hisahiko Horiuchi and Yuki Osaka under the band name "DogStarMan".[3] The soundtrack was released on CD as Pen Pen Trilceon Sound Tracks by the label Marvelous Entertainment Inc. in December 1998.[4]

## Gameplay

A TriIcelon is similar to the real-world triathlon. TriIcelons consist of three separate sporting styles in one game: running, sliding, and swimming. These three things combine to make a race where everyone competes for first place. The TriIcelons take place in four courses: Sweets, Jungle, Toys, and Horror.

The player controls little penguin-like characters called Pen Pen, in a race consisting of the three separate sporting styles. Both the sliding and swimming parts are raced by tapping and holding the action button in a rhythmic motion to maintain a smooth flowing pace. The running section is controlled simply with the analogue stick, also with the ability to jump, and charge into other competitors. The playable characters include the Pen Pens Sparky and Tina, the Pen Hippo Ballery, the Pen Shark Jaw, the Pen Walrus Back, the Pen Octopus Sneak, the Pen Dog Mr. Bow, and the unknown-species Hanamizu.

## Story

The Pen Pen are said to live on a small world called Iced Planet, and was here that the strange alien race were first discovered. Since the closest animal on Earth they resemble is the penguin, they were first given the name Pen Pen. The Pen Pen pretty much inhabit most of the planet's surface. It is believed they do, in fact, have their own language, but if so, it is totally incomprehensible to humans.[5]

It was later discovered that they come in a variety of different shapes and sizes. Other types came from other planets to visit the Iced Planet. Six types have been discovered so far.

In a world of snow, ice and water, the Pen Pen have mastered the arts of running, sliding and swimming, and always used to play about on an iced field.

These creatures saw the Pen Pen and came up with an idea, and thus, the TriIcelon was born.

This soon became the most popular sport on the Iced Planet. Pen Pens enjoy this sport everyday and never get bored of competing, but once a year, they hold a grand TriIcelon race to determine the number one TriIcelon player. The PenPen characters later made a cameo appearance on several posters in Blue Stinger's Christmas mall area.

## Reception

Reception

| Aggregate score

Aggregator| Score
GameRankings| 64%[6]
Review scores
Publication| Score
AllGame| [7]
Edge| 5/10[8]
EGM| 5.5/10[9]
Famitsu| 25/40[10]
Game Informer| 4/10[11]
GameFan| (J.W.) 80%[12]
60%[13]
GamePro| [14]
GameRevolution| C+[15]
GameSpot| 6/10[16]
GameSpy| 3.5/10[17]
IGN| 6.6/10[18]
Next Generation| [19]

The game received mixed reviews according to video game review aggregator GameRankings.[6] Adam Pavlacka of NextGen said of the game, "If you regularly play games with a group, pick it up – otherwise make it a rental."[19] In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of 25 out of 40.[10]

## References

1. ↑ "INA Press Release". 2001-08-04. http://www.infogrames.net/corporate/press_archive/090899_penpenships.asp.
2. ↑ https://www.hardcoregaming101.net/pen-pen-triicelon/amp/
3. ↑ https://www.mobygames.com/game/9786/pen-pen-triicelon/credits/dreamcast/
4. ↑ https://www.suruga-ya.jp/kaitori/kaitori_detail/120016471
5. ↑ From Issue #36 of Sega Saturn Magazine
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Pen Pen TriIcelon for Dreamcast". CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 5, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190505060249/https://www.gamerankings.com/dreamcast/198271-pen-pen-triicelon/index.html.
7. ↑ Marriott, Scott Alan. "PenPen TriIcelon - Review". All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 14, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141114183711/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=20068&tab=review. Retrieved November 7, 2015.
8. ↑ Edge staff (January 1999). "PenPen TriIcelon [Import"]. Edge (Future Publishing) (67): 87. https://archive.org/details/edgeuk067/page/n73/mode/2up. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
9. ↑ "Pen Pen TriIcelon". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (123): 220. October 1999.
10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "ペンペン トライアイスロン [ドリームキャスト"] (in Japanese). Famitsu (Enterbrain). https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=3201&redirect=no. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
11. ↑ Helgeson, Matt (October 1999). "Pen Pen Tri-Icelon". Game Informer (FuncoLand) (78). https://www.gameinformer.com/reviews/review_detail.cfm?ITEM_ID=3258. Retrieved November 7, 2015.
12. ↑ Weitzner, Jason "Fury" (November 1999). "Pen Pen TriIcelon". GameFan (Shinno Media) 7 (11): 72. https://archive.org/details/Gamefan_Vol_7_Issue_11/page/n73/mode/2up. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
13. ↑ Mylonas, Eric "ECM"; Rodriguez, Tyrone "Cerberus"; Ngo, George "Eggo" (November 1999). "Pen Pen TriIcelon". GameFan (Shinno Media) 7 (11): 18. https://archive.org/details/Gamefan_Vol_7_Issue_11/page/n19/mode/2up. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
14. ↑ The D-Pad Destroyer (1999). "Pen Pen Tri Icelon [sic Review for Dreamcast on GamePro.com"]. GamePro (IDG Entertainment). Archived from the original on February 20, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050220214851/http://gamepro.com/sega/dreamcast/games/reviews/1731.shtml. Retrieved November 7, 2015.
15. ↑ Dr. Moo (September 1999). "Pen Pen Tri-Icelon (Japan) Review". CraveOnline. Archived from the original on October 2, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151002234827/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/pen-pen-tri-icelon-japan. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
16. ↑ Gerstmann, Jeff (December 11, 1998). "Pen Pen TriIcelon Review". CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on July 22, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140722004514/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/pen-pen-triicelon-review/1900-2540466/. Retrieved November 7, 2015.
17. ↑ Bowen, Kevin (September 10, 1999). "PenPen TriIceLon [sic"]. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on January 24, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090124054730/http://www.planetdreamcast.com/games/reviews/penpen/. Retrieved November 7, 2015.
18. ↑ Gantayat, Anoop (September 8, 1999). "Pen Pen Tri-Icelon". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on January 24, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160124184841/https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/09/09/pen-pen-tri-icelon. Retrieved November 7, 2015.
19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Pavlacka, Adam (December 1999). "Pen Pen TriIceLon [sic"]. NextGen (Imagine Media) (60): 104. https://archive.org/details/NextGen60Dec1999/page/n105/mode/2up. Retrieved October 22, 2020.

## 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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