Thief (2014 video game)

Short description: 2014 video game

Thief

Developer(s)| Eidos-Montréal[lower-alpha 1]
Publisher(s)| Square Enix
Director(s)| Nicolas Cantin
Producer(s)|

* Stéphane Roy
* Joe Khoury

Designer(s)| Alexandre Breault
Programmer(s)|

* David Gallardo
* Frédéric Robichaud

Artist(s)|

* Nicolas Cantin
* Emanuel Garcia

Writer(s)| Steven Gallagher
Composer(s)| Luc St-Pierre
Series| Thief
Engine| Unreal Engine 3[3]
Platform(s)| PlayStation 3
PlayStation 4
Windows
Xbox 360
Xbox One[4][5]
OS X[6]
Nvidia Shield[7]
Release|

* NA: February 25, 2014[9]
* AU: February 27, 2014[8]
* EU: February 28, 2014[9]

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

Thief is a stealth video game developed by Eidos-Montréal and published by Square Enix in February 2014 for PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox 360, and Xbox One video gaming platforms. Feral Interactive brought the game to OS X in November 2015.[10] It is a revival of the cult classic Thief video game series of which it is the fourth installment. Initially announced in 2009 as Thief 4, it was later announced in 2013 that the game is a reboot for the series.

The game is set in 'The City', a dark fantasy world inspired by Victorian, Gothic, gaslight fantasy and steampunk aesthetics. Players control Garrett, a master thief who embarks on several missions focusing on stealing from the rich. Players may approach levels in a variety of different ways; players can choose the action-oriented and lethal approach, where players will disable or kill enemies on their way to their destination, using knives and takedowns, or opt for the non-lethal stealthy approach, where players minimize interaction with non-player characters and the environment in order to avoid detection. Players may choose which path to take to their destination, as each location contains several branching paths.

Upon release, the game received a mixed critical reception, with critics praising its replay value and stealth gameplay, but criticizing the level design and story.

## Contents

* 1 Gameplay
* 2 Synopsis
* 2.1 Setting
* 2.2 Plot
* 3 Development
* 4 Reception
* 5 Future
* 6 Notes
* 7 References
* 8 External links
* 9 Features
* 10 History
* 11 See also
* 12 References
* 13 External links

## Gameplay

In the game, the player must rely on stealth to overcome various challenges, and remain in the shadows to avoid being detected by hostile enemies.

The player controls Garrett, a master thief, as he goes about a series of missions, most of which are focused around stealing from the rich. As with the previous games in the series, players must use stealth in order to overcome challenges, while violence is left as a minimally effective last resort.

There are a variety of routes through each level and the player is able to utilize a variety of playing styles to traverse them.[11] The game contains a variety of ways to distract or kill guards, such as barrels of oil which can be set alight. Levels contain coins and valuable objects which Garrett can steal; these are converted into money which can be spent on equipment and upgrades. Garrett is able to pickpocket guards and other characters.[12] The player may evade guards by hiding in shadows or around corners and is able to peek around edges and through keyholes in order to track the movements of enemies. Once Garrett has been spotted, guards and other non-player characters will attempt to hunt him down. The developers have stated that the game's artificial intelligence is aware of the level design, and as such guards will know in advance of potential hiding spots that the player may be utilizing.[12][13]

The player may enter a "Focus" mode, which provides several advantages.[12][13] It enhances Garrett's vision, highlighting pipes that can be climbed, or candles that can be put out to make the area darker. Focus can slow down time, so that Garrett is able to steal more effectively while pickpocketing. Garrett can use Focus to push enemies or perform debilitating attacks. It can be further upgraded over the course of the game.

Garrett carries a blackjack, used to knock guards unconscious; a collapsible,[14] composite bow, which can be used for both combat and non-lethal purposes such as distracting guards; and a claw, which can be used to grapple onto higher ledges.

