Screamer (video game)

Screamer

European cover art

Developer(s)| Graffiti
Publisher(s)| Virgin Interactive
Director(s)| Antonio Farina
Producer(s)| Peter Hickman
Kevin Potter
Programmer(s)| Antonio Miscellaneo
Artist(s)| Marco Spitoni
Composer(s)| Allister Brimble
John Symonds
Neal Reynolds
Platform(s)| MS-DOS
Release|

* EU: 1995
* NA: October 31, 1995

Genre(s)| Racing
Mode(s)| Single-player

Screamer is an racing video game for MS-DOS compatible operating systems. The game uses texture mapped polygon-modelled tracks and cars and shares some elements with Namco's 1993 Ridge Racer. A sequel, Screamer 2, was released in 1996.

GOG.com released an emulated version for Windows in 2009 and Mac OS X in 2012.[1][2]

## Contents

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

## Gameplay

## Development

Software rendering is used in the game, unlike Screamer's three sequels Screamer 2, Screamer Rally and Screamer 4x4, that all utilized 3D hardware (in the case of Screamer 2, after a patch was released.)[3] As a result, Screamer was one of the early games to really require a Pentium processor to run at full speed, particularly in SVGA mode. A special 3D accelerated version was available with the Number Nine Reality 332FX graphics card, that utilized the S3 ViRGE chipset.

The game's music was composed by Allister Brimble.[4]

## Reception

A reviewer for Maximum commended the game for its high speed, replay sequences, smoothly scrolling graphics, selection of vehicles, numerous modes and options, overall high longevity, and low price point. He noted that the computer-controlled opponents follow a fixed course, and would even crash full speed into the player car rather than deviate from that course, but did not feel this was a bad thing. He gave the game 5 out of 5 stars.[5] A reviewer for Next Generation was also pleased with the graphics, selection of vehicles, and numerous modes. He praised the game for being more accessible than most racers, allowing players to begin racing without having to figure out the car's technical aspects, though he also criticized it as being "simplistic". He scored it 4 out of 5 stars, concluding that "there may not be a lot to it, but the graphics, playability, and selection of cars with their different qualities make it a title worthy of a look".[6]

The editors of Computer Games Magazine nominated Screamer as the best racing game of 2001, but ultimately gave the award to NASCAR Racing 4.[7]

An advertisement for the game, showing a burnt-out car wreckage with the slogan "Every Christmas the roads are full of mad men. Join them", aroused public outcry.[8]

## References

1. ↑ "Surprise release: Screamer". CD Projekt. February 13, 2009. Archived from the original on July 11, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220711104844/https://www.gog.com/forum/general_archive/surprise_release_screamer/page1. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
2. ↑ "GOG.com adds Interplay games for Mac OS X". CD Projekt. 26 October 2012. https://www.gog.com/news/gogcom_adds_interplay_games_for_mac_os_x.
3. ↑ "The Patches Scrolls - Archives 1997". http://www.patches-scrolls.com/whatsold1997.php.
4. ↑ "Orchestral Media Portfolio". http://www.orchestralmedia.co.uk/OrchestralMediaPortfolio.pdf. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
5. ↑ "Maximum Reviews: Screamer". Maximum: The Video Game Magazine (Emap International Limited) (2): 158. November 1995.
6. ↑ "Screamer". Next Generation (Imagine Media) (17): 98, 101. May 1996.
7. ↑ Staff (March 2002). "11th Annual Computer Games Awards". Computer Games Magazine (136): 50–56.
8. ↑ "Videogames Continue to Shock the System". Next Generation (Imagine Media) (27): 19. March 1997.

## 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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spin-offs|

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Racing games developed by Milestone

Screamer series|

* Screamer
* Screamer 2
* Screamer Rally

Licensed series|

| MotoGP|

* '07
* '08
* 13
* 14
* 15
* Valentino Rossi (16)
* 17
* 18
* 19
* 20

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FIA WRC|

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Superbike|

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Superstars|

* Superstars V8 Racing
* Superstars V8 Next Challenge

MXGP|

* MXGP The Official Motocross Videogame

Other car games|

* Racing Evoluzione
* Alfa Romeo Racing Italiano
* Corvette Evolution GT
* Super PickUps
* Sébastien Loeb Rally Evo
* Gravel

Other motorcycle games|

* Superbikes Riding Challenge
* Ride
* Ducati
* Ride 2
* Ride 3
* Ride 4

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