An experience point system for the in-game growth of the character was meant to be used in the final game, but was later scrapped after negative feedback from fans, and to reflect the fact that the character was already a master thief.[15]

## Synopsis

### Setting

Thief is set in a dark fantasy world inspired by Victorian, Gothic, and steampunk aesthetics. Garrett, a master thief who has been away from his hometown for a long time, returns to it, a place known only as The City, and finds it ruled with an iron grip by a tyrant called the Baron. While The City is ravaged by a plague, the rich continue to live in isolation and good fortune while the poor are forming numerous mobs against the authorities. Garrett intends to use the volatile situation to his favor.[12][16]

A reboot of the series, the story is set several hundreds of years after the original events in the same universe, with clues to the backstory being hidden among documents, letters and plaques. The original master thief Garrett's (known as the legendary Sneak Thief) iconic mechanical eye is one of the hidden unique loots in the game that can be found inside of a prison complex.[17] Other references to the original series include the Keepers, Hammerites and the Old Gods, with ruins relating to them being visitable locations throughout the City and beneath.[18]

### Plot

During a night of revelry in the city, Garrett is hired by his contact Basso to steal from the manor of Baron Northcrest, the tyrannous ruler of the city; Garrett is partnered with Erin to assist him. Erin is naïve and reckless, and needlessly kills a guard using her grappling Claw, leading Garrett to rebuke her. Atop the manor's roof, the pair witness Northcrest inside leading a group of men into conducting a magical ritual. A wary Garrett calls off the job, but Erin objects; in the ensuing struggle, Erin falls through a skylight and absorbs the energy being channeled through the ritual. Garrett inadvertently falls into the hall and is knocked out.

Garrett awakens from a coma one year later to find that the city is being plagued by a disease of unknown origin called "the Gloom", and that various districts of the city are in lockdown. Returning to his hideout, Garret receives a message from Basso, who hires Garrett to steal a ring from a noble's corpse at a foundry used to dispose of victims of the Gloom. Garrett evades Northcrest's right-hand man, the Thief-Taker General, and retrieves the ring. There, he meets a man called Orion, the leader of a resistance movement working to bring down Northcrest. Agreeing to help Orion, Garrett ventures to a hidden brothel to find a unique book, visiting Erin's hideout in the process and experiencing a vision of her mentioning a place called Moira Asylum. Basso is arrested by the Thief-Taker General, prompting Garrett to rescue him. Garrett breaks into Northcrest's vault and recovers a piece of a mysterious stone called the Primal, which was used in the ritual at Northcrest's manor. Another vision reveals to Garrett that Erin is alive and under the influence of the power from the stone.

Garrett explores Moira Asylum, uncovering a second piece of the stone, but unable to find Erin. Garrett returns to Northcrest's manor to confront him, while Orion sparks a revolution on the city's streets. Northcrest reveals to Garrett that his ritual was intended to harness the power of the stone as a new energy source. The disruption of the ritual and fragmentation of the stone unleashed the Gloom unto the city. Orion, it transpires, is Northcrest's illegitimate brother, Aldous, who seeks the Primal for his own purposes. Seeking information on the stone, Garrett visits an informant, the Queen of Beggars, who tells him that the Primal must be reassembled and its power contained to save the city from the Gloom.

Garrett enters an old cathedral and finds Aldous using Erin in an attempt to heal citizens, assisted by the items stolen by Garrett. The Thief-Taker General arrives as Aldous flees with Erin; Garrett kills the General and pursues Aldous to his hideout aboard a ship. Erin unleashes the power of the Primal, killing Aldous, before attacking Garrett. He manages to reassemble the stone, restoring Erin, but unleashing a force which knocks her overboard. Garrett throws down her Claw to save her and falls unconscious. He awakens to find the Claw embedded in a post next to wet footprints, implying Erin survived, as dawn arrives.

## Development

Thief was initially announced in 2009 under the working title Thief 4 (stylized as Thi4f), after rumours of its development. Developed at Eidos-Montréal, the game was handled by a team other than the one that made Deus Ex.[19] The development team was initially kept small, and the game remained in concept phase for a long time. During this, numerous experimental design changes were proposed, such as having a third-person perspective, having a new protagonist, or environmental clambering similar to the Assassin's Creed series of games.[12][20] The general manager of the studio, Stephane D'Astous, was quoted as stating Thief 4 was currently in early development: "We're in the early development stages for Thief 4, but this is an incredibly ambitious project and a very exciting one. It's too early for us to offer any specific game details. Right now, we are focused on recruiting the very best talent to join the core team at the studio and help us make what we believe will be one of the most exciting games on the market."[21] After some gossip that several major members of Eidos Montréal left their jobs, D'Astous countered these claims by saying, "We will be able to be a little more communicative later on, hopefully before the year's end. Right now, Thief is our priority and we're putting everything behind it to make sure it's as successful as our first game".[22][23] In January 2013, NeoGAF found LinkedIn files that indicated network programmers were working on the project. Eidos-Montréal was expanded in 2010 with a separate team for multiplayer development, and when MP producer Joe Khoury was asked if they would also work on their next project, Thief 4, he did not deny or confirm.[24] Steam users that pre-ordered the game received Team Fortress 2 items for the sniper class (cosmetics based on what Garrett wears and a modified version of the huntsman weapon styled after the bow used in-game) and/or Dota 2 items based on the game.

Randy Smith, a designer on the original trilogy, suggested to the studio of creating a new character instead of using Garrett: "I was like, ‘Why don’t you guys just make your own character? If you really want to expand this franchise, show us a different person who’s similar to Garrett in this world, but has their own characteristics. Just give him a different name.’ That would have been interesting to me, to explore more of the world."[25]

Although the game was initially expected for seventh-generation consoles, it was switched to eighth-generation consoles during development.[26] This was confirmed when in March 2013, the game was unveiled through that month's issue of Game Informer[13] and announced to be released on the PC, PlayStation 4 and "other next-gen consoles". The game is a reboot of the Thief series.[27][28] Based upon initial press release photos Phil Savage of PC Gamer made some comparisons to Dishonored, stating "It all looks a bit Dishonored, which is apt, given that Dishonored looked a bit Thief."[29]

Eidos announced that the veteran voice actor Stephen Russell has been replaced by actor Romano Orzari for the role of the main protagonist in the series, Garrett. In a statement, Eidos explained their decision. "We made the decision to record our actor's voices and their movement at the same time using a full performance capture technique. The actor playing Garrett needed to be able to perform his own stunts. Garrett's a really athletic guy. We could have pasted Stephen's voice on top of the actions and stunts of someone else, but this wouldn't appear natural."[30] However, this decision has upset some fans of the series who initiated an online petition requesting Eidos-Montréal to bring back Stephen Russell as lead voice actor.[31]

Thief supports Mantle as well as AMD TrueAudio.[32] An OS X version was released on November 24, 2015.

## Reception

Reception

| Aggregate score

Aggregator| Score
Metacritic| PC: 70/100[33]
PS4: 67/100[34]
XONE: 69/100[35]
Review scores
Publication| Score
Destructoid| 7.5/10[36]
Edge| 7/10[37]
EGM| 3.5/10[38]
Game Informer| 8/10[39]
GameSpot| 6/10[41]
GamesRadar+| [40]
GameTrailers| 7.5/10[42]
GameZone| 6.5/10[43]
IGN| 6.8/10[44]
Joystiq| [45]
OPM (UK)| 7/10[46]
OXM (UK)| 7/10[47]
PC Gamer (US)| 7.9/10[48]
Polygon| 6/10[49]
Digital Spy| [50]
The Telegraph| [51]

Thief received "mixed or average" reviews, according to video game review aggregator Metacritic.[33][35][34] Most reviewers praised its stealth gameplay, level design, graphics, and replay value, but criticized its map layout, technical issues, and story.

GameZone's Mike Splechta gave the PlayStation 4 version a 6.5/10, stating "Some might be able to look past Thief's shortcomings and instead only focus on the moments of brilliance. However, I imagine long-time Thief fans hoping for Garrett's grand return might be somewhat disappointed."[43] Giving the reboot a score of 6.8, IGN's Dan Stapleton criticized the decision to replace the voice actor for Garrett, saying that the new actor, Romano Orzari, made the protagonist seem "flat" and "poorly lip-synced"; Stapleton also took issue with the sub-par AI, lack of variety or creativity in Garrett's choice of weapons, the poorly designed and cumbersome layout of The city, and the story, calling it "bland" and "supernatural-driven". However, he praised the ability to change the difficulty of the game so as to make it more challenging and was also positive about Garrett's new sprinting mechanics.[44] The Telegraph's Tim Martin was much more scathing in his review, giving the game 2 stars out of 5 and lambasting the rote manner in which each level plays out, forcing the player to conform to one set path through the maps and very rarely allowing him a sense of freedom and challenge. The review also pointed out that increasing the game's difficulty will do little to heighten any sense of danger or unpredictability; overall, Martin thought to be a half-hearted disaster.[51]

Eurogamer Italy gave it a score of 9/10, saying: "one of the best action-stealth titles in years and the first serious contender for the '2014 Game of the Year' contest".[52] Digital Spy gave it a glowing review, stating: "While the game does have its faults - particularly falling apart when Garrett is spotted - Thief excels in the shadows as a pure stealth title, becoming increasingly enjoyable as your skills improve."[50]

## Future

At an OXM press event a week before the game's release, Eidos-Montréal's Nick Cantin hinted a Thief sequel could be possible, depending upon its reception: "Nothing's announced yet but we're very keen to see how people respond to the game [...] We've built a really big universe around the first game, and there's a lot of layers to it – the world is really deep [...] so there's a lot of possibilities to jump on."[53]

## Notes

1. ↑ Ported to Windows by Nixxes Software,[1] and to OS X by Feral Interactive.[2]

## References

1. ↑ Saed, Sherif (February 24, 2014). "Thief: PC version "is not a port," says producer". VG247. https://www.vg247.com/2014/02/24/thief-pc-version-is-not-a-port-says-producer/.
2. ↑ Hiner, Kirk (November 24, 2015). "Thief now available for Mac". Public Access Gaming. http://publicaccessgaming.com/mac-gamers-are-you-ready-to-become-the-thief/.
3. ↑ Scammell, David (April 4, 2013). "Confirmed: Thief uses Unreal Engine 3, not UE4". VideoGamer.com. https://www.videogamer.com/news/confirmed-thief-uses-unreal-engine-3-not-ue4/.
4. ↑ "Thief Reboot Arrives February, New Trailer Launched". GamesLatestNews. 16 August 2013. http://gameslatestnews.com/2013/08/16/thief-reboot-arrives-february-new-trailer-launched-3368/.
5. ↑ Badke, Adam (June 20, 2013). "Thief Generations". Eidos Montréal. http://community.eidosmontreal.com/blogs/Thief-Generations.
6. ↑ "The window opens: get your hands on Thief™ for Mac". November 24, 2015. http://www.feralinteractive.com/en/news/483/.
7. ↑ "Five More Hits from Square Enix Coming to NVIDIA SHIELD". October 4, 2016. https://shield.nvidia.com/blog/5-new-square-enix-games?ncid=em-ded-nx-454#cid=SquareEnixSHIELD100416.
8. ↑ Bryan, Shane (October 10, 2013). "Check Out the First 'Thief' Gameplay Trailer". Xbox World Australia. http://www.xboxworld.com.au/home/2013/10/10/check-out-the-first-thief-gameplay-trailer/.
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Martin, Liam (October 9, 2013). "'Thief' debut gameplay trailer sees Garrett steal a precious jewel". Digital Spy. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/gaming/news/a522376/thief-debut-gameplay-trailer-sees-Garrett-steal-a-precious-jewel.html.
10. ↑ "The window opens: get your hands on Thief™ for Mac | Feral News" (in en). https://www.feralinteractive.com/en/news/483/.
11. ↑ MacDonald, Keza (5 March 2013). "Thief 4 Coming in 2014". IGN. http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/03/05/thief-4-coming-in-2014.
12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 "Thief – tons of details from Game Informer". Gaming Everything. http://gamingeverything.com/42090/thief-tons-of-details-from-game-informer/.
13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Watts, Steve (March 5, 2013). "Thief confirmed for next-gen consoles". Shacknews. http://www.shacknews.com/article/78078/thief-confirmed-for-next-gen.
14. ↑ "Thief 4 Leaked Trailer". YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xICYmQmNNv4/.
15. ↑ "All updates: Thief's XP System Scrapped After Fan Feedback". Ap.ign.com. 2013-10-20. http://ap.ign.com/en/news/9644/thief-s-xp-system-scrapped-after-fan-feedback.
16. ↑ Reeves, Ben (March 5, 2013). "April Cover Revealed: Thief". Game Informer. http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2013/03/05/april-cover-revealed-thief.aspx.
17. ↑ Primagames.com
18. ↑ Badke, Adam. "Take 5 – Community Q&A #2". Eidos Montréal. http://community.eidosmontreal.com/blogs/Take-5-QA-2?theme=thief.
19. ↑ Robinson, Andy. "Thief dev: 'There are a lot of action titles... this is Thief'". Computerandvideogames.com. http://www.computerandvideogames.com/394467/thief-dev-there-are-a-lot-of-action-titles-this-is-thief/.
20. ↑ Robinson, Andy. "Thief 4 team experimented with Assassin's Creed-style third-person elements". Computerandvideogames.com. http://www.computerandvideogames.com/394556/thief-4-team-experimented-with-assassins-creed-style-third-person-elements/.
21. ↑ "Eidos Montréal – Games". May 11, 2009. http://eidosmontreal.com/en/games.html.
22. ↑ Gallagher, Danny (2012-06-19). "Thief 4 Developer Says 'Thief is Our Priority' | Side Mission". GameTrailers. http://www.gametrailers.com/side-mission/18142/thief-4-developer-says-thief-is-our-priority.
23. ↑ Seitz, Dan (2012-06-14). "Thief 4: What's Happening? | Side Mission". GameTrailers. http://www.gametrailers.com/side-mission/17639/thief-4-whats-happening.
24. ↑ "Thief 4 heeft hoogstwaarschijnlijk multiplayer | PC games". Gamer.nl. 22 January 2013. http://www.gamer.nl/nieuws/409244/thief-4-heeft-hoogstwaarschijnlijk-multiplayer.
25. ↑ Peel, Jeremy (30 January 2023). "Thief developer Randy Smith says "immersion is totally incompatible with ego"". Gamer Network. https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/thief-developer-randy-smith-says-immersion-is-totally-incompatible-with-ego.
26. ↑ Robinson, Andy. "Rumour: Thief 4 'switched to next-gen consoles'". Computerandvideogames.com. http://www.computerandvideogames.com/362035/thief-4-switched-to-next-gen-consoles/.
27. ↑ Szturgiewicz, Bartosz. "Thief Reboot Coming in 2014". Gather Your Party. http://www.gatheryourparty.com/articles/2013/03/05/thief-reboot-coming-in-2014/.
28. ↑ Schreier, Jason (5 March 2013). "Thief Reboot Coming To PC And Next-Gen Consoles In 2014 [UPDATE"]. Kotaku. http://kotaku.com/5988618/spectacular-thief-4-images-leak-on-russian-site.
29. ↑ Savage, Phil (5 March 2013). "Thief 4 screenshots emerge from the darkness'". PC Gamer. http://www.pcgamer.com/2013/03/05/thief-4-screenshots-emerge-from-the-darkness.
30. ↑ Andy Chalk (3 April 2013). "Eidos Confirms New Lead Voice Actor For Thief". Escapistmagazine.com. http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/123052-Eidos-Confirms-New-Lead-Voice-Actor-For-Thief.
31. ↑ Meer, Alec (3 April 2013). "Why Thief Russelled Up A Different Voice Actor". http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2013/04/03/thief-voice-actor-2.
32. ↑ "Evaluating AMD's TrueAudio and Mantle Technologies with Thief". AnandTech. http://www.anandtech.com/show/7868/evaluating-amds-trueaudio-and-mantle-thief.
33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 "Thief for PC Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/thief/critic-reviews/?platform=pc.
34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 "Thief for PlayStation 4 Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/thief/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4.
35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 "Thief for Xbox One Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/thief/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-one.
36. ↑ Carter, Chris (February 24, 2014). "Review: Thief". Destructoid. http://www.destructoid.com/review-thief-270433.phtml.
37. ↑ Edge Staff (February 24, 2014). "Thief review". Edge. http://www.edge-online.com/review/thief-review/.
38. ↑ Harmon, Josh (February 24, 2014). "EGM Review: Thief". Electronic Gaming Monthly. http://www.egmnow.com/articles/reviews/egm-review-thief/.
39. ↑ Reeves, Ben (February 24, 2014). "Thief Review". Game Informer. http://www.gameinformer.com/games/thief/b/playstation4/archive/2014/02/24/thief-review.aspx.
40. ↑ Veloria, Lorenzo (February 24, 2014). "Thief review". GamesRadar. http://www.gamesradar.com/thief-review/.
41. ↑ VanOrd, Kevin (February 24, 2014). "Thief Review". GameSpot. http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/thief-review/1900-6415675/.
42. ↑ Speer, Justin (February 24, 2014). "Thief Review". Gametrailers. http://www.gametrailers.com/reviews/t1u5jf/thief-review.
43. ↑ 43.0 43.1 Splechta, Mike (24 February 2014). "Thief Review: Petty". GameZone. http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/2014/02/24/thief-review-petty.
44. ↑ 44.0 44.1 Stapleton, Dan (February 24, 2014). "Thief Review". IGN. http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/02/24/thief-review.
45. ↑ Kietzmann, Ludwig (February 24, 2014). "Thief Review". Joystiq. http://www.joystiq.com/2014/02/24/thief-review-for-the-hoard/?ncid=rss_truncated.
46. ↑ Iwaniuk, Phil (February 24, 2014). "Thief Review". PlayStation Official Magazine. Future plc. http://www.officialplaystationmagazine.co.uk/review/thief-ps4-review-gameplay-official-playstation-magazine-score/.
47. ↑ Evans-Thirlwell, Edwin (February 24, 2014). "Review: Thief Xbox One". Official Xbox Magazine UK. Future plc. http://www.totalxbox.com/72016/reviews/thief-xbox-one-review/.
48. ↑ Thursten, Chris (February 24, 2014). "Thief review". PC Gamer. Future Publishing Ltd.. http://www.pcgamer.com/review/thief-pc-review/.
49. ↑ Gies, Arthur (February 24, 2014). "Thief review: in the dark". Polygon. Vox Media. http://www.polygon.com/2014/2/24/5441360/thief-review.
50. ↑ 50.0 50.1 Martin, Liam (February 24, 2014). "Thief review (PS4): Stronger in the shadows with stealth - Gaming Review". Digital Spy. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/gaming/review/a553387/thief-review-ps4-stronger-in-the-shadows-with-stealth.html.
51. ↑ 51.0 51.1 Martin, Tim (February 24, 2014). "Thief review". Telegraph. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/video-games/video-game-reviews/10658395/Thief-review.html.
52. ↑ "Thief - review • Recensioni • PlayStation 4 •". Eurogamer.it. 2014-02-24. http://www.eurogamer.it/articles/2014-02-24-thief-review-recensione_9.
53. ↑ "Eidos Montreal: 'Lots of Possibilities' For 'Thief' Sequel". GameRant. 25 February 2014. https://gamerant.com/eidos-montreal-thief-sequel-ideas/.

## External links

* Official website
* 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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* v
* t
* e

Atari

Corporations|

| Primary|

* Atari, Inc. (1972–1992)
* Atari Corporation (1984–1996)
* Atari SA, Atari, Inc. (2003–present)

|

Subsidiaries and
spin-offs|

* Atari Games
* Atari Interactive
* AtariAge
* Chuck E. Cheese (1977–1978)
* Cyan Engineering
* Digital Eclipse
* Kee Games
* MobyGames
* Nightdive Studios
* Tengen

Arcades games
and amusements|

* Anti-Aircraft
* Asteroids
* Asteroids Deluxe
* Atari Basketball
* Atari Football
* Avalanche
* Battlezone
* Black Widow
* Breakout
* Canyon Bomber
* Centipede
* Cloak & Dagger
* Crash 'N Score
* Crystal Castles
* Destroyer
* Dominos
* Fire Truck
* Firefox
* Food Fight
* Gotcha
* Gran Trak 10
* Gran Trak 20
* Gravitar
* Hi-way
* I, Robot
* Indy 4
* Indy 800
* Jet Fighter
* LeMans
* Liberator
* Lunar Lander
* Major Havoc
* Millipede
* Missile Command
* Night Driver
* Outlaw
* Pin-Pong
* Pong
* Pong Doubles
* Pursuit
* Quadrapong
* Quantum
* Quiz Show
* Qwak!
* Rebound
* Red Baron
* Return of the Jedi
* Shark Jaws
* Sky Diver
* Space Duel
* Space Race
* Sprint 1
* Sprint 2
* Sprint 4
* Sprint 8
* Star Wars
* Starship 1
* Steeplechase
* Stunt Cycle
* Super Breakout
* Super Bug
* Super Pong
* Tank
* Tank 8
* Tempest
* Tournament Table
* Triple Hunt
* Ultra Tank
* Video Pinball
* Warlords

| Prototypes|

* Tank II

|

Software and utilities|

* Atari BASIC
* Atari Calculator
* Atari DOS

Video game
consoles|

* Home Pong
* Stunt Cycle
* Atari Video Music
* Video Pinball
* 2600
* 2800
* 5200
* 7800
* XEGS
* Lynx
* Jaguar
* CD
* VCS (2021)
* 2600+

| Prototypes|

* Game Brain
* Cosmos
* 2700
* Atari Mindlink
* Panther
* Sierra

|

Personal
computers|

* Atari 8-bit computers
* Atari ST
* MEGA STE
* TT030
* Transputer Workstation
* Falcon

| Portables|

* STacy
* ST Book
* Portfolio

|

Prototypes|

* Sierra

Peripherals|

| Printers|

* 825 80-Column Printer
* 1020 Color Printer

|

Gaming devices|

* CX40 joystick
* Atari joystick port
* XG-1 light gun

Other|

* Atari Democrat
* Atari Flashback
* Intellivision
* Sears

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Original source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MobyGames. Read more

|

* v
* t
* e

Thief

Games|

* Thief
* II: The Metal Age
* Deadly Shadows
* Thief

Companies|

* Square Enix
* Square Enix Europe
* Eidos Montréal
* Looking Glass Studios
* Ion Storm

Related|

* Garrett
* Dark Engine
* The Dark Mod
* "Robbing the Cradle"

* v
* t
* e

Visual Works

Feature films|

* Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children
* Final Fantasy XV

Video game franchises|

* Deus Ex
* Dragon Quest
* Drakengard
* Final Fantasy
* Gunslinger Stratos
* Hitman
* Kingdom Hearts
* Parasite Eve
* Tomb Raider

Standalone video games|

* The Bouncer
* Chrono Cross
* Densha de Go!
* Thief
* Vagrant Story
* Xenogears

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(0 votes)

Original source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thief (2014 video game). Read more

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